Got the crab cakes; food was okay, but the venue itself really stole the show! Honestly, it's probably my favorite concert venue I've ever been to. The space feels so intimate, which makes the whole experience more personal and memorable compared to larger, more crowded venues. The atmosphere was great from start to finish, and everything felt well-organized. The service was also a highlight, our server was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made us feel really comfortable throughout the night. Even though the food was just alright, the overall experience more than made up for it. Between the vibe, the quality of the show, and the excellent service, it's definitely a place I'd come back to again and recommend to others looking for a unique night out/date night! read more

See all

Blues Alley has maintained their street cred after all these years as being one of the best places in town to catch a live jazz performance. I enjoyed the crab cake with a Caesar salad. The cocktails were veteran made and solid. The dining room is intimate, adding to the connection of the artists and the show. Deborah Bond dropped her new album Amber Dust, a true R&B artist keeping the tradition of the music well and alive. She hosted a listening party show with a customized cocktail menu with drinks named after her latest album! The show was amazing and the sound was clear. Although the menu is a bit limited I enjoyed my crab cakes, which had no filler. Oh and be sure to save yourself time and park in the parking garage across from the alley. This is an amazing little space with big names. Every time I've come here I've always met with the artists after the show. So if you're a super fan and your favorite artist is performing here, GO! read more

See all

The vibe is what you'd expect, keeping the aesthetic of the DC DC Jazz Renaissance era. Enjoyed the perfect pitch of The Deborah Bond. She showcased her new album/CD.While she was tearing up the mic, her saxophonist/keyboardist/producer Trey Sorrells was tearing up the stage playing different instruments. Beverage of choice: Old Fashioned For a starter, I went with the Stuffed mushrooms with onions, pepper, potatoes and cheese. It included marinara sauce and everything was on point. Hope my Muslim friends won't be too angry with me, but for my main entree I went with the Jambalaya. It includes chicken, ham, and sausage in a Creole sauce over rice and veggies. Delish. Wasn't too salty just what you get from the sausage. All in all, I'm so glad that the food is really good there. read more

See all

Another great performance by Joey Alexander and his trio, here at Blues Alley. It was a 2-day run. I was lucky enough to get tickets. Joey is a wonder; now 22. He had saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed take the stage with him for 3 songs. Such a nice surprise for all. So memorable. Balbed, a DC native, made his professional debut with the Eric Byrd Trio at age 14. He was a child prodigy, like Joey was. The two young men have been friends for awhile however this was their very first collaboration together on stage, live. What a nice gift. Blues Alley is still THE place to hear jazz. read more

See all

Awesome room with great acoustics. The band we saw was incredible!! Didn't have any food but the service was spot on. The wine we had was low quality but it didn't matter because the experience was so great!! Check this place out. read more

Had an amazing time Blues Alley to see Brandin St Clair perform which was a made up show due to the weather last month, I am so glad that I was able to attend! They had a pretty large menu of food and wine to choose from and I'll be first to say we ordered whole lot at the table. We gave the hostess our names and were seated right next to the stage! The waiter came over and took our order and the food came out rather quickly. The interior is decorated with photos on the wall and has some cherry blossom flare throughout the places. There's lots of tables and seating, but it's best to make reservations. What we had: Cajun chicken with grits Chicken Wings Caesar salad with shrimp Fried butterfly shrimp Beef tenderloin Crab balls Stuffed mushrooms Definitely looking forward to seeing other performers and trying the rest of the menu! read more

See all

Such a fun date night spot! Came here with my hunny for our anniversary and it was lovely! Great music, a cozy vibey environment, really wonderful service, great drinks, and a VERY delicious and rich cheesecake! Such a fun night out that we are hoping to return to again! read more

