Bill’s Place is a Harlem institution steeped in history—for nearly 22 years, saxophone player and singer Bill Saxton has been hosting weekly shows in the ground floor of a Central Harlem brownstone. Saxton explains that this space, which was once a speakeasy under prohibition, is also the place where Billie Holiday first appeared in 1933. (Chicken and waffles, according to Saxton, were created by an “in between owner”). There are two sets on Friday and Saturday nights—7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.—and you’ll want to arrive early to snag a seat right in front of the band; on the night I visited, Bill was of course there on sax, while a drummer, upright bass player, and pianist made up the Harlem All-Stars. You get a little bit of everything here, both in terms of genre and performance—Latin, ballads, blue, music history, comedy. While listening to the music it’s difficult not to imagine what it would have been like to dance here at the height of the era. Swing Street. The only food and drink available is sodas, which are sold up front. It’s BYOB, with cups provided. Music nerds will love the Roy Hayes drumkit in use, and the size of the space—no matter your seat, at most, you’re 15 feet from the stage. New Yorkers can take their guests here to see more than just Midtown Manhattan.—Madison Flager, associate commerce director
The Django
What is the best way to get in touch with you?TriBeCa (Manhattan)
Am I in New York, or a boîte in Paris? The Django hidden under the Roxy Hotel In TriBeCa you could be forgiven for thinking that you have stumbled onto a Left Bank Stage. The vaulted brick ceilings are framed by red curtains, and couples gather at candlelit tables to enjoy a romantic dinner. The woman in plaid, wearing killer heels and matching hat, looked like she could have been straight out of Truffaut. Two cocktail bars, a dining area, and an advanced Meyer Sound system make for a great experience wherever you sit. Waiters wearing white blazers discreetly accept drink orders. I chose the Smoke Show, a smoky cocktail that complemented the red-and-gold color scheme of the space. You can make a night of it with the elevated dinner menu, handcrafted cocktails by mixologist Natasha David. The small signs asking for silence are placed throughout the venue to remind you that this is a music-focused event. The set is a mix of upbeat swing, somber songs and playful riffs. It’s as if you are watching old friends jam. The audience is utterly absorbed, laughing and nodding. They seem to blend into the music. As I waltzed into the SoHo evening, I felt as if I were living my own movie.—Pallavi Kumar, associate visuals director
Zinc Bar
Where: Greenwich Village, Manhattan
