Named for Public Theater founder Joe Papp, Joe's Pub at The Public opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space and superior acoustics to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub consistently presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community and artistic freedom. In addition, Joe’s Pub features seasonal dinner and bar menus from acclaimed Chef Andrew Carmellini. As part of The Public's programming downtown at its Astor Place home, Joe's Pub showcases talent from all over the world, hosting approximately 800 shows and serving over 100,000 audience members annually. Joe’s Pub also offers unique opportunities like New York Voices, an artist commissioning program that provides musicians (Allen Toussaint, Ethan Lipton, Toshi Reagon, Bridget Everett and more) resources and collaborators to develop new theatrical works; and Joe's Pub Working Group, the venue’s artist development program.

Artists that have performed at Joe’s Pub include: Leonard Cohen, David Byrne, Anne Hathaway, Elvis Costello, Amy Winehouse, Jason Mraz, Adele, Lady Gaga, Richard Thompson, Paloma Faith, NE-YO, Miguel, Melissa Etheridge, Bebel Gilberto, Youssou N’Dour, Pete Townshend, Prince, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Angelique Kidjo, Akiko Yano Trio, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Amadou and Mariam, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Laura Marling,Sinead O’Connor, Wynton Marsalis, Luciana Souza, Allen Toussaint, The Bad Plus, Kronos Quartet, Alice Coltrane, Project Trio, Emerson String Quartet, Mirah, Neko Case, Doveman, Feist, Alicia Keys, Bettye LaVette, Eartha Kitt, Toshi Reagon, Lykke Li, Alice Smith, Mos Def, Justin Vivian Bond, Taylor Mac, Our Hit Parade, Sharon Jones, John Andrews, Antony and the Johnsons, Lady Rizo, Isaac Mizrahi, Liz Phair, Sarah Silverman, Bridget Everett, Henry Rollins, Saul Williams, Mike Daisey, Jack Hitt, Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, Mythli Prakash, DanceNOW, Sutton Foster, Ute Lemper, Jackie Hoffman, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Norm Lewis, Sasha Allen, John Lithgow, Son Lux, Patti LuPone, Ad-Rock, Lewis Watson, Steven Pasquale, Terakaft, Willis Earl Beal, Marc Shaiman, Valerie June, Capital Cities, Aloe Blacc, Gloria Steinem, Rachael Yamagata, Men In Blazers, Julie Klausner, Diane Birch, Brett Eldridge, Amy Schumer, and many more.