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W 4th St (A, C, E, B, D, F, V)
Christopher St (1)
9th Street (PATH)
Mon-Sun. 9:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
Hands down, this is the best place in NYC to spend $15 on a Sunday night!
Sundays at VU are R +B / Gospel style open mic. The live band is brilliant, the singers are WOW - gifted. (Stay late -- you never know what celebrity talent will cameo). Village Undergound (located under the Fat Black Cat) open mic reminds me of Thursdays at The Sugar Bar (uptown).
Full bar and light food menu available. GO! You will have fun!
Um. ............I am almost reluctant to review this place because I feel like it's my little secret that i don't want to share. But---caution to the wind ---
Found this place when I went downstairs to the bathroom during a friends bday at Fat Black Pussy Cat ( an establishment I find revolting) I walk downstairs, and see a ten piece band playing everything from Rick James to Mary J. downstairs---moved the party down there and had one of the best nights of my life. Friday nights the Unionn plays and they aren't aware of this fact --and I'm not aware of the who what or when... they WILL be playing my wedding.
If you want to impress a date...take them to Fat Black Pussy Cat (they'll freak out and think that they mistook you for an NYU summer student) and then proceed downstairs to Village Underground and look like a pimp who knows a (not so) secret gem in NYC.
$10 cover for band. More than worth it.
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Music sucks and the drinks are watered down. I won't be going back. I'll hang upstairs. Short and simple.
Not my favoriate NYC nightlife spot. Went on a Saturday night, the crowd was OK.
Music was mix hiphop, electric and some international music but don't expect any thing from the top 20s.
Drinks were disgustign. Washington apple was in yellow color? And tasted nothing close to your regular Washington Apple shot. Ok fine, how abt a long island? Yuck! Water down with extra ice, again, nothing close to my usual LI.
Black and white movie projected to the wall with nude women creeped me out.
Will never go again.
Pros: 1/2 Price Drinks and Food, Live Music
Cons: Atmosphere is decent for a bar or a lounge but not quite there as a night club.
I have been here on Wednesday night i love it...it part of the Whole Fat black pussy cat ...also the owner...owns ..cafe Waa ..but the union i love that band they just make you feel so good been a while since i been ...so from the reviews i am readign they dont do Wednesday nights anymore?
Went to this place on a Thursday night and The Union is beyond amazing and the drinks were pretty good. Definitely loved the Flirtini! Hit this place up if you're looking for a great place to chill with friends, dance around a bit and have good drinks.
This place is 3 animals in one. Fat Black Pussycat is for the straight dive bar goer (drinks, pool, darts, stools to sit at the bar). Through the curtains and you're in a comfortable lounge (laid back R&B / Hip hop with thrones to chill in). Downstairs and you're in an ole skool Jook joint. The Live band, The Union, is playing everything to keep your feet tappin. check it out on a Thursday night. If you get downstairs early (b4 10), you can secure a seat and duck the $5 cover. Cool spot to get some good music and chill. You may even get some dancin in if the crowd is really into the music.
Went back to the Village Underground last night. When The Unionn is playing it's completely worth the cover. Plus, I discovered the Flirtini on the drink list. Anytime you cross a martini with champagne, I'm a fan. My only regret is that I had to leave early. Will definitely be back. Also, I saw some other reviews that said the bouncers were a problem. The guy who was working the door last night was a sweetheart. I guess maybe girls have less of a problem with fitting in with a dress code since we don't tend to wear sneakers and such when we're going out dancing.
I've only ever been when the Unionn is playing. They used to play Wednesdays but now I believe they… Read more »
I went here for my birthday on Saturday and I am sooo glad that I chose to celebrate here. First of all, the party coordinator, Gypsee, was incredible and made sure that everything went off without a hitch. Then our waitress was great, too, and made sure that we never were without drinks.
The music at first was...interesting. Mainly old school stuff... lots of earth wind and fire, especially. But as the night went on and we got more drunk, the music magically got better. We danced and drank until we literally couldnt anymore and this was an incredible birthday. There were 6 of us and while we did drink a fair amount, our tab was more expensive than I thought it'd be ($500) so it is a little pricey but whatever. You only turn 21 once and I'm glad I did it the right way at the Village Underground.
