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    Cafe at Apollo

    4.3 (181 reviews)

    Cafe at Apollo Photos

    CAFE AT APOLLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Touristy
    Good for kids

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    Leah E.

    I scored a $10 ticket on Stub Hub to attend Amateur Night (every Wednesday) at the Apollo on my recent trip to New York. I stayed at an Air Bnb in Harlem and wanted to explore the neighborhood. THIS WAS BY FAR THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP TO NYC. The host, Capone, was worth the price of admission. The show started with children contestants and Capone went out of his way to explain the importance of showing love to these young talented artists. We applauded and clapped as if we were about to witness living legends. After that, the regular contestants performed. I was honestly shocked at the level of talent of each performer. BUT- I will say that there are people there in the audience that sadly- have come just to BOO people off the stage. There was a Japanese Michael Jackson impersonator that was tolerable until he started singing and the theater ERUPTED in BOOS. I like to think that he was placed in the line-up just so people could boo him off the stage. The crowd was very diverse and everyone was there for a good time. When the show ended, I was looking for a bite to eat around the theatre and was VERY DISAPPOINTED in the offerings. There are about 5 different chain fried chicken establishments and that's it. So make sure you eat before you go to the Apollo.

    Performers rub The Tree of Hope for good luck. I rubbed it too.
    Letty C.

    Did you know that you can book tours of this world famous theater? Its Showtime At The Apollo.....Yasssssss The Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in the heart of Harlem was a venue to showcase black entertainment at a time when segregation left us very little choices for live entertainment. Ella Fitzgerald won amateur night there as a teen. Pearl Bailey, Count Bassie, Louis Armstrong, Moms Mabley, Pigmeat Markham, Richard Pryor, Redd Fox, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Tony Bennett, and Paul Mc Cartney, and many others have played here. The tour gives you the history by Billy Mitchell, known as "Mr Apollo". He has been here on and off for 49 years. He started running errands for the Apollo back in 1965, when he was 15 years old. Now he's the in-house historian and tour director. When music icon Elvis visited NYC for the first time he insisted to visit The Apollo Theater. This is a mecca for entertainers. The tour will take you thru the 1500 red velvet seats and the pristine balconies. You will see the signature wall off-stage behind stage right which features years of history in signature, sign by the likes of Grammy Winner Lauren Hill to our first black President Barack Obama, then upstairs to a small dressing room that is used by performers including Comedian Nipsey Russell and R&B singer Beyonce, then back down to the green room (which is all white) located right under the stage. Once you leave the green room you and your party will have the opportunity to have your own personal "Amateur Night" as your friends clap, hiss, or boo at your performance. This is a great way to experience black culture, Harlem, and black artists contribution to entertainment and music I've done this tour three times...worth every penny.

    Juliet H.

    "It's showtime, at The Apollo ... TONIGHT!" I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theatre as I have fond childhood memories of watching aspiring talent on amateur night, Sinbad hosting, everyone rubbing the "Tree of Hope" before their number, KeKe Sheppard, and "the Sandman" sweeping the boo'd off the stage! The experience didn't disappoint and we were celebrating Mom's 50th so that made it even more special! Brittany (at the counter) helped us tremendously as we made our plans to visit. We got great seats up front for amateur night, we saw the Tree of Hope, the talent was awesome, and we were immersed in rich history! The theatre is beautiful, the seats are comfy, and it's a true Harlem jewel. So glad we got to visit on our NYC trip!

    Lourdes M.

    I was pretty excited to visit The Apollo Theater (FINALLY!). I used to pass by this iconic theater for years and today's visit was not a disappointment. Lucky to get free tickets for "It's Showtime at the Apollo with Steve Harvey" show. Lucky that they had Sunday taping and did not worry of taking a day off for the experience. The theater vibes was moving to think that lots of known artists started at this theater and on that special stage. Steve Harvey himself talked about his days here when he was a starting comedian. The talents rubbed the "Tree of Hope" before performing ( which has been part of the Showtime segments ever since) for us. The theater is beautiful inside, I heard it is newly renovated. Seats are comfortable. Each seat has a good view of the stage. Lights and sounds are fairly good. I was impressed with the person in charged in the ladies room during the June 4th show. She didn't let us go inside the stall unless she wiped first the toilet seat cover. She deserved a good tip for doing that. Kudos to Steve Harvey's production staff for giving us a good and entertaining show. The staff was very organized and made our experience pleasant. I was glad to be here. Truly a gem of Harlem.

