Since its opening in 1982 as SoHo’s home for Afro Latino music, SOB’s (or Sounds of Brazil) has remained one of Downtown New York’s most influential venues. Living up to its claim as a place where “legends are made,” the Varick Street party spot has welcomed rising stars like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Cardi B—all of whom made unforgettable pit stops on their way to the top. If you don’t burn out on Saturday night, go back on Sunday afternoon for their popular Bossa Nova Brunch.

A pricey 2017-2019 renovation updated this landmark building with new bathrooms, better acoustics, and a revamped lounge, but many original details, like the Art Deco walls and scalloped balconies, were preserved to honor the hall’s rich history (over the years, it has been a Prohibition-era hot spot, Perry Como’s recording studio, and a playground for New Wave bands). The main ballroom has hosted some of rap’s biggest names (Run-DMC, JAY-Z) while the smaller rooms welcome emerging voices.

The best part about this venue is the quirky layout—a broad stage that spills out to a dance floor surrounded by terraced seating like an Art Deco coliseum. The old theater became a music venue in 2006 after it was bought by Live Nation. Three years later, JAY-Z performed a surprise free concert here that fans still gush about (think: Memphis Bleek, 25 songs, and a fire alarm). More recently, it hosted Freestyle Love Supreme, a hip-hop comedy by Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda.

After runs as a Polish American community center, a burlesque house, and a dance hall, this Union Square venue came into its own as a live-music destination in the 1970s with gigs by the Ramones and Talking Heads. But once De La Soul played their first show here in 1988, the club opened its arms to hip-hop. In the years since, hundreds of pioneering MCs and DJs—from legends like DJ Kool Herc and KRS-One to contemporary tastemakers like Earl Sweatshirt—have had their names on the famous marquee.

A lavish venue originally inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, this 1929 architectural gem—known for its gilded ceilings, red-velvet draperies, and ornate woodwork—has brought some of the biggest artists in the world to Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood. Along with established MCs like Yasiin Bey, Mr. Cheeks, and members of the Wu-Tang Clan, the theater is also the seasonal home to The Hip Hop Nutcracker, featuring the legendary Kurtis Blow.

With a diner in front, a stage in the back, and DJ sets that go until 4 am, Baby’s All Right is the kind of spot that buzzes from brunch to last call. The bookings are eclectic, arty, and DIY, with an emphasis on young and alternative voices (past bookings include SZA, Willow Smith, and Blood Orange). The decor, for its part, is whimsically hip—there’s a painted replica of the maze from The Shining and a wall of programmed LED lights—because, well, it’s Williamsburg.

A massive warehouse-style venue with a surprisingly intimate feel, the 3000-capacity Terminal 5 brings major indie, rock, and hip-hop shows to the far west side of Hell’s Kitchen. The area is low on bars and restaurants, so plan accordingly, but fans continue to make the trek here. Why? Unobstructed sight lines, 40-foot ceilings, and a horseshoe-shaped mezzanine where you can watch artists like Joey Bada$$ and Denzel Curry rev up a packed house.

With an eclectic calendar that spans global music, progressive jazz, goth nights, and ’80s parties, this unstuffy Alphabet City spot brings a performing-arts sensibility to a Downtown lounge. It has hosted Grammy Award winners like Questlove and Robert Glasper, as well as hometown heroes like Rakim and Kool Keith, but don’t hesitate to spontaneously wander in. Grab a bite at the on-site Mediterranean restaurant, which has a solid wine and cocktail list, and let the night surprise you.