Live from New York

Blender Theater at Gramercy
127 E 23rd St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-777-6800)
Capacity 600
Sound quality
It’s adequate, but not awesome. B
Sight lines
They’re nice, whether you’re close to the stage or lounging in slanted seats. B
Programming
Expect midsize touring acts such as Bebel Gilberto and Pretty Girls Make Graves. On July 2, it hosts Radio Birdman and Awesome Color. B
Input/output
The booze, like everything else, is standard. The cans are functional, but don’t bring a newspaper. B-
Final grade
The Blender is basically a run-down movie theater with a stage and a soundboard—we’re docking a grade for drabness. C+

The Box
189 Chrystie St between Rivington and Stanton Sts (212-982-9301)
Capacity 200
Sound quality
It’s ideal in every inch of this small, plush room. A
Sight lines
Get in early if you want a good view, whether you’re on the first floor by the stage or on the small balcony. B-
Programming
Thus far, the Box has been open mostly for private events; it promises a wide range of musicians, cabaret acts and unconventional entertainment. B
Input/output
Top-shelf drinks run more than $15. The restrooms are equally opulent. B-
Final grade
You feel cool just entering this jewel in an old sign factory. B

Club Europa
98–104 Meserole Ave at Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-383-5723, europaclub.com)
Capacity 550
Sound quality
It’s more pro than you’d expect of a cheesy Polish nightclub. B
Sight lines
There’s a low stage, so you get a waist-up view if you’re standing in back. B-
Programming
You’ll hear anything from cutting-edge metal to Polish bubblegum pop. B-
Input/output
Eastern-Euro beauties sling cheap Polish brews. The johns are never too crowded. B
Final grade
Dancetastic light shows and occasional miniskirt nights are enough to make us forgive all the gold chains. B

Highline Ballroom
431 W 16th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-414-5994, highlineballroom.com)
Capacity 700
Sound quality
Top-of-the-heap sound gear is easy on the ears. A
Sight lines
The wide-angle layout means there’s hardly a bad spot to be had. A
Programming
There’ll be more jazz, jam bands and world acts than in most rooms this size. Check out the Bad Plus on June 30. B
Input/output
Beer bucket servers roam the floor, so you can stay put. The bathrooms are too new to be gross. B+
Final grade
The room is comfortable, but it lacks character. The industrial-chic vibe feels more warehouse than ballroom. B+

Luna Lounge
361 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-7112)
Capacity 400
Sound quality
It’s solid and functional, if unmemorable. B
Sight lines
The high stage is unobstructed from all directions. B+
Programming
You’ll find local and touring alternative pop and rock, like the Giraffes (who play here June 16). B
Input/output
Average drinks, but they’re sometimes strong. Clean toilets, too. B
Final grade
This friendly, unadorned, cavernous room has little in common with its smaller LES precursor. B

Studio B
259 Banker St between Calyer St and Meserole Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-389-1880)
Capacity 500
Sound quality
Ever had an orgasm from great sound? You might here. A hot, muscular mix. A+
Sight lines
Good from the floor, and even better from the back and the raised side. A
Programming
It’s diverse, but you’ll mainly find cool and/or trendy names from the scene, like Oneida and LCD Soundsystem or, on Jun 5, the Fucking Champs. B+
Input/output
Drinks are a buck more than you’d expect. The bathrooms are spacious, unskeevy and dimly lit. B
Final grade
The ’80s-disco decor and lighting can be disorienting at first, but this is an all-around great addition to the club circuit. A

Photo: C. Taylor Crothers Photography

United Palace
4140 Broadway at 175th St (212-685-1414)
Capacity 3,500
Sound quality
As splendid as the baroque setting—this has hosted vaudeville and been a church. A+
Sight lines
They’re great on the floor, but a lot less so in the nosebleed balcony. B
Programming
They’ve had big-name rock acts like the Stooges and Modest Mouse; this summer’s sked is TBD. A
Input/output
Enjoy overpriced Dixie cups of crappy beer—mmm. The bathroom’s up a massive, red-carpeted staircase. B
Final grade
It looks like it was designed by Willy Wonka’s Veruca Salt (“I want a golden palace, Daddy!”). A-

Also in this issue:

• Ticket masters: Trying to score seats to a sold-out show? Savvy concertgoers reveal eight proven strategies to get you in.
• Win our concert tickets: Want to see some of the hottest acts of the summer? One great photo is all you need.
  • Contest 1: the Police (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 2: Lily Allen (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 3: Rock the Bells (Meet our winner.)
  • Contest 4: Live Earth (Meet our winner.)
• Attack of the McVenue: This summer, you’ll find seven fresh clubs, many with connections to big corporations. Does this signal a golden age or Golden Arches for live music?
• Live from New York: The stage, the bathroom and everything in between: Our music staff grades seven of the summer’s newest spots for live music.
• Are new clubs a good thing?: We want to know how you feel.
• Boogie knights: Escort ditches the DJ, bringing back live disco (that’s a good thing, we promise).
• Download-worthy discs: These albums are dropping like it's hot—because it is!
• Summer concerts: June: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer concerts: July: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer concerts: August: Your comprehensive calendar to this month's music in New York
• Summer performers on YouTube: You've heard the songs, but how do these artists stack up live? We give you a taste of their performance mettle.
• Take it outside: Download a block-rocking map of this summer’s outdoor concert venues