S.O.B.’s Nightclub

.O.B. stands for Sounds of Brazil (what were you thinking?) and for more than 25 years it has provided the best in world music to the revelers of Manhattan. It’s hard to typify S.O.B.’s, since it plays a wide variety of music, ranging from Cuban salsa to Jamaican reggae to African pop to Brazilian samba, and even Indian Bhangra. Although it claims to specialize in Brazilian, Caribbean, and Latin sounds, pretty much most of the tunes of the globe converge into this live music venue in SoHo for an evening of fun and entertainment.

S.O.B. was opened by owner and director Larry Gold in June 1982. Had you seen it in its early days, you wouldn’t have found much to be impressed by it. It stood on a barren stretch of land at the corner of Varick and Houston Streets, and at this time, there was none of the present trendiness about this neighborhood. However, very soon, SoHo began to make a reputation for itself, and S.O.B.’s reputation grew with it. Performances by Latin and Brazilian stalwarts of music soon made the place famous beyond imagination. People began to flock to the doors of S.O.B. to hear the performances of legends like Marc Anthony, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Astrud Gilberto, Seu Jorge, and Ben Jorge.

Today, S.O.B. has made a name for itself as a breeding ground for new talent and emerging artists of the music industry. A performance at this place can be the high point in the career of new performers. It can deliver attention from mainstream local, national and even international publications. Also, it is not uncommon for industry professionals to scout for rising stars from among the performers at S.O.B. Some of the stars who were discovered here are Erykah Badu, John Legend, Drake & Ryan Leslie, and Kanye West. Many prominent touring hip-hop acts also grace the club with their presence thrilling the audience with electrifying performances.

S.O.B.’s kitchen manages to serve a fairly decent fare. The drinks are exotic and fruity (appropriately so!). Try their caipirinhas or flavorful mojito – they are heavenly. The dinner menu features Latin cuisine with a variety of both traditional as well as contemporary dishes.

S.O.B.’s is an excellent place to hang out with your friends and unwind after a long, hectic day at work. The club does remind you of an African safari adventure, but your experience here is bound to be global. Monday is dedicated to reggae, Friday is salsa, and Saturday is samba night…take your pick and enjoy!

• Address: 204 Varick St., New York, NY 10014
• Phone: 212-243-4940

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