The Living Room

This is definitely a shiny little gem on the Lower East Side.

I came here on a Sunday, so no live music to be heard.  But the drinks are well made and a good price (a whiskey ginger is 7 bucks.)  However, the bartender seemed a little shy/standoffish.  I believe he just stood silently in front of us until we told him what we wanted.  Awkward...

Anyway, the bouncer is a really interesting guy and he sketched me in his book.  It turned out to be pretty damn accurate for only being 15 minutes.  We had a nice chat about art and drawing techniques.    

Any time I'm in New York, I will definitely come back here, hopefully when a good band plays.

While the concept is nice (live indie music in an unpretentious location), I came here for a charity event and did not like the genres of music they play here.  A lot of bluegrass and folk with indie rock.  Each of the various live indie music venues in the Lower East Side have their own genres they seem to veer towards (like this place vs Rockwood Music Hall vs Arlene's Grocery vs Cake Shop) and the kind of bands that come here are just not my style personally.  

A plus was they took orders for food from the burger place next door unlike the other live indie music venues, but not sure if this is only on special nights.  And the interior is cute (little tables, lanterns) and the vibe not really hipster I'd say but an amalgamation of everyone.  Like you get old white-haired people here as well as college students.  It is more about the music here.

In any case, it was nice how they host charity events (paid for an actual ticket and they usually don't charge admission but just have that tip jar thing going on like many other places).  Honestly, if you don't like the band, just tip a few bucks as a courtesy as you are kindof captive to listening to whatever comes on next at these kind of places and you don't have to like everyone.  But occasionally, when there is a real talent that comes on that I've appreciated, I'll put in a big tip just as a sign of appreciation and moral support.  Making it as a musician is hard, not just financially but emotionally, and I think the gesture helps.

I've enjoyed plenty of nights at the living room watching good talent. Tonight, I saw Micah Dalton and Nathan Angelo, and I'm bursting from happiness from their beautiful music that I felt like praising the place too!
Overall, it's an unpretentious and laid-back place - chill intimate ambiance, very hipster, but doable if you yourself are not hipster, $10 wine and liquor drinks, and most of all, super fun. Love that I got to be 5 feet from the stage - I felt the music within me!
One drink minimum for everyone. Must be 21+, $10 for the show in advance, $12 at the door.
Would definitely go back for other live music.