Best Live Music Restaurants in New York
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Le Fleur Rouge
Michelin-recognized French-Chinese fusion with 1930s Shanghai jazz club atmosphere and live jazz nights
Notable Picks
8.9
French-Chinese fusion helmed by a Michelin-trained chef, blending Shanghai sophistication with refined French technique. Featured in the MICHELIN Guide's June 2025 list, the restaurant channels 1930s Shanghai jazz club ambiance with dishes like wagyu 'beef and broccoli' au poivre and Tai Chi fried rice with duck confit and foie gras.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tea-Infused Duck, Shrimp French Toast, Tai Chi Fried Rice
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized French-Chinese fusion with 1930s Shanghai jazz club atmosphere and live jazz nights
The Flatiron Room’s Murray Hill location pairs a deep whiskey list and nightly live music with a polished menu of share plates and tasting-menu dishes. It’s used for dates, client drinks, and special occasions where you want a loungey setting and serious spirits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Tartare, Burrata Tart, Oysters with Shallot Mignonette
What Makes it Special: Whiskey-focused jazz lounge with a legit kitchen and nightly music.
8.7
This vibrant American spot doubles as a piano bar and sports bar, offering upscale takes on comfort food like truffle fries and steaks, all while hosting live music performances.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Fries, Grilled Steak, Lobster Mac and Cheese
What Makes it Special: A lively setting blending piano tunes with high-end American bites.
8.7
Marcus Samuelsson’s flagship Harlem spot serves Southern-leaning American comfort food—yardbird fried chicken, shrimp and grits, cornbread—in a room that feels like a neighborhood clubhouse. Locals and visitors use it for everything from Sunday lunches to live-music date nights around 125th Street.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yardbird fried chicken, Shrimp and grits, Cornbread with honey butter
What Makes it Special: A modern Harlem institution where Southern-inflected American comfort food meets live music and community energy.
#5
Tomi Jazz
8.7
Speakeasy-style Tomi Jazz packs live jazz, Japanese bar food, and serious drinks into a low-ceilinged basement just off Second Avenue. Plates like cod roe spaghetti, omurice, and fried croquettes come out of a tiny kitchen while trios play to a room of tightly packed two-tops and counter seats.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cod Roe Spaghetti, Omurice, Honey Toast
What Makes it Special: A snug jazz club where serious Japanese comfort food meets live nightly sets.
#6
Yuca Bar
8.7
A high-volume East Village institution where Spanish-language energy, cocktails, and shareable plates are the point—more night-out destination than quiet tapas bar. Come for a few Latin-leaning small plates and a strong drink order, then let the room’s nightlife momentum do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna ceviche, Yuca fries, Churrasco steak
What Makes it Special: A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
8.6
Opened in 2019 on a quiet Park Slope corner, Brasserie Le Mistral is a modern French brasserie known for escargots, steak frites, and a serious brunch program with live jazz. Locals use it for date-night dinners and lingering weekend meals where polished service and a Parisian-feeling room justify the higher prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Escargots de Bourgogne, Soupe à l’Oignon, Croque Madame
What Makes it Special: Modern French brasserie with live jazz, polished service, and destination-level brunch.
8.6
A Flatiron Texas-style BBQ market built for line-ordering, butcher-paper trays, and a loud, social room that can handle groups without turning dinner into a logistical mess. The best move is to go brisket-forward, add one sausage for snap, and let the sides do the comfort-work while the bar and live-music energy carry the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moist brisket by the pound, Jalapeño cheddar sausage, Longhorn cheddar mac & cheese
What Makes it Special: A Texas meat-market format with live-music energy in Flatiron.
#9
Insa
8.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Live Music Showtime
Insa is a barnlike Korean BBQ spot in Gowanus where tabletop grilling, banchan, and a busy bar lead into private karaoke rooms in back. Locals use it for everything from group birthdays to pre- and post-Barclays gatherings, with praise centered on the BBQ sets, fried chicken, and steady execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Insa Fried Chicken, Galbi Korean BBQ Set, Tteokbokki
What Makes it Special: Full-scale Korean BBQ with private karaoke rooms under one roof.
Long-running East Harlem Puerto Rican and Spanish restaurant known for mofongo, pernil, and live-leaning weekend energy. Locals use it for family dinners, celebrations, and classic plates that have anchored Spanish Harlem since the 1990s.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp mofongo with garlic sauce, Pernil with arroz con gandules, Chuletas fritas (crispy pork chops)
What Makes it Special: Decades-strong Puerto Rican and Spanish staple with big portions and live-leaning energy.
