From indie rock to house, pop to funk, punk to hip-hop—the live music scene in New York's underground venues is known all around the world. And the underground scene in NYC has only grown stronger in the past decade. So if you're planning a concert to showcase emerging artists or an underground dance party, rest assured that you're in the right place.
If you're searching for the best underground venues in New York, you'll find exactly what you're looking for on the Giggster app. Our selection of exceptional event spaces offers something to suit all genres and club goers, providing a unique and inspirational backdrop for legendary live performances. Download the app today and start searching for your dream underground space in the city that never sleeps.
Public Records, Knitting Factory, Avant Gardner—you'll find a host of great music and nightclub spaces in the Big Apple. And if you're looking for a unique and affordable place to showcase talent, we're your connection to the best venues.
NYC nightclubs are some of the city's best underground venues, bringing chic style and cutting-edge fashion and music to the world.
Techno enthusiasts will love the rhythms and vibes of a night-long rave at a gritty industrial venue. Good luck finding any room on the dance floor.
Step back in time to the heady days of the Prohibition with a cocktail party in a hidden speakeasy-style bar.
From the Lower East Side to Brooklyn and locations right around NYC, you'll find a host of iconic New York City underground spaces to choose for your next event.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 15 spectacular underground venues in New York City to choose from on the Giggster app, there are plenty of possibilities when planning your music event. Whether you're taking to the dance floor or immersing yourself in the mosh pit, you'll find a huge variety of exceptional spaces.
Hassle-Free Booking: It's quick and easy to book your ideal space with Giggster. Compare location details and prices upfront, use handy search filters to find locations that suit your needs, and contact the property owner directly if you have any questions.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you book at least 48 hours before your New York City event date but you need to change your plans, we've got you covered with free cancellation in the first 24 hours after you receive your booking confirmation.
Platform Protections: Underground events bring a whole lot of fun but potentially a whole lot of stress too, so give yourself more peace of mind by adding optional damage, liability, and cancellation insurance to your booking.
New York is a vibrant place both day and night. NYC nightclubs and concert spaces are a haven for a wide range of event types, including the options listed below.
Concerts – Underground Vibe. Watching an emerging band tear up the stage and play exciting new tunes in an underground space is a very cool experience indeed. A space like Raw Historic Underground Gymnasium is the ideal fit for a punk or indie rock show.
Comedy Shows – Comedy Club. From basement bars to dedicated comedy venues, you're sure of a great time when you take in an intimate comedy show on a Friday or Saturday night.
Dance Parties – Bust a Move. When you're celebrating a special occasion with friends, hit up a nightclub and dance until the early hours of the morning.
Cocktail Parties – Speakeasy Stunner. Good music, good food, and plenty of delicious cocktails provide the ideal setting for a stylish corporate cocktail party or a gathering with friends.
Art Shows – Counter Culture. A hidden gem of an underground art gallery space offers a unique setting for an alternative art show.
From Lower Manhattan to sites right around NYC, how do you find the best underground music or nightclub setting for your needs? Make sure you keep an eye out for the following features.
It's all about the atmosphere. The right location for you will have the ideal ambiance for whatever style of music event you're hosting. It could be retro or modern, casual or formal, cozy or spacious.
Then you can look for essential inclusions. A great sound system is a must, while you might also need a stage, a dance floor, great lighting, and ample bathrooms. The space should also be conveniently located close to public transportation.
A great host is a bonus. The best property owner will be willing to accommodate special requests and work with you to create the event you want. Check how helpful and responsive they are when choosing a space.
An affordable price is a must. Never forget your bottom line—use Giggster's price filter to ensure that you only compare locations that fit your budget.
There are plenty of good reasons why you should choose an underground setting for your event, but there are also several reasons why you might want to check out other options.
Advantages
An underground event lends an air of excitement and that means great attendance at your venue.
NYC has legendary music and nightlife venues—an underground event is often a great place for emerging talent to get their feet wet.
There are underground settings to suit all budgets on the Giggster app, and may be less expensive than large, prominent street locations.
Disadvantages
The gritty underground vibe isn't suitable for events like kids' concerts or glitzy galas.
The best underground venues in New York City book out quickly, so you might miss out on the space you want if you don't get in early.
Small underground venues may lack the capacity for the crowd you want.
Live music events require a lot of careful planning and thought to become a success. Use the steps below as an outline to the important tasks you need to tick off during the planning process.
Decide on Your Event Experience – Start by deciding on what sort of event you're hosting. Are you showcasing emerging artists, putting on an event for techno enthusiasts, an indie rock concert, or something else? Make sure you have a clear idea of the sort of atmosphere you want to offer to concert or club goers before moving on to the next steps.
Set a Spending Limit – You don't want to break the bank on your next event, so work out how much you can reasonably afford to spend on the occasion.
Book Talent – From up and coming bands to established acts, you'll need to line up performers for your show. Negotiate the details of your booking with the artists or their manager before moving on to choosing a location.
Choose a Venue – Compare underground venues in New York City to find your ideal setting. Whether you're looking for a spacious dance floor, an intimate setting, a menu with a long list of delicious cocktails, an eclectic mix of decor, a laid-back atmosphere, an East Village location, a venue with a choice of multiple rooms, or anything else, shop around to find underground music venues and dance venues that tick all the boxes.
Sort Staff – Now it's time to hire any staff you need to ensure that your live music event is a complete success. So if you need security personnel, bartenders, sound and lighting technicians, or concession stand operators, make the necessary arrangements.
Arrange Extras – You may have found the perfect unique setting, but that doesn't mean it won't need extra finishing touches to make it just right. So if you need to hire extra AV gear or furniture, or add any sort of decorative touches to help create a more immersive experience, do so now.
Your Big Apple event may also come with a big price tag, so use the tips below to help cut costs on your underground music night.
Compare a wide range of venues.
There's an enormous range of NYC nightclubs and music venues to choose from, so don't just choose the first one you find with a good list of features. Instead, take your time shopping around to find the most affordable options.
Explore different neighborhoods.
Lower Manhattan, the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, Queens, the East Village—there are good music venues to be found right across New York City, and you might be surprised to find just how much you can save if you're willing to look beyond some of the most popular neighborhoods.
Keep money in reserve.
Leave some of your event budget aside to cover unexpected hosting costs. If no unforeseen expenses arise, you'll save money on your event. If new costs do crop up, you'll be well placed to cover them.
Treat your guests to a memorable and immersive experience in NYC. Download the Giggster app now and start searching for the best underground venues in New York City. From a large hall to a gastro-lounge and so much more, we have the best spaces for extraordinary events.