See all

Blues Alley is a venue I've wanted to visit for several years. I recently had the opportunity to see this historic place in person. In fact, the night that I was there, Blues Alley was celebrating its 60th anniversary. Overall, the venue is a cool place with excellent acoustics. The show I attended was sold out (the Yellowjackets - an excellent jazz quartet), so the seating was very tight. You won't have much elbow room, but you WILL enjoy the music. There is a $15 drink/food minimum, but Blues Alley has a great wine list/drink menu and a food menu with a wide variety of items ranging from appetizers to entrees. The waitstaff work hard to ensure you have everything you need. I really enjoyed my time at Blues Alley and look forward to visiting again. read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Because I would kick myself if i didn't catch a few jazz shows in DC while I am in town, I headed to Blues Alley to see how the iconic venue would tickle my fancy. Spoil alert: I had an excellent time. I had a full day in the city to myself and I needed to catch some more live jazz. I had already caught one at Jojo's and needed more. So, after a quick perusal online for shows , I landed on Blues Alley. Totally perfect since one of my coworkers already had recommended it to me. Arrived for the 7pm show and was able to snag a seat in the back. I'm a solo adventurer, but I'd absolutely bring a date here. It was definitely meant to be a place you listen to jazz and nuzzle. I saw a few cute couples doing just that. Music was phenomenal! It was a great show put on by a saxophonist and it lasted about an hour and a half. I didn't grab food here, but I did notice the service was speedy and efficient. Plates were coming out mighty fast and people seemed to enjoy the offerings. I did, however opt for a few simple cocktails which were great and did what they should have. All in all, great show at Blues Alley. Definitely my favorite so far in DC. Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch more jazz in the city that can match my great experience at this venue. read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

This is such a beautiful phenomenol place for jazz in dc! Anyone who is a fan has to check this place out. Please note if you go to a sold out show, you will be crammed in a bit, kind of like if you go to comedy cellar in dc. The service was quick and easy! We got all our food quickly though note if your hungry, be readily prepared to price your order because they are servicing a lot of tables in short amount of time. I ordered the blackened catfish, which was wonderful and my friend loved the Cajun chicken. My other friend, who is a vegetarian, had limited options but she loved the stuffed mushrooms. Definitely come here to enjoy a calm and wonderful atmosphere of smooth jazz!! read more

See all

Great venue for live jazz and blues. You don't come here for the food. That being said, some of the food is fine. They actually don't mess up the salmon. It's a decent meal. If you order a salad, definitely get the dressing on the side. They cannot be trusted to put dressing on themselves without drowning your meal. read more

Blues Alley - Caesar Salad with added salmon (special request) would be fantastic if the salad weren't drowning in dressing. DROWNING. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Always enjoy the music at Blues Alley. Never seen/heard a bad show. However, can't say anything great about door staff-George. Arrived 30 minutes before 7pm show and he told us no tickets were left, that we should come back to the 9:30pm show or the next day. We were leaving the next day, so we said no and left disappointed. Once outside, we walked around for a bit and then looked online for tickets, just in case. We were able to get tickets 10 minutes before the 7pm. Went back, got in, and sat down. Not even an apology from George. Completely unprofessional. Surprised Blues Alley would have such rude staff as I've always thought of it as a classy place. read more

Blues Alley is an absolute gold mine! We were visiting DC for a few days and decided to catch a performance at Blues Alley; from the moment we arrived it was a great experience! The host was so friendly and found a great table for our group of four. Our server was incredible! He was so friendly and checked on us often! The food was amazing but gotta say the chocolate cake and libations were our favorite. The interior was amazing and the bathroom was super clean. Listened to Ben Williams and band and the music was incredible! Thank you for a wonderful evening that we're still talking about a week later! read more

I would consider myself a regular at Blues Alley and frankly this is one of my favorite places in the city. I have seen all different kinds of artists here and every show is fantastic. They really know how to feature amazing musicians, which is expected seeing as Blues Alley is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country. The vibes are relaxed and welcoming and it's always such a fun time. The food and drinks are excellent as well, my favorite is the jambalaya and the bread pudding is great too. Great spot for date night, or to come and enjoy the music by yourself. One thing to remember is that it's an intimate club and it can be loud for people with sensitivity to sound. If that is you, bring earplugs and enjoy! read more

See all

Excellent time at Blues Alley. I've been looking for a place that play live music here in DC, and this place didn't disappoint. The band was excellent and the staff were really nice and the food was pretty decent. I had the blackened catfish with the rice and beans. The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The rice and beans were just okay. A few of things to note. The place is literally in an alley, so be sure not to overlook. Get there early as it's open seating and the seating is tight. Stake out where you want to seat and plant yourself there. The bathrooms are upstairs, and I didn't see an elevator. An old man with a cane had to drag himself up the steps. Overall, great experience. read more

