Union Pool

Union Pool WE DO NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS
WE DO NOT HAVE POOL TABLES OR A POOL

NO LIFE ‘TIL SHREDDER! Shred Four Your Life returns this Sunday where eight hand-picked daring souls will be shredding f...
09/16/2026

NO LIFE ‘TIL SHREDDER!

Shred Four Your Life returns this Sunday where eight hand-picked daring souls will be shredding for their lives against one another in a “Live Guitar Battle” format until one is crowned champion in an atmosphere that celebrates the humor and absurdity of making music into a competition.

Meet our extremely qualified judges!
• Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio)
• Joan As Police Woman (singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist leader of Joan As Police Woman, Iggy Pop).
• Walter Schreifels (New York Hardcore legend of Quicksand, Rival Schools, Gorilla Biscuits

These judges, along with the ravenous crowd, will be tasked with choosing the SFYL champion of 2026. SFYL’s main goal is to entertain and delight by bringing together performers from a variety of musical backgrounds that might never share a stage with one another and to celebrate the love of guitar music.

The show is FREE, doors are open at 2PM
RAIN OR SHINE!

🎶 We Love The Jams and the Jams Run Free 🎶
09/15/2026

🎶 We Love The Jams and the Jams Run Free 🎶

SHRED FOR YOUR LIFE’s imminent return is in less than two weeks! We’ve changed some things around and this year’s SFYL w...
09/10/2026

SHRED FOR YOUR LIFE’s imminent return is in less than two weeks!

We’ve changed some things around and this year’s SFYL will be hosted by none other than Matt Sweeney, host and creator of the beloved YouTube series, Guitar Moves, and esteemed shredder for The Hard Quartet and Chavez.

The all-star rhythm section of John Stanier (Battles, Tomahawk, Helmet) on drums and Brad Truax (Interpol, Iggy Pop) on bass will return in full effect.

DJ duties will be handled by acclaimed percussionist Ryan Sawyer (Ryan Sawyer Shaker Ensemble, Gang Gang Dance).

Contestants have the option of playing with or without our rhythm section as they shred their way to glory.

Stay tuned as we announce more judges!

Growing • Ryan Sawyer Shaker Ensemble10.18.26On Sale Now
09/08/2026

Growing • Ryan Sawyer Shaker Ensemble
10.18.26
On Sale Now

End of Summer !
09/08/2026

End of Summer !

Wow!
08/31/2026

Wow!

Shred For Your Life Guiltar Battle returns at Union Pool on September 20th! Shred For Your Life is a live music event / ...
08/28/2026

Shred For Your Life Guiltar Battle returns at Union Pool on September 20th!

Shred For Your Life is a live music event / guitar shredding contest / wild-assed party that puts guitarists to the ultimate test: How hard can one guitar rock a crowd?

Six hand-picked daring souls will be shredding for their lives against one another in a “Live Guitar Battle” format until one is crowned champion in an atmosphere that celebrates the humor and absurdity of making music into a competition. Up for face-melting is our all-star judge panel.

• Joan Wasser (singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist leader of Joan As Police Woman and Iggy Pop’s keyboardist).
• Matt Sweeney (The Hard Quartet, Chavez and host and creator of the beloved YouTube series, Guitar Moves)
• Walter Schreifels (New York Hardcore legend of Quicksand, Rival Schools, Gorilla Biscuits fame)

The shredding starts at 2PM in our backyard!

Sponsored by Marshall
Additional prizes provided by Fender James Carbonetti La Bella Strings

💥 the secret headliner for the final Summer Thunder of 2026 is the one and only… Heavy Blanket (J Mascis from Dinosaur j...
08/25/2026

💥 the secret headliner for the final Summer Thunder of 2026 is the one and only… Heavy Blanket (J Mascis from Dinosaur jr!) 💥 2pm! Free! Rain or shine! 💥 rsvp for the gig on our website! 🎸 J Mascis CRICKETS Tami Hart 🎸

Gigs! Gigs! Gigs!
08/24/2026

Gigs! Gigs! Gigs!

