Arlene’s Grocery was one of the earliest rock-music venues south of East Houston, and it remains a hallowed hall of head-banging. Er, make that hallowed hole. Downstairs from the main bar is the room where bands rock out all week long; you’ll need a liberal definitions of “loud” and “personal space” down there. Some impressive folks have taken the mike—Jeff Buckley, the Strokes, Vanessa Carlton and Beth Orton. Monthly events range from All-Ages Afternoon to Triple 666 Sunday, which is billed as “a night of debauchery.”
Hosting several of Manhattan’s best burlesque shows at Slipper Room and Nurse Bettie, the Lower East Side offers plenty of late-night diversions. For the best nightlife in the neighborhood, look beyond the standard dance-club model to live gigs—the LES has the lion’s share of the city’s best downtown rock venues.
RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Lower East Side