The music washes over you like waves: rising guitar riffs, soaring vocals, deep bass, and you are only feet from the band.
This scene would be rare in other cities. But in New York City it plays out almost daily. There are countless places to see live music in NYC and there are just as many bands lined up for their shot at fame.
One of the best places to see a live show in NYC is at Arlene’s Grocery (http://www.arlenesgrocery.net/). Despite the name, this bar and concert venue is anything but a grocery store. The outside of Arlene's uses a grocery store motif with a stooped porch of an old-style American grocery store, but that exterior masks a different world inside. The upper floor is a first-rate bar. The lights are dim and the atmosphere is relaxed enough to stop by for a drink after work. The customers come from all walks of life. It is not unusual to see students, young professionals, and businessmen sharing the bar for drinks that start at $3-4.
But the real magic of Arlene’s is downstairs. The door to the downstairs concert venue is almost hidden. You descend down a small staircase and pay $8 cover to enter an intimate venue for bands. The lights are dim and the floor is open to accommodate crowds. There is a full-service bar and seating around the corners. No matter where you choose to stand or sit you will only be feet from the band and you are guaranteed a great view. Being that close only serves to enhance the experience and draw you into the music!
The best part is that your $8 cover allows you to see live bands from 7pm until after midnight (usually 4-5 bands). Many of the acts are local and some are from out of town but every show I have seen was fantastic. What makes Arlene’s even better is karaoke. Check their calendar (http://www.arlenesgrocery.
net/calendar/index.html) because almost every Monday and Friday night they have live karaoke. This means the house band plays the songs you request and you get to stand on stage and act like the lead singer of the band while you sing karaoke!
This month the highlight of Arlene’s schedule has been the band Honor by August (http://www.honorbyaugust.com/
). The group met while attending Georgetown University and started making incredible music. Their sound is hard to categorize. What is not hard to categorize is that they have incredible range. The songs they play can range from soft and mellow with pianos and acoustic guitars then they can easily transition into harder sounds with strong guitar riffs and heavy bass. No matter the choice they have a distinctive style that is highlighted by the powerful vocals from Mike Pearsall. His vocal range is incredible and has the ability to lift you up while you listen to a live show.
Here is a sampling of some of their songs:
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v=KfXW0F1k7OM (live at Arlene’s)
Perhaps the best part of Arlene’s is that you can meet all the bands after they perform. I learned that the guys from Honor by August are incredibly welcoming and love to meet their fans.
What could make all of this better? Honor by August is performing at Arlene’s every Wednesday for the rest of August and they are playing some of their new songs. It’s your chance to get out and see some great live bands.
