American Folk Art Museum
As part of the Free Music Fridays series, traditional acts strum in the museum’s atrium for an after-work crowd. During this time, you can also peruse any of the current exhibits free of charge, such as the photos and sculptures by outsider artist Eugene Von Bruenchenhein. 45 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-265-1040, folkartmuseum.org). 5:30–7:30pm.
As part of the Free Music Fridays series, traditional acts strum in the museum’s atrium for an after-work crowd. During this time, you can also peruse any of the current exhibits free of charge, such as the photos and sculptures by outsider artist Eugene Von Bruenchenhein. 45 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-265-1040, folkartmuseum.org). 5:30–7:30pm.
Austrian Cultural Forum New York
Hear contemporary and classical chamber music from Vienna and other Austrian musical hubs without spending a penny, as all of the recitals and concerts here are free. 11 E 52nd St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-319-5300, acfny.org)
Hear contemporary and classical chamber music from Vienna and other Austrian musical hubs without spending a penny, as all of the recitals and concerts here are free. 11 E 52nd St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-319-5300, acfny.org)
BAMcafé
On most Fridays and Saturdays, kick back at a table with a cocktail and take in sets of envelope-pushing jazz, world music and other buzzed-about fare at BAMcafé Live. During happy hour (5:30–8pm select Fridays), save some dough with $3 beers. 30 Lafayette Ave between Ashland Pl and St. Felix St, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-636-4139, bam.org). The New Cookers, Fri 1 at 10pm; Clifton Anderson, Sat 2 at 10pm.
On most Fridays and Saturdays, kick back at a table with a cocktail and take in sets of envelope-pushing jazz, world music and other buzzed-about fare at BAMcafé Live. During happy hour (5:30–8pm select Fridays), save some dough with $3 beers. 30 Lafayette Ave between Ashland Pl and St. Felix St, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-636-4139, bam.org). The New Cookers, Fri 1 at 10pm; Clifton Anderson, Sat 2 at 10pm.
Baryshnikov Arts Center
Eight times a year, you can take in free sets of chamber music during the Movado Hour: On May 3, catch new work by composer Phil Kline and others as part of the New York Festival of Song (nyfos.org, 7pm). 450 W 37th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (646-731-3200, bacnyc.org). Ticket reservations required.
Eight times a year, you can take in free sets of chamber music during the Movado Hour: On May 3, catch new work by composer Phil Kline and others as part of the New York Festival of Song (nyfos.org, 7pm). 450 W 37th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (646-731-3200, bacnyc.org). Ticket reservations required.
Brooklyn Bowl
Swing by the Bowl to catch its ongoing Local X Local soiree, featuring performances by NYC bands like Crystal Stilts and Bear Hands. Weekly Salsa Sundays feature the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. Both series are always free. 61 Wythe Ave at North 11th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-963-3369, brooklynbowl.com). Salsa Sundays: Sun 3, 6pm. Local X Local: Apr 17 at 8pm.
Swing by the Bowl to catch its ongoing Local X Local soiree, featuring performances by NYC bands like Crystal Stilts and Bear Hands. Weekly Salsa Sundays feature the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. Both series are always free. 61 Wythe Ave at North 11th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-963-3369, brooklynbowl.com). Salsa Sundays: Sun 3, 6pm. Local X Local: Apr 17 at 8pm.
Bruar Falls
Most gigs at this hipster-dominated watering hole, a sister location to the Lower East Side’s Cake Shop, will set you back only $6. But the venue does put on the occasional free show, often of the scrappy indie variety. Arrive early to take advantage of the daily happy hour (5–8pm), when all drinks are two-for-one. 245 Grand St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-529-6610, bruarfalls.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
Most gigs at this hipster-dominated watering hole, a sister location to the Lower East Side’s Cake Shop, will set you back only $6. But the venue does put on the occasional free show, often of the scrappy indie variety. Arrive early to take advantage of the daily happy hour (5–8pm), when all drinks are two-for-one. 245 Grand St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-529-6610, bruarfalls.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
David Rubenstein Atrium
Check out Target Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center, where top-tier musicians from all genres play gratis shows in the atrium. On April 7, a live set by Chilean electro whiz Atom and local composer Morton Subotnick is paired with trippy visuals by video artist Lillevan as part of Unsound Festival New York (8pm). Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Sts (212-875-5456, lincolncenter.org/atrium)
Check out Target Free Thursdays at Lincoln Center, where top-tier musicians from all genres play gratis shows in the atrium. On April 7, a live set by Chilean electro whiz Atom and local composer Morton Subotnick is paired with trippy visuals by video artist Lillevan as part of Unsound Festival New York (8pm). Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Sts (212-875-5456, lincolncenter.org/atrium)
Goodbye Blue Monday
Other than Saturday nights after 11pm (when shows cost a measly $5), performances at this knickknack-laden Bushwick bar are always free. Stop by for antifolk, experimental jazz and the entertaining Bushwick Book Club series, where bands perform songs inspired by that month’s reading assignment. Next up: Robert Frank’s The Americans (Apr 7 at 8pm). 1087 Broadway at Dodworth St, Bushwick, Brooklyn (718-453-6343, goodbye-blue-monday.com)
Other than Saturday nights after 11pm (when shows cost a measly $5), performances at this knickknack-laden Bushwick bar are always free. Stop by for antifolk, experimental jazz and the entertaining Bushwick Book Club series, where bands perform songs inspired by that month’s reading assignment. Next up: Robert Frank’s The Americans (Apr 7 at 8pm). 1087 Broadway at Dodworth St, Bushwick, Brooklyn (718-453-6343, goodbye-blue-monday.com)
Hank’s Saloon
On weekends (Thursdays through Saturdays), catch country, rock and indie acts at this honky-tonk dive. 46 Third Ave at Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (hankssaloon.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
On weekends (Thursdays through Saturdays), catch country, rock and indie acts at this honky-tonk dive. 46 Third Ave at Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn (hankssaloon.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Escape the city’s hustle and bustle for a bit at this quiet Upper East Side church. On Wednesdays, you can enjoy 45-minute lunch-hour sets of mostly pre-19th-century classical music as part of the Midtown Concerts series. 122 E 88th St at Lexington Ave (212-967-9157, immanuelnyc.org). 1:15pm.
