Martini Red, New York

Ten years ago, there was a constant flow of great local punk bands; on any given weekend you could collect a heap of fliers advertising great lineups of local bands rocking the stages of such legendary spots as The Continental, L’Amores, and Coney Island High. These days, it’s hard to find a place that consistently books great shows, but Martini Red has captured that feeling and treasures it. It may seem like the most incongruous of places for a punk bar to call home, but Staten Island is known for making good music, period. There are a lot of bands that capture that old punk feel, but blend it with the famous Shaolin sound of Staten Island’s own Wu-Tang Clan, producing some fresh rapcore to go along side the more classic-style punk bands. Martini Red’s weekly Red Friday events draw some of the best and freshest-sounding bands from all over New York City and beyond. More modern than a lot of punk venues, the atmosphere is carefree and the decor is, well…red. More importantly, this isolated venue recaptures the sound and spirit of days lost, making the ferry ride alone worth the trip.