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The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

A number of you have asked where you can enjoy an evening in a Jazz club in New York.
I have selected 10 of the coolest Jazz clubs in NYC.
As usual, these are only suggestions: it’s really up to you to follow them.
It is ranked by alphabetical order since arranging the venues in a precise order is somewhat tricky.
It is your choice to pick a club according to their lineup, ambiance, rate and location in New York.

55 Bar

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, the 55 Bar is an authentic Jazz club in New York. They offer concerts every night and you’ll be able to enjoy a classic NYC jazzy ambiance. 55 Bar is a small spot so make sure to arrive early if you want to be seated.
The entrance fee is $15.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Artists perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6pm, and weekdays between 7pm and 10pm.

Website: www.55bar.com/
Address: 55 Christopher St, New York, NY 10001

Birdland

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Jazz club Birdland was created in 1949 in New York. The name “Birdland” was given in honor of Charlie Parker whose nickname was “Bird”.
This legendary club was closed in 1965, reopened in 1986, and welcomes great Jazz artists who will please Jazz amateurs (Pat Metheny, Lee Konitz, Diana Krall, Dave Holland, Regina Carter, Tito Puente, and even Toshiko Akiyoshi performed there).
Cost is between $30 and $50.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Website: www.birdlandjazz.com/
Address: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036

Blue Note

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Opened in 1981, we don’t even introduce the Blue Note anymore since this spot is notoriously famous.
Because of its name, the Blue Note offers concerts as amazing as their prices 🙁
On the other hand, it’s where you’ll find the biggest names in Jazz music, this is a must for serious Jazz fans!!!
In order to get in, I strongly advise you to reserve your tickets here: www.bluenote.net/newyork/schedule/
You can also have dinner while seated at your table.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Website: http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml
Address: 131 West 3rd Street, New York

Dizzy Club Coca-Cola

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

With a view on Central Park, the Lincoln Center might not seem the ideal place to hear Jazz music in New York but this unusual spot offers an exceptional view of the city and great musicians come to perform at Dizzy Club Coca-Cola.
On Mondays, you’ll find young artists and world-known musicians performing during the rest of the week. While enjoying the show, the restaurant offers a “Soul Food” menu with collard greens and the famous “Fried Chicken”.
I advise you to reserve your seats in advance to get a table.
Prices vary between $30 and $50.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Open Sunday to Thursday from 6pm to 1pm and Friday/Saturday from 6pm to 2:30am
Website: www.2021.jazz.org/dizzys-club
Address: 10 Columbus Cir #5, Manhattan, NY 10019

Iridium Jazz Club

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Iridium Jazz Club is located on Broadway and gathers an impressive numbers of Jazz artists every month.
It’s a friendly place where you can enjoy drinks and food for cheap ($10 starting price).
Open Sunday to Thursday from 7pm to midnight and Fridays/Saturdays from 7pm to 1am.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Website: www.theiridium.com/
Address: 1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

Jazz Standard

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Standard Jazz is located in the basement of the Blue Smoke restaurant, a concept of modern barbecue and wine bar.
The Jazz Standard is a unique place for Jazz concerts with exceptional sound quality and a great environment.
The Jazz Standard is located in an old perfume factory called the Rosenblum Perfume Factory, and some of the pipes were kept as part of the décor. This club was opened in 1990 by James Polsky, a retired Jazz drum player, and has become a Jazz reference in New York.
Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Mondays are reserved for the Mingus Big Band.
Starting price: $20
In order to get in, reserve your seats right away on their website.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Website: www.jazzstandard.com/
Address: 116 East 27th St, New York, NY 10016

Smalls Jazz Club

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

This legendary New York Jazz club was created in 1993 by Mitchell Borden and is located in a basement in Greenwich Village.
For info, the first Smalls club was a small basement with no liquor license, and for $10, customers could enter and bring their beer.
This venue has inspired a rich Jazz culture by welcoming Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Norah Jones, Kurt Rosenwinkel, or Roy Hargrove.
Closed in 2003 after financial issues, the club reopened in 2004 and today offers 60 seats to enjoy the music once again.
Smalls’ website offers some videos in streaming from all the club performances. This might be a great tip for those are Jazz amateur but can’t go there all year long.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Each night, Smalls presents a number of concerts. A show can be performed from 7:30 to 9:45pm, an additional one from 10pm to 12:30am then a last one from 12:30am to 4am at closing time.
The entrance fee is $10 before 7:30pm, $20 between 7:30 and 12:30am, then it’s free after midnight but you have to order at least one drink.

Website: www.smallsjazzclub.com
Address: 183 West 10th Street, New York, NY 10016

Smoke Jazz Club Supper Club

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Located in the Upper East Side, few blocks away from Columbia University, the Smoke was created in 1999 by Paul Stache and Franck Christopher.
Renowned as offering authentic jazz, the Smoke looks like more like a living room than a club, with its big couches and curtains, it creates an intimate setting.
Smoke is also famous for offering one of the best acoustics in all New York!!!
The regulars are acclaimed artists such as the trumpet player Wynton Marsalis or the pianist Bill Charlap.

In addition, the Smoke offers an excellent American cuisine bistro type with the help of the help of an acclaimed chef.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Smoke is open from 5pm to 3am and Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm.
It might be a great option to have a Sunday brunch at the Smoke 🙂
Make sure to book in advance on their website.

Website: www.smokejazz.com
Address: 2751 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

Terra Blues

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Located in the heart of the West Village, the Terra Blues is a small club and very appreciated by Jazz amateurs. Here is a great tip: the best tables are located near the windows so make sure to arrive early (around 7pm).
The service is good, the drinks are a bit pricey but the quality of the show makes you forget these details.
Price range between $10 and $30.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

Open Sunday to Thursday from 7pm to 2:30am and Friday/Saturday 7pm to 4pm.

Website: www.terrablues.com
Address: 149 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012

Village Vanguard

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Village Vanguard is located in a basement and is one of the most acclaimed Jazz club in new York. Created in 1935 by Max Gordon, the Village Vanguard welcomes the biggest names in Jazz including John Coltrane, who recorded his 1961 album, and also Bill Evans or Wynton Marsalis.
It’s a small space and it fills up very fast, so the best tip is to come early.

The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

The Village Vanguard welcomes musicians Tuesday to Sunday from 9pm to 11pm (Monday is reserved for the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra).
The club doesn’t serve dinner and the entrance fee is between $30-$40.

Website: www.villagevanguard.com
Address: 178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Map to locate the top 10 New York Jazz Clubs

Memo

My fist trip to New York was in 2007 when I was working for an airline company. I was born in the US, I lived in Mexico, in Europe in between Belgium, Spain and France… Well, let’s say I know about travelling! I bring my experience of NYC to the blog, to provide the best travel tips you could imagine!

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The top 10 Jazz clubs in New York

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  1. Marina says:
    HI, thank you very much for TOP 10! Could you recommend a Jazz club in NY good / acceptable for family visiting with 15 and older years old teenagers please?
  2. Tira says:
    Wonderful story Memo!
    Sad you have not mentioned Mezzrow Jazz Club
    A super cozy space to listen to some super talented musicians!
    https://www.loc8nearme.com/new-york/new-york/mezzrow-jazz-club/3736793/
    https://www.yelp.com/biz/mezzrow-new-york
  3. Michael Zieleniewski says:
    Café Bohemia is reopening after 60 years.
  4. George John Guzzardo says:
    very helpful for planning a visit