    Fancypants X.

    Pinch me, I'm dreaming. I do not take for granted how fortunate I am to have set foot in the famous Apollo Theater where many legends -- Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr. -- have graced the stage. Earlier this summer, I attended Amateur Night at the Apollo, a show that my cousin & I bonded over as children. Comedian Capone was hilarious as host & the live band was old school cool. The talent portion started with a couple kiddos competing for the Stars of Tomorrow title, but the fun really began when the adults started to perform. Everyone did really well except for a singer who couldn't hit the high notes in Childish Gambino's "Redbone" & a dancer who changed her shoes mid-song. They were properly booed & the Executioner (C.P. Lacey) tapped danced them right off of the stage! Audience participation hit an all-time high when it came time to vote via a sound meter that registered our boos & applause. Our collective energy reverberated throughout the concert hall. Unforgettable live entertainment in a historically significant venue. If you ever have the chance, see a show at the Apollo & don't forget to take a pic in front of what's left of the Tree of Hope!

    Nettie A.

    Ummmmm totally fabulous! We had so much fun. They know how to put on a show. Capone was the MC and hilarious, charming and quick on his feet. The tone was positive and unifying. We had so much fun. I wish I would have done this when I lived here. We lived amateur Night at the Apollo. Take public transportation and enjoy. It was a fabulous, funny, positive, family friendly show. We bought tickets in the box on the top right. We could see the performers preparing to come out but you are by the speaker. Absolutely brilliant.

    Amateur Night!
    Camille E.

    Lots of fun at the amateur Night! The MC was great and the talent was superb. It's very much a party atmosphere. It's also a great night out with family. I would definitely go again.

    Erica R.

    Come on now, this is history! It's hard not to say good things about The Apollo. The feeling of nostalgia is HEAVY as soon as you see the infamous marquee, and even more so once you walk through the doors. Harlem has so much history on every corner and The Apollo is like the crown jewel of it all. The venue itself is well kept and probably not as large as one may envision. It's really hard to find a bad seat, whether in the orchestra, the boxes, the balcony or the mezzanine -- the stage is almost front and center from every angle. Definitely worth a stop . . . or two.

    Matteo R.

    I came to the Apollo Theater a couple of times for concert. What can you say about this historic place that has not been written before? You can't call yourself a true New Yorker if you have never been to the Apollo Theater. This place exudes magic. This is an old school theater, with lots of red velvet and chandeliers all over. The acoustics is great: a wonderful, warm sound wherever you're sitting. Just a couple of things I didn't like that much: in the mezzanine the seats are uncomfortable, you have really little room for your knee (a big problem if, like me, you're more than 6 feet tall). In fact, the seats are so close and the rows so steep that if somebody stumbles he or she will probably fly all the way down to the stage... Also the bathrooms could be improved.

    Apollo
    Jordan W.

    The World Famous Apollo theater known for it's Amateur Night where over the years tons of stars in all forms of the entertainment world have been discovered here. The trip did take a while from Queens, N.Y. , the A train does go all the way to uptown Harlem. Amateur Night I was lucky enough to attend a few years ago and it was wonderful. The most recent trip here was from Jimmy Jazz opening a new store and celebrate with Asap Ferg and Cam'ron at a concert. Arrived kind of early and got a good view of the stage from the top section. Asap Ferg is from Harlem and he finally got the chance to perform to his hometown people. Dipset was not all there but Killa Cam did put on a memorable performance. Staff was great, very friendly and helped people get to their seats in no time. Will definitely come back here, hopefully some time Soon .

    Amazing
    Yeraldine S.

    I finally got a chance to visit the Apollo Theatre and what better way to do so than watching one of your favorite artists--Lykke Li! My best friend and I got there early, tickets scanned, and we made our way inside. The theatre is historic and it was great to see all the pictures of the famous people who start at Apollo. I normally love being in the front at concerts but I didn't have any luck when purchasing my tickets. I settled for the 2nd level mezzanine-first row/center. And wow-I couldn't ask for anything better. Perfect view of the entire theatre. It's small and I realized even if I was on the upper level mezzanine, I still would have had a great view. Immediately, I was well aware of how attentive and nice the staff was. There's a bar area in the back- drinks, snacks, and other overpriced items. The theatre was clean, bathrooms as well, and the performance was perfect. A great show at Apollo. I hope to catch more shows here.

    Susan W.

