Best Cover Band Bars In NYC, Long Island
Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Gipsy Kings, The Beatles: Name your favorite band from the recent past, or even the present, and chances are you can hear a great cover or tribute band playing at a New York club that will bring a rush of memories. Tributes to contemporary acts like Adele are not uncommon. Various night spots have house bands that specialize in a particular period. Here are five great places to hear cover bands.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
237 W. 42 St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 997-4144
www.bbkingblues.com
The great blues man may be gone, but his namesake club is still going strong in the heart of Times Square. In addition to many well-known current acts, it often features tribute evenings for bands such as the Gipsy Kings, and their weekly Saturday Beatles brunch -- where you can chow down while listening to your favorite hits played live. The food is good at BB's too, with barbecue, Cajun specialties and southern-inspired dishes.
Cafe Wha?
115 Macdougal St.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 254-3706
www.cafewha.com
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Once upon a time in the last century, folkies and would-be rockers like Bob Dylan made this Greenwich Village hangout their first stop in the Big Apple. These days it's known for an awesome nine-piece house ensemble nicknamed -- by the club itself, admittedly -- "the best damn band in New York City." On different evenings the band may cover the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone or others. Then there's "Hello," an Adele tribute featuring two singers, Ashley Menard and Jessica Stark, aiming to remind you of the English superstar. The club is open Wednesday through Saturday.
The Red Lion
151 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 260-9797
www.redlionnyc.com
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This popular Greenwich Village bar alternates regular rock bands with cover bands. Among the favorites are the Rolling Bones and No Mersey, which have standing gig at the venue. Red Lion also hosts sports events via satellite. The club is a popular spot for private parties.
Sunset Grill
4068 Sunrise Highway
Seaford, NY 11783
(516) 785-4952
www.lisunsetgrill.com
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One of Long Island's best-known spots for live music, Sunset Grill is on the south shore -- an easy 45 minute drive from Manhattan. Among the acts featured regularly here is the cover band Heartbreaker, which plays the music of Pat Benatar, or Generations, covering music from the '60s to the '90s.
Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall
3232 Railroad Ave.
Wantagh, NY 11793
(516) 783-7500
www.muls.com
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There's a lot of the '90s at Mulcahy's on Long Island. Tribute bands include one dedicated to the Spice Girls and another simply called the The 90s Band. One thing that makes Mulcahy's unique is that it is right opposite the Long Island Railroad station. It welcomes train travelers and even publishes the LIRR schedule on its website, so you don't need a designated driver.
Grace Lichtenstein is an author and former New York Times reporter. She writes principally about books, music and sports. She contributes to the Washington Post, NYCityWoman.com, Aspen Magazine and other publications. She is a board member of Bike New York, as well as a member of the Authors Guild and the National Book Critics Circle.