Digging In & Rocking Out
City Winery Hudson Valley
Locally made vino takes top billing at this multitasking eatery, but the options for live entertainment and excellent eats are just as solid. Patrons of the chain’s Montgomery outpost can choose from eclectic music and comedy events, while tucking into meals like Moroccan cod tagine and Parmesan-dusted gnocchi. And have we mentioned the in-house wine shop? You’ll want to give that a peek, too.
Daryl’s House
Leave it to Daryl Hall to run one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular spots for dinner and a concert. The Grammy-nominated Hall & Oates singer first launched Daryl’s House in 2014, drawing in hungry live-music lovers from Pawling and beyond with a stacked roster of local, regional, and national bands. And the food, which nods to the rocker’s East Coast roots, is just as enticing. Stop in for tasty mains including slow-roasted chicken with zippy peri-peri sauce or light and easy sesame-crusted tuna—ideal opening acts for headliners like Last Child, an Aerosmith tribute band.
The Falcon
Music should be accessible to everyone. Such was the philosophy of the late Tony Falco, founder of The Falcon in Marlboro. Now run by Falco’s drummer son Lee, the multi-stage concert venue maintains its creator’s ethos, eschewing tickets and cover charges for pay-what-you-can donations that go straight to performers. Bonus points for The Falcon’s tempting food options, which run the gamut from crowd-pleasing burgers and apps like arancini to hearty bowls of rigatoni Bolognese.
Tequila Sal Y Limon & The Turning Point
Margaritas and live music? Yes, please. If the combo sounds like the recipe for a lively night on the town, pay a visit to 468 Piermont Avenue. The Rockland County address unites a well-loved Mexican restaurant and an equally popular performance space. Start out at Tequila Sal Y Limon, where you can wash down crispy chimichangas and tacos with margs in fun flavors like passion fruit, then head to the building’s lower level for a show at The Turning Point. The decades-old music venue plays host to touring acts like singer-songwriter Steve Forbert and genre-bending guitarist Dan Bern (both on the bill for January).
Towne Crier Cafe
Since opening in 1972, the Towne Crier has seen a dizzying number of performers walk through its doors. And this year, founder Phil Ciganer confirms, will be no exception. The venue—where you can dine on mushroom ravioli, lamb burgers, and maple Dijon-glazed salmon, among other plates—promises a musical lineup anchored by talents like local band Sharkey & The Sparks and Grammy-nominated singer Ari Hest. Follow the club’s schedule online, where you’ll find info about upcoming concerts and events, including regular brunch performances.
A long-standing live music destination, the Towne Crier satisfies both body and soul.
Uncle Cheef
It’s safe to say Brewster’s music scene got a whole lot cooler when Uncle Cheef came to town. And the lounge, which began welcoming jazzophiles with small plates and cocktails in 2023, has only stepped up its game since then. Owned by Tonight Show musician Ian Hendrickson-Smith (aka Uncle Cheef), the venue is rolling out (in January) Funky Fridays, a weekly residency featuring the Junco Brothers. (“Party pants,” Hendrickson-Smith says, “are a must.”)
Full Plates & Performance Arts
Lil’ Deb’s Oasis
Consistently excellent cuisine isn’t the only thing you’ll score at Lil’ Deb’s Oasis. The buzzy Hudson restaurant, which has been nominated for eight James Beard Awards since its 2016 debut, also serves up a monthly “Queer Night of Performance” series right from its colorful restaurant space. Load up on dishes like baby octopus skewers and mushroom-packed tamales, then sit back and watch the show; dedicated to amplifying queer artists of all stripes, the event regularly features live music, comedy, drag, readings, and more.
Murder Cafe
Whether it’s binging Law & Order reruns or streaming episodes of your favorite true-crime podcast, you’ve always enjoyed playing detective. Put your sleuthing skills to the test with Murder Cafe, a Rosendale-based dinner theater company specializing in comedic whodunits. Helmed by husband-wife team Frank and Kristen Marquette, who founded the group nearly 30 years ago in Las Vegas, the seasoned ensemble has been performing for public and private Hudson Valley audiences since 2009. Catch their show (and the culprit!) at local spots including Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, where they’ll stage original plays like Mystery at the Arcade: a new story in which video game characters come to life.
Movie Thyme
Going to the movies is always a treat for your eyes, but what if you could actually taste what you’re seeing on the screen, too? That’s the idea behind Movie Thyme, an immersive dinner-and-a-movie experience at Flores Restaurant & Bar in Wappingers Falls. Each event includes a five-course meal and two mocktails inspired by—and timed to—scenes in a fan-favorite film. Think: A spread of tomato soup, roast beef, and blueberry pie served at the exact moment Violet chews her fantastically flavored gumball in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Snag tickets online for upcoming screenings, featuring such beloved flicks as Clueless and The Hunger Games, and prepare to be entertained.
Belly Filling & Side Splitting
Laugh It Up Comedy Club
If you’ve yet to catch a stand-up set at this Poughkeepsie stalwart, housed inside Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse, now would be a great time to snag a table. From zhuzhing up shows with more interactive elements to introducing exclusive events, Laugh It Up Comedy Club plans to pull out all the stops this year to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Come for savory entrées like the veggie-packed beef stew served with mashed potatoes, and stay for performances from big names including Tom Green and Harland Williams.
Rhino Comedy
More is more at this casual Suffern spot, tucked away on Lafayette Street. At Rhino Comedy, chances to belly laugh reach beyond your typical stand-up sets to include musical improv, open mic nights, and even monthly competitions in which audience members vote on their favorite performers. Not content to sit on the sidelines, noshing on personal pizzas and quarter-pound hot dogs from the bar? Join in on the show: The club offers a range of classes and workshops for both budding and experienced jokesters.
Related: Medo in Woodstock Is All About Fresh, Flavorful Japanese Cuisine
