Founded in 1961, the Bitter End is New York's oldest rock club. There is no food served here, so you do not have to worry about the sounds of tinkling glasses and quaking crockery distracting the likes of Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan. Over the years, a number of big name comedians have performed here as well, including Woody Allen, George Carlin and Joan Rivers. A brick wall forms the backdrop for all these acts, including many you may not have heard about.
Founded by an enterprising Lithuanian immigrant, The Village Vanguard is one of the oldest jazz clubs, given that its been around since 1935. Today, a sizable international crowd packs the club, enjoying the great music and acoustics, an informal New York camaraderie, and a good selection of beer and cocktails. Musical giants from Leadbelly to John Coltrane to Wynton Marsalis have played here, and fresh talent, including "name-dropping artists" can be heard in this fabled Greenwich Village basement seven days a week.
One of New York City's true gems, the Brooklyn Academy of Music is a world class performing arts center. Located at the edge of the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, it offers some of the city's finest concerts and theatrical events. From opera and classical music to African dance and modern theater, the packed schedule offers something for everyone's taste. The complex is also home to Bam Rose Cinemas.
This place seats 1,018 people and was built in 1907 by David Belasco. Located between 6th and 7th Avenues, it is beautifully done up with carved dark wood paneling, glass pilasters and Tiffany stained glass lights that match the stained glass ceiling. It is truly an architectural delight.
Like its name, the Majestic Theater is one of the largest theaters in New York (more than 1600 seats) with a long-running reputation for having exceptional plays and musicals. The theater is home to the longest running show in the history of Broadway The Phantom of the Opera which has music by the fabled Andrew Lloyd Webber - this astonishingly popular musical was first performed here in 1988!
This 100-year old building is the oldest theater on Broadway, and is considered one of the most beautiful. Built in 1903, its soaring columns and penthouse windows are magnificent. With a seating capacity for 925 people, it is relatively smaller than the other Broadway theaters. However, it has hosted some of the greatest artists from around the globe. Paul Osborn, Whoopi Goldberg and Marc Salem are just a few who have performed here. Past productions include I Am My Own Wife and The Invention Of Love. This is one of the few theaters which offers a listening device to the deaf. Check the website for details of upcoming performances.
Housed within a historic building, the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater, opened in 1927, has seen performances ranging from operas to cinema. Two seating levels provide for uninterrupted views of the arena, and the front mezzanine seats are the best in the house. Notable shows have been musicals, such as Grease, in the late 70s and early 80s, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Pulitzer Prize winning play Anna in the Tropics. Yesteryear stars like Julie Andrews have been featured here, while contemporary glamor can be found in the likes of Sean 'P Diddy' Combs.
A uniquely designed theater which offers intimate seating for a little over 1,000 audience members. The Ambassador Theater, in the heart of Broadway, presents the finest in theatrical performances year round. It isn't as grandly beautiful as some of its counterparts but it's another venerable member of New York's illustrious theater tradition.
Home to the legendary dance company The Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall is one of the most spectacular and famous performance venues in the United States. Its locale in the heart of the Big Apple has made it a cultural center, particularly during the Christmas season. Originally opened in 1932 and nicknamed "The Palace for the People," Radio City was renovated in 1980. Anybody who is anybody has performed here - New York legends Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis, Jr. are just a few that spring to mind, and to this day, the stage remains a showcase for entertainment royalty.
A former movie theater, the Broadway is today part of the Shubert Organizations' many holdings. Inside, you will find plush seating for 1,765 patrons, air-conditioning and very spacious surroundings. The theater itself is over 70 years old and it was renovated in 1990 for the show Miss Saigon. Although the theater can be quite cavernous, it is still an intimate place to catch a show. It has presented major musicals, revivals, dramas, and comedies, sometimes featuring renowned Broadway stars in leading roles.
On the opening night of this famous music house, Tchaikovsky conducted and New York's elite waited in line to enter. Carnegie Hall quickly became an international Mecca of classical music, attracting the brightest stars from Bernstein to Toscanini. Today, over 100 years later, top orchestras and modern music share this venue. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and Frank Sinatra have all headlined here. Many musicians claim it has the best acoustics in the world. Tours are available during the day. Practice, practice, practice isn't the only way to get to Carnegie Hall!
The Lincoln Center for Performing Arts is a massive venue when it comes to live entertainment. The Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors has something for everyone: internationally recognized dances, high-level performances, special events and jazz. Watch out for Live From Lincoln Center, a program that has famous orchestras and artistes performing. Lincoln Center holds about 400 live performances a year, ranging from classical to modern productions. And as if that wasn't enough, the Center also hosts many events put on by the Film Society at Lincoln Center. There are guided tours on a daily basis that explore the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera House, Avery Fisher Hall, the New York State Theater (home of the New York City Opera) and the Vivian Beaumont Theater. During the tour, your guides will entertain you with fascinating stories and give you a glimpse of a rehearsal in progress.