(P.S. The Flirtinis are DELISH!)
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Pretty awesome. I'm not really sure how this works exactly, but here's how it was explained to me:
There's a regular core band that performs daily and guest artists join them on a regular basis. Last night, the dancing trombone guy (he was in the top 40 of "America's Got Talent") showed up.
Music seemed to be heavy on the reggae and Spanish. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Two drink minimun, $5 cover to the basement after 11PM. Overall, a pretty laid back crowd.
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Unfortunately, my friends and I did not have a good time here. This was my first time but my friends been to the Village Underground before and they had better memories. We went downstairs to dance and the place was tight and cramped. You can tell they wanted to pack us in like sardines.
The music (OMG the music) was so wack. Dont get me wrong the songs the dj played were good but he didnt mix them well and the songs were not good for dancing. The dj even messed up which def killed the mood. And since the dance floor was tight, you couldnt move your body to dance. My experience was terrible. Will never go to the VU dance floor again.
Their Open Mic night on Sundays is not to be missed! If you are a big live music fan and a fan of R&B, Gospel and Funk, you will LOVE this. The band is phenomenal and just about every person that takes the mic can actually sing. This ain't no karaoke night -- you better know how to sing if you take this stage!
You will most likely see some celebs in the audience and lots of great singers decide to take the stage as well. You just never know who will show up and the show is ALWAYS good and goes quite late. I don't think I've ever stayed until it was over but I've had an amazing time.
In addition to the $15 cover charge, there is also a 2 drink/item minimum for sitting down. It's not a cheap night out, but to me it's just as good or even better than seeing a concert somewhere else. Get on the guest list (you can do this through their website) or you will be standing outside in a line waiting until all the folks on the guest list have come in until about 9:45. Also, get there early, seats are not assigned even if you are on the guest list. You pay at the door whether on the guest list or not. Highly recommended!
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we got there early on a Friday night (before 10) and cover was 10 bucks. We were also able to find… Read more »
I really hate paying covers but this was worth it because I got a real show on a Sunday Night. The two drink minimum was also a bit much but hey this was more like a concert. I think if I got there early I wouldn't have cared. It was packed and it took us a while to get a seat so get there early so you get your money's worth. It was amateur night but these were stellar singers. All of these people could blow aka SANG.
I've been here on a Sunday night, and the rave reviews are no exaggeration. I'd heard such good things about it from friends who've frequented, and finally decided to tag along.
I have to admit, upon entrance I was immediately put off by the $15 cover *and* 2 drink/item minimum for sitting on the couch, but everybody's got bills to pay! (btw, if you read any of my reviews, you'll notice that "CHEAP AS HELL" is a prevailing theme).
Anywho, many legendary guests have graced the stage including Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, and the elusive Prince. The night I was here, R&B newcomer Chrisette Michele performed an impromptu number.
The really great thing about this open mic is that everybody---I mean everybody can SANG. So if you're looking for a soulful evening filled w/some of the best voices you'll ever hear, this is the place to be.
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Every time...every single time I come here I darn near lose my mind because I have a great time. The house band is solid and is always really entertaining. They have a great vibe with each other, even when they're dealing with guest band members. I suppose that's part of what makes someone a good entertainer.
This may be hard to believe but it's pretty difficult to find a live music venue that is consistent with it's entertainment and doesn't have a cover charge. I haven't been to the open mic on Sundays, but I hear that's good as well (there is a $15 cover for that but c'mon...the house band is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays).
The drinks are standard NYC prices...not much suprise there. The waitresses can be flitty sometimes and may be MIA for extended periods of time but all in all, a great place to rock out in.
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I have to say, I've never had a bad time here. In fact, every time I've been here it was phenomenal. The only con is that it can get ridiculously crowded after a while, but other than that I have had nights where a movie could have been made. This place is four stars. My friends and I make it five stars. But the retarded bounces make it three stars. The dipshits that determines who gets in or not due to their idea of acceptable wardrobe is ridiculous. I hate bouncers and this place helps feed my hate. Damn all overrated doormen in the world!!!
