Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street
(between 4th St & Astor Pl)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 539-8770
- Nearest Transit:
Astor Place (6)
8th St-Broadway (R, W)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Good for Groups: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Live
- Happy Hour: No
- Smoking: No
40 Reviews for Joe's Pub
Heaven for mature adults who still fancy themselves hip enough to drink in public and bop their head along to whatever jazzy jumble is unfolding on stage without battling mosh pits of urban youth intent on out-cooling each other.
I mean, I saw a really good show here and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
4 stars for the ambience
2 stars for the food.
I go to a number of shows here. Get there early as they play right on the dot. It's a classy place to hear some indie music. There's a ticket and a $12 food/drink minimum if you want to sit.
The sound is wonderful and there's not a bad seat/place to stand in the house. The rumbling of the subway tracks are only annoying if you're there for a quiet acoustic set, but if you're there to see Amy Winehouse, Kate Nash, or Adele they can easily overpower the rumbling tracks.
But seriously, $10 for a plate of french fries?
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I'm so torn over what to write about Joe's Pub. I saw one of my very favourite vocalists play here and it was an absolutely kick ass show, certainly in part due to the venue.
Let's start with the good: They book great acts. There are very few bad seats in the place. It's an incredibly intimate sitting in which to see a performer, even more so if that performer happens to be one of your favourites. All of these are big pluses, but the minuses pack a pretty hard punch.
For starters, if you don't make a dinner reservation, you're stuck in the back by the bar. One glance in the direction of the bar and you'll notice that it is far from spacious. We made dinner reservations out of sheer excitement for the show, which leads me to my next issue: the food is ridiculously, deliriously expensive. As are the drinks. And there is a food/drink minimum in addition to the cost of admission -- which isn't even for the whole night, but rather for a particular act. Our show started early and we were out of there before 9, but not before paying a small fortune for our food (which was decent, if overpriced) and drinks.
In Heath R.'s review, he writes that the problem is that "Joe's Pub isn't a music venue. It's a dinner theater that, instead of hosting theater events, hosts music performances. So it acts like a dinner theater: Prices are high, drinks are costly, the seats are an unnecessary inconvenience, and they hope you order a meal to claim your table seating." As he concluded, that makes sense -- if you're going to the theatre. If you're heading out to see your favourite band, though, it's a bit of a nightmare, and certainly not a place those on a budget can frequent.
4 stars for the venue, but 3 stars (I'm being generous) when the expense and various lofty expectations of patrons are factored into the mix.
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For a theatre fag like myself, Joe's Pub is like mecca. I went there last night to see my friend perform and it is a terrific little space. There is not a bad seat in the house and it seems to lend itself to intimate concert performances. Very classy and the drink prices reflect that, but the drinks are good and strong. I took a calendar of events and there are a variety of acts ranging from comedy to Broadway singers to everything in between. I plan on making a trip again, very soon.
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The plus side: they have great acts. They book great shows here. The sound system is good and there are few bad seats in the place.
The down side: The food on the late night "light fare" menu teeters between terrible and barely passable, which is unfortunate. I would not recommend eating anything here after 11PM unless you're too drunk to care. Given how bad it was I'm scared away from trying anything from their dinner menu. Of course, if you're not going to be eating you might not get a table. Tough trade off. Maybe standing at the bar is the way to go here when catching a late show.
After being herded in and out like cattle then served food that would be just fine in the kind of place that sells pitchers of beer for what they charge here for a glass I'm left disappointed. I know I shouldn't judge a place based on their late night menu, but this was a case of the kitchen not even trying. Not to mention how the service gets in the way of watching the show (through no fault of the servers) because of the layout of the place. To top it off the decor looks like the coolest place in some Podunk town circa 1988. It doesn't even work on a kitsch level.
I'm glad this place exists because this town needs a good venue for the mid-tier acts booked here. Maybe the kitchen does a better job with the dinner menu (I'd say they'd almost HAVE to). The show I saw was great, but Joe's Pub did not strike me as great at all. Two stars.
