Here Are 10 of New York City’s Most Iconic Music Venues

Opened: 1973 - 2006

Established in 1973, CBGB continued to play an important role in New York City's musical landscape until it was closed in 2006. Located on the Lower East Side, CBGB was originally intended to be a country, blues club and bluegrass. The venue, however, would eventually go on to be considered a mecca for the punk and new wave movements. Although it closed its doors in 2006, its legacy continues to live on as one of the most important music venues in the history of New York City.

Opened: 1914

No list of iconic New York music venues would be complete without The Apollo Theater. The Harlem establishment has been a hot spot for live music for more than a century. Throughout its long history, the landmark has hosted everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Jay-Z. If you’re wondering if the Apollo is still one of the best places to see live music in New York City, just know that Drake is scheduled to perform there next month.

Opened: 1940 

Copacabana was unlike any other nightclub in New York City. Over the course of several decades, it was known as one of the city's premier spots for live music. In its heyday, Copacabana was the place to be seen. It was a place where celebrities, socialites and everyday New Yorkers would rub shoulders with each other. The likes of Dean Martin, Marvin Gaye and so many other elite performers performed at Copa’s OG location, while Goodfellas, Carlito's Way, One Night in Miami and several other well-known films were filmed at the Brazilian-flavored club that will forever be remembered for its glitz and glam.

Opened: 1982

S.O.B.s, aka, Sound of Brazil, was the brainchild of Larry Gold, who in the early 1980s opened the live music venue with the intent of “exposing the musical wealth and heritage of the Afro-Latino Diaspora to as many people as possible.” … Although Gold’s vision for S.O.B.s was clear, the legendary venue would later become a staple in hip-hop. Now a go-to stage for emerging superstars, S.O.B.s’ intimate setting has been tapped by Chief Keef, Drake, DMX, Kanye West and others.

Opened: 1981

Positioned in the heart of NYC’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, the Blue Note Jazz Club is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the world. For more than 40 years, it was the go-to spot for live jazz and unforgettable performances. It has hosted some of the world's most renowned musicians, including Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and John Coltrane. The legendary venue’s presence has not only been felt in New York City, but also in locations around the world. Blue Note also has set up shop in major cities such as Hawaii, Tokyo, Shanghai, Milan and Beijing.

Opened: 1968

Madison Square Garden has been coined everything from the Mecca of Basketball to the world's most famous arena. For generations, Madison Square Garden has maintained its status as a go-to venue for live concerts in New York City. With its rich history, The Garden has been the home for some of the most iconic concerts of all time. On top of being a great venue for witnessing live music, MSG is also home to the NBA's New York Knicks, the WNBA’s New York Liberty and NHL's New York Rangers. Madison Square Garden continues to be a top tier destination for sports and entertainment.

Opened: 1886

Another New York City landmark, Webster Hall has been considered to be one of the first modern nightclubs. The nightclub and concert venue remains an important part of New York City's musical history for a few reasons. Webster Hall, which opened in the late 1880s was modernized towards the end of the 2010s.

The Cotton Club reigned supreme in Harlem from 1923 to 1940. Its legendary lineup of iconic performers included Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and many, many others.