Wanna see some outstanding music on a Monday evening? Head over to Iguana, where on the top floor of this behemoth of a restaurant, Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks play three long sets of big band jazz from the 20's and 30's every Monday and Tuesday night. Giordano briskly leads his band through an expansive repertoire, calling out successive tunes as the players each retrieve one of several binders, frantically flipping through the pages within to the right song.

There is a small dance floor in front of the stage and the crowd is an interesting mix of people you'd expect to be listening to music of this era: grandparents, and a sprinkling of 30-somethings there to show off the chops they've recently acquired by taking couples dance classes. Whatever your age, Vince, the consummate showman, walks to every table to greet his fans in between sets.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-Total Cost: About $50 per person for the $20 cover and the $20 food and beverage minimum. Tax and tip included.

-The food at Iguana is thoroughly mediocre Mexican fare and the drinks are expensive. Dedicate the minimum spend to $9 cans of Tecate and grab dinner elsewhere (see below). Doors open at 7:00pm, first set begins at 8:00pm. The cover is for all three sets.

-Make sure to reserve a table upstairs and arrive early for a prime spot at Iguana. You may still sit elbow to elbow at a shared table with other members of the audience, but you won't be standing.

NEARBY:

Get some dinner at Totto Ramen before the show. It's the best in Manhattan.