Jazz Bars in New York City

THE 10 BEST New York City Jazz Clubs & Bars

Jazz Clubs & Bars in New York City

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What travelers are saying

  • Gaz
    Newcastle upon Tyne, UK2 contributions
    Not an officianado on jazz but do enjoy the music. Had to visit because of the venues history. Must spend a minimum of $20 on food and drink. Had a nice bottle of Malbec and pasta and meatballs under $80. Payed $30 for ticket, 3 piece band, very good. Closed my eyes, thought Ella was on stage. Great pianist and base player. Probably the best value for money all week. Great setting. If you like your music its a must!
    Written September 13, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trvlchnnl
    Miami, FL587 contributions
    Decided on Dizzy's for some live music, and got to experience a great big band, in comfortable seats and front row. Get there early to stand in line as seating is first come, first serve. Acoustics were great and drinks were good too.
    Written September 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anna G
    Brighton, UK24 contributions
    Wow-this place is the real deal !! Amazing Jazz performers in an intimate authentic club, top class musicianship, and friendly service. It was one of the best things we did on our NYC trip!! We loved it and highly recommend it to all who enjoy live music.
    Written August 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hannu S
    26 contributions
    This is what jazz should be: honest, direct and capturing the moment. Nothing fancy, just good music and friendly service. The place is small, so booking seats in advance is highly recommended, especially for the Saturday shows. I’ve read negative reviews, but Small’s has always been good to me. Been there several times and always left the place with better mood. You’re so close to the artists that there’s no room for faking, the interaction is direct and pure. If you go there with open ears and attitude, you won’t be disappointed.
    Written August 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Norbert
    28 contributions
    Even though Bill has been in Arizona his replacement was wonderful and the whole band was delightful playing great jazz music. We can definitely recommend the place despite the fact that seating is really tight and uncomfortable. We had great 90 minutes.
    Written September 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mike B
    Brookline, MA279 contributions
    We lucked out by randomly hitting a show that was perfect for me: standards from the great American songbook. I loved it. The pianist and drummer were very good, and the bass player was incredibly great (he should be playing in front of thousands and in recording studios). Amy London, the singer and leader was excellent at selecting the program. Unfortunately she is not that great a singer because many of her notes were flat. They have many different types of music at different times, so you may want to do some research about the groups on their schedule before choosing when to come.

    The food was OK but you wouldn't make this a destination just for that. I had hangar steak which was nicely flavored; some pieces were tender and some were chewy, but with hangar steak you take your chances. On the other hand, my wife was severley disappointed with her orechiette pasta. It says on the menu that it has sausage, but the sausage turned out to be miniature little tidbits, totally unsatisfying. And she didn't care for the sauce either. The mozzarella on tomato appetizer (usually called a caprese salad) had good mozzarella but winter supermarket quality tomatoes. The raspberry sherbet was an excellent dessert to cleanse the pallet.

    Service was good. Prices were OK but there is a $15-20 cover charge per person which they didn't disclose outside where the menu and entertainment schedule are posted. The layout of tables is well suited to enjoying the music.
    Written May 16, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Katkin52
    Lawrence Township NJ101 contributions
    We had not been to Iridium mostly because we far prefer blues over jazz. But they have a blues series (is it new?) and we attended a great Charlie Musselwhite concert. Tables are shared (met a nice couple next to us) and are perpendicular to the stage, so your neck may be strained a bit. All the seats were good, we had paid more and sat in the section nearest the stage. No dance floor - all space covered by tables. Clean convenient bathroom. Wine was a small pour and I don't think it was the chardonnay I ordered. The food looked good and large portions, but this is only observation as we didn't order it. Staff was efficient with the checks, slow with the drinks in some cases (the couple next to us got their bottle of wine after their dinners were finished). Doors opened at 7:00 and they give you a little ticket while you are in line, to associate with your check. Some people didn't get the right check anyway. We really enjoyed the intimate venue and of course Charlie Musselwhite is fantastic, and a plus was that we could make an earlier train back to NJ as the concert itself was maybe 1.25 hours which was fine.
    Written February 28, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LondonOlof
    Vaxholm, Sweden81 contributions
    Marvellous art deco decor and very friendy staff. We saw the band Sparx which was probably the best jazz music I’ve ever heard. A gem too good to be missed.
    Written June 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Merby746
    New York City, NY39 contributions
    Was ok - THE MUSIC WAS AMAZING—the food is just not good - the charcuterie board is not really a good charcuterie board -4 slices of meat the cheapest crackers you can find and pickled veggies plus mustard - no balance to it - throw a price of cheese on that board for crying out loud! Also the shrimp is like a cup of shrimp! Why? make your food look nice! Just so blah!
    The service was good - we sat at the bar - so you don’t have to have a whole meal - 20$ minimum- but it adds up - it becomes an expensive 1 hour and a half -
    Glad I tried it! Not sure it’s a repeat thing
    Written May 8, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Melanie T
    New York City, NY4,519 contributions
    I enjoyed Tomi Jazz so much that I came here twice in two weeks! I had been wanting to check this place out for a while, not because of the jazz but because they had Japanese comfort food, at a reasonable price. I hadn't before because I don't normally venture to this neighborhood.

