As important as the chef and food are when choosing a restaurant in NYC, for many, ensuring the vibe hits just right also remains a major factor. This means the lighting, the overall hospitality (like being greeted when you walk in), and the background noise. Is the restaurant pin-drop quiet? Deafeningly loud? Or is the music at perfect volume, as if you just walked into the coolest party with the best energy and an excellent playlist.
Of course, memorable restaurant playlists have long existed in New York City, from the thumpy, thrashy sounds of Led Zeppelin played loudly at Babbo to the croons of Frank Sinatra emanating throughout Rao’s uptown. Now these six restaurants take center stage in the lineup of places keeping the musical tradition alive.
Cool Parisian Vibes at La Mercerie
Tucked in the back of interior design shop Roman and Williams Guild on an unassuming block of SoHo, La Mercerie oozes with charm. Executive chef Heloïse Fischbach and her team serve classic French food on charmingly delicate plates across beautiful farmhouse tables.
But don’t be distracted by the beauty, the food proves just as solid, and the quiche and Croque Madame should be top of your dining list. Add on a chilled-out soundtrack of French low-fi and poppy tunes, think L’Impératrice, Polo & Pan, and Petit Biscuit, and you might just feel transported to Paris. 53 Howard St., SoHo, lamercerieny.com
Hip Hop the Night Away at Crown Shy
Crown Shy, set down in a landmarked Art Deco tower in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, is known for a chill vibe despite its modern setting and Michelin-starred status. Everyone’s obsessed with the grilled chicken and excellent cocktails, but there’s something about the high-energy playlist of well-curated ‘90s hip-hop and R&B soul classics that make it easy to fall in love with Crown Shy.
From J Dilla to Erykah Badu and Slum Village spinning, hip hop heads love this place for date nights. Executive chef Jassimran Singh’s signature chicken adds the gravy on top. 70 Pine St., Ground Floor, Financial District, crownshy.nyc
A Medley of Melody Awaits at Balthazar
British-born restaurateur Keith McNally may be as well known as his longstanding SoHo French brasserie Balthazar. With its red awning and bakery next door, it reached legend status on Spring Street after lasting for almost 30 years on the block. McNally, whose bestselling memoir I Regret Almost Everything is a must-read, still cares about the music played at Balthazar as much as ever.
In fact, he still has a hand in selecting the tracks and controlling the volume, which he admits, can hit high levels. Except groovy classics by Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson mixed with Harry Styles, Eminem, and Lana Del Rey. Predictable it’s not and yet it’s always upbeat and never annoying. 80 Spring St., SoHo, balthazarny.com
Carbone Brings Cronners to the Table
Since opening in Greenwich Village in 2013, Carbone has made a mark in New York City and around the world, and it’s not entirely because of the homestyle tomato sauce. The dark, clubby restaurant with an impossible-to-get reservation is a whole mood, as they say, one that the Rat Pack would very much approve of if they were dining out today.
The throwback tunes by legendary crooners like Shirley Horn and Dinah Washington are mixed with the rat-a-tat sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett and Ray Charles. Just as the rigatoni is spicy, Chef Mario Carone has ensured the sounds of jazz, swing, and oldies leave you wanting more. 181 Thompson St., Greenwich Village, carbonenewyork.com
Charlie Bird Sings to the Mood
For 13 years, Charlie Bird chef and owner Ryan Hardy has maintained a commitment to both cooking seasonal Italian cuisine and paying homage to the golden-age era of hip-hop (the ‘90s to 2000s). As his SoHo-ajacent restaurant evolved since 2013, Ryan’s choice in music genres expanded a bit too.
Today’s playlists incorporate both hip hop classics and contemporary artists, all compiled by Ryan himself. He points out that different playlists rotate into the mix depending on the mood of the dining room, or if it’s a weekend, holiday, or daytime. So come for the gnocchi and negronis, then stay for the Outkast and Biggie. 5 King St., Hudson Square, charliebirdnyc.com
Legendary Playlist at Bar Bête
Bar Bête, nestled on Carroll Gardens’ Smith Street in Brooklyn, is a cozy French bistro, ideal for date night or group dinner. The menu features share plates that change with the seasons, and a wine list even the snobbiest drinkers would approve of. But it’s the high-energy, unexpectedly raucous soundtrack permeating though the restaurant, curated by Bar Bête’s sommelier Nick Ferrante, that really stands out.
So much so, the playlists have been recognized by Bon Appetit and are available on Spotify for those who can’t make a trip to Brooklyn. Expect a mix of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and The Kinks along with Beastie Boys and Pink Floyd, and so much more. Trust us when we say, though, the experience is even better paired with a glass of wine and bites at the bar. 263 Smith St., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, barbete.com
