The National Underground

159 E. Houston St.
Manhattan
212-475-0611
www.myspace.com/thenationalunderground

Musician brothers Gavin and Joey DeGraw recently opened The National Underground, a live music bar with a kicked-back atmosphere. No bottle service here as rock, country and jazz bands share the bill. And yes, you may occasionally catch the DeGraws performing. (Joss Stone stopped by on Saturday night.) We asked the Review Crew to check out the scene. (Photo by Laura Landau)

The National Underground

Eddie, 26, Hicksville

Confession — I once took my cousin to an Avril Lavigne concert at Jones Beach. Ninety percent of it was horrible. The only thing that saved my cousin and the throng of screaming tweens from getting dumped into the bay was a 30-minute opening set by Gavin DeGraw. Until that point, he was just another John Mayer clone, this time playing a piano instead of a guitar and wearing a wool cap instead of a trucker hat. I was wrong, so wrong. DeGraw was great — I’ve been a fan ever since. That might’ve given me a little bias before heading to the new bar he and his brother Joey own. The vibe is laid-back. It’s the exact kind of place where an artist like, say, Gavin DeGraw would be discovered. The bands are great and stripped down to basics, and the booze is flowing — I abstained from drinking due to the Chubby Challenge I’m in (and currently losing). However, I guess the biggest compliment I can give a bar is that I didn’t have to booze it up to have a good time — or to numb the pain of yet another Bon Jovi cover band.

Grade: A

The National Underground of plastic cups

Courtney, 23, Greenlawn

Tucked away in the Lower East Side, The National Underground boasts two floors, thankfully. When my friend and I walked in, happy there was no cover, we immediately walked into a crowded bar. Going downstairs was our best move. We quickly sat down and ordered drinks. As my friend enjoyed her chardonnay in a plastic cup instead of a wineglass (apparently they were out of clean wineglasses), a band soon came on and began playing nice jazz. Later, I made my way back upstairs to see what was happening, but couldn’t get very far because it was so packed. It seemed like we were in two different bars, the upstairs being stuffy and busy, while the downstairs room was relaxed and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a music bar that’s low-key and relatively inexpensive, The National Underground is a good choice.

Grade: B+

The National Underground

Mike S., 25, Commack

If you want a cool place to hang out while listening to live music and drinking some cheap booze, the National Underground will rock your socks. Owner and one of my favorite musicians Gavin DeGraw, along with his brother Joey, has tossed in some really cool décor throughout the venue. Besides the live music you can grab some cheap drinks which are unusual for city nightlife. I honestly have never heard of any of the artists that are scheduled to perform over the next few weeks, but the music ended up being good so that’s really all that counts.

Grade: B+

The National Underground

Jay, 28, Brooklyn

I’m the first to admit I’m not much of a bar person, but I was completely sold on The National Underground. The ambience was so warm and inviting, I went right up to the bar and pulled up a seat. Granted, it was early and not many people were there yet, but so what? I also loved the lack of flat-screen TVs plastered all over the place; it afforded me a great conversation with my friend. We didn’t even realize when the band began to play — that’s how comfortable we were. The only con to my immersion was that I didn’t explore the floor seats or ask for any available menu. Oh well.

Grade: B+

The National Underground

Rita, 23, Manhattan

A one-man band mangled and shrieked the lyrics to “What’s New Pussycat?" on a stormy Friday at The National Underground. Tom Jones, I apologize on behalf of this musician for performing an offensive rendition of your classic. Small, circular tables enclose a drum set in the corner, forcing bar-goers and beer-chuggers to sit unnecessarily close to the performer. I imagine when the place is really packed, you’ll be forced to sit on the snare drum. The drinks are cheap and the relaxed ambience sets an appropriate setting for the different musicians and bands who rock out seven nights a week. If you despise the glam and bottle-service scene, this place is for you. So find your inner rocker-self and get cozy on that snare!

Grade: C