    On the first visit, I came with my friend at 5:30 and there was already a line outside the door. They don't accept ressos. We waited maybe about half hour? For drinks I had the Zen (homemade green tea vodka, triple sec, syrup, matcha powder, lemon peel, and nutmeg). I didn't love it as it was a little too bitter for me. I also had the lemon drop, which was too sweet for me. For food, shared the crab cream croquette, seasoned octopus with wasabi, cod roe spaghetti, and omurice. I'm really glad we shared everything because eating any of these one dishes alone would have been too heavy. The crab cream croquette was good but I didn't taste any crab in there. The octopus had too much wasabi. The cod roe spaghetti and omurice were my favorite. Very saucy and what I would expect of Japanese comfort food.

    On the second visit, I came w my husband, sister and her BF since they too have been wanting to check it out for a while. This time, it was a Thursday at 5:30 and again, there was a line. I can only imagine the line when it gets to prime dinner time or perhaps a Friday/Saturday night (FYI, there is a cover charge Fri/Sat/Sun) - so come early and on a weekday if you can. This time, we had the Berkshire sausages, curry, corn, and shrimp croquettes, fried rice, cod roe udon, and omurice. The sausages were kind of like mini smoky hot dogs. The croquettes came out perfectly fried again but they all tasted similar. Fried rice was standard and the stars of the show were yet again the cod roe udon and the omurice. I think I prefer the udon over the spaghetti because it seems to soak up more sauce. For drinks, I had some plum wine cocktail (didn't love this) and the Echigo beer (stout) - can't go wrong with a beer! If none of these drinks interest you, there are plenty of others to choose from, including a long sake list. It's a full bar so they can make you anything you want.

    As for the jazz, I'm not really a jazz fan but it was cool to listen to some live music while eating dinner. The vibe is very much speakeasy. It's also a small place so you will most likely be sharing a table with strangers. Both times, we were led to the back, where you can't see the band but by the time the main courses came, someone would come and ask if we wanted to move to the front, so that was really nice of them. Also the first time we came was a belated birthday celebration for me and my friend surprised me with having the band play happy birthday!

    Overall, I didn't love the cocktails, but I loved the food and the atmosphere.
    Written January 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Eeepee98
    Lee, NH415 contributions
    Ona recent trip to NYC, I was looking for a jazz venue that was open on Mondays and was very informal. Arthur’s looked promising. It is situated in a busy part of the West Village and is old, run down, and has lots of character. The house rules are “cash only” and “two drink minimum per set”. No cover, but remember the rules. Monday night is the Grove Street Stompers- a Groupon older guys who have been performing tougher their for 57 years.
    Written March 3, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KostasTang
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates27 contributions
    We were taken to the basement and given an option to seat at any of the available tables. We choice one on the second row from the band.

    We both had starters and mains. I had the artichoke toast and my friend the shrimp cocktail. For main we had the steak and the salmon. I have to admit that the salmon was one of the best I’ve ever had. Was delicious and everyone should try it.

    The only issue was my friend’s drink. He ordered half a bottle of Prosecco which was served in non chilled glass which meant that the drink was flat. Also the waitress did not help as she served the bubbly like you do water.

    Overall the service was very attentive there was only a delay on the bottled water we ordered.

    The total bill came to $250 and that included the $25 cover per person.
    Written May 13, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • desangel
    London, UK74 contributions
    Just a few steps from the legendary Apollo Theatre, Showman's is a rare pearl in the busy and cahotic NYC.
    An autentic atmosphere can be breath here in this cozy classy bar.
    The jam sessions are sensational.
    No matters you're a tourist or a random customer, you'll feel at home here.
    Written December 7, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Simon W
    London, UK10 contributions
    While the signage is good, you still feel like you've walked into the wrong building until you actually see the stage! But it's a cool venue - and kudos to The Jazz Gallery for promoting jazz for all the right reasons.

    The event I saw was an unusual one - with a live septet accompanying a silent film. I didn't know exactly what to expect but it worked really well.

    Their usual calendar of events appears a little less unusual, with some excellent groups performing. I'd definitely go again.
    Written March 22, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Forward Foodie
    Singapore, Singapore30 contributions
    A small dance music venue in Brooklyn! They organize dance parties with specific music genres such as indie pop and 70’s rock! The DJs do such a great job and there’s even a stage where you can jump up and dance on. It gets pretty crowded at around 1 and unfortunately many people leave at 2 despite the venue closing at 4... Besides that, they serve cold water for free which I really appreciate. Would definitely recommend this place if you want to dance to your favorite music!
    Written December 15, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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