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(212) 358-7501

107 Norfolk St
New York, NY 10002 40.7188 -73.9873

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Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

Last updated 3.09.11

Category:

Nightclubs

Payment Methods:

Cash

Bar & Club Special Features:

Live Music

What People Are Saying About Tonic

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Located in the Lower East Side, Tonic draws fans of all musical stripes. The main space started out as a sizeable coffee shop and still retains the same feel long after a liquor license helped spice things up. The stage is low to the ground and backed by a beautiful red velvet curtain, giving the intimate surroundings a touch of grandeur. Below the main stage and bar area is the Subtonic Lounge, which features music spun by a revolving cast of DJs and a number of old wine casks fashioned into infinitely cool seating circles. It's quickly become one of the city's more adventurous musical…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Across the street, Lansky Lounge goes for speakeasy glamour.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. love the atmosphere!
  2. The music is well curated, sound is excellent, atmosphere is great, food and drink are fantastic (especially Klezmer brunch on Sunday's), prices are reasonable and it is an overall good time.
  3. We had a great view of the band, enjoyed some cocktails and then chatted with the bartender between sets.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. We had a great view of the band, enjoyed some cocktails and then chatted with the bartender between sets.
  2. The music is well curated, sound is excellent, atmosphere is great, food and drink are fantastic (especially Klezmer brunch on Sunday's), prices are reasonable and it is an overall good time.
  3. And the cool wine cask seating booths in the basement are very cool.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. The music is well curated, sound is excellent, atmosphere is great, food and drink are fantastic (especially Klezmer brunch on Sunday's), prices are reasonable and it is an overall good time.
service
50.0% positive
  1. We returned at 8:00 and were told the box office was still not open by the same rude employee; no explanation, no apology, nothing.
  2. We had a great view of the band, enjoyed some cocktails and then chatted with the bartender between sets.
value
100.0% positive
  1. The music is well curated, sound is excellent, atmosphere is great, food and drink are fantastic (especially Klezmer brunch on Sunday's), prices are reasonable and it is an overall good time.
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/19/07

NO SURPRISE THIS PLACE IS CLOSING....!

by evillage242

I am not surprised to read that this club is in dire straits, most likely due to poor management and no-show performers than the lame excuses they listed on this site. Three out-of-town friends (two of which are professional musicians) and I showed up at 7:45 on 1/12/07 to buy tickets to see the Wallace Roney Sextet and were told the box office was not open, even though the show was suppose to begin at 8:00. We returned at 8:00 and were told the box office was still not open by the same rude employee; no explanation, no apology, nothing. After a drink elsewhere and a walk around the neighborhood we returned at 8:30 and the same attitudinal guy said they were still not open, again without a word of explanation or apology or acknowledgement that this was our third time being turned away. Considering the tickets for this venue were $18.00 ea. with a one drink minimum, this club turned away over $100.00 from my party of four without a care in the world. Wake up Tonic! Giving attitude to patrons willing to spend money at your club is the fastest way to bankruptcy. The night was not a total loss since the East Village (my neighborhood for 12 years) offers more than one live music venue that we were more welcome to enter the door and spend our money.

  • Pros: Located in the LES
  • Cons: No-Show Performers
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/30/03

Keeps getting better!

by threejohn

I've been going to Tonic for years and am never disappointed. The place was recently renovated and is now better than ever. Best of all the music continues to be the most interesting of anywhere in the city.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/30/03

now even better

by Mara31

GREAT Renovations to this always fantastic music venue. The new cafe in front has hot dogs with mango relish and they're delish!

  • Pros: inexpensive, awesome shows
4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

08/25/02

TONICally Surprised!

by strawberryshorty

Great experience! I dont go to many clubs, and was very surprised they had FREE jugs of ice water already lined up all along the bar. Could of used more seating in the place, but overall I had an awesome time!

  • Pros: good sound, friendly staff, very intimate setting
  • Cons: not enough chairs, dont answer phones
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/28/02

I love Tonic!

by smachleder

I love the atmosphere! The perfect place to hear great music any night of the week!!!

The Details on Tonic

Place Categories:

  • great atmosphere
  • cool wine
  • great renovations
  • enjoyed cocktails
  • fantastic drink
  • professional musicians
  • poor management
  • rude employee
  • great space
  • love tonic
  • great view
  • great music
  • excellent sound
  • poor noshow performers
  • perfect place
  • best experience
  • fantastic food
  • reasonable prices
  • favorite music venue
  • lame excuses
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