Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Live Music Fans in Long Island City
Top Things to Do in New York City for Live Music Fans in Long Island City
1. Culture Lab LIC
A nonprofit arts hub inside a converted warehouse with a 20,000-square-foot outdoor stage that powers LIC’s free concert scene all season long.
✓ Why Go:
Catch eclectic lineups—from indie and jazz to global and folk—often free and community-forward, with food trucks and a neighborhood block-party vibe.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late spring through early fall evenings when the outdoor stage is active; weekends tend to host marquee shows.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring a camp chair and cashless payment for nearby food vendors; arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good sightline.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Locals rave about the inclusive crowd and skyline backdrop; visitors love discovering touring-quality acts without Manhattan prices.
2. LIC Bar
A century-old brick-and-tin tavern with a back-room and garden that transforms into one of Queens’ most intimate live-music stages.
✓ Why Go:
Songwriters, roots bands, and jazz players rotate through, delivering up-close sets with excellent sound in a cozy, storied space.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Warm-weather Sundays for garden sessions; weeknights for relaxed, lower-key sets.
✓ Insider Tip:
Slip in early to snag a garden table; the bar is known for friendly pours and a neighborhood crowd.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as a quintessential NYC bar where the music feels personal and the staff remembers regulars.
3. Fifth Hammer Brewing Company
A beloved LIC brewery whose taproom doubles as a community hangout with frequent live sets amid fermenters and rotating food pop-ups.
✓ Why Go:
You’ll pair inventive small-batch beers with improvisational jazz, folk nights, and weekly happenings that feel like a neighborhood living room.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Monday and Wednesday evenings often feature live music; weekends bring bigger crowds and pop-up kitchens.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the brewery calendar before you go—sets are free, but prime tables near the Brewside Lounge go fast.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests love the laid-back vibe, friendly team, and high-caliber musicianship for a casual cover-free night out.
4. Rockaway Brewing Company
Queens’ pioneering microbrewery pours at its LIC taproom just off the waterfront and hosts mellow live sets and community events.
✓ Why Go:
Expect approachable beers, a chill indoor-outdoor setup, occasional bands or DJs, and an easy hop from Gantry Plaza.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend afternoons for relaxed tunes; early evenings when shows pop up on the calendar.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look for special releases and pop-up bites; the short stroll from the ferry makes this an effortless add-on to a concert night.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars highlight the welcoming staff and neighborhood feel—plus it’s an easy first stop before waterfront music.
5. MoMA PS1
The cutting-edge Queens outpost of MoMA activates its courtyard with DJ-driven parties and performance programs alongside contemporary art.
✓ Why Go:
Where museum culture meets club energy—expect adventurous bookings, art-world crowds, and sound designed for the open-air courtyard.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-summer Fridays and select weekends when the courtyard music series runs; arrive before sunset.
✓ Insider Tip:
Tickets can sell out—reserve ahead and plan extra time to explore installations between sets.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the boundary-pushing curation and the thrill of dancing in a historic schoolhouse courtyard.
6. Gantry Plaza State Park
LIC’s postcard-perfect pier park hosts free summer concert series at sunset with the Manhattan skyline lighting up behind the stage.
✓ Why Go:
It’s hard to beat live music with river breezes and iconic views—bring a blanket and make a picnic of it.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Tuesday evenings in July and August for seasonal series; arrive early for lawn space and golden-hour photos.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pack a low chair or blanket and a light layer—the riverside cools quickly after dark.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Crowds gush about the setting: family-friendly, free, and spectacular at sunset.
7. The Local NY
A lively hostel bar that opens its doors to the neighborhood for weekly ‘Live & Local’ showcases, open mics, and social nights.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a fun, low-pressure way to hear emerging NYC artists, swap recs with travelers, and pregame before bigger gigs nearby.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Wednesday nights for live-music showcases; check the board for last-minute pop-ups.
✓ Insider Tip:
You don’t need to be a guest—walk in, grab a local pint, and head for the lobby stage.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised as friendly, affordable, and unexpectedly musical—great for meeting people and discovering new acts.
8. Queensbridge Park
A riverside greenway beneath the Queensboro Bridge that periodically hosts SummerStage and community concerts with room to spread out.
✓ Why Go:
When the stage is up, you get big-sound shows in a neighborhood park setting—easy to reach, easy to love.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-summer evenings during citywide park series; check seasonal schedules for dates.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring water and bug spray; sound carries well but a spot near the mixing desk offers the best balance.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans appreciate the spacious lawns and low-stress entry compared to major Manhattan venues.
9. Focal Point Beer Co.
Formerly ICONYC, this expanded taproom on the 12th Street Pedestrian Plaza hosts live music, karaoke nights, and community-driven events.
✓ Why Go:
Rotating beers, an indoor–outdoor setup, and frequent performances make it a natural stop on any LIC music crawl.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Friday evenings for music-friendly crowds; check the event slate for live sets in the Tasting Room.
✓ Insider Tip:
Grab tacos next door between sets and post up by the plaza doors when they’re open on warm nights.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors cite a festive atmosphere and plenty of space to mingle without losing the music.
10. Finback LIC
The Queens craft favorite’s LIC studio pours mixed-culture beers and hosts culture-forward happenings—think music pop-ups, releases, and art nights.
✓ Why Go:
Creative brews meet creative programming in a sleek taproom steps from Queens Plaza—perfect before or after a show.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings and weekends when special events, releases, or DJ nights align; watch their socials for announcements.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pair a set with small plates from the in-house kitchen; the bar team happily suggests beer-and-bite combos.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Praised for design, friendly staff, and inventive beers—music nights feel curated rather than crowded.
