Live Acoustic Music Near New York, New York

If you've never experienced hearing talented musicians perform in a small, intimate environment, you are in for a treat.

House concerts are a growing trend across the country, where people invite friends and neighbors into their homes for an up-close concert experience. And there are many house concerts being held in and around the New York area that you can check out - you just need to contact the host and ask to be invited.

Churches and non-profit community groups around New York host occasional coffeehouses that feature traditional folk musicians and other acoustic artists as a way of bringing the community together. Local libraries also host free concerts that are open to the general public.

In addition, live acoustic music can be heard in several listening rooms and small theaters in New York. Local vineyards and restaurants and cafes in the area sometimes host nationally touring musicians as well.

Below you can find a listing of upcoming shows in these smaller venues by nationally and internationally touring artists.

Upcoming Acoustic Shows

September 30
The Triad Theater NYC (Small Theater)
New York, NY
September 30
The Bitter End (Small Theater)
New York, NY
October 1
Turning Point Cafe (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Piermont, NY
October 5
Bedford Playhouse (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Bedford, NY
October 6
Outpost in the Burbs (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Montclair, NJ
October 7
“Polished yet rootsy Chicago outfit Empty Pockets” (Rolling Stone) celebrates old-school classic rock, folk, and the blues, skillfully blending singer/songwriter catharsis with rich harmonies and
Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street (Small Theater)
Port Washington, NY
October 7
The Rough & Tumble is a thrift store Americana two person, two dogged, multi instrumental duo who live in a 16' camper around the country. Math isn't their strong suit, but the music is pretty good.
Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club (Small Theater)
Fair Lawn, NJ
October 8
Pete's Candy Store (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
October 8
Cozy Cabin Concerts (House Concert)
Green Brook Township, NJ
October 9
The Bowery Ballroom (Bar/Nightclub)
New York, NY
October 11
The Mercury Lounge (Bar/Nightclub)
New York, NY
October 12
Joe's Pub at the Public (Listening Room)
New York, NY
October 13
Concerts in the Studio (House Concert)
Freehold, NJ
October 14
From Ithaca NY, Joe Crookston brings foot-stomping rhythms, hilarious stories, and gorgeous melodies for a night of music and art that will leave you feeling more awake and alive. Decide to come!
River Spirit Music House Concerts (House Concert)
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
October 14
Outpost in the Burbs (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Montclair, NJ
October 14
When you hear John sing his songs, you'll know why his music and voice have touched so many for over 49 years starting with Batdorf and Rodney, Silver, Michael McLean, James Lee Stanley and now solo.
Turning Point Cafe (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Piermont, NY
October 17
Singer-songwriter Dan Strauss has been performing for over twenty years with his trademark melodic storytelling and intimate vocals. Someone once said Dan's music felt like Jeff Tweedy being in the Beatles. That sums it up pretty good.
Strong Rope Brewery (Brewery)
Brooklyn, NY
October 18
The Cutting Room (Listening Room)
New York, NY
October 19
Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street (Small Theater)
Port Washington, NY
October 20
Tarrytown Music Hall (Small Theater)
Tarrytown, NY
October 21
People's Voice Cafe (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
New York, NY
October 21
The best listening room in Brooklyn, and awesome free desserts.
Voices in the Heights (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
October 21
The Owl Music Parlor (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
October 24
A Winner of both the Kerrville and Tumbleweed Folk Festival songwriting competitions, Claudia’s amber honey voice delivers emotionally fearless songs in between outlandish and irreverant monologues.
The Folk Project - The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Morristown, NJ
October 24
A Winner of both the Kerrville and Tumbleweed Folk Festival songwriting competitions, Claudia’s amber honey voice delivers emotionally fearless songs in between outlandish and irreverant monologues.
The Folk Project - The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Morristown, NJ
October 26
Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall (Small Theater)
New York, NY
October 27
City Winery (Listening Room)
New York, NY
October 28
The Owl Music Parlor (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
October 29
Count Basie Theatre (Concert Hall)
Red Bank, NJ
October 31
The Triad Theater NYC (Small Theater)
New York, NY
November 2
Kathleen Alice "Kathy" Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass performer who often brings folk, Celtic, and traditional country sounds to her music.
Count Basie Theatre (Concert Hall)
Red Bank, NJ
November 2
Turning Point Cafe (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Piermont, NY
November 3
Husband-and-wife folk/rock Americana duo The Kennedys have been writing, recording & touring for over twenty five years. Their energetic pop-influenced sound recalls Buddy Holly & The Everly Brothers.
Outpost in the Burbs (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Montclair, NJ
November 3
Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall (Small Theater)
New York, NY
November 4
Jalopy Theater (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
November 11
Avenel Performing Arts Center (Small Theater)
Woodbridge Township, NJ
November 11
Walkabout Coffeehouse (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
White Plains, NY
November 12
A beloved show business veteran who started his career at the age of seven as a juggler and acrobat, but has since turned to the banjo because that's where the money is. His band, The American Circus, has developed a devoted international following.
Pete's Candy Store (Listening Room)
Brooklyn, NY
November 12
Avenel Performing Arts Center (Small Theater)
Woodbridge Township, NJ
November 18
Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street (Small Theater)
Port Washington, NY
November 18
Singer-songwriter Dan Strauss has been performing for over twenty years with his trademark melodic storytelling and intimate vocals. Someone once said Dan's music felt like Jeff Tweedy being in the Beatles. That sums it up pretty good.
Freddy's Bar (Bar/Nightclub)
New York, NY
November 19
Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall (Small Theater)
New York, NY
November 19
Singer-songwriter Dan Strauss has been performing for over twenty years with his trademark melodic storytelling and intimate vocals. Someone once said Dan's music felt like Jeff Tweedy being in the Beatles. That sums it up pretty good.
An Beal Bocht Cafe (Cafe, Restaurant or Coffee Shop)
Bronx, NY
November 24
An evening of songs for the audience to sing. Presented fully acoustic and unamplified.
The Folk Project - The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Morristown, NJ
December 2
Kerrville New Folk winner John John Brown is bringing giant comics, iconic photographs, and moving panoramas to the stage; weaving together storytelling songs and the visual arts in a live performance. His new show is titled "Songs, Stories &Art".
People's Voice Cafe (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
New York, NY
December 3
Deni Bonet’s a singer/songwriter & virtuoso violinist playing quirky, melodic folk-rock. Performances include Carnegie Hall, Great Wall of China, United Nations, & the White House for Pres. Obama.
New City Library (Library)
New City, NY
December 16
People's Voice Cafe (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
New York, NY
December 29
Mike Agranoff is a versatile and entertaining fingerstyle guitarist and singer/songfinder whose songs range from the traditional to the more modern, offered with humor, snappy guitar chops, and powerful storytelling.
The Folk Project - The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series (Folk Music Coffeehouse)
Morristown, NJ
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Places to see live acoustic music in and around New York, New York