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I dig Joe's Pub and have wanted to go there for a long time! Named after the Public Theatre founder, Joseph Papp (y'all should be thanking him--without him there'd be no "Chorus Line", "Dreamgirls", "Hair" (and no, I'm not referring to the movies!), or Shakespeare in the Park!), Joe's Pub is a little slice of what NYC and this particular area of NYC was in the 70's - 90's-- a place for performance with a little bit of grit. Joe would've liked it.
This is an intimate space--you'll see the performers sweat, it's that close. The space is comfortable with tables, couches, and cushions...so comfotable that the woman next to us (we were on the couches) was all curled up with her shoes off. There's also a bar along the back wall with tables as well.
Joe's serves food before/during shows and I don't mean bar food. They have beautiful dishes--pasta, meat, fish.
The space is handicapped accessible though I did read on the site that you should call ahead (site specifies a number and the hours during which to call). There are steps going into Joe's, but I take it they have a ramp. Restrooms can fit a chair.
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I've got to say that Joe's Pub needs work.
I'm an actor and I love The Public Theatre. And I was really impressed when George Wolfe took the old shop and turned it into a nightclub and live music venue. The space itself is gorgeous, well designed, profoundly well equipped, and books some of the best talent in New York City for incredibly intimate performances. It fully earns every star it gets.
That said, it trips and falls in some pretty bad ways that need to be called out. First, the food prices are ridiculous. The cheapest item on the menu is a $14 salad. The next up is the $19 hamburger. The public theater was founded on a mission to make theatre accessible to the public of New York City. Innovative programming, free Shakespeare in the park, and more make the Public so important to the city. But for someone to buy a $25 ticket to a show at Joe's Pub and not have to stand or sit at the bar, a dinner reservation is required. So patrons go expecting to spend another $15 to $20 on dinner. But by the time you have an entree and a drink, you're already paying $10 more for dinner than you did for your ticket. If you don't get a reservation, you are forced to do a two drink minimum. So all in all, food/drink price knocks a star off. Joe's Pub should be like the Public Theatre itself...reasonably priced and welcoming to the entire city.
The second star gets knocked off because the "seating" situation is incredibly frustrating. You pay your ticket price and then if you want to guarantee a seat for the show you have to make a dinner reservation. You think, "Well, it'll be more money, but I won't have to scramble in at the last minute, hunt for a place to stand, or deal with a bad view of the show." Wrong. At the show I went to most recently, a group of people moseyed in a few minutes into the show and walked across the isle in front of where all of the elevated booths are in the back. They walked around, looking for someplace to stand, whispered loudly to each other and pointed all over the bar, trying to find someplace to go...finally they just stopped and turned to watch the show. They ended up standing in a visual barricade in front of the people who had paid for the $19 hamburgers to have an unobstructed view. Finally, enough people complained that a waitress came by and ushered the group to sit on the stairs...and then took their drink orders! But all of this was going on DURING a one man show. So all of this seating drama is being watched instead of the show. I really felt for the performer who, despite being amplified, looked annoyed that the staff didn't have the audience in and ready by curtain.
I love the Public and I love Joe's Pub. I have seen some great stuff in both venues. And I am not going to offer harsh criticism without real praise for what makes this institution so strong. The programming and space for both places is absolutely wonderful.
That said, let me just offer some constructive suggestions.
Bring the price of food down to a middle-class level. A $10 burger is doable for most and a $5 beer to wash it down with would be a dream.
As for capacity, there should be an absolutely strict number of people allowed in and places for them to enjoy the show without standing in someone else's way or having someone stand in front of them. It is, first and foremost, a performance space and people want to see the performance, not worry about navigating where to sit or stand.
That is my peace. It has been said.
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I'm going to be completely subjective with this review...I LOVED the place, first, because I had one of the most romantic dates I've ever had in my life at this place, and it happened to be while I listened to one of my current fave singers (Peter Moren from Peter Bjorn and John.) Plus, Ryan and I had the FANTASTIC luck of getting the best seat in the house due to someone's generous cancellation. So we ended up having Peter Moren about five feet away! It was a great, intimate, and FUN show! The two highlights of the show? Moren did a cover on the AWESOME "Take on Me" by A-HA, and when the show was about to end he called Bjorn, who "happened" to be in the crowd. Cool. Really cool.
