I was fortunate to sit in for some tunes in Nov 2004 during a flying visit to New York. The music is wonderful, however I would suggest that this is a session for pretty experienced musicians who know when to sit one out if they're not familiar with the tunes! I certainly don't presume to speak for the lads but I think the presence of a bodhrán would detract from the music a lot.
Checked this session out a few weeks ago, post-Catskills, and it was a good time, albeit a bit crowded (unusually so I presume) with a bunch of musicians just coming from the Catskills.
Just a little warning for anybody trying to find the place. Unless I missed something, there is really no sign outside to indicate that the place is Mona's. As somebody told me before going, you can be standing outside the place and not know it. Just trust the taxi driver or the address listed with this posting.
What's the policy on minors coming in to listen? (Accompanied by parents?) I've heard great things about the Mona's session and my parents have agreed to let me go if allowed...is there a number I could call, perhaps?
Their number is +1 212 353 3780. The door has Mona's written above it and the number is clear enough so I wouldn't say it's too hard to find
I don't reckon they'd let underagers in but what do I know?
As far as I can remember from last night it was a lively wee bar with friendly folk, musicians don't start until 10-30/11pm-ish and were still going strong when we left about 1.30am
I am visiting New York in June (7th-12th). I have never been there before. I will be staying in Manhattan in "the Village". I have looked on this sight for sessions locations and found some that are close by.
Does anyone know of any that are a "you can't miss this one" in that area?
If I'm not mistaken, the Mona's session has actually ended. I believe I recall a few months ago that a few of my session compadres had just come from the last session up there. I will check to verify this unless someone else can in the meanwhile.
I heard (in February, I think) from someone very close to Dana Lyn, who had been running the Mona's session, that it was about to end (within a week or two). Something about new ownership of the bar, if I recall correctly.
Is the 'Landmark Tavern' in Brooklyn or Manhattan? I just heard this past weekend that there's a great seisun there not to be missed if you're in the area, from someone living in Staten Island.
Yeah, I just talked to the person who originally told me it was ending and she verified that it ended, but apparently a few musicians will still go there for tunes on Monday nights regardless. There's nobody running it though, so I guess unless you know one of the musicians who plans on going in for tunes, you're not necessarily going to find tunes if you just randomly drop in.
Landmark's in "Hells Kitchen" now known as "Clinton", on 11th Ave
It's more of a restaurant than pub but seems OK
Mona's is a bar I'd go to even if there was no session - nice people and good pub.
However, even when I was there in October, some patrons were saying "I hate this band that plays on Monday night" so I guess they weren't really "into it"
if you feel like heading over one stop on the L train into brooklyn, spike hill can be a good session, depending on who's playing...more hit than miss, these days. the bar is supportive of the music, and the crowd, for the most part, likes it. we used to play at spike hill, and then head over to mona's afterward for more late night tunes.
what jason g said is true - no official session, but there may still be tunes at mona's, depending on who's in town, etc.
Late session
This is a great session, as much for listening as for playing. The regulars include Patrick Ourceau, Eamon O'Leary, Dana Lyn and Brian Holleran.
They've even made a CD of the music:
http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/CG_Ourceau_Patrick_Mona.html
I was fortunate to sit in for some tunes in Nov 2004 during a flying visit to New York. The music is wonderful, however I would suggest that this is a session for pretty experienced musicians who know when to sit one out if they're not familiar with the tunes! I certainly don't presume to speak for the lads but I think the presence of a bodhrán would detract from the music a lot.
# Posted on February 16th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
These guys play all night....and they drink. It's a fun session and I am usually *hurting* the next morning when I'm at work.
# Posted on February 17th 2005 by Pete D
Yeah, I think it was about 4am when we decided to call it a night. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.
# Posted on February 18th 2005 by Conán McDonnell
Checked this session out a few weeks ago, post-Catskills, and it was a good time, albeit a bit crowded (unusually so I presume) with a bunch of musicians just coming from the Catskills.
Just a little warning for anybody trying to find the place. Unless I missed something, there is really no sign outside to indicate that the place is Mona's. As somebody told me before going, you can be standing outside the place and not know it. Just trust the taxi driver or the address listed with this posting.
# Posted on July 31st 2005 by Jason G
If anybody still checks this
What's the policy on minors coming in to listen? (Accompanied by parents?) I've heard great things about the Mona's session and my parents have agreed to let me go if allowed...is there a number I could call, perhaps?
Thanks
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by possumawesome
Their number is +1 212 353 3780. The door has Mona's written above it and the number is clear enough so I wouldn't say it's too hard to find
I don't reckon they'd let underagers in but what do I know?
As far as I can remember from last night it was a lively wee bar with friendly folk, musicians don't start until 10-30/11pm-ish and were still going strong when we left about 1.30am
# Posted on October 21st 2008 by Bren
Sessions in Manhattan
Greetings!
I am visiting New York in June (7th-12th). I have never been there before. I will be staying in Manhattan in "the Village". I have looked on this sight for sessions locations and found some that are close by.
Does anyone know of any that are a "you can't miss this one" in that area?
Thanks for the help!
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by cfmgeek
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
Mona's: http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/946
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
If I'm not mistaken, the Mona's session has actually ended. I believe I recall a few months ago that a few of my session compadres had just come from the last session up there. I will check to verify this unless someone else can in the meanwhile.
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by Jason G
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
Bernadette Fee leads a great session. I believe its held in a pub called St. Andrews, but I'm not sure.
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by rob_handel
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
Mona's was going last October
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by Bren
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
I heard (in February, I think) from someone very close to Dana Lyn, who had been running the Mona's session, that it was about to end (within a week or two). Something about new ownership of the bar, if I recall correctly.
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by GaryAMartin
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
Is the 'Landmark Tavern' in Brooklyn or Manhattan? I just heard this past weekend that there's a great seisun there not to be missed if you're in the area, from someone living in Staten Island.
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by vonnieestes
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
The Mona's session definitely ended in February (Dana Lyn is my fiddle teacher - I had a lesson with her a day or two after the last session).
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by munchko
Re: Sessions in Manhattan
The Landmark Tavern is in Manhattan - in the west 50's (on either 10th or 11th Avenue)
# Posted on April 30th 2009 by munchko
Yeah, I just talked to the person who originally told me it was ending and she verified that it ended, but apparently a few musicians will still go there for tunes on Monday nights regardless. There's nobody running it though, so I guess unless you know one of the musicians who plans on going in for tunes, you're not necessarily going to find tunes if you just randomly drop in.
# Posted on May 1st 2009 by Jason G
Landmark's in "Hells Kitchen" now known as "Clinton", on 11th Ave
It's more of a restaurant than pub but seems OK
Mona's is a bar I'd go to even if there was no session - nice people and good pub.
However, even when I was there in October, some patrons were saying "I hate this band that plays on Monday night" so I guess they weren't really "into it"
# Posted on May 1st 2009 by Bren
if you feel like heading over one stop on the L train into brooklyn, spike hill can be a good session, depending on who's playing...more hit than miss, these days. the bar is supportive of the music, and the crowd, for the most part, likes it. we used to play at spike hill, and then head over to mona's afterward for more late night tunes.
what jason g said is true - no official session, but there may still be tunes at mona's, depending on who's in town, etc.
# Posted on June 5th 2009 by meredithrachael