What are some specific venues a solo acoustic musician should try to perform at in or around NYC?

October 1, 2008 5:28 PM

I'm a solo, acoustic, folk/alt-country musician. What are some specific venues I should try to perform at in or around NYC?

I've finished recording my album and want to play out. What are some specific venues in or around NYC I should try to perform at? I'm looking for venues where I could play solo and it wouldn't seem out of place. My music is pretty mellow folk, alt-country type of stuff.

I live in Rockland County, work in NYC and I'm originally from Long Island so it can be anywhere close to the city as well. It could even just be an open mic night or something. I really just want to get my feet wet as I've never performed anywhere before.

posted by bingwah to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

I am a big fan of Postcrypt Coffee House at Columbia, and have played there at a few open-mics. It's very small, though (max capacity is like 25) -- but it does fill up. Wonderful place to play, though, and perfect for small acoustic acts.
posted by zvs at 5:40 PM on October 1, 2008

Oh, and the Sidewalk Cafe in Alphabet City.
posted by zvs at 5:40 PM on October 1, 2008

The Living Room has a spot upstairs that would work.
posted by agentwills at 6:12 PM on October 1, 2008

The Bitter End, on Bleecker St.? It's been a while since I have been, but that would seem to fit fairly well there.
posted by kellyblah at 6:35 PM on October 1, 2008

The Bayou in Mt. Vernon. THey say blues, but I have seen both kinds of music, country and western there so... Also great food and cold beer. On your way home from NYC to Rockland.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:05 PM on October 1, 2008

The Postcrypt is great, but pays nothing (literally - you play for free) and has no sound system. That may not matter to you, but I thought I'd mention it.
posted by FlyByDay at 9:00 PM on October 1, 2008

Mod note: Link removed from post. You're welcome to put the link in your profile.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:42 PM on October 1, 2008

Goodbye Blue Monday in Bushwick, Bklyn and National Underground on Houston and Allen (upstairs/main lounge) are two places my band's played recently that would work for your stuff, it seems.

Also, hit up some open mics and see if any of them are worth returning to.
posted by entropone at 5:23 AM on October 2, 2008

The American Folk Art Museum has Free Folk Fridays. I know the talent coordinator, my email is in my profile.
posted by piratebowling at 7:06 AM on October 2, 2008

Piermont's Turning Point Cafe is a place you might try. I don't know if they have open mic night but I bet they do. You could try playing there if their Web site doesn't make your eyes fall out first.

This site is a list of "the diverse amateur and professional musicians and music-related services in the Hudson Valley region of NY state." There's an open mic in Peekskill starting in 15 minutes!

Also Acoustic Live has a good list, but again a terrible Web site. What is up with the horrifying Web design stylings of the folk music aficionados of the greater Hudson Valley? I mean, I ask you.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 5:15 PM on October 2, 2008