8.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Live Music Showtime
Trendy Table Hotspots
High-energy East Harlem steakhouse known for big-format steaks, loud music, and birthday-heavy nights that run late. Locals use it for celebrations where DJs, strong drinks, and shareable platters matter as much as the ribeye and lamb chops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Chops Off Lex, Filet Mignon with garlic spinach, O.G. of Steaks porterhouse for two
What Makes it Special: A destination steakhouse where DJs, birthday sparklers, and charred steaks collide in one loud room.
8.5
Vibes:
Live Music Showtime
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram Worthy Wonders
NYC's original singing waiter diner since 1987 delivers Broadway-caliber vocal performances from aspiring theater stars while serving classic American fare like the Mac n' Cheese Burger and confetti pancakes. The 1950s-themed space with its Miss Subways memorabilia and drive-in theater screen creates an immersive pre-show experience that has launched countless performers to actual Broadway stages including Wicked, Jersey Boys, and The Outsiders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yankee Doodle Burger (Mac n' Cheese topped), Confetti Pancakes, Stardust Nachos
What Makes it Special: Broadway-caliber singing waitstaff who perform show tunes tableside—many have gone on to actual Broadway productions
#13
Jalao NYC
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Live Music Showtime
Opened in 2022 inside the Radio Hotel, Jalao NYC is a full-service Dominican restaurant where parrillada platters, passion-fruit–glazed ribs, and adobo-grilled chicken meet cocktails and live music. It functions as a destination for group dinners that want Dominican barbecue flavors in a high-energy, design-conscious room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Costillas de Chinola (passion fruit BBQ pork ribs), Dominican Parrillada mixed grill, Bombones de Yuca
What Makes it Special: A Dominican showpiece where parrillada, BBQ-glazed ribs, and live music anchor a colorful courtyard setting.
#14
Prohibition
8.5
Prohibition is a Jazz Age–styled supper club that’s been anchoring Columbus Avenue nightlife since the late 1990s, pairing nightly live music with cocktails and a full New American menu. A big bar, rotating bands, and sidewalk seating make it a dependable late-night option for dates and groups who want a show with their meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheesesteak Egg Rolls, Lollipop Lamb Chops, Shrimp Strozzapretti
What Makes it Special: Live bands every night in a speakeasy-inspired room with a full dinner menu.
#15
Public Records
8.5
Public Records in Gowanus is an all-vegan restaurant, café, and music-driven venue where plant-based dishes share billing with a serious hi-fi sound system and design-forward space. The menu leans vegetable-forward and seasonal, with creative small plates and desserts that skew pricier but feel tailored to a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spanish fried rice with seasonal vegetables, Fingerling potatoes with herb aioli, Tahini cheesecake with whipped cream
What Makes it Special: A fully vegan, design-heavy restaurant-bar wrapped around a serious music program.
A two-level Garment District hideaway that pairs a surprisingly serious food menu with a live-music, singalong-leaning cocktail basement. The best move is to treat it like a full night: an early dinner upstairs, then downstairs for a highball and the piano-bar energy that turns Midtown into something warmer.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Burger, Roasted 1/2 Chicken, Mac N' Cheese
What Makes it Special: A garment-factory space with a true live-music cocktail “second act” downstairs.
Opened in 2021 as Manhattan’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition, this NoHo spot pairs serious cocktails with a New York–driven brasserie menu. Most dining happens in a dim, polished dining room, with a rooftop event deck used for private parties and special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Benedict, Barrel-smoked ribs, Duck confit croquettes
What Makes it Special: Whiskey distillery restaurant with jazz brunch and a bookable rooftop deck.
#18
La Flor
8.4
A long-running Woodside room that blends Mexican staples with brunch-friendly plates and a stronger-than-average dessert lane. The menu hits best when you commit to one main trajectory (eggs-and-salsas or hearty platters) and add one sweet finish, rather than scattering across categories.
Must-Try Dishes:
Molcajete, Huevos Rancheros, Tres Leches Cake
What Makes it Special: A rare Woodside hybrid: brunch, Mexican plates, and a real dessert program.
8.4
A Cuban-leaning steakhouse built around grilled meats, bold sauces, and a lively room that can shift from weeknight dinner to full-on weekend energy. The kitchen hits hardest when you treat it like a grill-first spot: one signature steak, one traditional Cuban plate, and a side that soaks up chimichurri or mojo without getting heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Skirt steak with chimichurri, Ropa vieja, Paella de mariscos
What Makes it Special: Cuban classics paired with a true grill-and-steakhouse focus.
