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    Rumsey Playfield

    3.8 (35 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

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    It's very rocky. Taken in April 2021. Posted with review 05/05/21
    Marianne W.

    Rumsey Playfield in Central Park is a total mess. I'm see people wrote reviews a while ago. Maybe they haven't been back in a while. I was really shocked when I was there about a week ago. It's got remnants of electricity outlets. It's sand and rock that's not fit to walk on let alone play. The building is locked up. It's supposed to be a sports field for older children. I wouldn't feel safe playing there at any age. There were conservatory volunteers working nearby outside the fence. I asked for a bathroom. They said there wasn't a bathroom here. Nearest one is at Bethesda Terrace. It's my opinion it should be completely renovated and used for a better purpose. It looks abandoned.

    GERMAN BEER!!!!
    Phil H.

    Rumsey Playfield is a terrific spot for special events in Central Park located a few minutes walk away from the east side location by the 72nd and 5th Avenue entrance. I have been here a bunch of times for things and just this weekend for the annual German - American Oktoberfest that is held each year here. Again, a great time. PROST! Usually, the security and line organization is set up pretty efficient and this event was no exception. The lines were marked with accurate signage, the crowds were under control, and the staff on hand were polite and did their jobs. They even had a lot of new portapotties around that were labeled for men and women. The huge tent was set up with a ton of tables. Plenty of space to get around for beer and food outside of it. Large stage set up for all the bands to perform. Security was walking around but you hardly noticed them. Very laid back and did not have any attitude or get in the way of the festivities. The weather was perfect this day and the event was a blast. They do a great job setting this up each year. One of the best locations for a public event as long as the weather cooperates.

    LaG HS Graduation 2021!!
    Luis B.

    LaGuardia had their 2021 High School graduation here and it was pretty cool. Great weather made it a fantastic experience.

    Beyoncé
    Brittany A.

    I stayed here over night , patiently waiting to see the beautiful Beyoncé. What a lovely experience. The park is very nice and kept clean. I didn't see any strange animals but there was a lot of people so maybe they were frightened. Anyways, if you're going for a concert don't expect to see all that much. I could barely see Beyoncé, but I wouldn't blame the park for that. There were nice little benches to sit on and plenty of lanterns to keep the park well lit at night.

    Year of Ox
    Mihael K.

    This is a really fantastic place for public events and shows, as long as the weather wants to cooperate. The location is great and wasn't nearly as deep in the middle of Central Park as the map makes it seem. The people working the venue and security are surprisingly friendly. I didn't get a chance to really check out the food and drinks, but there seemed to be a fair amount of options for both. The venue was set up nicely, with options for sitting on the ground, standing in front, and even bleachers in the back. I was standing front and center and had a great time, though my spot did allow me to experience some minor problems with the sound system. The waits between each act weren't as long as they have been in other venues I've been to. I saw Year of Ox, a Korean-American rap duo, headlining with two other Korean groups (SsingSsing and Coreyah) here on Monday, thanks to the Korean Cultural Center of NY. The show itself was a blast and I'd definitely be back for more Year of Ox! Word of advice: go to the bathroom before arriving. My show was from 5-10 and there were only portable toilets, all of which were an absolute mess inside.

    The Kooks and Foster the People at SummerStage!
    Laura M.

    I think there's a rule here that the main act can't start until the audience has stood around for an hour and a half. In both of my experiences at the Rumsey Playfield SummerStage, once for Foster the People and the Kooks and again for Childish Gambino, Yelper Ben Y. and I waited through long stalls between opener(s) and the headliner. But I think some sort of chemical is released in your brain the moment the headliner does come on, because the frustration over waiting dissipates as quickly as your money when you buy anything from the merch stand. Security is super light at these concerts. "Security" is 20-25 year old girls walking around with a badge that says "staff," telling concert-goers to not cross the yellow line. The whole place is super lax. The food is classier than you would initially expect. City Winery (love the place) has a booth set up for wine, and there are several beer stands, and a homemade brick-oven pizza stand. We ordered two slices and a water bottle and the total was twelve bucks. Not bad. Both shows I've seen here were great, and we got to sit in the bleachers they have set up. Most people choose to stand, but I'd rather not get involved in the riff-raff of mosh-pits, etc. I look forward to next year's SummerStage line-up!

    Foster the People on stage!

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    4 years ago

    Great venue and I've always had a great time here. I highly recommend this place especially if it's a free show!

