Roxy Bar Presents: Pianist Michael Garin
Roxy Bar2 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10013
Michael Garin takes the piano at Roxy Bar for the early evening resident set, part of his Tuesday through Saturday run at the room. The program is presented as live music alongside the bar’s happy-hour drinks and oysters, with Garin shaping a free-ranging piano set that the venue says blurs the line between pianist and DJ. Expect a stream of references that can move among Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Zappa and Raymond Scott, rather than a fixed songbook.
A Drama Desk Award winner, Garin has been a New York nightlife mainstay for decades. His résumé includes Elaine’s, the Monkey Bar, the Rainbow Room and the VIP Room at Limelight. Beyond the keyboard, he has worked as a songwriter, singer, poet, actor and song-and-dance performer; he co-created and co-starred in Song of Singapore, and acted with Spike Lee. In the mid-1990s he hosted midnight burlesque shows credited with helping launch the burlesque revival. The Roxy describes his approach as a “goofy, stylish, and very smart stream of musical consciousness,” with requests, playful asides and occasional tap dancing from the piano bench all part of the performance.
Roxy Bar offers a stylish setting where live jazz fills the air, accompanied by a menu that caters to diverse tastes including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The room features plush seating and a well-stocked bar, creating a comfortable environment to enjoy performances by resident musicians or special guests. Shows typically run in the evening with sets from 6pm to 10pm, followed by DJs spinning vinyl late into the night. Weekend brunches also feature live music, blending dining and entertainment seamlessly. The venue balances attentive service with a relaxed vibe, making it a place to savor both cocktails and music without distraction. Its location in Tribeca adds a downtown charm, inviting guests to linger over oysters or a crafted cocktail while soaking in the sounds.