8.4
Ulysses’ Folk House sprawls between Pearl Street and Stone Street, running one of the area’s most reliable happy hours with live music, pints, and hearty pub plates. Office groups and regulars use it when they want a big Irish pub with room for a crowd and better food than a basic sports bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ulysses Burger, Fish and Chips, Pulled Pork Sandwich
What Makes it Special: High-capacity Irish pub with long-running happy hour, live music, and substantial bar food.
#21
Funny Bar
8.3
Funny Bar is a candlelit steakhouse-jazz bar where the entire food menu is essentially two steaks, a salad and sides, all built around steak frites. It’s the non-traditional option in the neighborhood for people who want live music, mid-priced wine and a focused plate of beef rather than a sprawling steakhouse menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bar steak frites with bordelaise, Big Steak with maître d’ butter, Our Salad
What Makes it Special: A compact steak frites–driven menu served in a live jazz bar setting.
8.3
A rare showcase of Piedmontese cuisine in SoHo, this 50-seat trattoria transports diners to Turin with dishes like vitello tonnato, tajarin with truffle, and agnolotti del plin. The wine program spotlights over 250 labels with deep focus on Barolo and Barbaresco, plus SoHo's most extensive amaro collection.
Must-Try Dishes:
Agnolotti del Plin, Fassona Beef Tartare, Tajarin with Truffle
What Makes it Special: Only Piedmont-focused restaurant in the neighborhood with 250+ wine labels
#23
Tsion Cafe
8.3
Tsion Cafe is a cozy Sugar Hill restaurant and bar where Ethiopian, Israeli, and Middle Eastern dishes share space with wines, cocktails, and occasional live music. Locals come for injera-based combos, shakshuka, and vegan-friendly platters served in an art-filled dining room with a small back patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doro Tibs with Jollof Rice, Ethiopian Veggie Combo with Injera, Shakshuka
What Makes it Special: Art-filled Sugar Hill cafe blending Ethiopian, Israeli, and Middle Eastern cooking with live music and community events.
#24
Dutch Kills
8.2
A Long Island City cocktail institution where late night feels intentional—low light, serious drinks, and a room that stays conversational even when it’s busy. Treat it as a drinks-first stop and keep the food simple and shareable so the pacing stays smooth from first round to last call.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hendu’s hero sandwiches (in-house pop-up), Deviled eggs, Classic cocktails (house builds)
What Makes it Special: A true craft-cocktail bar that stays strong late into the night.
#25
El Coyote
8.2
Long‑standing Mexican spot with mariachi nights and a broad menu of classic fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas drawing locals for festive meals. The lively vibe and reliable execution make it a go‑to for casual dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fajitas, Carnitas Tacos, Enchiladas Verdes
What Makes it Special: Festive atmosphere with live mariachi evenings.
8.2
Latin-Puerto Rican spot in North Williamsburg where mofongo, paella, and big platters share space with nightlife energy. Diners come for hearty plates, loud music, and late hours that make it feel more like a Latin party than a quiet dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella Guarapo (seafood, chicken, chorizo), Mofongo de pernil, Trifongo with pernil
What Makes it Special: Latin-Puerto Rican plates, paella, and full-on clubby energy in one room.
8.2
A long-running Village bar-and-grill with a quiet reputation for excellent steaks and warm hospitality. The vibe is classic New York—dim, comfortable, and jazz-forward on weekends—making it an under-the-radar date-night pick. Come here for a well-executed T-bone or short ribs without the formal steakhouse fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
28 oz T-Bone Steak, Braised Short Ribs, Chocolate Soufflé for Two
What Makes it Special: A 1970s-era local institution that still cooks steak right.
8.2
Operating since the late 1970s, this lantern-lit MacDougal Street café offers thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and desserts in a warren of cozy rooms and a glass-covered garden. Fireplaces, candles, and live jazz downstairs make it one of the more relaxed, romantic spots near Washington Square.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pesto lasagna, Thin-crust pizza, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Lantern-lit café with fireplaces, a garden room, and nightly jazz downstairs.
