Creative Ecology · Indicator 2
Experimental venues
What this indicator asks
How many venues in New York are spaces for experimental, interdisciplinary and progressive work?
62.0/ 100 · New York
We counted fixed venues in the city that have been open since at least January 2025 and hold regular events at night. Dedicated experimental venues count for more than mixed venues which also host experimental nights. Festivals, series without their own venue and closed venues are not counted.
New York has 12 dedicated experimental venues and 23 mixed venues that host experimental events. Most of the dedicated venues are in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Roulette, ISSUE Project Room and National Sawdust are the largest.
Spectrum lost its Red Hook site to a fire in September 2025, and now runs at MISE-EN_PLACE’s space in Harlem. One participant said jazz clubs have “poor” sound systems, and dance clubs with “great” sound systems often do not have the space or the setup for live musicians. Another participant said new music is best experienced in DIY spaces and record stores.