The Bitter End

On our list of the best live music venues in New York.

Fred Weintraub opened The Bitter End in 1961 as a dry coffeehouse and talent showcase, and the red brick wall uncovered during the build-out became the stage backdrop still used today. Peter, Paul and Mary made their debut here that year, and the room went on to host The Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young over the following two decades. The city granted the space landmark status in 1992. Paul Colby took over in the 1970s, and his partners Paul Rizzo and Kenny Gorka, running it with him since 1993, still book live music every night.