8.2
This woman-owned trattoria brings Tuscan and Neapolitan traditions to Jackson Heights with classic preparations including handmade pastas, osso buco, and fresh seafood. The restaurant regularly hosts live music and themed nights, creating a festive neighborhood gathering spot with outdoor seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Osso Buco with Risotto Saffron, Penne Vodka
What Makes it Special: Live music nights and outdoor seating create a festive Italian neighborhood vibe
8.2
An old-school pizzeria-bar with a large patio and a neighborhood hang feel that works especially well for pizza, meatballs, and a drink-driven night out. The outdoor setup is explicitly dog-friendly, making it one of the easiest “bring the pup” options when your group wants casual food with a little atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
House pizza pies, Meatballs, Brunch-style pizza-and-drink spread
What Makes it Special: Big patio energy with dog-friendly outdoor tables and pizza-bar comfort.
8.2
A whiskey-leaning supper club with nightly live music energy, built for late nights that still feel like a sit-down occasion. The best move is to treat it like dinner plus a show: order a composed meal early, then settle in with a pour while the room warms up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak frites, Tuna tartare, Whiskey flight
What Makes it Special: Dinner-and-live-music late nights with a deep whiskey program.
#32
The Last Word
8.2
The Last Word is a dim, speakeasy-style cocktail bar on Ditmars where martinis, towers, and small plates turn drinks into a full night out. Between the bar, booths, and occasional live music, it reads more like a date-night lounge than a traditional restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oysters, Spicy Salmon Tartare, Grilled Cheese
What Makes it Special: Speakeasy-style cocktail bar with $1 oysters and polished small plates.
#33
The Paris Café
8.2
Originally established in 1873 and fully reimagined in 2025 by Opus Hospitality and Legeard Studio, The Paris Café is a Seaport landmark now leaning harder into French brasserie cooking than in past eras. Escargot, onion soup, and steak frites share space with burgers and cocktails in a gilded, jazz-leaning room that doubles as a neighborhood bar and destination brunch spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup à l’Ognion (French Onion Soup), Steak Frites Aux Poivre, Pear Clafouti
What Makes it Special: A restored 19th-century tavern reborn as a French-leaning brasserie with nightlife energy.
#34
AOC East
8.1
A French wine bar + bistro that shines when you treat it like a grazing-and-glass spot: oysters, tartare, and a well-matched pour. Keep the order tight and it feels intimate and intentional, not like small plates chasing a full dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
East Coast oysters, Sirloin steak tartare (tableside), Dry-aged NY shell steak with frites
What Makes it Special: Wine-bar energy with oysters and bistro classics done cleanly.
#35
Bar Tabac
8.1
Bar Tabac is a French bistro on Smith Street known for live music, brasserie staples, and a bar that stays lively into the late evening. It’s a go-to for moules frites, burgers, and wine when you want the energy of a Paris-style café after most neighborhood spots have slowed down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moules frites, House cheeseburger, Coq au vin
What Makes it Special: Lively French bistro with nightly energy and occasional live music.
#36
Drink
8.1
A community-forward lounge that runs café by day and turns into a true late-night room on weekends—ideal when you want conversation first and a DJ-backed vibe later. The move is to keep it simple: one warm sip, one signature cocktail, and don’t over-order food unless you’re posted for the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot chocolate, Signature cocktail, Late-night bar snacks
What Makes it Special: A café-to-cocktail-lounge switch that keeps the room lively past midnight.
#37
El Coco 9th Ave
8.1
A newer, high-energy taqueria upstairs on Ninth Ave with an all-day happy hour and DJ-fueled nightlife feel. The food stays focused on tacos and shareables, while the bar pushes easy, crowd-pleasing margaritas. Come when you want party momentum more than a quiet sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor tacos, Empanadas, Frozen Margarita
What Makes it Special: All-day happy hour plus DJ nights in a tucked-away 4th-floor space.
#38
Favela Grill
8.1
A Brazilian dining room with a lively, group-friendly rhythm where grilled meats and hearty house specialties anchor the experience. It works best as a family-style table: one steak cut, one slow-cooked classic, and a round of caipirinhas to keep the meal in its strongest lane.
Must-Try Dishes:
Picanha, Feijoada, Caipirinha
What Makes it Special: Brazilian crowd energy with grilled-meat comfort and cocktail momentum.
8.1
LES Enfants de Bohème is a corner French bistro that emphasizes organic, seasonal ingredients and local sourcing in a casual, all-day setting. Brunch, dinner, and cocktails lean on market produce and classic bistro technique, with sidewalk seating that feels more Paris than Pike Slip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Les Eggs Benedict, Croque Madame, Kale Salad L’Obligatoire
What Makes it Special: A neighborhood French bistro that leans on organic, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
8.1
Los Girasoles is a full-service Mexican restaurant near Fordham that balances everyday tacos with larger plates, margaritas, and occasional live music. It works when you want tacos alongside shareable appetizers and drinks in a sit-down setting rather than a grab-and-go counter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos, Sopa verde, Burritos
What Makes it Special: Sit-down Mexican spot where tacos share the stage with soups, plates, and margaritas.
