The Lizard Lounge
240 West 54th Street
bet. Broadway & 8th Ave.
212.397.1254
http://lizardloungenyc.com

The Lizard Lounge is one of midtown Manhattan’s newest rock clubs. Just opened a month ago, the Lizard Lounge at Iguana NYC is getting into the live music mix, transforming itself from a pretentious midtown dance club into a rock venue worth visiting. The club is open from Wednesday to Saturday with 4 performances per night. Booking agents are working hard to bring some of the most talented artists in the city to the stage, while upping the street cred so desperately needed for a venue to succeed.

The club is located below Iguana, a great Mexican eatery with both authentic and fusion fare. Upstairs, the bar and restaurant attract the midtown crowd, while the stairs lead you down to the dimly lit Lizard Lounge. It is undeniably a midtown club, with a very classic feel that is well decorated and comfortable. Its not likely that you will find the hipster crowds hanging there, but you will find elite mid townies drinking fancy drinks and enjoying the music.

The bar, located in the center of the club, can be accessed from all angles. There is a huge lizard, bejeweled with mirrors and gems, that hangs from the ceiling above the bar. The stage is nestled in a corner diagonal from the bar and incorporates a fireplace that makes for a homier atmosphere. Surrounding the performance area is a small dance floor and an area for seating.

Artists are allowed to perform a 45min, increasingly rare more established NYC clubs. Allowing the artists more time to showcase their talents is good for performer and public alike. On any given night you can check out a variety of different music styles and that’s what makes this place fun.

The cover on the Wednesday I visited was $10, which, though bit steep for my pocket, was worth it for the entertainment. The drinks are a little expensive but what else could one expect from a classy midtown joint. Since the club is so new, everything is still neat, clean and functional (and should stay that way if drink price is any indicator). Best of all, management is working diligently to book some really exceptional talent.