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From Jazz to Rock, New York Offers Plenty of No-Cover Clubs

© Jeanne-Michele Vigna

Fans of live music will find no shortage of places to see a band play in New York City. For as many clubs that charge anywhere from a $7 to $40 cover, there are a myriad of clubs that offer live music with no cover at all. From country to jazz to good old-fashioned rock and roll, you can find a space that plays your favorite type of music for the price of simply how much you drink.

For the country music aficionado, there is the Rodeo Bar, New York's finest country-and-western music venue. And suprisingly enough, it is not the only one. Home to the 24 oz steak, this part restaurant, part honky tonk seems a bit out of place with its saw dust on the floor, back-home metal trailer turned bar and tattooed wait staff working just a few blocks away from posh Park Avenue South. One to two bands perform nightly with hour-plus sets starting at 8 p.m., and every Saturday is rockabilly night. The stages’ sight lines are unobstructed in the small performance space, and there is always room to dance. Plus, it is not unheard of for Western roots music's bigger names to sometimes drop by when their tours hit town.

Another New York City honky tonk is Hogs & Heifers, a dark, uptown, warehouse bar. A little bit more down and dirty then the Rodeo Bar, Hogs & Heifers is probably most well known for having wasted female customers leave their bras on the "bra tree" after taking them off on the long bar.

If jazz is more your scene, skip renowned and touristy places like the Blue Note. Sure you might get to see a big name act, but they will charge you at least a $40 cover plus a two-drink minimum. Instead, head over to Detour, a reliable East Village jazz bar that attracts neighborhood locals, as well as a post-work crowd. Voted the Best No-Cover Jazz Bar by the New York Press, the wrought-iron storefront, tiled floor, art deco fixtures, antique bar and couches all add up to a comfortable lounging space. And, with some of the stronger jazz offerings in the neighborhood, it's a reliable happy hour spot offering a great "two drinks for the price of one" deal.

The world famous Knitting Factory is home to the avant improvisational music scene with two bars independent of the main performance space. Whether taking a break in between sets, or simple lounging around listening to the free jazz, the Tap Room is the largest, and rather tavern-like, bar in the whole joint. Located on the first basement level and sporting a mighty selection of draught and bottled brews (interestingly enough at a cheaper price then in the main performance space), the Tap Room is aptly named. Home to late-night jam sessions, this basement bar is frequented by avant-jazz scenesters, models and those simply taking a break from the Knitting Factory's other bars.

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