Venue

Niagara, at 112 Avenue A in the heart of The East Village, on Tompkins Square Park, was opened in 1997 by musicians and artists Jesse Malin, Johnny T, and East Village promoter Laura McCarthy. Laura had owned the live music venue Brownies, and Jesse had Coney Island High. They were looking for a place where local artists and national acts could feel at home, play live music with good sound and good equipment, DJ, connect with other people, and promote their art.

Over the years, Niagara has hosted many artists from Murphy’s Law, Bad Brains, Caveman, Steve Buscemi, and the late great Joe Strummer, whose “Future Is Unwritten” message is painted on the wall where his video for the cover version of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” was shot.

Joe believed in the spirit of rock and roll but he also believed in people. Niagara is about community, and connecting all types of people all around the world. Artists, bands, and songwriters from all different genres come from everywhere, especially New York, to play on the stages, to listen to the DJs play, to feel part of the spirit in the community that downtown New York represents.

The artwork of Yoshitomo Nara and Kenny Sharf on the walls of Niagara represent the art community. We’ve always had a stronghold in that scene as well, with the Antagonist Movement shows every week for over 10 years, as well as the Hardcore Shows.

A7 (former to Niagara) is the birthplace of New York hardcore, where a plaque in the back commemorates all the bands that came out of that very room: The Beastie Boys, Black Flag, Agnostic Front, and many more.

Jesse Malin, one of the owners, was in the band Heart Attack, and began promoting shows at the age of 14 in that building. He’s been on that corner for 40 years in some shape or form, and continues to keep the music going, but all forms of music are played on that very stage: Punk rock, hardcore, songwriters, indie rock, hip hop, funk, reggae, soul, and anything else that fits underneath the general rock and roll umbrella. 

The Niagara stage has great sound and full backline. It’s a place for local artists and national artists to build their audiences, hone their craft, and take it to the world. Being artists ourselves, we like to have a room that we feel strongly about. We treat the bands like we want to be treated. Our message is freedom, people connecting socially, community, and celebrating life.