The atmosphere is amazing, and for an acoustic performance, the sound was fine. Yes, drinks are pricey but dude, one can expect that in NYC...and if you do a couple of scotchs on the rocks, is not that bad...but yeah, if you are willing to get yippee-yippee with the spiritual waters, this is definitely not the place to do so.
But if you have the chance to watch an acoustic show by one of your favorite singers, don't miss this spot. You won't regret it!
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A little background, so you know Im not just some scorned whiner. Well, not in this case, anyway-
I go to at LEAST 300 live shows a year. For many years I PLAYED live shows at least 3 times a week.. all over the US in all places, big and small. Cheap and fancy and everything in between.
Joe's Pub has got to be one of the WORST venues a person can attend a show at. Let's start with the basic and obvious:
-Much like the Blue Note and other swank NY clubs, Joe's Pub charges a ticket price as well as a drink/food cover. The ticket and cover are for ONE show, not for the night. You can go in at 7:30pm and be out by 8:30. One band. Want to stay for the night? Keep repaying admission and covers. You would think that with 2 and sometimes 3 shows a night where they clear the whole house out and refill it with new patrons that you would be able to get in for fairly cheap. No. The CHEAP nights are $15 a head, before cover.
-The food/drink prices are OUTRAGEOUS. In this city where $3 PBR's are frowned upon, Joe's cheapest beer is 8. Cheapest glass of wine, $12. Food? Why bother? You will pay 4 star prices for shit they probably pull from Soup and Burger across the street. And of course, you HAVE to get something.
-The sound is about as bad as you can get outside of a karaoke bar. There is NO excuse for a venue of this size to have such a bad sound system. They charge plenty for entry and food, how about re-investing some of that money in decent mics and a skilled sound crew? If you are one of the unfortunate to be seated anywhere near the stage, the floating speakers 20 feet overhead will not reach you ears at all. You will hear drums from the stage and whatever leaks from the stage monitors. Front row is the worst seat in the house in this place, trust me. The last show I saw there had feedback and sound issues continually. When the band complained, there was no one even IN the sound booth upstairs. No excuse.
-The subway rumbles bellow the club every 5 minutes or so. I wouldnt suggest seeing any band that is even remotely quiet here, as nothing ruins a song more than the 4 express thundering by a few times.
The list goes on and on. The place sucks, what can I say? There's nothing like being overcharged for crap. How they gained the reputation they have and get the artists to play there that they do is a complete mystery to me. Perhaps the money they suck from you goes to paying artists. It certainly doesnt go to sound equipment, lower ticket prices, decent food or comfortable seating.
PS. Wanna feel like shit? Go to the bathroom. The bathroom attendants are depressing and lay a better guilt-trip than my very talented Jewish mother. But hey.. whats a few more bucks?
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I have to say that I really enjoyed JP last eve. Good service, pretty good food and with Ute Lemper where else would I be more happy to be?!
May be other reviewers had probs there because they went on spec rather than booking ahead as we did. We booked a table for dinner.
Only thing I would change is not to have dinner and just have drinks: a meal does distract from the performance, noticeable the fork noise lol!
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As a singer myself (albeit a retired one), I would LOVE to perform here. The sound in venue is fantastic, and the dark, cabaret esque feel brought by the tiny tables, tiny candles and seating arrangement adds a vintagey underground vibe not found in many other current performing/concert spaces.
Despite my adoration for the space and the feel, the drinks are obnoxiously expensive and the service is absolutely piss poor. Our waitress bordered on rude a few times. I'm leaving it at four stars because of how much I enjoyed the atmosphere, but if I wasn't feeling incredibly nostalgic for my performing days, it would be getting three.
