A session (seisiún in Irish) is an informal gathering of musicians who play tunes usually in a pub. In "open" sessions anyone is free to join in (provided they know the tunes). It's also one of the best ways to hear this music. To find a session near you, check out thesession.org (it's also a great resource for tunes!) For up to date info on sessions in the NY/NJ area checkout the Facebook group: New York Session Hub
Check out virtual sessions - such as the Mary O’s Virtual Session. Grab your instrument and play along!
Open Sessions in and around NYC
Monday
Click on the venue for more info
Landmark Tavern
626 11th Ave at 46th St. A lively session in an historical landmark tavern, led by Don Meade.
(212) 247-2562 Monday 8-11PM
Iona Scottish Session
180 Grand Street, Brooklyn. Is Scottish music your thing? Then this is the session for you.
Mondays 9PM-late
Tuesday
Sláinte
304 Bowery (between Houston and Bleeker). Open to musicians of all levels. This is the session I call home. I'm here every Tuesday.
Tuesday 8–11PM
Wednesday
Grace’s
252 West 14th Street
Matt Stapleton leads this session with guest musicians.
Wednesday 8PM
Thursday
Mary O's
32 Avenue A (between 2nd & 3rd). Open to musicians of all levels, but aimed at the learning musician. Lots of fiddlers! Led by Caitlin Warbelow and friends. I love this session. You'll find me here on a Thursday night. The bar is not involved in financing the session, so we pass the bucket.
Thursday 8-10PM
Saturday
Slow Session at NYIC
1040 Jackson Ave, LIC (7 train). Know only a few tunes? Go here. Friendly and welcoming, and not in pub with observers. Saturdays 1:30-4 PM
Dunne's Pub
15 Shapham Place, White Plains, NY. 914-421-1451. Tracy Kingsley hosts this session in White Plains.
Every other Saturday 5PM
Sanger Hall
48-20 Skillman Aveune, Queens, NY. Donie Caroll, Cillian Vallely and Dan Neely host this great session in Sunnyside.
Saturday 5:30-8:30 PM
Downey’s Bar and Grill
5790 Mosholu Avenue, The Bronx, NY, United States, New York
Saturday 6PM
Sunday
Craobh Úll Mór CCÉ Seisiún
1040 Jackson Ave, LIC. A friendly open session. The 3rd Sunday of every month 2-5PM
Moriarty’s Sunday Session
986 McLean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704. All welcome. Sunday 4-7PM
An Beal Bocht
445 West 238th Street (Graystone Ave.), Bronx, NY. Irish Trad Session with Lindsey Ceitinn and Michelle Bergin and guests.
Sunday 4-7PM
The Hutton
225 Hutton St., Jersey City, NJ 07307. A friendly open session at a lovely gastropub in Jersey City. 5PM -8
Willie McBride’s, Branchburg
1270 Easton Tpke, Branchburg, NJ 08876. First Sunday of Every Month. 4PM -7 (on hiatus - back soon)
For the most complete line up of traditional music sessions, concerts and festivals, check out Ceol Agus Rince.