Music is more than just melodies or vocals. It can inspire, uplift moods, and even reduce stress. Everyone has their own musical tastes and preferences, and culturally diverse Queens offers a vast array of bars, cafes, restaurants, and other venues where you can listen to almost any genre—from jazz to Moldovan folk songs. Here’s a curated selection of the best places to enjoy live music, exclusively on queens-trend.
The Bonnie
If you’re a fan of cozy spaces with exposed brick and wood, the gastropub The Bonnie is just for you. Its live music performances every Thursday after 8 p.m. can transport you to a summer music festival. The venue boasts a spacious garden, creative cocktails, and gourmet dishes. Its eclectic vibe makes it ideal for birthdays, weddings, corporate parties, or any important occasion (with a capacity of up to 175 guests). The Bonnie is one of the top spots in Astoria, with unique multi-room layouts and an expansive open-air bar garden.
The LetLove Inn
Jazz lovers seeking a vintage ambiance should visit The LetLove Inn in Astoria. The cocktail names take guests back to colonial times, with drinks like “The Juliette” or “Mutiny.” Live music performances here create an experience that feels like a royal musical showcase, enhanced by Victorian lamps and other luxurious interior details. The venue offers an impressive selection of cocktails, beers, and wines in a warm, cozy atmosphere. Jazz bands perform every Monday and Tuesday, while DJs set the scene on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar is named after Nick Cave’s hit “I Let Love In,” one of the owner’s favorite songs.
Dominie’s
Another iconic spot in Astoria is Dominie’s, with its bright blue exterior and peachy-pink walls. Live music is featured every Sunday evening. And for those looking for a bite to eat, the bar offers a great selection of pizza alongside a range of beers and cocktails.
The Shillelagh Tavern
In Astoria, you can also enjoy live performances by local bands at The Shillelagh Tavern, which offers a perfect setting for memorable experiences. This venue is a blend of an Irish pub, sports bar, and live performance space. From light rock to heavy metal, the genres played here create an energetic and vibrant atmosphere. The tavern is definitely a place to relax after a hard week. With performances nearly every day, talented artists present both original songs and covers of global hits. One of the rooms even resembles a fully equipped music studio. Whether you’re enjoying live music, watching a sports game on a large screen, or just hanging out with friends, you’ll feel right at home.
Dada
Dada, a cocktail bar in Ridgewood owned by local artists, is a hub of Queens’ nightlife. It’s a place to savor wines, cocktails, and tasty dishes while enjoying artistic programs and live music. The secluded courtyard garden offers a special spot to enjoy live jazz and dance to DJ-spun tunes. Ridgewood, traditionally founded by immigrants, was once home to German settlers, followed by residents from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Poland, Serbia, and Croatia. Here, you’ll find a blend of cultures and traditions, from local Polish taverns to Latin American restaurants and shops.
The Keep
Also located in Ridgewood, The Keep is a vintage-style cafe and bar, perfect for meeting up with friends. After enjoying the food and music, guests can play backgammon or retreat to a reading corner for solo time. After dark, the venue transforms into a lively performance space with live music, DJs, tarot readings, vaudeville, burlesque, movie nights, theatrical shows, and more.
Terraza 7
Terraza 7 in Elmhurst is both a live music venue and a community hub that serves as a bridge between cultures. With jazz and folk music from immigrants, music workshops, and progressive activism, Terraza 7 fosters cultural dialogue among the Queens community. Nonprofits often use the space for events, meetings, or fundraisers. The venue exudes a distinctly Latin American atmosphere, with a traditional bar and lounge on the lower level and live music almost every evening on the upper level. A small suspended stage is surrounded by three-tiered wooden bleachers. Performers range from local hip-hop bands to world-renowned musicians. DJs mix everything from soul and R&B to Colombian pop.
Maggie Mae’s Bar
Located in Sunnyside, Maggie Mae’s Bar offers a rustic vintage aesthetic. It’s a great spot for live music fans and craft beer and cocktail enthusiasts alike. Prices are reasonable, and the cocktails are, according to customers, better than those in typical pubs. Decorated with reclaimed wood from 1800s Pennsylvania, the venue offers 18 types of draft beer. The Whisky Room downstairs is reserved for private events.
Leaf Bar & Lounge
In Flushing, Leaf Bar & Lounge is a rooftop cocktail bar that’s perfect for celebrations, thanks to its stunning view of Manhattan. In addition to excellent craft cocktails, guests can enjoy a wide selection of unique dishes. With its delicious cuisine and live music, Leaf Bar & Lounge offers unforgettable experiences year-round. This rooftop bar brings something unique to Flushing, an area known more for affordable Asian restaurants than vibrant rooftop lounges. Leaf Bar & Lounge blends rustic chic with izakaya-style Asian fare. The menu, created by Taiwanese chef Henry Lin, is filled with unique snacks like pork belly buns and popcorn chicken. Among the bar’s signature cocktails, Pineapple Express is a favorite, featuring vodka, sherry, pineapple puree, and salted caramel syrup.
Bloom Botanical Bistro
Bloom Botanical Bistro in Forest Hills is a welcoming space for people of all tastes and dietary preferences. Founded by a couple who wanted to bridge their differing food choices—Alfred is a vegetarian, while Jaime is not—they opened Bloom Botanical Bistro to create a place where everyone could enjoy a meal, regardless of taste or dietary restrictions. Enjoy delicious dishes with live music as a backdrop!
