Hands down the best music spot in New York, Bowery Ballroom should be visiting music-lovers' first stop. Up-and-coming national acts with indie-rock leanings occupy the two-level music venue, home to the city's best sound system. The downstairs bar is a great place to warm up before the show. The Ballroom is the crown jewel of the Bowery Presents chain of local venues, which includes the Music Hall of Williamsburg (the Ballroom's Brooklyn twin), Mercury Lounge (local bands, smaller national acts), Terminal 5 and Webster Hall (both of which book bigger touring bands). Among them, there's something for everyone.

• 1. Bowery Ballroom
  6 Delancey Street, New York, NY 10002; 212-533-2111 40.720319-73.993408 boweryballroom.com
• 2. Music Hall of Williamsburg
  66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-486-5400 40.719321-73.961594 musichallofwilliamsburg.com
• 3. Mercury Lounge
  217 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002; 212-260-4700 40.722024-73.98682 mercuryloungenyc.com
• 4. Terminal 5
  610 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019; 212-582-6600 40.769663-73.99275 terminal5nyc.com
• 5. Webster Hall
  125 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003; 212-353-1600 40.731561-73.989172 websterhall.com