New York City and music go hand in hand, like the modern and classic design of the 88 & 90 Lexington apartments. Whether it’s Billie Holiday singing “Autumn in New York” or Lou Reed taking a walk on the wild side, the songs inspired by the city that never sleeps could fill countless playlists from every conceivable genre. Over the years, New York has provided ripe terrain for a host of musical scenes—from street harmonics, jazz, rock, and disco to New Wave, punk, and hip hop, to name just a few—and for myriad musicians whose careers were launched and thrived in clubs and concert halls around town. Whether you want to listen to a romantic street-corner saxophone solo or rousing rock concert, some of New York City’s most legendary music venues are just around the corner from your Madison Square Park condos.
Irving Plaza | 17 Irving Place
If you want to visit the same venue where everyone from the Ramones and the Dave Matthews Band to Eric Clapton and U2 have played, stop by this vaunted neighborhood performance space. Over the past 150 years, the building at 17 Irving Place has served many roles, including as a union meeting house and a Polish American community center that once hosted the future pope John Paul II. Now it is an intimate concert hall where the biggest names in music history and current stars like Lily Allen and pop sensation Meghan Trainor perform. Staying tuned to Irving Plaza’s lineup can pay off in spades: in 2015, a surprise concert by Paul McCartney was announced on the morning of the show.
Gramercy Theatre | 127 East 23rd Street
Much like New York City, the Gramercy Theatre has been reinventing itself since its inception. The Streamline Moderne-inspired, Charles Sandblom designed building has been a destination for art-house films, a dollar-movie discount theater, and an Off-Broadway venue. Its current incarnation hails as one of NYC’s best midsize concert venues. There’s a mix of seating and standing room, so those who want to “rock out” can air-guitar right up to the stage. There is sure to be an artist who will inspire you to experience Gramercy Theatre! After all, the Gramercy has hosted an eclectic range of acts over the years, from the Counting Crows and Steve Winwood to Jay Z.
Jazz Standard | 116 East 27th Street
Get some soul food with a side of soulful music at the Jazz Standard, a jazz club where musical luminaries, like the Dr. Onnie Smith Octet and the Mingus Big Band, lay down some killer licks as audience members indulge in the finger-licking fare provided by Danny Meyer’s award-winning BBQ joint, Blue Smoke, just upstairs. Your kids can even get in and jive with Jazz Standard’s music education program for youth. If you feel like staying in, order takeout from Blue Smoke and put on some music recorded live at the Jazz Standard by the likes of SFJAZZ Collective and Rene Marie.
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