Music
Alvin & Friends Restaurant
14 Memorial Hwy, New Rochelle
914.654.6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com
Enjoy mouthwatering Southern and Caribbean cuisine, then linger and listen to live jazz. Performers have included the Leslie Pintchik Trio and pianists Jon Weiss and Dinah Vero. Call or visit the restaurant’s website for a complete list of performers. Complete the evening with a tumbler of rum punch — a heavenly, secret concoction brewed by Alvin in the basement. Once available by request only, it’s now on the menu.
The Gnarly Vine
501 Main St, New Rochelle
914.355.2541; www.thegnarlyvine.com
New Rochelle’s cozy wine hideaway hosts live music every Saturday night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy ceviche, tuna tartare, or a charcuterie plate alongside a carefully curated wine list while listening to some of the area’s hottest bands.
Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre
145 Westchester Ave, Port Chester
914.937.4126; www.thecapitoltheatre.com/garcias-list
Christened for the Grateful Dead’s late lead singer, this bar and music space inside The Capitol Theatre regularly hosts local and national acts, exploring uncharted musical territory while embracing longtime favorites. Saturday nights are always jammed here; check out the website for a list of upcoming performers. Open until the band says they’ve had it.
LGBT
The LOFT
252 Bryant Ave, White Plains
914.948.2932; www.loftgaycenter.org
Enjoy a movie every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 8 p.m. at The LOFT, Westchester’s LGBT community center. Recent screenings have included The Wizard of Oz, Cloudburst, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. On select Saturdays, The LOFT hosts board-game night, starting at 7 p.m., and comedians, singers, and dancers perform regularly at the community center (The LOFT’s Facebook Events page is updated with dates and performances). For bookworms, The LOFT’s book club is held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Comedy
Rockwells
105 Wolfs Ln, Pelham
914.738.5881; www.rockwellsusa.net
This casual burger joint turns into a comedy club on Saturday nights at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, and comics have appeared on national television shows like Last Comic Standing and The Late Show. Call or visit Rockwell’s website for a list of upcoming acts.
Dancing
Coliseum Night Club
15 S Broadway, White Plains
914.285.0900
Shake all night at White Plains’ only dedicated night club. Saturday nights usually highlight salsa and meringue acts like Willie Gonzalez, DJ Johnny Rocks, and Sonora Santanera. Call the Coliseum to find out about upcoming events and ticket prices.
Tropicana Night Club
444 North Ave, New Rochelle
914.623.2253
Fridays and Saturdays are muy caliente at the Tropicana, with music and dancing from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. Iona College students get in for $5 with ID card on Thursdays.
Copacabana Steakhouse
29 N Main St, Port Chester
914.939.6894; www.copacabanasteakhouse.com
This massive Brazilian steakhouse turns into a dance hall on Saturday nights from 11:30 p.m. until 4 a.m. DJs and live music are part of the regular rotation. The crowds are well known for getting into the music — it’s a slice of Rio in Port Chester.
Entertainment
Tarrytown Music Hall
13 Main St, Tarrytown, 914.631.3390; www.tarrytownmusichall.org
This 2016 Best of Westchester winner earns its accolades by offering quality theater, music, and dance programs to more than 85,000 patrons annually, and as a cultural landmark it is one of a handful of American theaters built before 1900 that’s still in existence. Saturday nights welcome acts like 10,000 Maniacs, world-renowned guitarist John Pizzarelli, and David Crosby. Visit the website for a complete list of performances and tickets.
PJ’s Restaurant
85 Route 6, Baldwin Place
914.628.3131; www.pjsrestaurantny.com
This laid-back pub hub in Northern Westchester knows how to rock: A rotating list of hot local bands from Snappahead, The Great Shakes, and Big Band Theory light the place up every Saturday night from 8 p.m. until midnight. Cover charges range from $5 to $10.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers
914.968.4200; www.empirecitycasino.com
Consider this one-stop shopping for all your entertainment needs: Open until 6 a.m. daily, the casino offers varied dining options, electronic gambling, and dancing. While there’s something happening every night here (view the casino’s monthly online calendar for details), Saturday is by far the busiest, with DJs and comedy acts on regular rotation. For those who enjoy betting on the ponies, the attached Yonkers Raceway hosts live Standardbred harness racing five nights a week on a half-mile dirt track with post times generally starting at 7:10 p.m.