See all

Blues Alley is an incredible jazz bar hidden in a quiet alleyway off Georgetown's bustling streets. The food is good and the music is always incredible. They invite the best jazz musicians, who make each night special and unforgettable. While the ticket prices are expensive, I've never left without feeling like they were worth it. The servers are quick and attentive. The atmosphere is relaxed yet upscale. Put on some nice clothes. I've been here several times and have never felt like it wasn't worth it. I'm looking forward to my next visit! read more

See all

Very beautiful club with great music. The place is very small and seating is close but I think that makes for an even better experience. We didn't try the food but the drinks were good, everything seemed reasonably prices. The crowd was great, very enjoyable. Service was good. Wonderful date night or even solo night spot. read more

Do you love live music? Then Blues Alley is a MUST visit in the DC area! I've been to numerous jazz bars in the city (back when there were numerous clubs to choose from), and Blues Alley is by far my favorite experience. First off, you won't find the entrance off any of the main streets in Georgetown - the entrance for Blues Alley is literally in an alley. While it might sound sketchy, it's in a well-lit area and you can't miss the giant marquee sign above the door. Secondly, when you walk through the door you feel like you're stepping back in time to when speakeasies were the places to be. The venue itself is cozy and intimate, and some of the seating is so close to the stage that you can literally reach out and touch the musicians (you shouldn't touch the musicians). The seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the doors open 15 minutes before showtime so make sure you arrive early if you want to have the best seating selection, albeit there is no bad seat in the house. Because the venue is so intimate, you might want to bring earplugs or sit further back towards the bar if you are hearing sensitive. Besides that, the atmosphere is great because the energy from the audience and performers feeds off each other creating a fun and energetic vibe. In addition to purchasing your ticket, there is also a $15 food/drink minimum per person. You can expect to pay the standard DC food and drink prices (i.e. $10 appetizers, $5-$10 beers, +$15 entrees). The staff is friendly, attentive, and quick so nothing but praise in that department. From beginning to end I had a great time and would say that visiting Blues Alley is well worth the cost of admission, and is an experience you won't soon forget! read more

See all

I really love the small, intimate atmosphere here. You feel as though you are with family, and the artists we've seen seem to appreciate the venue as well. Recently we saw Marion Meadows, a really cool cat and awesome sax player! We got there early and got a prime spot. There is a minimum order, but we have learned to eat beforehand. The food isn't all that! We did get an appetizer, spinach artichoke dip and chips and glasses of wine. The desserts are okay. Not a fan of the entrees. You have to line up outside to wait for doors to open. Buy your tickets ahead of time. It's first come first serve with seating and it's close quarters in there. The early show is early, but it's nowhere near as packed as the later one. The later show can be s but livelier crowd wise though. You decide what you prefer. But get there EARLY! read more

See all

Amazing place! I love it. Every once in a while you find these type of magical places that really take you out of the ordinary and make you disconnect, that's Blues Alley. I cannot say much about the food, since we just had a couple of drinks. But the atmosphere is great, and people a friendly. The space is great as well. read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Ambiance was great! The band Marion Meadows group was excellent! Food was fair only because the selection was small. Good portions of food were provided. Service was good and waitress was attentive. read more

See all

Typical bar like food selections, not enough time to eat due to the musicians coming on set. Ordered the crab cakes and they were plentiful balls of crab, not too much bread, light seasoning and tasty. Staff are attentive, not intrusive. Musicians line up.. what can I say? Merlon Devine is soulful on the horn, his talent is without say stupendous! Close your eyes and his gospel penetrates the room. Small intimate environment for the lineups that is worth it. read more

See all

I love Blues Alley as a jazz venue. It is nice and intimate (as a jazz club should be). You really feel in touch with the musicians!! The food is decent but parking presents challenges. read more

This was an amazing Jazz venue. The jazz group we saw was fantastic and it is such a cool and authentic spot. The service was wonderful and the food was good. read more

