The Living Room

(212) 533-7235

154 Ludlow St (Stanton and Rivington)
New York, NY 10002 40.7209 -73.9879

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Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

Last updated 9.20.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Neighborhood Bars

Payment Methods:

Cash

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Folk & Bluegrass

Bar & Club Special Features:

Live Music

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About The Living Room

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

With decor more akin to your grandpa's basement than a chic urban living space, this L.E.S. music venue's rustic look is the source of its charm. The formerly one-story space expanded into the two above floors and now has two bars plus an upstairs lounge. Patrons range from young tattooed folk rockers to seasoned music fans, and shows are a mix of local, national, and even some international talent.

Editor's Tips

It's Cheap, Not Free:
The suggested $5 donation to the artists isn't strictly enforced, but when the tip jar comes around, failing to add your share is the only faux pas you can make in this manners-relaxed part of town.
Happy Hour:
Drinking on the cheap? PBR is $2 after midnight Sunday through Thursday.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “such an amazing atmosphere.”
  2. “went there a couple of times, sometimes they'll have a super awesome band, and sometimes there'll be some cooky band, but all in all, they're all fun to watch.”
  3. “The Living Room has the most comfortable atmosphere I'd ever been to.”
  4. “Great place to hear up-and-coming bands and a comfortable place to hang out.”
  5. “love this place, it's a relaxed, fun place to hear great music, and they do almost always have great music.”
  6. “Great sound; miserable atmosphere”
  7. “This venue has a great atmosphere.”
  8. “The place is in great shape, and has some nice comfortable couches by the bar for people to sit at.”
  9. “If you enjoy listening to local musicians and a relaxed atmosphere, then you're sure to love this place.”
  10. “Also, the atmosphere is so cozy; the bar really does live up to its name!”
  11. “It is hard for me to find a place that I feel comfortable in, but I found The Living Room to be a great place to spend the night hanging out with some friends.”
  12. “What can I say, the LR has a cool atmosphere, good staff, and good music.”
  13. “If you like hearing new music and finding out about local artists in a great atmosphere this is the place to be!”
  14. “Great comfortable venue.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “You do have to order a minimum of one drink per set, which isn't a big deal.”
  2. “The place is in great shape, and has some nice comfortable couches by the bar for people to sit at.”
  3. “This is a great venue and the front bar section is great as well.”
  4. “The drinks are cheap and the service is great.”
  5. “There is a one drink minimum, but drinks are affordable, and there is usually not a cover charge, and if there is one it's about $10, so for a night out on the Lower East Side this is extremely reasonable.”
  6. “The acoustics sound amazing and has a great beer selection and friendly service.”
  7. “This place has it all: Great music, a great selection of drinks, and a great staff.”
  8. “Cheap beers, great company, guaranteed great music.”
  9. “My favorite music venue and bar in the city!”
  10. “Also, the atmosphere is so cozy; the bar really does live up to its name!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The Living Room is my favorite venue in NYC because of the great variety of performances.”
  2. “If you like live music and want to see a variety of bands this seems like the place.”
  3. “The acoustics sound amazing and has a great beer selection and friendly service.”
  4. “This place has it all: Great music, a great selection of drinks, and a great staff.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “great place, great music”
  2. “It's a great place to just hang out and chill and of course listen to great music.”
  3. “If you like hearing new music and finding out about local artists in a great atmosphere this is the place to be!”
  4. “great place to hear live music and hang out with friends.”
  5. “It is hard for me to find a place that I feel comfortable in, but I found The Living Room to be a great place to spend the night hanging out with some friends.”
  6. “It's a great place to mingle or hang out with your friends.”
service
90.0% positive
  1. “The place is in great shape, and has some nice comfortable couches by the bar for people to sit at.”
  2. “This place has it all: Great music, a great selection of drinks, and a great staff.”
  3. “staff is super friendly and helpful.”
  4. “The drinks are cheap and the service is great.”
  5. “What can I say, the LR has a cool atmosphere, good staff, and good music.”
  6. “The staff very helpful and super friendly unlike some other places.”
  7. “The acoustics sound amazing and has a great beer selection and friendly service.”
  8. “The staff was always friendly and cool (the sound guy turned me on to some great new artists) and the music was some of the best singer/songwriter music in the city.”
  9. “Unfortunately, this place used to be good but I guess since Nora Jones put it on the map, the Bridge and Tunnel crowd have found it and the staff treats everyone like they should feel lucky to be served by them.”
  10. “Service is friendly!”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “The shows that are not free are not expensive either, the tickets usually average at about $10.”
  2. “There is a one drink minimum, but drinks are affordable, and there is usually not a cover charge, and if there is one it's about $10, so for a night out on the Lower East Side this is extremely reasonable.”
  3. “The drinks are cheap and the service is great.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/27/12

Overall Great Experience

by FloAdams at Citysearch

When I moved to New York this fall and started to explore the city, one of the first places I checked out, on the recommendation of a few friends from back home, was The Living Room. I fell in love with the place right away - not only are the rooms charming and tastefully decorated with art and comfy couches, but the drinks are affordable, the music is usually free, and the sound is amazing. Ever since I've made it a regular choice for a fun night out.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/09/11

Sounds good to me

by RogerVermillion at Citysearch

I love seeing shows at The Living Room. I'm a bit of an audiophile so when I go to see music, an enthusiastic performance is not always enough. The Living Room seems to be one of a short list of local venues that have attentive sound guys that make bands sound amazing. The main room has a great natural sound for their genres, and the live mixes are consistently good. Really great room...

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/14/11

Best Place for Live Music

by daisypoler at Citysearch

The music is always amazing here! I can’t say there’s ever been a time when I’ve been disappointed with the live music at The Living Room. It’s small and intimate so you can always see the performers and hear the music without having to squeeze through a crowd to reach the front. The acoustics in the room are phenomenal. Definitely one of my favorite spots in NYC to go have a few drinks and listen to some heartwarming tunes.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/08/11

Finally found Folk 'n' Bluegrass

by zchase169 at Citysearch

I finally found a place in NYC where I can feel like a kid a little bit. Some of the acts that blow through this place remind me of some of the tunes my Dad and his friends used to play at family bbqs. I grew up on bluegrass music, and when they get it here, they got it HERE. The bartenders even make a sweet tea fire fly vodka sour. If anything could have made my favorite drink better, it was sour mix. Absolutely brilliant crafty bartenders doing what's best: being innovative.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/07/11

New York's best venue

by LEVYs at Citysearch

The Living Room’s atmosphere is homey and very comfortable. The low stage gives off an intimate feeling, which I personally loved. The staff was awesome and their photo booth helped me remember (most of) my night. I would definitely go back.

The Details on The Living Room

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • super friendly staff
  • favorite music venue
  • great atmosphere
  • great shows
  • great acoustics sound
  • friendly service
  • great new artists
  • like live music
  • really recommend spot
  • loves good live show
  • great live performances
  • good ve
  • good sounding music
  • great front bar section
  • affordable drinks
  • awesome band
  • enjoy fans
  • best live venue
  • order minimum
  • great neighborhood
  • enjoy audience
  • nice couches
  • favorite bar
  • great singersongwriter music