Continental
A favorite haunt of New York University students, this East Village dive is loud, cheap, and lots of fun, in a delightfully sophomoric way.
Address: 25, 3rd Ave., at St. Marks PI.
Phone: 212/529-6924
The Cooler
A hip bar, live-music dive, and DJ dance party are all in one at this former meat cooler in the raw yet up-and-coming Meatpacking District. Come here for a mix of rap, reggae, techno, and jazz.
Address: 416 W, 14th St., between 9th and 10th Aves.
Phone: 212/229-0785
Don Hill's
At this TriBeCa favorite, you'll find bands both popular and not yet signed. Most of the time the crowd is authentically rock-and-roll; Friday night is Squeeze Box, a riotous party usually hosted by drag impresarios.
Address: 511 Greenwich St., at Spring St.
Phone: 212/334-1390
Irving Plaza
Looking for Joan Osborne, Weezer, or Wilco? You'll find them in this perfect-size place for general-admission live music. There's a small balcony with a bar and a tiny lounge area.
Address: 17 Irving PI., at 15th St.
Phone: 212/777-6800; 212/777-1224
Luna Lounge
Downtown hipsters pack the back room of this Ludlow Street staple to catch between two and four local rock acts a night, except on Monday when stand up comedy is on the bill.
Address: 171 Ludlow St., between Houston and Stanton Sts.
Phone: 212/260-2323
Moxwells
It's actually in New Jersey, but if you're looking for a small room to see some big names in indie rock, it's well worth the short PATH train ride.
Address: 1039 Washington St., at llth St., Hoboken, NJ
Phone: 201/798-0406
Mercury Lounge
With one of the best sound systems in the city, this East Village club holds a quiet cachet with bands and industry insiders.
Address: El 217 E. Houston St., at Ave.
Phone: 212/260-4700
Tonic
This former kosher winery on the happening Lower East Side presents some of the most innovative rock and jazz in town.
Address: 107 Norfolk St., between Delancey and Rivington Sts.
Phone: 212/358-7501
Wetlands
If you can ignore the hokey broken-down VW bus-cum-gift shop, this hard-to-find club rules, mostly because it draws great, often danceable, often psychedelic bands. Dave Matthews, Soul Coughing, and Hootie and the Blowfish "developed" here.
Address: 161 Hudson St., at Laight St.
Phone: 212/966-4225
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