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    9 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Outdoor concert venue. Quite crowded. Astroturf for the seating area. Being outside is definitely nice, of course, only on nice days! =)

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    9 years ago

    Great spot for a concert. Easy to get to, excellent sound system and nice selection of beer.

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    Review Highlights - Rumsey Playfield

    The location is great and wasn't nearly as deep in the middle of Central Park as the map makes it seem.

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    The Red Lion

    The Red Lion

    3.5
    (450 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$
    Full bar
    Live music

    Picking my kid up from school we walked past this restaurant and saw an outside sign that said " 50…read morecent wings." They had me at 50 cents!! I went inside and asked the host if she was allowed to come inside with me, she said " yes! From 2pm-9pm she's welcome." We went home got ready and headed right back out. When we got there she said " you can sit anywhere." For a person handling everything at the time and I mean bartending, waitressing and being the host, she did amazing! She did explain to us that although the wings were 50 Cents the minimum u can get is 5 or 6. We ordered Bbq wings, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and regular wings. Everything tasted delicious and cooked to perfection. We came out this place looking like we ate a whale lol. They have juice, soda, and water for beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks. If you're ever interested in going, I suggest looking up what dates they have live events because that stage screams " LIVE MUSIC EVENTS."

    First off, let it be known that I am so not familiar with the area or much of a bar hopper. Friends…read moreplanned for us to meet up here. When we arrived, there was a line at the door. Luckily, a table reservation for our party of had been made so we were able to go right in. Having just come from dinner, we did not eat any food. Drinks were all that we had. Shortly after arriving, the tables disappeared and it got way more crowded & loud on this Saturday night. It was a fun bar with live music. We did dance albeit very closely together. It was a perfect vibe for our birthday girl!

    Photos
    Live music everyday!
    Live music everyday!
    The Red Lion
    The Red Lion

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    Bowery Ballroom

    Bowery Ballroom

    4.3
    (404 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    I've lived in New York for 12 years, and somehow, I had never made it to the Bowery Ballroom. I've…read moreheard people rave about it for over a decade, and after finally seeing Rochelle Jordan there, I get the hype. It actually lives up to its reputation as one of the best-sounding rooms in the city. The venue is such a vibe. You walk into the ground-floor lounge, which is a great spot to grab a drink and decompress before the show, and then you head up the stairs into the main ballroom. The acoustics were flawless for Rochelle's set; her vocals were crisp, and you could feel the bass through the floor without it being muddy. Even though it's an intimate space, the high ceilings and the mezzanine give it a grander feel than your typical club. Pro Tip: If you want a bit more breathing room but still want a perfect view, the mezzanine is the place to be. But honestly, there isn't a bad "seat" (standing room only) in the house. After 12 years of hearing about it, I'm just annoyed I waited this long to go. It won't be another decade before I'm back.

    It is an interesting experience, and I would say this spot definitely has a relaxed vibe. You can…read morepre-order the tickets on your phone (ticketmaster). It is just standing the whole time for the concert unless you are VIP (then there will be a small table with chairs set aside for you.) When you walk in, they check your bags and make sure you are of age (need photo ID and will get a wrist band), and there was no wait when I arrived at 6:30 PM, and the show was scheduled for 7 PM. There is a spot downstairs when you walk in to rest on a couch if you need. There are drinks: wine, beer, cider. The bathrooms are decent if you have to use them. Some positives: There is a coat check for $3, and they accept credit card. There are multiple stalls in the ladies' bathroom, and there is soap! I saw non-alcoholic drinks: Poland Spring water, Monster energy drink.

    Photos
    Bar top floor balcony
    Bar top floor balcony
    Flower on stage smiths Tribute NYC
    Flower on stage smiths Tribute NYC
    Celebrating the life of an outlaw country music legend! Rest easy big guy.

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    Celebrating the life of an outlaw country music legend! Rest easy big guy.
    Smalls Jazz Club

    Smalls Jazz Club

    4.3
    (445 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Kinda wild that I didn't write a review the last time I was in this jazz joint…read more Last time I popped into the 2am show and it blew my sox off. I saw Miki Yamanaka randomly for the 1st time. But apparently i missed writing a review. Maybe because there are many glowing reviews already. But may I put my 5 star review on the pile. This time we caught the 2pm Sunday open jam. We were smartly near the front of the line so we got my favorite spot, right on the bar rail near the stage. The drinks were good and strong, the service was quick and succinct. The jam was incredible. I didn't know all the guys but the guy on drums is a legend named muppet. He held back on his solos on the first 2 songs. On the third, when the baton was passed to him, he ripped off an impressive solo that would be amazing for anyone, and he is 93. We had to dip out to catch our flight, but cant wait to stop in again next time.

