I recently spoke with someone who was preparing to move to New York. Instead of asking about auditions or landing a Broadway job, he asked a much simpler—and honestly, more important—question.
“Where do I go to hang out and meet people?”
His question reminded me of my own experience back in 1993.
When I moved to New York City, I didn’t have a detailed plan. I just wanted to be a rock star, or at least make a living as a full-time drummer. I worked a day job and lived in New Jersey for a while. Gas was about a dollar a gallon, and I’d pay what felt like a lot at the time—four dollars—to drive into Manhattan through the Holland Tunnel.
I spent my days at work, then drove into the city, hung out until two in the morning, and repeated it the next day. It wasn’t glamorous—just repetitive and tiring—but it was exactly what I needed, and it was exciting!
I wasn’t thinking, “This will get me to Broadway.” I didn’t have a set career plan. I did it because that’s where the music and people were. I played all kinds of gigs, in different places, with all sorts of musicians. I hung out, said yes often, watched more than I talked, listened, and kept showing up.
That’s how you really build a network.
One Friday night gig at a Ramada Inn introduced me to guitarist Matt Beck. At the time, he was playing Broadway shows but also doing the same gigs I was. He liked my playing and later recommended me for the Footloose tour, then tick, tick…BOOM!, Rent, subbing, Altar Boyz, and eventually, I got my own Broadway chairs through the work I did, and met other musicians on the scene. None of this was planned or happened because I waited at home for the “right” opportunity.
That same approach also led me far beyond theater.
Showing up led me to gigs with Chuck Berry, Ben E. King, The Stylistics, Deniece Williams, Laura Benanti, Ari Hest, and The Rock Orchestra. These were all different worlds and styles, but I used the same approach each time. One hangout led to a call, one gig to another. It wasn’t magic. It was about being present, building trust, and being patient.
Sometimes, “showing up” didn’t even mean performing on stage.
I remember practicing alone in a rehearsal studio one day, playing along to Barry White’s Playing Your Game, Baby. If you know that song, you know how great it feels to play. If you play it well, people notice. And if you play it like Ed Greene did, people really notice.
During a break, another drummer knocked on my door and complimented my feel and groove. That started a conversation, which turned into a connection. Years later, that connection led to gigs. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone or create content. I was just doing the work, not knowing who might be listening.
That’s something people often overlook now. Rehearsal studios aren’t just for practice. They’re places where others can overhear you and notice how you play when you think no one is watching. Musicians also hang out there too! Quiet professionalism in those moments says more than any highlight reel.
The city has changed. The scene has changed. The economics have definitely changed. But the main truth remains the same.
If you want to work in this business, you need to get out into the world. You have to be around people and be part of something real, not just something visible online.
So if you’re moving to NYC, or if you’ve been here for a while and feel stuck, here’s a practical list of places where musicians actually go to hang out, play, and meet other musicians.
Before I share the list, there’s one important thing I want to clarify.
This list isn’t complete. I’m sure I’ve missed some places. I don’t go out as much as I used to, so there are spots I don’t know, places that opened after my main years of hanging out, and some I just haven’t visited yet. Some of these I’ve played in often, some I know well, and a lot of them are new to me.
What I do know is this: if you’re young, eager, and serious about becoming a full-time musician in New York, you should know about all of these places.
This is your training ground. This is where you put in your hours. This is where you go from being a rookie to someone people recognize, from the minor leagues to the majors. No single place will hand you a career, but these are the rooms where you learn how to work with people in real situations.
You don’t become a Broadway musician by waiting for Broadway. You get there by playing, hanging out, listening, and showing up again and again in places like these.
Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens
Queens
None of these places can promise you a spot on Broadway, but that isn’t the main idea here. What truly matters is getting noticed, meeting people, and sticking around long enough to build trust and your network. That’s how it worked for me when I first came to New York City in 1993, and it still works today. The venues, people, and cost of living may have changed, but the approach and long-term results are the same.
I want to mention one more thing.
Posting on Instagram is helpful and can get you noticed. But meeting people in person is much more valuable. I’ve seen musicians share perfect, polished videos online, but then have a hard time during a real performance. It’s not because they aren’t talented. It’s just that who they are online isn’t always the same as who they are when playing with others in person.
This business still depends on trust, listening, how you respond and communicate, and how you deal with problems as they come up. You can’t learn that from a highlight reel. You pick it up by spending time with others, hanging out, playing together, and putting in the work over time.
Social media is useful, but the real progress happens when you show up in person.
If you think this list needs changes or additions, leave a comment. Let’s keep it up to date and helpful for anyone trying to figure out where to go next.