This is a really cool venue. We came here to see Kiki and Herb for my birthday. My biggest complaint...the bar seating is not comfortable and conducive to sitting your ass for a long time.
My number one line from Kiki was:
"The thing about addiction is that it focuses you!"
So what so the fact that I was focused on my sore ass all night tell me?
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Bad, bad, bad (for anything but jazz).
This space can perhaps be a good match for a jazz concert, but not much else. Most other performances are completely destroyed by the sit-down arrangement that lacks space to rock out and, therefore, essential dynamics.
Two drink per person requirement is moderately ridiculous given that there's already a cover charge, but the most blatant and bizarre dirty trick will occur in the restroom: a sad looking older woman (or a man, depending on the restroom you go to) would not permit you to open your own faucet or get your own soap from the soap dispenser. With a forceful intervention they would bestow these unnecessary services upon you and afterwords nod in the direction of a tip jar.
Beware! If you do not tip, they will curse you as you are exiting the bathroom.
To sum up, I've been there once and hopefully never again.
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This is a beautiful venue with outstanding sound that I would never, ever go to if I didn't get on the guest list. It's tiny, swanky as hell, with great seating (if you can get it) with killer acoustics. That said, I recommend drinking before you getting here, because a) the drinks are outrageously priced (hello, lounge pricing!) and b) the best way to get a seat is to get pushy and squeeze yourself in between a couple of pre-reserved tables in the booths in middle and you may need a little boost of courage to do this.
Negatives aside, I have seen some incredible shows here. We're talking "moves me to the point of crying" type shows. (Lavender Diamond, how I love thee!)
So, uh, ask me if I have a plus one some day? Or get your own damn perks.
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We stumbled in here on a whim and ended up seeing one of the best live musical shows we've ever seen.
In Memphis, seeing a show in a "pub" generally means listening to a loud rock band bash out tunes in competition with the bar and crowd noise, so we were pleasantly surprised to find the "listening" atmosphere that Joe's afforded its acts and guests.
And the acts on the night we visited included Elvis Perkins, another mystery to us beforehand (but an intriguing one to us given the Memphis connotations of both "Elvis" and "Perkins"). We absolutely loved his band's set (can't wait till "Ash Wednesday" is finally released to the masses this month!). The acoustics were fantastic, and our sight line was great--we sat on one of the large sofas facing the stage, a VERY welcome comfort after a day of walking.
This review lists 4 rather than 5 stars only because we did not try the food and drinks (other than a nice gelato) and thus have no reference point.
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I am so effing torn about Joe's Pub that I'm not quite sure if this review will come out right. On the one hand, I love Joe's Pub. And on the other hand, I hate it. Or at least dislike going there. I guess I'm a reluctant patron. And that's not a good thing.
What do I love? The music and performances that are held at Joe's Pub. Their booking is extremely high quality and consistent, and if you're interested in slightly upscale downtown music, Joe's Pub is for you. I've seen Ethan Lipton, Eleni Mandell, and Loser's Lounge there, and every show has been excellent -- despite the fact that it was held at Joe's Pub, not because.
What do I hate? The venue. I've not gone to a more uncomfortable, standoffish, and expensive place in New York City for music. Let's take last night's Loser's Lounge show as an example. Tickets cost $25. C. has a friend in the band, so we got one comp -- which made going bearable. (We also got to go backstage, and I spied John Flansburgh.)
If you don't have a table or dinner reservation, you're directed to the bar area, which can get pretty crowded pretty quickly. Let's say you order a couple of drinks. C. got a ginger ale. It cost $5. I got a 7&7. It cost $11. Huh? $16 plus tip for a ginger ale and a 7&7?
After we stood by the bar for awhile, I found the manager and asked if any seats were open -- if you wait for the people with reservations to straggle in, you can ask for leftover seats at the end, but it's not really welcomed that you just sit down on your own. Luckily, there were two seats open, and we got two on the edge of the floor. (I do thank the manager.) It was a little close and tight, but I was glad to be seated -- and the show was awesome.