House Concerts

Celia's Music Room (Cortlandt Manor)
Concerts in the Studio (Freehold)
Cozy Cabin Concerts (Green Brook Township)
Heights House Concert Series (Jersey City)
Jenkins House Concerts (New York)
Live @ Drew's (Ringwood)
River Spirit Music House Concerts (Hastings-on-Hudson)
Shine Sessions House Concerts (Commack)

Listening Rooms

American Folk Art Museum (New York)
City Vineyard (New York)
City Winery (New York)
Fox & Crow (Jersey City)
Hard Luck Cafe (Huntington)
Jalopy Theater (Brooklyn)
Joe's Pub at the Public (New York)
Lagond's Live from the Haven (Elmsford)
Pete's Candy Store (Brooklyn)
Shrine (New York)
Tavern Concerts in Old Richmond Town (Staten Island)
The Cutting Room (New York)
The Owl Music Parlor (Brooklyn)
The Saint (Asbury Park)
Voices in the Heights (Brooklyn)
Watchung Arts Center (Warren)

Folk Music Coffeehouses

Common Ground Coffeehouse (Dobbs Ferry)
Glen Ridge Train Station (Glen Ridge)
Outpost in the Burbs (Montclair)
People's Voice Cafe (New York)
The Folk Project - The Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series (Morristown)
Walkabout Coffeehouse (White Plains)

Vineyards & Breweries

Torne Valley Vineyards (Sloatsburg)

Cafes, Restaurants & Coffee Shops

An Beal Bocht Cafe (Bronx)
Bedford Playhouse (Bedford)
Cafe Carlyle (New York)
Crossroads (Garwood)
Gladstone Tavern (Peapack and Gladstone)
Hill Country Barbecue (NY) (New York)
Mohansic Grill and Lounge (Yorktown Heights)
Silvana (New York)
The Fine Grind (Little Falls)
The Scratcher Sessions (New York)
The Stanhope House (Stanhope)
Turning Point Cafe (Piermont)

Libraries

Cranford Public Library (Cranford)
East Meadow Public Library (East Meadow)
Franklin Township Public Library (Franklin Township)
New City Library (New City)
Ossining Public Library (Ossining)
Suffern Free Library (Suffern)

Small Theaters

Avenel Performing Arts Center (Woodbridge Township)
Cafe Wha? (New York)
Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall (New York)
Emelin Theatre (Mamaroneck)
Fanwood Performance Series (Fanwood)
Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club (Fair Lawn)
Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street (Port Washington)
Knitting Factory (Brooklyn)
Le Poisson Rouge (New York)
Rockland Center For The Arts (West Nyack)
Rockwood Music Hall (New York)
South Orange Performing Arts Center SOPAC (South Orange)
Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown)
The Bitter End (New York)
The Triad Theater NYC (New York)
Union County Performing Arts Center (Rahway)
White Eagle Hall (Jersey City)

Bars & Nightclubs

Freddy's Bar (New York)
Parkside Lounge (New York)
The Bowery Ballroom (New York)
The Bowery Electric (New York)
The Mercury Lounge (New York)
The Parlor at Hailey’s and The Hangout at Hailey’s (Metuchen)
The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park)