Space & Infrastructure · Indicator 6
Number of music venues
What this indicator asks
How many fixed music venues have been active in New York City since 1 January 2025?
75.0/ 100 · New York
We assessed 1,345 spaces in the five boroughs and identified 457 as dedicated music venues where music is the main purpose. The other 888 spaces also host music alongside other uses, such as bars and arts and creative spaces.
New York has 457 dedicated music venues, about 53 for every million people. Of this total 42% are nightclubs, 23% are concert halls and live music venues, and 17% are bars.
In the survey, 93% of respondents in New York call nightclubs and live music venues important for the city’s nightlife. Five respondents named Nowadays, more than any other venue.
A participant said the same few owners control the rooms:
“The spaces are kind of monopolised between people who do own these spaces and have all the resources, and everybody kind of trying to get a party at these spaces. But they’re overbooked a lot of times and they are booked until six months out or whatever, and it’s the same small group of people that own these spaces.”
Another proposed new rooms, not owned by the existing owners, that take $10 cash at the door.