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Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z top list of musicians who own NYC bars

By Ron Bishow | Special to amNewYork

3:27 PM EDT, May 22, 2008

Hospitality, Justin Timberlake-style at the bar he owns, Southern Hospitality (Dennis W. Ho)

What's a musician to do with money to burn and time to kill between recording and touring? Why, open a bar, of course.

Unlike impersonal chains such as the Hard Rock Café, many of NYC's musician-owned establishments adapt the feel and style of the artists who own them -- which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your taste.

Here are some of the places you might want to go for hero worship -- or at least a beer.

Southern Hospitality Though Justin Timberlake has been busy bringing sexy back, on the side he's also been trying to bring Southern etiquette back -- up North. The food at this barbecue bar/restaurant is down-home good (fried chicken, ribs, catfish), and it's relatively cheap. Just be prepared to lose your voice, as the place is loud with blasting music and teens thinking they just saw co-owner JT or girlfriend Jessica Biel. (1460 Second Ave. at 76th Street; 212-249-1001)

Snitch Snitch is owned by former Velvet Revolver bandmates Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan and former Fuel vocalist Brett Scallions. Considering Weiland has just left Revolver and re-joined Stone Temple Pilots (it hasn't been pleasant), it's doubtful you'll see the gang doing shots at the bar any time soon. Snitch has live rock music almost every night, and has instruments on hand in case any rockers want to do an impromptu set. Maybe Duff will get Guns N' Roses back together one night. (59 W. 21st St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues; 212-727-7775)

National Underground Taking over the space Martignetti Liquors used to occupy, National Underground is a non-pretentious rock and roll club that is all about music. It has live acts seven nights a week, and the basement plays host to an additional band every Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday. Owned by singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw and his brother, Joey, Underground is refreshingly easy on the wallet. Even the curtained area in the back is open to anyone, and there isn't bottle-service anywhere to be found. (159 E. Houston St., between Allen and Eldridge streets; 212-475-0611)

The Bowery Electric Jesse Malin has been a New York indie legend from his time with the bands Heart Attack and D Generation to solo career. He's also turning into quite the bar opener. Already part-owner of the popular East Village bar/music venue Niagara and Black and White, he recently helped opened The Bowery Electric in the former Remote Lounge space. It is a simple, dimly lit bar with stools and beers on tap -- a no frills, just like Malin. (327 Bowery at Bond Street; 212-228-0228)

Angels and Kings Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz (AKA Ashlee Simpson's hubby) opened this bar in 2007 with his band and members of the groups he helped launch -- Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship and The Academy Is... Kings is basically a one-room dive bar, but in a good way. If you want to take a further step in your musical journey and pretend you're in Fall Out Boy, play your heart out at a Rock Band Wednesday night battle. (500 E. 11th St., between Avenues A and B; 212-254-4090)

40/40 Club Jay-Z's sports bar isn't the kind of place you grab a few friends to have a few beers and watch the game; it's the kind of sports bar you go to be seen watching the game. More of an opulent lounge than a typical sports bar, 40/40 has plasma and projection TVs, leather eggcup chairs suspended from the ceiling and $14 drinks. There are also three private rooms with PlayStation II, XBox, pool tables. A tip: Don't show up in your baseball cap. Patrons are always dressed to the nines. (6 West 25th St. at Broadway; 212-832-4040)