    Wow! I finally made it to the Apollo theater! Not as talent, but as a lively audience member that I grew up watch since childhood. My friend was given tickets to watch Amateur Night and I have to say that it is an experience I recommend to everyone! Walking up to the legendary Apollo sign, I was in awe of such a magical place with so much history. After getting checked, we made our way in stopped for an adult beverage. I was pleased that the drinks were strong and not too expensive. We were ushered to our seats and soon after the show began. It was non-stop dancing an laughing during the entire time. Capone was the host and he was so funny! The talent was amazing. So good that we didn't even get to boo anyone. Now normally I would never boo anyone, but that's one of the things that makes the Apollo the Apollo, so we did miss out on that. Overall it was beyond amazing to be in a room with people from all different places, races, and backgrounds that all came together to have a great night of entertainment! Make sure you go!

    Jamie G.

    How freakin' cool is this place?! I'm so glad I made last minute decision to buy tickets to Amateur Night. And for the cost of a round of over priced cocktails?! Way better ROI. For seating, we were in lower mezzanine - row K at the aisle. My personal opinion is that the lower mezzanine is fine, but I'd say try to get seats in the A-D,E range, otherwise you have a ceiling from the upper mezzanine. I think you'll feel more audience energy sitting there or in the orchestra. Definitely noted for next time. And the boxes on either side of the orchestra don't seem so bad either. There is an easily accessible bar in lower mezzanine and bathroom just down the steps. A few tips, if you tend to get up to potty quite a bit or replenish beverages often: -get aisle seats because you'll make everyone in your row have to stand up to let you out. the leg/walking room is non-existent. -break right before they break for intermission. that bathroom line for the ladies is ridiculous. same advice applies to the bar line. Go. Your cheeks and tum with hurt from laughing so hard. And what a cool piece of history to experience!

    D'Angelo @ Feb 7, 2015

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    11 years ago

    Just went with my bike at 9am to take some pictures I forgot is Harlem 125 St. So scary I only spent 5m and go

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    9 years ago

    Unf*cking believable show!! Amateur Night was the NY thing I didn't know I was missing. Go. Go now. Seriously go! Amazing!!!!!!

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    Page 3 of 5

    Cafe at Apollo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe at Apollo

    The dress code for comedy night?

    Casual

    Best seats in house for concert?? center low, or lower orchestra center row a? for upcoming hip hop venue I want great views of the artist and the stage but don't want to be right underneath where sound is deafening...

    The apollo is a small venue and sure to be loud for anything. If you're over 5'5', the only way to go is the orchestra. Mezz is too cramped and requires tiny legs to accommodate the few inches of foot room you get. I had to move down to be… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Cafe at Apollo

    My friend was given tickets to watch Amateur Night and I have to say that it is an experience I recommend to everyone!

    Mentioned in 76 reviews

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    Shrine World Music Venue

    Shrine World Music Venue

    4.0
    (300 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I came to the Shrine World Music Venue with a few friends after a Friday evening at a cigar lounge…read more I had no expectations and had walked by the Shrine several times not knowing what was there along Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Unless you know about it, you can easily walk by, given it blends into the general Harlem cityscape, especially during the day. Then at night, especially during the afterhours when I was there, the scene flips and this place becomes turnt up! People were lined up trying to get inside at 0130. The bouncers were searching and patting people down, nothing absurd or overly intrusive. There is a cover charge and they take credit cards for the cover. As you walk inside, the bar in on your right. Keep going and the dancefloor awaits you. It's not that large, but people are generally very courteous. There are a few places to sit, especially in the back in the left corner. That is also where the steps lead you downstairs, presumably to the restroom, which I did not have to use. The vibe is poppin' inside and it is fed by the DJ on a stage in the back, playing Worldbeats, Afropop, Afrobeats, Reggae, Dance Hall, and Soca. They are setup for live bands here. The volume is high, but not uncomfortably or earsplittingly high. The people here are drawn to this vibe and energy. You can dance here all night and the air conditioning and ventilation are of the capacity to keep you and everyone else comfortable. Stick around until closing time at 0400 when everyone starts walking out and the AC nearly turns the Shrine into a refrigerator. For an unassuming place on the outside, it is clear this is a place you can come to with friends or a date if this is your vibe and it's hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this. Prices are reasonable too at the bar. They have a good selection of draught and bottled beer. Guinness on tap was $9 for a pint. They serve up the cocktails too. Four fun and returnworthy stars!

