Roxy Bar Presents: Pianist Michael Garin
Roxy Bar2 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10013
Michael Garin, Roxy Bar's resident pianist, plays a live solo piano set for the evening. His approach blurs pianist and DJ, moving through a deliberately wide-ranging stream of selections that the venue says can bring Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Zappa and Raymond Scott into the same musical conversation. Requests are part of the format, along with Garin's self-deprecating spoken asides and occasional tap dancing from the piano bench.
Garin is a Drama Desk Award winner and a longtime figure in New York nightlife. His résumé includes engagements at Elaine's, the Monkey Bar, the Rainbow Room and the VIP Room at Limelight. In the mid-1990s, he hosted midnight burlesque shows credited with helping launch the burlesque revival; he also co-created and co-starred in Song of Singapore, the environmental musical for which he received his Drama Desk Award. His work has extended to acting stints with Spike Lee, while his performing life spans pianist, songwriter, singer, poet, actor and song-and-dance man. The Roxy describes his current piano work as a “goofy, stylish, and very smart stream of musical consciousness,” with daily Ogden Nash-style promotional poems having developed a Facebook following.
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.