The hottest places to hear live music and see world-renowned DJs, from indie venues to hidden underground gems
Late Nights. Parties. Creative binges. Alice Gao may be living the NYC artist’s dream, but there’s nary a moment when she’s not working. We asked the conceptual installation artist and DJ—who hits runway shows, underground nightclubs and museums all over town—how she relaxes and gets inspired.
New indulgence: While We Were Young Kitchen & Cocktails
“I’ve seen this restaurant all over Instagram and was like, ‘Ugh, it’s one of those.’ And then this morning I was there, and it was amazing. I had chicken and waffles but with kale waffles. It was very good. It came with homemade hot sauce and maple syrup. I’m obsessed with healthy restaurants, and I’ve never had fried chicken with waffles before, so eating it with kale made me feel better.”
Before a DJ gig: Lucien
“I really love it there. It’s a French restaurant, and they have amazing black-pepper sauce. Usually, they use that sauce for steak, but I just dip a baguette into it. It’s the best thing in the world. I go there before a show for a drink with my friends.”
After the Show: The Bowery Hotel
“Their service attitude isn’t always good, but I love going because it has big couches. They stay open pretty late, and they have great people. Fashion people love it there. I’m not in the fashion industry, so to speak, but I have a lot of friends in that world, and that place is their favorite on the planet. It’s pretty sceney—you always see celebrities.”
Unlikely DJ spot: Soho House
“I love DJing at Soho House. When I’m usually spinning [elsewhere], people always request Beyoncé and Rihanna. But when I’m deejaying at Soho House, I’m like, ‘Let me play some cool music. Shut the fuck up, and I’ll play Rihanna when you guys are pretty wasted.’”
Trap-Music Hideout: Never Never
“It’s the basement of Up & Down. I have some friends who only want to hear hip-hop, and that place is perfect for late-night trap music.”
Beauty Spot: CAP Beauty
“I love this place. It’s mad expensive, but they recently got this new product called matcha-coconut butter. It’s so good, but a little jar of just coconut jam is like $30. Spending money on that type of thing makes me feel good.”
Meditation Hideout: The Rubin Museum of Art
“I really like it there because they have a temple room. You can feel the meditation energy, even if you are not religious.”