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"Hip", "fun" and "diverse" get thrown around a lot, but nothing defines the Village Underground better. I randomly wandered in on a Thursday night; the opium den-like lounge area and connecting dive bar upstairs may appeal to some but the true gem is the downstairs live music room. Where has this place been my whole life? Seemlessly transitioning from Roberta Flack to Tribe Called Quest to Stevie Wonder, the house band knocked me out... and the (very) mixed crowd was there to have FUN and not caring to impress or be seen. A+++
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Agree with James T. below about the bouncers. They take themselves waaaay too seriously for what the place is. It's not a club, it's not even a lounge. Does one dude wearing trendy white sneakers bring down the "scene" of a divey basement dance room?! The atmosphere below seriously does not warrant the uptightness and pretentiousness of the bouncers. I've been to trendier/better clubs and lounges where the wardrobes rejected by Village Underground are perfectly acceptable.
This place as a night club was pretty dope. I've been here before but for open mic night on Sundays. I'm not sure if they still do that but that was pretty dope as well. But Saturdays here is pretty crazy. I had so much fun. The crowd was really good. It was a good mix. Not too much of the same type of people. Everyone dances and everyone dances with each other. No need to by shy when you're here because people just want to dance and enjoy the night. Obviously the music was good. Hip Hop and R&B was the main sound. I'll will definitely make my way back here again.
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well, when i first discovered this place i was just starting out in becoming an outgoing person. so i guess this place broke me in and i left it after i discovered life beyond "underground." I would say that it is a chick and dude magnet....almost like animal house but village like.
Music- mixed
Best night-sat
Band night-fri
cover charge- $10, it was $5 but i guess they got to big for there britches, i will look for their name on page six.....along with NOBU.
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You wouldn't have guess looking from the outside that it's a big place but go downstairs and your welcomed by tons of couches, the latest in hip/hop and dance, a lot of room to dance.
Make sure to get reservations, because this place fills up quick. The waitress came by often to check on us, even though she had trek through the mounds of people dancing on the floor to get to us.
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I had an amazing time here on a Saturday night. Great music, great people, fun crowd. The drinks were double the price of the Fat Black Pussycat (upstairs) so I suggest having more drinks quickly upstairs then just having one or two on the ground floor.
Beware, be careful if you dance on the tables, I saw a few girls take some spills. It was great.
I've been here twice, and I enjoyed myself each time. It definitely has the lounge-club vibe going for it. Although, when the clock strikes 1am, the lounge vibe is replaced with girls standing on tables and a crowded dance floor. Yeaah, the place is kinda small, but again, good times at this place.
I have only gone on Saturdays where they played a good mix of stuff:
hip-hop/reggae/pop/r&b . If you reserve a spot, the waiters are attentive- great place to celebrate a birthday. Drink specials: $9
Con: Sometimes they play a few songs more than once...kinda a pet peeve with me :(
one star taken for the 15 cover and 2 drink min...other then that it was a cool spot almost all the singers blew me away, except for "Dakota" or Lisa or what ever her name was...she was garbage. what was killing me was Pastor love joy kirk franklin brian mc Not! kept singing mean while the devils juice was flowing like the salmon of capistrono, this one girl got the holy ghost and was speaking in tounges, and then went to the bar...talk about Gin and Jesus! lmao I guess Sunday isnt a great night to go, but I met Ankh from making the band, he was offering singing classes hopefully one day my ass can be singing on that stage.
but this place reminded me of how NY is the best city in the US.
The vibe from this place is amazing. I've gone during the week when there's a live band and had a great time there. The crowd is just as good and awesomely diverse as the performers. The atmosphere is great for completely letting go. I usually go to their live shows during the week. I've gone twice on a Saturday night when there's a DJ and, though the crowd is still awesome, it's just waaay too crowded to have a really enjoyable time. Perhaps if I wasn't completely sober both of the times I went on Saturday night I would have had a different perspective. Alas, I conclude that the Saturday night party is not for sober people....
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Great live band, but dress code is enforced...I got turned away once by the bouncer for wearing chucks.
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Patti Smith! performed at the Village Underground. STAGE is SO close you could reach out and shake the performers hand! Cool LEGENDARY Place!
