Roxy Bar Presents: Pianist Michael Garin
Roxy Bar2 Avenue of the Americas, New York 10013
Michael Garin plays Roxy Bar’s early evening resident-pianist set, part of his regular Tuesday through Saturday run at the downtown New York room. The listing frames it as live piano over cocktails and oysters, but Garin’s approach reaches beyond a conventional piano-bar program: he mixes references as far apart as Shaggy, Om Kalthum, Rossini, Jobim, Zappa and Raymond Scott. Expect a roaming, request-friendly musical flow from a performer who also folds in comic 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 Limelight’s VIP Room, as well as hosting midnight burlesque shows in the mid-1990s that helped launch the burlesque revival. He co-created and co-starred in the environmental musical Song of Singapore, earning the award cited by the venue, and has also acted in Spike Lee projects. A pianist, songwriter, singer, poet, actor and song-and-dance man, he has developed a performance style that the Roxy describes as blurring the line between pianist and DJ.
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.