Must-Visit Jazz Clubs in NYC

 

Must-Visit Jazz Clubs in NYC

 

New York City’s jazz club scene offers a variety of experiences across all five boroughs. As one of the world’s most influential and iconic live music ecosystems, NYC is full of well-known and hidden-gem live jazz music experiences for everyone.

We’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite spots across the city, from the West Village to Forest Hills – each with its own unique character and history.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  • Blue Note
    Since its inception in 1981, Blue Note has brought a uniquely intimate live music setting to the heart of Greenwich Village. While the space itself is small and local, on most evenings, you’re likely to hear performances from truly world class jazz musicians from around the globe. The venue opened at a time when the neighborhood was lacking a boutique and authentic space for a variety of jazz musicians to bring their art form to the Village. It retains a legendary status and is worth checking out, with comfortable seating and consistent surprise performances.

 

  • Arthur's Tavern
    Arthur’sTavern is one of the oldest bars in the West Village, offering a beautifully intense experience. It’s crowded, loud, and bustling. But the raw talent of the musicians and the crowded seating delivers an upbeat, high-energy evening in a neighborhood where you can viscerally feel the history and significance of the institution. The artists always appreciate tips, so bring cash and settle into one of New York’s most iconic musical spaces.

 

  • Village Vanguard 
    Providing the West Village with mainstream jazz talent for more than 80 years, Village Vanguard is one of NYC’s top Jazz Bars. Many renowned musicians have graced this basement club’s stage, from John Coltrane to Miles Davis and more. Enjoy music from the 16-piece Vanguard Jazz Orchestra every Monday or pick an artist from any of their scheduled shows. 

 

  • Mona's
    Mona’s is a special East Village neighborhood bar that fuses the classic feel of an Alphabet City dive bar with genuinely top-tier jazz performances. You can enjoy other genres as well in a space that brings an eclectic mix of music lovers together in a low-key but busy venue.

 

  • Django
    A night at Django offers a multi-faceted and sleek evening, as it’s underneath the bustling Roxy Hotel in lower Manhattan. With a cavernous but upscale feel, the underground jazz club draws inspiration from the iconic nightclubs in Paris. Aesthetically stunning with its vaulted ceilings and exposed bricks, the space is perfect for a chic evening out, and the cocktails are top-notch.

 

  • Nublu Classic 
    If you've never been to this underground Jazz Club, then you’ll probably have trouble finding it until you see the shimmering blue light that marks the spot. Nublu Classic is a remote Alphabet City gem that provides audiences with avant-garde performances and offbeat jazz. If you’re looking to try something new, stop by Nublu Classic.