What I think is happening is this: Joe's Pub isn't a music venue. It's a dinner theater that, instead of hosting theater events, hosts music performances. So it acts like a dinner theater: Prices are high, drinks are costly, the seats are an unnecessary inconvenience, and they hope you order a meal to claim your table seating.
When you think of it in that light, it all makes sense: $50 in tickets, $20 in drinks, who knows how much the food costs. But that's a night at the theater. It's a night at the opera.
It's not a night out seeing bands, though.
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Yes, the food (though good) is expensive, but I don't really come here for the food. Musically, I think this is one of the best places in the entire city (rivaling even Bowery Ballroom) to see a show. The acoustics are insane. Basically perfect. Lush and outstanding, especially if you're seeing a singer-songwriter, loungey or parlor-y act. Yes, you can feel the rattle of the 6 train underfoot, but it just serves to remind you you're in the heart of the City. It's truly a magical place to experience music, and everyone should go at least once.
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Heath R. said everything I was going to say about Joe's Pub, so read his detailed and accurate review.
They book great bands and the atmosphere is lovely, but they way they try to extort money from you is shameful. You can't really get a good seat unless you make a dinner reservation. The food is overpriced and none too good. The bar area gets crowded and has too few seats/stools. The drinks are also too expensive.
The only reason to come here is if your favorite band or singer is booked and you HAVE to see them and they won't be back in NYC for months or years. Only under those conditions will I ever set foot in this place again.
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I love Joe's Pub, I've performed here many times in different situations. If you're in the in crowd in NYC, you'll get invited to midnight parties thrown by socialites, and the crowd is rich, young, and artistic. My kind of scene, where the setting is perfect. Joe's Pub lives for artistic perfection, so the music is always right, the lights and the vibe are so important. It's really a New York experience.
I've also performed for public events here, which is more like theater, and yes, the drinks and tickets are expensive, but it is so worth it, to do it even once if you can.
I've seen live music by friends here before, and I have to agree with the other reviewers that the sound is perfect, the scene is amazing and you can easily see celebrities in there all the time. It's just a vibe that every performing artist should experience, this is what a venue looks like when it totally supports its artists and you can see cutting edge artists here presented in their best light, as opposed to some grungy bar, and you can also see famous artists perform too, like Tom Waits, which I haven't seen, but I hear nothing but great things about seeing famous bands there.
I have to say that I have eaten there, and I was so drunk I don't remember what the hell it tasted like, but my friend who goes there all the time thinks it is the WORST food for really expensive prices. Go figure. Go for the vibe man, and eat dinner beforehand.
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Ah, Joe's Pub. My only experience here is seeing some friends of mine play. The venue is posh, in every way (including the prices!) so come prepared (and early if you want a good table.). 10 Red Stripes were $124, and the food bill for 4 people was close to the same. Be careful here and in my experience, watch your credit card statement.
Also, Don't see an 11 piece band like Beirut here, the stage is too small for it.
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I went to Joe's Pub for the first time last night for my friend's record release party. I don't know what the capacity is... maybe 150 people? It's large enough but still extremely intimate. Top notch sound and lighting systems, grand piano...the works. You are close to the stage no matter where you are in the club. As other reviewers have noted, it can be a bit hectic if you aren't able to grab a table or a seat at the bar. I was kind of in the middle of traffic, between the wait staff and people coming in from the door. Also, the drinks are very pricey, but I expected that at a posh venue like this. All in all, it's a great place to hear live music.
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One of my favorite live music venues in the city. Nice-looking, comfortable venue with a consistent line-up of quality acts. Surprisingly upscale for a NYU-area club.
Came here to watch a ukelele concert by Jake Shimabukuro from Hawaii. This venue seems to attract off the beaten pack and underappreciated acts. Thumbs up. The lighting seemed to offset him just right. The microphones were set up just right, and the resultant acoustics were crisp and incredible. But because it was crowded, a 5'3'' shortie like myself had a hard time seeing the musician. I liked the dark wood paneled decor and laid back atmosphere.
