With all the different dining experiences that New York City has to offer, it’s no surprise that boasting a live band gets more butts in the seats every night.
But too often, these live music sets serve as blasting distractions from mediocre bar food and watered down drinks that you have to endure just to catch a band you like.
The following will not send you there.
No, these spots offer both live music AND exceptional food, making for a harmonious combination and a stellar night out.
1. Amor Cubano (2018 3rd Avenue)
jhoardmusic Mis amigos bringing the most beautiful musical ideas to the stage. @mariocastromusic & @jeremymusica- #kings #fridaynight #salsa #dance #spanishharlem
This Latin-American eatery in East Harlem is a testament to how this culturally lush neighborhood is changing for the better.
With the exception of Mondays, they have a live band playing here every night of the week from 7 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 p.m. to midnight come the weekend.
You’d think charging $13 for a Cuban sandwich seems a bit much, but this upscale eatery thrives as the locals come back time and time again.
It’s probably because that Cuban, jam-packed with roasted pork, ham and melted Swiss, can easily feed two.
2. Queens Kickshaw (40-17 Broadway – Queens)
Care for some live jazz in Astoria? Duck into Queens Kickshaw on Friday evenings from 9 to 11:30 p.m. to catch one of the ever-revolving bands that perform here.
For grub, the gastropub specializes in what the owners call “fancy grilled cheese sandwiches,” such as their Gouda sandwich, which blends guava jam and pickled jalapeños with a spoonful of black-bean hummus.
The Underground Gourmet even awarded this specialty shop three stars.
3. Amancay’s Diner (2 Knickerbocker Avenue – Brooklyn)
yulixenexai Last brunch in Brooklyn 🍳 Chicken hash & French toast! #brunch #brooklyn #bushwick #amancaysdiner #nyc
One of East Williamsburg’s newest hotspots, this kitschy graffitied-up restaurant has their own basement music and event space that’s regularly used for everything from square dancing to African drumming.
Along with its eclectic décor it boasts an equally varied menu with comfort dishes like an old school Sloppy Joe or something a little more elaborate such as gluten-free shrimp scampi.
If you’re looking to shake things up for your night out, Amancay’s is a surefire choice.
4. Red Rooster (310 Lenox Avenue)
Renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson capitalized on the rich ethnic ties found in West Harlem for his first “neighborhood” venture.
Mondays are jazz nights, Tuesdays feature a little Latino heat and then there's Sunday morning gospel for brunchgoers.
The menu is made up of some classic home-cooked favorites and the stylishly arranged eatery has been designed with diner’s comfort in mind.
The walls are decorated with tastefully curated art pieces, many by Harlem artists, and assorted neighborhood artifacts, as the restaurant is named for a famous Harlem speakeasy.
Don’t miss the dinnertime dessert menu, which includes decadent sweet-potato doughnuts or the wheels of bread pudding spiced with apricots and black currants.,
5. The Dead Rabbit (30 Water Street)
wanna_fork Lunch swag level 1000. Crispy pork belly sliders with a quail egg over easy and a slice of Irish cheddar. #WhatDiet #EatWithBino #DeadRabbit #PorkBelly #Lunch #WannaForkNYC
One would expect that a well-known Irish-American "grocery and grog" would have a band that plays Irish music every Monday from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
On Saturday and Sunday nights, a rag pianist can be found tickling the ivories in the upstairs parlor.
Small plates of oysters and clams brewed in beer are served here alongside dishes like Scotch eggs, hard-boiled eggs that are battered and fried, and Welsh rabbits, which is like an Irish grilled cheese.
It's a perfect setting to indulge and drink way too much whiskey.
6. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (700 West 125th Street)
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Channel your inner Fred Flintstone at what has become one of West Harlem’s most popular outposts.
A different troupe is featured each Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m, and it’s a good bet that it’ll be a blues band.
With a faux-roadhouse décor and an assortment of eye-catching art, it’s a great late night stop to get your grub on. Their massive burgers, wings and ribs will quell even the most ferocious T-Rex sized appetite.
7. Favela Grill (33-18 28th Avenue – Queens)
alinemeloo1 Arroz, feijão, bife com batata frita e suco de maracujá!! Morriiiii ❤️😍 Quanto amor em uma foto só!!
Take a trip down to Rio without even leaving Astoria. This Brazilian-inspired eatery draws a hefty crowd from just it’s delicious morsels alone.
On Friday and Saturday nights, a live Latin singer and guitarist take to the stage for an authentic backdrop of samba or bossa nova rhythms to your Bolinho de bacalau, feijoada or coconut flan.
This place fills up quick, so you should plan to get there by 7 if you want a seat for dinner.
8. Chez Josephine (414 West 42nd Street)
chouxvervaine Delicious wholegrain veggie sandwich with hummus, avocado, carrots, tomatoes and basil!🙈👍🏼
For diners who get their kicks eating in the heart of the city, Chez Josephine definitely keeps your night lively.
Live piano music streams out to the streets every night and on Sunday mornings for the brunch crowd.
If you’re lucky, you’ll pick a night where they have their trumpet players accompanying the classical pianist.
This French bistro is also known for it’s innovative yet delicious food, such as their rich lobster cassoulet and the fried chicken served with blueberry cornbread. C'est magnifique!
Check out the 6 Most Overrated Eateries in Little Italy.
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