Escape the city’s hustle and bustle for a bit at this quiet Upper East Side church. On Wednesdays, you can enjoy 45-minute lunch-hour sets of mostly pre-19th-century classical music as part of the Midtown Concerts series. 122 E 88th St at Lexington Ave (212-967-9157, immanuelnyc.org). 1:15pm.
Lakeside Lounge
Rockers, soul outfits and singer-songwriters play gratis gigs every night of the week at Lakeside. Between sets, pick a garage-rock nugget on the stellar jukebox, and keep your spirits up with a pint of PBR and an oversize well shot ($7). 162 Ave B between 10th and 11th Sts (212-529-8463, lakesidelounge.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
Rockers, soul outfits and singer-songwriters play gratis gigs every night of the week at Lakeside. Between sets, pick a garage-rock nugget on the stellar jukebox, and keep your spirits up with a pint of PBR and an oversize well shot ($7). 162 Ave B between 10th and 11th Sts (212-529-8463, lakesidelounge.com). Visit the website for a full schedule.
The bands hosted by this tiki bar play rockabilly, surf rock and other party music on a small backroom stage. Down umbrella drinks like Pang’s Punch ($10), a glow-in-the-dark rum concoction, and dance along. 538 E 14th St between Aves A and B (212-228-2240, ottosshrunkenhead.com). Ramblin’ Andy and the See You Laters, Thu 31 at 10:30pm; the Supertones, Sat 2 at 11:30pm.
Pete's Candy Store
Tired of standing-room-only indie-rock shows in the ’Burg? Nab a seat in this bar’s cozy back room, which hosts a wide range of performers, including several folky acts. On other evenings, fun, nerdy events like Pete’s Reading Series and the popular Williamsburg Spelling Bee take over the space. 709 Lorimer St between Frost and Richardson Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-302-3770, petescandystore.com). The Calamity Janes, Thu 31 at 11pm; Drew Victor, Wed 6 at 10pm.
Tired of standing-room-only indie-rock shows in the ’Burg? Nab a seat in this bar’s cozy back room, which hosts a wide range of performers, including several folky acts. On other evenings, fun, nerdy events like Pete’s Reading Series and the popular Williamsburg Spelling Bee take over the space. 709 Lorimer St between Frost and Richardson Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-302-3770, petescandystore.com). The Calamity Janes, Thu 31 at 11pm; Drew Victor, Wed 6 at 10pm.
Rue B
Jazz combos jam in Rue B’s intimate lounge, where you can enjoy signature cocktails—like the fruity African-rum-based Starr F**cker ($12)—with the live tunes. 188 Ave B between 11th and 12th Sts (212-358-1700, ruebnyc.com). All shows 9pm–midnight. Brooks Hartell Trio, Fri 1.
Jazz combos jam in Rue B’s intimate lounge, where you can enjoy signature cocktails—like the fruity African-rum-based Starr F**cker ($12)—with the live tunes. 188 Ave B between 11th and 12th Sts (212-358-1700, ruebnyc.com). All shows 9pm–midnight. Brooks Hartell Trio, Fri 1.
Bands are booked for every night of the week at Spike Hill—and most of the time (like, say on Mondays, which is jazz night), entry won’t cost you a penny. 184 Bedford Ave between North 6th and 7th Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-9737, spikehill.com). Visit the site for a full schedule.
Sunny’s
On most Wednesday nights, Western swing band Smokey’s Roundup performs foot-tapping tunes in this homey 100-plus-year-old bar. And on occasional Saturday nights, you can stop by to see a mix of local acts (primarily bluegrass bands), including the Red Hook Ramblers. 253 Conover St between Beard and Reed Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-625-8211, sunnysredhook.com). 8pm.
On most Wednesday nights, Western swing band Smokey’s Roundup performs foot-tapping tunes in this homey 100-plus-year-old bar. And on occasional Saturday nights, you can stop by to see a mix of local acts (primarily bluegrass bands), including the Red Hook Ramblers. 253 Conover St between Beard and Reed Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-625-8211, sunnysredhook.com). 8pm.
Zebulon
This venue attracts a mixed Brooklyn crowd with its all-over-the-map booking. While most shows are free, cash donations are welcome. 258 Wythe Ave between Metropolitan Ave and North 3rd St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-6934, zebuloncafeconcert.com). Friend Roulette, Fri 1 at 9pm; Jason Stein Quartet, Wed 6 at 9pm.
This venue attracts a mixed Brooklyn crowd with its all-over-the-map booking. While most shows are free, cash donations are welcome. 258 Wythe Ave between Metropolitan Ave and North 3rd St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-6934, zebuloncafeconcert.com). Friend Roulette, Fri 1 at 9pm; Jason Stein Quartet, Wed 6 at 9pm.