The menu is pricey, they could use a few more veggie options, they could offer some more obscure beers, but the intimate (knees against the stage) atmosphere is perfect for music, especially the likes of Luciana Souza and Ida.
Ditto to most of what the past reviewers have said. Drinks are outrageously expensive but if you can drink slowly and enjoy the atmosphere it is a fun place to see a band. We had a table for the night so we had to order food which wasn't bad for this type of joint.
Bottom line: If you love the band and want a fun, comfortable place to see a performance, head to Joe's. Just be prepared to pay a premium for drinks and food.
We went to see diamanda galas the other night. The intimacy of Joe's is terrific! It's a bit crowded but that's to be expected at such a venue. We did not eat, but we ordered drinks. DO NOT DRINK there! Good lord, at $10 a cocktail (well liquor mind you) you'll be broke long before you'll be passed out. I had a Cape Cod (I know sorta gay), and while I like cranberry juice as much as the next guy, I like my vodka more. My "Cape Cod" (still kinda gay) was just cranberry juice in a tiny glass. I wish I had kids, they could have used the juice more than I.
Great for listening to music though, and the staff is VERY pleasant!
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Eh, Nice Joint, very cool and it feels like you're sinking into the place, its just got that vibe to it. I've been here on two very, very different occasions. One was to see Bronwyn Exeter, loungy singer songwriter. It was really chill and a perfect venue to see that kind of show. The other I just came with a friend because we had nothing better to do, it was louder but not very crowded. But what ensued was some of the best and more unique breakdancing i've seen. one guy literally rumbled across the floor, as if an earthquake was starting and he was just vibrating across the floor while keeping his body flat on the ground and straight, hands at sides. he also did this upside down crab walk. The other notable guy was insane but in a different way, he had this bounce theme where he would bounce around on his legs and arms in the smoothest fashion imaginable, it wasn't human, it looked like he was lighter than air.
The drinks are expensive at 7 bucks for a bottle of bud light but if you nurse it ok, the underlit bar and chic, colorful lighting will guarantee you a good atmosphere.
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Great looking space to hear live music, grab a drink, cuddle with a sexy partner, etc. You'll probably have to get dinner there to get a good seat for your favorite act, but it's worth it. The place is pretty big, but has quite the intimate feel.
Went and saw the infamous rising star r*star perform here and it was one of the most perfect venues I've ever been to. Decently sizable but yet smartly done as everything still felt so intimate. Gorgeous lighting and spacing. The sound also come through very well. Even though tightly packed the waitresses still manage to get to you and are friendly/attentive enough. Only gripe would be their prices. Ticket price ranges from $12-$15 just to get in. Then there's an additional 2 drink or food item minimum. We ordered the caprese which was yummy but consisted of about 3 bites. Most drinks start at $11 and go steeply up. The crowd is posh, yet diverse, and really into the music. Go for the live shows and ignore the fact that you just dropped $40plus in an hour and a half...
The food is pretty good here - come early to get a GOOD seat (yes, there are some only okay seats in here despite the intimacy of the venue - and by okay I mean uncomfortable) and spend the time noshing. What a fabulous place to see some live music. Some of the best talent of New York play here. How lucky we are to have such a venue.
Joe's Pub manages to be both reasonably large and intimate, all the while being a fantastic place to see live music. Get there early to grab a seat, and be willing to share a space if you're sitting down front. It's one of the best venues in the city to catch someone performing.
This is a gorgeous venue--absolutely. Very cool, artists love playing here and listeners love the intimate and cozy atmosphere.
My only complaint is that the food prices are a bit too high. The drinks are delicious, a peach martini is $14 and incredibly strong--the food is also delicious, but $14 for caprese that consists of only a few bites is hardly worth it, despite how nice those bites were. I don't mind shelling out for a satisfying and tasty meal, but when you don't get much bang for your buck I tend to think that those determining prices are displaying a little bit of greed.
But, that said, it's a must-see venue that epitomizes the NY music scene.
Went here with my friends to J Dilla's tribute...event was cool, place is a little cramped but I'm sorry, those drinks were watered the hell DOWN. Do not go here if you are looking for a quick drink fix.
