Independent music venues in New York to follow

As anyone who's lived in New York City can tell you, venues tend to come and go. It's a bittersweet feeling. Beloved community spaces are built up, becoming places of genuine connection and comfort – and then along come the rent hikes, threats of developers, and the reverberating effects of the lockdown era. So there’s never been a better time to follow and support independent music venues in New York.

In the best-case scenarios, the people behind the spaces find ways to move forward and create new environments, like many of the venues highlighted below. This is a true testament to the indomitable spirit of New York City's independent music and nightlife scenes. In the age of overpriced stadium tours, corporate company consolidation, and inflation, it's important to treasure and support our beloved independent venues.

Over the past six years, Elsewhere has become a cornerstone of independent music in Brooklyn. Founded by the team behind the iconic Williamsburg space Glasslands (which closed in 2015 – pour one out), it's an impressive example of what can happen when DIY goes pro. The former warehouse makes use of four areas: the Hall, for bigger touring artists; Zone One, the cozy, low-ceilinged club room; the Rooftop, the ideal summertime hang with a city backdrop and top-drawer frozen margaritas; and the Loft, the upstairs lounge showcasing local DJs. Their bookings have spanned every genre and community, from up-and-comers (think Swami Sound and Frost Children) to established legends (Deerhoof, ESG, Cate Le Bon). A true venue for discovery.

See upcoming events at Elsewhere

Formerly known as Secret Loft, an artist-run space trading in circus, comedy, literary events, and live music, its current iteration now resides in a refurbished Quonset hut near the Jefferson L stop in Bushwick. Though the venue has only been open for a year, they've already booked Derrick Carter, Kode9, and Machinedrum and tapped into a wealth of local talent like Analog Soul, DJ Wawa, and Sister Zo. "We want to be a home for a scene," says co-owner Alex Neuhasen. "We want to be the spot that 20 years from now, people say, 'I was there and saw so-and-so spin their first set in the front room of SILO.'"

See upcoming events at SILO

We can assume The Sultan Room is Brooklyn's only venue situated in the back of a reincarnated Midwest supper club. Outfitted with luxe decor bought at auction from the original Turk's Inn in Hayward, Wisconsin, the space has a real ‘dinner and a show’ vibe, with plush amenities and state-of-the-art lights & sound. From DJ parties to full-band bills, The Sultan Room has hosted acts such as Alice Longyu Gao, Jockstrap and Ibeyi. But the bookers haven't limited themselves to music – they've put on variety shows and open mics, queer strip parties, and multiple instances of something called the Great Rat Summoning. It's a great spot for people who are up for anything, as well as friends who wouldn't normally come on a night out. Pr0-tip – you can grab a döner kebab after the show from their late-night spot next door.   

See upcoming events at The Sultan Room 

Straddling the border between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Superior Ingredients sits at 74 Wythe Ave (once home to Output, one of Brooklyn's first legitimately licensed venues for electronic music). Since its founding in 2021, SI has taken up the mantle, booking global house and techno DJs (think Juan Atkins, John Digweed, and LP Giobbi), as well as spotlighting local parties. While the indoor Room is a perfectly enjoyable place to spend a night out, SI's main draw is the Roof, which was renovated after Output's closure and is now open year-round with Manhattan skyline views punctuated by a giant mirrorball. 

See upcoming events at Superior Ingredients

Though many of the city's independent venues sit across the bridge in Brooklyn, the rich musical history of Manhattan lives on at LPR. The roomy subterranean club is home to a crisp sound system for kitted-out acts on the main stage or more intimate acoustic performances in the round. LPR's history of bookings is very much an ‘only in New York’ phenomenon; virtuosos such as Nils Frahm, Laurie Anderson, and Steve Reich have graced the stage, along with pop stars like Charli XCX, Lady Gaga, and PinkPantheress (for her surprise debut show in New York City), and many indie rockers in between. And, in the true spirit of New York City performance spaces, you can explore a range of comedy nights, drag performances, and art exhibitions in the secondary Gallery as well.

See upcoming events at Le Poisson Rouge

There’s a very special place, dealing in metal, hardcore and industrial music, and it sits at the northernmost tip of Greenpoint. But the trek up Manhattan Ave is well worth it. Once a plumbing school near the banks of Newtown Creek, Saint Vitus has booked acts across the heavier spectrum since 2011, including memorable sets from Megadeth, Against Me! and Converge. They've also expanded their offering to include darkwave and EBM nights, workout and yoga classes (under the banner of ‘Sweat Vitus’), and naloxone training. There's a real community feel to the venue: the loyal regulars who kept the venue alive through the pandemic hold it down no matter who’s playing, and all are welcome in the glow of the red lights. 

Saint Vitus is currently temporarily closed. Support the staff GoFundMe here.

Philadelphia is only a short train ride away from New York City, the perfect length of time for a day trip to check out South Philly's Solar Myth. After the Boot & Saddle closed, Solar Myth partnered with Ars Nova to be the presenter in the venue room and took over the place. Named after the 1971 Sun Ra double LP, Solar Myth is an all-day cafe and wine bar with a 150-capacity back-room performance space. Upcoming bookings run the gamut of the best jazz and experimental music the US has to offer –  two nights of Makaya McCraven, a new trio made up of poet Fred Moten, pianist Craig Taborn, and bassist Brandon López and Sun Ra Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen's Ghost Horizons. As Sun Ra would say, space is the place. 

See upcoming events at Solar Myth