Terminal 5 is a multi-level live music venue located at 610 West 56th Street in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Opened in October 2007 by concert promotion company The Bowery Presents, the 3,000-capacity space quickly became one of the city’s premier mid-size stages, bridging the gap between intimate club shows and arena spectacles.
Housed in a converted building with a storied past — the space previously operated as nightclub Club Exit before being shuttered by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2003 — Terminal 5 was reimagined as a live music destination. Its soaring 40-foot ceilings, three floors of audience space with two balconies, exposed brick walls, and a rooftop bar have made it a favorite for touring artists and New York City concertgoers alike.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 610 W 56th St, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, NYC
- Type: Multi-level indoor music venue
- Opened: October 2007
- Capacity: 3,000 (2,800 standing)
- Floors: 3, with two balcony levels
- Ceiling Height: 40 feet
- Operator: The Bowery Presents (AEG Presents)
- Famous for: Mid-size NYC concerts, rooftop bar, industrial aesthetic
The Venue Experience
Terminal 5’s three-floor layout sets it apart from most New York City venues. The ground floor offers a standing-room pit close to the stage, while two balcony levels provide elevated sightlines for every ticket holder. Beneath the venue’s signature 40-foot ceilings, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system ensures audio quality matches the caliber of artists who perform there. The rooftop deck, typically open with a full bar, gives attendees an outdoor escape between sets.
The building’s exposed brick walls and refurbished concrete stage give Terminal 5 a gritty industrial character that complements the diverse range of genres it hosts. From pounding EDM sets to intimate indie rock performances, the room’s acoustics and sightlines translate well across musical styles.
Notable Performances and Legacy
Since opening in 2007, Terminal 5 has hosted an extraordinary roster of artists. The National, Justice, Fatboy Slim, and Paul van Dyk were among the acts that helped christen the space in its opening season. Over the years, Bob Dylan performed there in 2010, and the venue has welcomed artists as varied as LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Arctic Monkeys, and Kendrick Lamar.
Terminal 5’s success as a touring stop has been recognized industry-wide, with the venue ranking among the top-selling mid-size clubs in the world. It remains a cornerstone of The Bowery Presents’ network of venues across the New York region and a must-play room on any major artist’s city itinerary.
Explore more: Music Venues.
Terminal 5 FAQs
Where is Terminal 5 located?
Terminal 5 is located at 610 West 56th Street in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
What is the capacity of Terminal 5?
Terminal 5 holds up to 3,000 people, with a standing concert capacity of about 2,800. The venue spans three floors with two balcony levels.
Who operates Terminal 5?
Terminal 5 is operated by The Bowery Presents, a major concert promotion company and an AEG Presents partner, which opened the venue in October 2007.
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Photo: Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.