08/20/2026

Brown Horse will grace our stage for two nights next weekend! Tickets are going fast 🐎

“this is just a stellar record” - NPR all songs considered

“a lived-in, warmly ragged sound” - stereogum

“Part Jason Molina, part Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, and entirely self-possessed” - Paste Magazine

Grab the remaining tickets, link in bio!

SHRED FOR YOUR LIFE IS BACK!!! 🤘🎸⚡️NYC’s friendly neighborhood guitar battle returns to the stage after a painfully long...
08/19/2026

SHRED FOR YOUR LIFE IS BACK!!! 🤘🎸⚡️

NYC’s friendly neighborhood guitar battle returns to the stage after a painfully long 6-year hiatus. SFYL’s return will be at Union Pool on September 20th 2026, on the legendary venue’s back deck.

Hosted by actor and comedian Dave Hill, Shred For Your Life is a live music event / guitar shredding contest / wild-assed party that puts guitarists to the ultimate test: How hard can one guitar rock a crowd?

Six hand-picked daring souls will be shredding for their lives against one another in a “Live Guitar Battle” format until one is crowned champion in an atmosphere that celebrates the humor and absurdity of making music into a competition.

The all star rhythm section of John Stanier (Battles, Tomahawk, Helmet) on drums and Brad Truax (Interpol, Iggy Pop) on bass will be returning in full effect.

Special Guest Judge Panel this year is Matt Sweeney (The Hard Quartet, Chavez Guitar Moves), Walter Schreifels (New York Hardcore legend of Quicksand, Rival Schools, Gorilla Biscuits fame ) and Joan Wasser (singer, songwriter, producer and multi instrumentalist leader of Joan As Police Woman and Iggy Pop’s keyboardist these days). These judges, along with the ravenous crowd, will be tasked with choosing the SFYL champion of 2026. SFYL’s main goal is to entertain and delight by bringing together performers from a variety of musical backgrounds that might never share a stage with one another and to celebrate the love of guitar music.

The show is FREE, doors are open at 2pm. It’s an insanely good time.

📷: Jason Campbell Taylor Sesselman

🌞 Events This Week! 🌞
08/17/2026

🌞 Events This Week! 🌞

🖊️ Events This Week 🖊️ 🤪 Come by for our insane happy hour every weekday 4pm ~ 7pm 🤪
08/10/2026

🖊️ Events This Week 🖊️
🤪 Come by for our insane happy hour every weekday 4pm ~ 7pm 🤪

Come thruuuu this Sunday, August 9th for the next SUMMER THUNDER with the eternal SUN RA ARKESTRA blessing our backyard ...
08/06/2026

Come thruuuu this Sunday, August 9th for the next SUMMER THUNDER with the eternal SUN RA ARKESTRA blessing our backyard 🌞

🙌 Sun Ra Arkestra

2PM DOORS

All shows 21+ with valid physical ID 🪪 • RSVP not required • First come first served

Presented with Academy Records

Poster design by Cevallos Bros

Sponsored by DICE Kona Big Wave On The Rocks Premium Cocktails Hoop Tea budweiser Bud Light Michelob Ultra -196 Vodka Seltzer US Mezcal Amarás - Global DeKuyper Cocktails Estrella Galicia USA Hornitos® Tequila

The Serfs return on October 1st with our homies Cube and Content Blocks — who will celebrate their record release! Ticke...
08/05/2026

The Serfs return on October 1st with our homies Cube and Content Blocks — who will celebrate their record release!

Tickets on sale NOW!!

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484 Union Avenue
New York, NY
11211

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 4am
Tuesday 5pm - 4am
Wednesday 5pm - 4am
Thursday 5pm - 4am
Friday 5pm - 4am
Saturday 1pm - 3am
Sunday 1pm - 4am

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