#41
Orange Grill
8.1
A celebration-friendly dining room that blends a polished, event-style vibe with a menu that rewards selective ordering. The best experience is treating it like a paced dinner: one standout seafood or chef plate, one shared starter, and a clean dessert finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilean sea bass, Ginza sushi, Mango cheesecake
What Makes it Special: Event-ready room with a menu that lands best when you order selectively.
8.1
A candlelit supper-club format where the draw is the combined arc of live jazz plus a full dinner service—more “night out tasting” than formal degustation. The best approach is to treat the menu like a curated sequence: one starter, one classic main, and a dessert finish timed to the set break.
Must-Try Dishes:
Coq au vin, Cheeseburger, Seasonal dessert
What Makes it Special: A true supper-club night where the music and meal are one experience.
#43
Amor Cubano
8
Amor Cubano brings an old-Havana aesthetic to 3rd Avenue with saturated colors, live Cuban bands, and mojitos coming out of the front bar. It works best for dates that want music, dancing, and shared plates rather than a hushed, white-tablecloth evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ropa Vieja, Vaca Frita, Lechón Asado
What Makes it Special: Colorful Cuban restaurant with live music, strong mojitos, and a back-room patio that feels like a Havana backyard.
A Woodside sit-down room that works for celebrations when you commit to the dinner-forward lane and let the pacing stretch. The best special-occasion visits come from ordering a tight set of hearty mains designed for lingering rather than treating the menu like a sampler.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ baby back ribs, Lamb shank, Chicken enchiladas
What Makes it Special: A linger-friendly room where a focused mains order delivers the best night.
Opened in 2015, this two-level Stout outpost near Grand Central pairs a long Irish-leaning beer list with garlic-Parmesan chicken wings and other pub plates. After-work happy hour packages and sports-forward events turn it into a reliable spot for wing platters, draft beer and big games before the train.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, Cheddarwurst Sausage, Brown Butter Grilled Cheese
What Makes it Special: A large Irish pub and sports bar steps from Grand Central where weekday happy hour and game-day events frequently feature shareable wing platters.
#46
The Wicked Monk
8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Live Music Showtime
Group Dining Gatherings
A Fort Hamilton/Bay Ridge beer-bar hang that runs late and works best as a burger-and-a-pint stop when the group wants noise, screens, and a full kitchen past midnight. Lean into bar-food strengths—burger, fries, and one shareable starter—rather than ordering across the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burger, Fish and Chips, Reuben Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Late-running beer-bar energy with a dependable burger-and-fries move.
Worthy Picks
#47
Flor De Sol
7.9
A tapas-forward Spanish spot in LIC that leans into shareable plates and an easy, linger-friendly rhythm. The menu’s strengths are the classic crowd-pleasers—paella nights, bravas, and sizzling garlic shrimp—backed by a warm, music-leaning room that works for casual dates and small groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella Valenciana, Gambas al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas con Aioli
What Makes it Special: Spanish tapas classics with paella and a live-music-leaning vibe.
#48
Fogon Restaurant
7.9
Fogon Restaurant doubles as a Latin American dining room and nightlife hub, serving hefty mofongos and grilled steaks before the lights dim for DJ-driven evenings that stretch past midnight. It’s one of the neighborhood’s most energetic spots when you want dinner that easily rolls into a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Skirt Steak / Churrasco al Fogon, Lobster Mofongo, Fogon Style Fried Rice
What Makes it Special: Latin spot where mofongos, steaks, and DJs turn dinner into nightlife.
#49
Havana Social
7.9
Havana Social is a Latin-leaning bar-restaurant on Stone Street where frozen drinks, mojitos, and burritos anchor a loud, party-style happy hour. It’s especially popular with groups who want upbeat music, colorful décor, and the ability to turn a quick drink into a full night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Churrasco Steak, Cuban Burrito, Yuca Fries
What Makes it Special: Latin-inspired Stone Street spot where mojitos, music, and patio tables drive happy hour.
7.9
A Nepalese bar-and-kitchen with late-friendly energy that can turn into an easy date-night hang when you share platters and keep the pacing slow. The room and live-music orientation do more of the romantic work than formal service, so ordering smart matters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kasthamandap Momo Platter, Chowmein, Jhol Momos
What Makes it Special: A momo-and-noodles menu with a bar vibe and live-music nights.