From a music lover’s point of view, the top five concert venues in New York City may not be the most famous venues. They might not be the five largest venues either. A top concert venue in this city needs to be unique, offering its own bite of the Big Apple. Some clubs cater to the local music scene and others book national and international acts. These five music hot-spots present a diverse panorama of what New York City has to offer.

Radio City Music Hall (1260 6th Avenue, 212-307-7171)
With a history featuring legendary entertainers like Frank Sinatra and legendary shows like the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, Radio City Music Hall is a world-renowned, legendary midtown landmark in it own right. This hall is as likely to have AC/DC as Eminem on any given night. It also plays host to special events and film premieres.

Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street, 212-279-7740)
The Hammerstein Ballroom’s 75-foot high ceiling and 12,000 square feet of space have made it a popular Midtown venue for musical performances that demand a large stage area, like Britney Spears or other big productions. Three balconies overlook the main floor, offering great sight lines for the wide variety of events housed there, from elite fashion shows to professional wrestling.

Madison Square Garden (4 Pennsylvania Plaza, 212-465-6741)
Midtown’s famous Madison Square Garden is among the most famous arenas worldwide. The 20,000 seat capacity makes it a terrific venue for major musical acts as well as the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers. Big enough for a circus and intimate enough for a dog show, the Garden is among the last of a dying breed of mega-arenas.

The Knitting Factory (74 Leonard Street, 212-219-3006)
For those who prefer heading downtown, The Knitting Factory showcases rock and jazz bands in one of three intimate settings. Other events like poetry readings and dance performances are held there too.

Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette Street, 212-539-8777)
For an unpredictable mash-up of all musical genres in a hip setting, try Joe’s Pub in the East Village. Velvet couches and easy lighting make this a pleasant place to catch new acts of all types.