Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village in New York
New York, United States

Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village

Outty Ranking 64 4.7 · 12 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $32

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village worth booking?

Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $32 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (12)
Duration
2 hours
From
$32 per person

Travel back to the 1970s, to an East Village when apartments were cheap, Rock was great, and you had to show up in person to buy tickets! We’ll visit the sites of the legendary Fillmore East, the long gone CBGB’s, and Th

What you get

    About this experience

    Travel back to the 1970s, to an East Village when apartments were cheap, Rock was great, and you had to show up in person to buy tickets! We’ll visit the sites of the legendary Fillmore East, the long gone CBGB’s, and The Bottom Line, places that launched the careers of some of the biggest names in music. We’ll also walk to some lesser known, but equally significant, sites where artists honed their craft and first gained a following, places like Club 82, On the Rocks, and Great Gildersleeves. Were you at The Bottom Line in 1975 when Bruce Springsteen first blew the socks off the music world with Born to Run? Or did you see Patti Smith at CBGB’s in 1976 after the release of Horses? What a SHOW! We’ll also revisit some of the legendary shows of The Who and Pink Floyd at the Fillmore East, as well as the New York Dolls at the Mercer Arts Center. Along the way we’ll dip our toe into the world of Disco at the site of Infinity, a dance club destroyed by fire 1979. Tour runs w/confirmation.

    What's included

    Included

    • My years of experience of clubbing and working in the Music Business in NYC

    What you'll see and do

    1. East Village

      Travel back to the 1970s, to an East Village when apartments were cheap, music was great, and you had to show up in person to buy tickets! We’ll visit the sites of the legendary Fillmore East, the long gone CBGB’s, and The Bottom Line, places that launched the careers of some of the biggest names in music. We’ll also walk to some lesser known, but equally significant, sites where artists honed their craft and first gained a following, places like Club 82, On the Rocks, and Great Gildersleeves. Were you at The Bottom Line in 1975 when Bruce Springsteen first blew the socks off the music world with Born to Run? Or did you see Patti Smith at CBGB’s in 1976 after the release of Horses? What a SHOW! We’ll also revisit some of the legendary shows of The Who and Pink Floyd at the Fillmore East, as well as the New York Dolls at the Mercer Arts Center. Along the way we’ll dip our toe into the world of Disco at the site of Infinity, a dance club destroyed by fire in 1979.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New York

    We will meet in front of the Apple Bank which used to be The Fillmore East off the corner of East 6th Street and 2nd Avenue. The number 6 train is 3 blocks away, the R/W is 4 Blocks and the M15 leaves you off across the street.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We will end in front of what used to be The Bottom Line, right down the block from the R/W trains and Washington Square Park.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Sun
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Ann McDermott

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    My brother and I outside CBGB's in 2005Mural commemorating Blondie across from what used to be CBGB'sTour ends outside what used to be The Bottom Line, IMHO New York's best music of the late 70's.Outside what used to be The Fillmore East and in front of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts which features in the storyClub 82, where acts like The New York Dolls, Blondie and Talking Heads honed their skillsMy brother inside CBGB's at the bar 2005

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    12 verified traveler reviews for Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    11
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
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    Sort
    James W · November 2025

    Must do tour for music lovers

    Great tour of the Village. What a cauldron of musical creativity. So cool.and Ann was a fountain of knowledge, and enthusiasm. Recommend highly!

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the shining review!! It was a blast showing you all around!

    via Tripadvisor

    motomiser · June 2025

    Genuine music history appreciation

    Ann had great appreciation for the subjects in the tour. She covered well known and legendary venues and performers and some less known. She presented unknown to me but huge moments that made rock f******g history. She profiled performers, venue operators and promotors, and even further behind the scenes, industry executives, which she made equally ineresting. She is personable and vibed well, and she came out for the tour with me as her solo guest

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much for the kind words and enthusiasm! I look forward to showing you around again on another tour next time you're in NYC!

    via Tripadvisor

    Matthew G · February 2025

    Informative, personalised tour

    Ann was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was comprehensive and really enjoyable. It covered a wide range of music and performers. A great two hours spent. Would definitely do one of the other tours on offer.

    Response from the operator: Thanks so much Matthew, it was an absolute pleasure showing you both around!!

    via Tripadvisor

    josephdY1986RW · September 2023

    East Village Terrific Tour

    Ann is a terrific tour guide because she has experienced what she talks about. Her background and her love for the music and neighborhood brings back to life the period of the 1970's music scene. Besides telling us about the artists, she also details now the music industry works. It was a terrific afternoon.

    via Tripadvisor

    daylekate · September 2022

    Unforgettable experience..

    Had the best time on this tour!! Can't wait to bring my friends along next time. What a fun experience. Ann McDermott led us on a magical tour though the East Village music scene with a lively and informative history of the "good ol days". Absolutly delightful.. I live in NYC but will never walk the East Village in the same way..

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Sun
    Price range
    $32 to $50
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)76
    Review evidence (18% weight)33
    Booking momentum (14% weight)24
    Value for money (12% weight)95
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)52
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.

    How much does Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village cost?

    +

    Prices start at $32 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.

    Is Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village?

    +

    Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Walking Tour of 1970's Music Venues of the East Village start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in New York?

    +

    New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit New York?

    +

    September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in New York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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