    This is a neighborhood spot. It's for music lovers. It doesn't have any ambience to speak of. I did…read morenot eat here so I can't talk about the food. We did have two drinks and the service was OK. You're here for the music. My understanding is after the bands leave at midnight you can dance until 4 AM. This is a good chill, relaxed spot. You don't need to get dressed up. It's very casual and you will have a good time.

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    Shrine World Music Venue
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul
    9-10pm: Spiros Soukis - Rockin' Greek Soul

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    New Amsterdam Musical Association

    New Amsterdam Musical Association

    4.0
    (4 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    The venue is old style jazz and R&B music. The performances are fantastic and relaxed. The…read moreperformances that you see may cost 3 times as much if you went to the big established jazz/ blues clubs downtown . And, the performances are, believe me, top notch. And, you get a very close view and you can talk or may even rub shoulders with the stars. There isn't much in the food dept. Except a small servicing that is free with the small price you pay to enter the club. You, can get wine with you meal or other drink at no extra cost. You are also allowed to bring your own. It is a great club, friendly, relaxed and you definitely get your money's worth. It is a small venue and somewhat snug when it is crowded. But, once you get over that, it is up hill from there on. So, go to NAMA, as it is called, with your ears open and enjoy the foot tapping and hands clapping fantastic music.

    This is one of my favorite places to go. Its raw and real. It reminds me of where i was born in a…read moreloft in East Village, where Jon Hendriks and many great musicians came to play. We always have a good time Monday nights when Keith the Captain Gamble and the NuGypsies performs. Entertainment doesn't get better than that. you can be in a stuffy place, pay $50 and have to leave after one set. At Nama you chill, you can go in the back in the summer, BYO, and hear awesome sounds. I Love New York!

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    New Amsterdam Musical Association
    Blu Skyyzz baby
    Blu Skyyzz baby
    Legend women of Jazz event at NAMA

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    Prohibition

    Prohibition

    3.9
    (521 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    A Must-Visit NYC Gem: Incredible Music, Food, and Energy! If…read moreyou want the ultimate New York City night out, Prohibition is the place to be! We had an absolute blast from the moment we stepped inside. The whole experience--from the warm welcome at the door to the high-energy live music--was 10/10. The Food Experience: Truly Next Level The food here isn't just "bar snacks"--it's a full-on culinary experience. We tried several dishes and honestly, every single one was a hit: * Grandma's Sunday Sauce: This was the star of the show. It's pure comfort in a bowl and tastes like it's been simmering for days. * The Bacon: You can't go wrong here. It's perfectly prepared, smoky, and dangerously addictive. * The Burrata: So fresh and creamy--the perfect way to start the meal. * Crispy Shrimp: These had the perfect crunch and were packed with flavor. The Vibes & Service The host set the tone right away with a great welcome, and the service throughout the night was seamless. It's rare to find a spot that balances a sophisticated "speakeasy" atmosphere with such friendly, attentive staff. And of course, the music! The live band was electric and kept the energy high all night long. The "Roaring 20s" vibe is so well-done--it feels intimate but exciting at the same time. Final Verdict I would definitely suggest Prohibition to everyone! Whether you're a local or just visiting the city, this is the spot for great food, amazing service, and a vibe you won't find anywhere else. We'll definitely be back for more!

    We came to this place to have a get together with friends…read more The ambiance was incredible! Very chic and low lighting was perfect for a Saturday night. They had live music which was also so much fun! We sang along and enjoyed our drinks and food. My husband got the braised pork shank and I got the grandmas sauce pasta dish. DELICIOUS!! We had the lamb and burratta with truffle fries to share- also to die for. We ended the night with some espresso martinis for a sweet ending. Amazing food, great service and entertainment. Definitely will come back! Ask for Ty! Best server!!

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    Atmosphere!
    Atmosphere!
    Prohibition
    Vibes