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it could be fun if you are into hiphop and dancing, but personally I was not impressed.
I went here on a Monday..There have somethin like a new artist showcase..Great band, ok singers....Reasonable prices for food & drinks...Upstairs at the Big Fat Pussycat there was karoke and the drinks were half the price of downstairs...Great vibe..Friendly staff...
Cool lounge-ish place to go for dancing in between bars. I always start at Fat Black and make my way downstairs somehow each time. Be sure to check out the bathroom, it's really cool. It gets knocked two stars for what many others have mentioned, hearing the same song more than once. I could understand if they use the same playlist night after night, but why do I need to hear the same Kanye song 3 times?!
Looks daunting on the outside and may feel a bit pricey, but a good place to see/hear some music. The offerings vary from night to night.
This place is a natural roofie. The last time I went here, I found myself in my bed, looking up at my ceiling wondering how the hell I got there. But from what I remember, I had a great time! The dance area is kinda smallish, the music a little poppish, but the drinks are definitely strongish. Great place to throw a party.
This is a nice place to go see up and coming artists. I went here with my fiance and his friends. The atmosphere is for the GROWN AND SEXY, not a little hangout spot for high school kids trying to act grown. Price to get in was $20, a little steep, place was is a little crowded but if you get there early enough you can reserve a table. But you will enjoy music, poetry and anything else creative that you don't normally see. Nice place to go for a first date.
This is a great place to see a show. No matter where you are in the room, you are close to the stage. I saw Matt Nathanson a few years ago and it ROCKED!!!
I've been there a couple of times. I loved when people sing gospel on sunday nights but i'm not sure if people still do. It get crowed so getting there early is a must. If you sit a table you must order drinks so beware!
I was in town on business and went here by myself. only because the guy handing out flyers was so enthusiastic had to give it a try that and anything underground just sounds like dirty good fun. I would normally stay out of touristy places. I had the greatest time. The drinks are strong and cheap. The dance floor is a very tiny and if you want to dance kinda makes you feel like the center of attn because it is literally at the bands feet front and dead center. But enough of these strong cheap cocktails and I didn't mind, the band was so rockin they played everything reggae rock and everything to make you sing and make your fingers pop. I found myself edgin closer and closer to them and before I knew it I had joined the polite drunkin crowd of dancers that seemed to just materialize. For such a rockin band who ever would have thought the leader is also the club owner. They have like 13 people and the conga drummer is off the chain. They are much more than a wedding band but I am blowing my whole budget on hiring them for my wedding. I went upstairs for a spell to calm down and catch my breath a very nice mellow Mediterranean like room connected to the hip hop and R&B room that has like a pool table and darts. But I like live music so back downstairs I went....This place is also by my favorite pizza joint, Ben's, another plus...I only gave it three stars because the super small dance floor which i m sure is hellish on the weekends I went on a Wednesday ... oh the bathroom and the attendant are top notch...
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Being centrally located to a Manhattan mini-reunion with 2 of my college girlfriends (1 each from Boston and DC), I became fully responsible for a decent place to go dancing last Saturday. I needed to find a place with a focus on the dancing rather than the lounging, spinning hip hop and not just house, and where my 30-something friends and I wouldn't feel out of place. The Village Underground scored on all 3. We got there really early after dinner and paid $10 cover. Since it was empty at that time, we got an unreserved couch and enjoyed the full attention of our cocktail waitress to fulfill our $25 minimum. It was only slightly odd to see the old time nudie movies playing on the screens, but nevertheless entertaining. After a while, a bachelorette party showed up, making things a bit sketchy for a moment, but soon enough the view of the matching pink tank tops was obscured by other dancers. The music was solid hip hop with some 80s and top 40. Everyone looked good, not overly clubby or teeny bopper. People were courteous of "our" couch even though we hadn't reserved it (we did share when it got crowded), and we even got hit on a little by some younger men who weren't so much into grab-ass as dancing. After 1am it was hard to move on the dance floor and we went in search of a more relaxing venue. We had a great time and would definitely do it all over again!
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Happy hour
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
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Category: Nightlife
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