Walking Man Live

A common complaint about Long Island is its lack of a nightlife involving live music. There aren’t too many music-only venues in Long Island. Sure you can check out a bar in Huntington Village and see the one guy playing acoustic guitar, or look around as no one dances to the repetitive old music from a “DJ”, but thats not a true live music experience. Lately the trend has been for bars to hire a few musicians and then advertise live music to get people in the bars. Fortunately for the bartenders, it works, unfortunately for the music scene, its suicide.

Seeing the same band every week, with the same crowd, in the same bar stool will drive a person insane. It weakens the audience and discourages the bands. Long Island, although lacking a bit, does have a few places where the average person can go and enjoy music. You can discover a new band, make new friends, and have the time of your life in some of the best venues on the Island. Here’s a few that I have enjoyed attending:

Crazy Donkey- Fairly large venue for local and regional bands. You usually know its a good show when there’s cars parked all the way down 110, and the line of people to get in looks beyond their capacity. And even if a band’s not playing, still a great spot to catch a few drinks.
1058 Rt. 110
Farmingdale, NY
631-753-1975

Rock Lobster- A venue at the Boys and Girls Club in Glen Head, NY featuring monthly concerts of smaller local bands. Although their lineups are usually local area bands, successes like Thursday and Taking Back Sunday had their roots here.
200 Glen Head Road
Glen Head, NY

Da Funky Phish- A personal favorite venue in Long Island. This is truly a one-of-a-kind place in Long Island. Featuring several open mics and occasional all night concerts, don’t be surprised if the first band goes on at 12:30am or the last band ends at 4am. The atmosphere is inviting and overwhelming at time. You never know who you might meet, or what you’ll here. Their saying best describes it, “One Night Club Under A Groove”.
1668 Union Blvd
Bay Shore, NY
665-9851

Mulcahy’s- One of Long Island’s older venues, this place has been rocking since 1965. They tend to attract bigger acts then the others, but still cater to locals who jut wanna listen to some good music. Their headliners this summer will include Cadlebox and Badfish.
3232 Railroad Ave
Wantagh, NY
516-826-6857

Know a great place to see a band, let me know and I’ll check it out. I’m always up for a good show.