    This was our last stop during our must recent NYC trip. Were only able to stay for a an hour or…read moreso, because we had to run to the airport. Still, this was enough to get a good feel of what the club is all about. Just standing in line we got to talk to a musician, who had just played at another location, but told us the people playing there that day were amazing, including the 91-year-old drummer "Muppet". We went during the day so no cover charge, but think they do at later hours. We got some spots at the bar, knowing we would not be able to stay long. From any seat you are able to enjoy the whole atmosphere and set. They had one server and one bartender, and I honestly thought at first they would be scrambling with all the drink orders but the way they worked, quickly and still being personable with each guest was impressive. The band playing was great, we stayed a bit more than we should have because of how good they were. Very intimate, chill way to spend time enjoying live music. The only reason I took one star off is the restroom situation. I went down hoping I could use the facilities but the mold smell and other strong smell made me sick and I had to run out. Just make sure you go before you are inside or hold it. Apart from that, very intimate, chill way to spend time enjoying live music.

    Photos
    Smalls Jazz Club
    Some artwork right outside
    Some artwork right outside
    11.19.22 7:30pm show

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    11.19.22 7:30pm show
    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar

    3.6
    (299 reviews)
    0.9 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.

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

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    Palladium Times Square

    Palladium Times Square

    3.4
    (34 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Nice venue to see a concert as it's easy to get to in Times Square…read more We recently caught GWAR here and it was a blast! They have been around the metal scene for a long time and still put on a crazy fun show. Just be aware if you're in the standing room pit area you will get soaked with all colors of fluid shooting out of character's orifices! There is a large standing room only area on the main floor, an elevated standing area behind that which we score a perfect spot along the railing to view the show, along with elevated seating behind that. Not the biggest venue but good sound and sightlines. Coat check available along with a bar selling overprices drinks.

    Went to a concert at the Palladium for the first time this week and it was awesome! I wasn't…read moreexcited about venturing into Times Square at all and yes, it was annoying navigating through crowds of tourists outside, but once we got into line it was fine. The 5 stars are honestly for the security team -- they made the line move quickly and efficiently to get inside the building. They were pleasant and gave direction as needed. For a line that wrapped around, it went FAST! Once inside, we were surprised to see that our mezzanine seats were at the same entrance to general admission. It's a small theater but plenty of room for GA ticket holders and a decent area for ticketed seaters. Even if you're seated, you'll have a good view of the stage. Plenty of bars are available and the bathrooms are clean. I have to say other than Times Square outside - I love this venue!

    Photos
    Outside
    Outside
    GA FLOOR VIEW
    GA FLOOR VIEW
    GA floor view

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    GA floor view
    The Flatiron Room - NoMad

    The Flatiron Room - NoMad

    4.3
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    Low key establishment that manages to thread the fine line between a bar, restaurant, and music…read moreestablishment. Place is set up nicely for music. Each table has good visibility of the stage and the musicians played some jazz favorites. We went during happy hour and found the drinks to be affordable and the cocktail selection adequate. We stayed for the Branzino which was quite good. Recommend as an after work place to hang out with friends.

    Went here for a casual get together with some colleagues when I was in NY. The Jazz vibes were…read morehonestly the reason to pick this place. It's a low key establishment from the outside but once you are in it feels a lot more trendy. The stage is right in the front and all the tables can get a good view of the stage. The music can be loud at times and the ambience is more on the dimly lit side but still a great spot. The service was great, and the drink selection was cool too. I would definitely pick from the selection of speciality cocktails. I got the smoked old fashioned (or similar) and that was potent, Smokey and delicious. We also got a few bites to eat. Other than the tuna tartare (didn't feel fresh) everything we got was nice - nigiri combo, kimchi fried rice, kings toast.... Nice drinks, nice atmosphere, good food and great service!!

    Photos
    Live jazz and blues
    Live jazz and blues
    Shells & Bones: Escargot with bone marrow flan!
    Shells & Bones: Escargot with bone marrow flan!
    Have you attended one of our famous Whiskey Tasting Classes?

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    Have you attended one of our famous Whiskey Tasting Classes?

    Rumsey Playfield - theater - Updated June 2026

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