Love this place. Was there last night to see Amanda Ghost.
It is a fabulous venue-- intimate just like everyone said--beautiful lighting, comfortable, great sound, nice vibe. Tickets are cheap (avg about $15) and dinner reservations only require either a two drink min or $12 per person. Food isn't amazingly good but it is not bad either. I got this grilled chicken dish with arugula...I'll just say it was interesting... My friend got the meatballs which were pretty decent...and the bottle of Chardonnay we got was good and stayed nice and chilled....
I really loved it here--and I am exciting about seeing more shows in the future....I'd go ahead and make a reservation--it's worth it. We got a table right in front of the stage. What's better than getting sprinkled with sweat right from the performer's brow!? Nothing my friendsssss...nothing
It's a nice, intimate venue for a show. It sounds great in there. But if you're not eating dinner, your view might be crap. Make plans to get there early, an hour or two before showtime, and have dinner. You'll get a nice, close seat to the stage. If you don't have dinner, still get there early, and make your space next to the pole on the far side of the bar for the best view. Otherwise, you're going to have waiters rubbing up next to you all night. And make sure to press against the table and lean right over the food of the people eating in front of you. They like that.
Two words spring to mind when I think of Joe's Pub: Fancy and Glamorous. One of my favorite places in the city to perform a catch a live show, Joe's Pub is intimate and comfortable with a great sound system. Drinks are pricey, but I don't care because I don't drink. You can dine during the show -- burgers, pasta, kind of posh pub food. I usually have a cup of mango tea. It's $5, but what the hell -- it's fancy up in there. I've seen some truly memorable shows at Joe's, and I'm always happy to play there.
Know this! I am a LIVE MUSIC JUNKIE! And frankly, JP is by far one of the best venues in town to get your live gig fix. Yeah, it's plush inside and the drinks are a little steep in price, but then again, when ordering a G&T you might need a separate glass of T to quelch the strength of the original drink. What makes Joe's fantastic is the fact it is small and intimate with no bad seat in the house, plus the tickets are reasonable [avg. $12-15] for some of the best acts in town. I've got some big names there too, even after they were big names: Gavin Degraw, Joe Henry, The Waiffs, Glen Philips and so many more. I suggest making reservations for a table before showing up, and show up early to some of the bigger named acts as you don't want to NOT get a seat and have to stand.
I love seeing live music here, and I too am a live music junkie of sorts. Once you purchase tickets, you can call ahead of time and reserve a table. * One time I even requested seats close to the stage, and they honored it! They do have a $ minimum but you don't necessarily have to order an entree...even just drinks is fine if you drink enough (although I'd tell the waitress that you plan to do that so she knows).. Yes, the menu is a little steep, but this isn't the place you go to every week...you go once in a while to hear someone great, and you pay for the 'experience'...thats how I look at it. I find the acoustics good, and really there a great view from all angles. I highly recommend the table reservation though, as I've stood at the bar once (and that was the last time), and I wasn't happy. I've seen the likes of Amos Lee, Alejandro Escovedo, and David Poe at this venue....they definetly have an eclectic calendar of events....and...it beats being in a grungy bar or madison square garden to hear music. Intimate...
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The newest performance space at The Public Theatre complex, this has become an important venue for new work and intimate shows by musicians, spoken-word artists, and solo performers like Broadway diva Audra McDonald, comedienne Sandra Bernhard, and the fabulous Varla Jean Merman, actor Jeffery Roberson's hysterical alter-ego. In addition to the cost of the ticket, there is a two-drink minimum at the bar or a food minimum of $12 per person at the tables. The moderately-priced, basically Italian menu features plates-to-share - such as antipasto, grilled vegetables, and meatballs - a selection of pastas, and meat and fish entrees.
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Joe's is really a great place to see a performance. It oozes sophistication and it is really an intimate space. I think glamorous is an overused word, but this place lives up to it. They also book a great eclectic group of artists and I've never had a bad time here.
