Village Vanguard has run jazz from a triangular basement on Seventh Avenue South since 1935. Two sets a night, Tuesdays for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's standing date.
Tip: Two sets nightly at 20:00 and 22:00. The 22:00 set Tuesday through Thursday drops to $35 if seats remain by 21:00.
Address: 178 Seventh Avenue South, New York, NY 10014, New York City
Smalls in a West 10th Street basement is the no-frills jazz room that runs four sets a night and a 23:45 jam session through to 04:00 most nights of the week.
Tip: Buy at the door cash, or stream the late-night jam free on SmallsLIVE if you cannot get in. Capacity is tiny so arrive early.
Blue Note on West 3rd Street is the West Village jazz room and restaurant that hosts touring headliners across two nightly sets, with a New Orleans Sunday brunch.
Tip: 20:00 and 22:30 sets nightly. The 22:30 set is the easier reservation; the brunch jam runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30.
Birdland on West 44th runs jazz, big band and New Orleans sets across a downstairs club and an upstairs theater room. The Birdland Big Band plays its standing Friday slot.
Tip: Set covers run $35 to $56 with a $20 food or drink minimum. The 17:30 and 19:00 sets are the easier walk-ins.
Smalls in a West 10th Street basement is the no-frills jazz room that runs four sets a night and a 23:45 jam session through to 04:00 most nights of the week.
Tip: Buy at the door cash, or stream the late-night jam free on SmallsLIVE if you cannot get in. Capacity is tiny so arrive early.
Blue Note on West 3rd Street is the West Village jazz room and restaurant that hosts touring headliners across two nightly sets, with a New Orleans Sunday brunch.
Tip: 20:00 and 22:30 sets nightly. The 22:30 set is the easier reservation; the brunch jam runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30.
Mercury Lounge on East Houston is the 250-capacity Bowery Presents room where touring indie bands play one of their first New York shows. Two sets most nights.
Tip: Doors usually 18:30, openers at 19:00. Bandstand has no bad sight line; arrive early to claim a spot at the rail.
Bowery Ballroom on Delancey is the 575-capacity room with the perfect Manhattan sight line, an upstairs balcony and a downstairs lounge bar that opens an hour before doors.
Tip: Balcony seats fill first; the floor is general admission. The downstairs Pianos-style lounge runs through the show.
Music Hall of Williamsburg on North 6th is the 650-capacity Bowery Presents room that took over the former Northsix and books indie, electronic and rock headliners.
Tip: Doors typically 19:00 with show at 20:00. The mezzanine has a clear sight line; the floor pit fills fast at the rail.