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    Vibes
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    3.6
    (299 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Thursday, 07May26 - A night of celebrating Taurus' at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar Lounge - and…read morewhat a celebration it was. So much joy. So much talent. Thank you, Valerie Simpson, and your late husband; Nickolas Ashford, for creating this amazing venue. The guest host for the evening was the incredibly talented Olutayo. Olutayo is joy exemplified. His vocal range, dance moves, entertaining facial expressions...infectious. I fell in love with this man and did not hesitate to tell him so. Beyond his talents was Olu's ability to manage / juggle the night's open-mic entertainers with such grace. From the lyrics of En Vogue and Salt-N-Peppa: "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, What a Mighty Good Man!" All of the entertainers were incredible. What a range of singers, dancers, a poet, a violinist. And the band! The band! The band! Come on!! Outstanding. I was seated next to Darius, one of the several background vocalists that were positioned throughout the lounge. We became fast friends in this space filled with exuberance. Darius was a delight. He was also a big brother to me, making sure no one blocked my view of the performance. Thank you, Darius, that was so kind of you. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of all these amazingly talented people. It was a 6-hour dopamine rush that should not be missed. The dinner that was served was top-notch. I had the Sea Bass. My friend had the Golden Fried Chicken. Both meals were delicious. I had the ginger mocktail with rosemary and blueberries - so yummy I had two. Dessert was key lime pie - suffer we will. Our server; Vickie, was a delight and amazing to observe as she maneuvered around the performers and kept us and everyone around us well served and continually hydrated. Vickie is to be commended for how hard she worked throughout the evening. I made sure our tip reflected our appreciation of her. Put the Sugar Bar on your bucket list when visiting NYC. You'll leave there feeling you have experienced Heaven on Earth.

    I was informed that you cannot make a reservation more than one week in advance. I made our…read morereservation as soon as the business opened one week in advance. The day before our dinner, I got an email, text, and telephone call to confirm our reservation. I asked if our seats were assigned to a specific table. I was told the assignments would be available the next morning. We arrived about 45 minutes before our reservation time. We were told that we could NOT go to the bar without paying the $20.00 per person door fee for the show. That night was open mic night. I was so eager to support this business because of its owners. We were also told we could NOT be seated early. We paid the money and waited. The tables in the bar area were reserved. When our reservation time arrived, in lieu of being seated where we could see the show we paid for, we were taken upstairs. I asked where the upstairs stage was located. There was NO stage. Instead, there was a 20 inch television hanging on the adjacent wall. We waited 45 minutes to watch a television upstairs away from the open mic show. I have included a picture from our vantage point. When I asked why we had not been seated in the open seats on the floor with the stage, I was told that some of the performers brought friends and our table was given to those individuals. Our money would not be refunded. I asked repeatedly why we were being moved and the hostess indicated that she did not make any decisions and the seats were going to be given to others. Those folks had not arrived and had not made any reservation. Thus, making a reservation was a waste of time. Then there was the food. I figured no one could mess up hot wings. I was wrong. The lemon pepper wings had no lemon and no pepper. It was just dropped into some butter. I had "buttered" wings. No seasoning except butter. Every member of our group remarked that the food was NOT good. I left 3/4 of the food on the plate. I was SORELY disappointed. Even sports bar have food don't string their customers along, make them wait 45 minutes, and then stash them away in heaven (i.e. upstairs). I could have watched better entertainment on Youtube. I will not be returning and I am telling everyone that I had bragged to about my upcoming birthday outing at the Sugar Bar that they should NEVER visit this place. No one cared that we were utterly disappointed with the trickery regarding the seating.

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    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

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    54 Below

    54 Below

    4.1
    (250 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$$

    I went one time last night. It was a bit cramped. I did not sit by the rail and went to the bar…read more The food I had was great. Talent was very good. It was cozy. I must have passed it many times. A Greek church and a Greek diner are nearby, as is Alvin Ailey where I have taken lessons and performed, and of course the SAG Foundation is across the street. I will update this when I visit again. The man on the telephone should not hurry customers if they have not made up their minds to come.

    Was here for a special night and left a bit underwhelmed…read more So much of this place works - classic NYC theater vibes, and the musical talent, food and drink were all great. The show I saw had incredible performers and felt really happy to be attending. But this is where it fell apart. I have a great deal of empathy for waitstaff especially during this kind of cabaret show. I had gotten a last minute VIP ticket and ordered a drink - and was informed at the time I placed a drink that there was a $25 mimimumx which I knew about when I bought the ticket. The waitress who served us was unnecessarily rude sbout it: I went to order food but stopped at spending more because at that point, the fewer interactions with her the better. I don't know what to think - someone willing to spend more money and feeling reluctant to because of a rude waitress is a problem to the venue to fix.

    Photos
    54 Below
    View from the bar.
    View from the bar.
    Zero-Proof Hot Buttered Rum, Zero-Proof Strawberry Margarita, zero Vinada Airen Gold Zero-Proof Sparkling Wine

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    Zero-Proof Hot Buttered Rum, Zero-Proof Strawberry Margarita, zero Vinada Airen Gold Zero-Proof Sparkling Wine

    Cafe at Apollo - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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