The ambiance was great bc the crowd was vibing for the artist and was giving off amazing energy. The music was more R&B than jazz to me but it was still great. BOOMscat was very engaging and their music was a really interesting mix of electronic and acoustic with soul and R&B sounds. The space was tight, bc I think they really try to get as many folks in the building. But it wasn't too uncomfortable and the servers were really nice and friendly. I only ordered some Cajun fries bc I wasn't that hungry and they weren't anything out of this world. But I don't think folks come here for the food. The entertainment was where it was at and they were fire. A really cool spot to check out local artists! Check it out. read more

Blues Alley - BOOMscat - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

The was such a great experience. I don't know why but I was surprised that the place is actually in an alley lol. Any the ambience was really nice and the place felt cozy like I was hanging out with my close friends. Anyway we arrived too late for the food so I didn't get to try any but I heard great things about the food. The service was cool even though we were only able to get drinks. However I would def recommend visiting this place The performer was from Cuba and he came around and spoke to everyone and took pictures. Def a great experience read more

Must go to jazz spot. Ambiance is A1. Located in a slim ally and the mood is set for an excellent jazz experience. Seen Kandace Springs here for the first time and really enjoyed the show. For food all I had was wings and a couple of drinks but no complaints what so ever. Excited to go back. read more

See all

Amazing live music venue! Get there early and get inches from the stage tables, but all the seats are close enough to feel like your part of the band. Service was swift and accommodating. Great cocktails and food. All around a great experience. read more

See all

We loved our time in Blues Alley last night! It was Liv Warfield performing! Very impressive! The whole vibe was so friendly and enjoyable, food and drinks were good, prices - decent, service - great! Thank you, will def be back soon! read more

Blues Alley - Ambience - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

This place is a hidden gem! Now it's very small, but atmosphere is great! Nice crowd, gets crowded. Now I will say get there early and stand in line, because if you want food you want to order before show. The prices for nice jazz live music, and food is great! Please check out this place, you will lot be disappointed. read more

Blues Alley - Shrimp and Grits - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

A blast from the past. Been a long time since I last visited. Great venue for music. Has a 1930s prohibition club feel. Food and drinks are meh. But you're there for music. read more

Expressly bad service. Paid around $400 for a reservation of 8, came to the club it was full and we did have a seat. The guy on the picture was extremely rude, and said we could sit ar other people's tables. We had made a reservation for our friends bday surprise. It was ruined, so was our first impression of the place. Employees like this ruin the reputation of the business. We weee planning to have. A nice dinner and spend a good amount of money. We were given a very rude attitude and no table. Really bad experience read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

In DC for the night and started walking from the hotel. Stumbled upon Blues Alley and what luck! The music of Nina Simone tonight. read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great music, good atmosphere, bad food, bad service. Still 4 stars because you're there for the music and to have a drink, not for fine dining. Just keep your expectations low about everything else besides the jazz, and it's a good night out. read more

I saw Art Sherrod Jr. Live at Blues Alley a few weekends ago. It was my first time at Blues Alley and I had a good time, mostly because of the band. I arrived about an hour before the show started and waited outside of the building. I was second in line. The line was fills up fast, so I recommend getting there at least an hour early. I ordered food l, shrimp and grits for $27.00. Definitely do not recommend. It tasted like instant grits, barely any shrimp, hardly any taste. I wouldn't really recommend their entrees. The establishment is not very big and they cram in tables, so you can hardly move without bumping into the person in the table next to you. read more

See all

I absolutely loved my experience at Blue's Alley in DC! It is literally located in an alley, as its name suggests. There is ample parking in the parking garage that is only a short distance from the venue. The venue is very intimate and the performers this night had great vocals. One artist that performed was selling her vinyls after which I thought was so classic. The food and drinks were good as well! This is a great date night venue or just a great place to go with a group of friends or solo. read more

We came by for a date night and had such a great time! Since they had been closed for fire, this was one of their first shows and the atmosphere was all love!! The place was packed to the max and the group we saw brought the house down, they even had a guest singer who had been with the band off and on for 15 years. We got to enjoy some appetizers, the spinach and artichoke dip was tasty and pretty filling. They have a lot of menu items, in addition to a great wine selection. Definitely coming back here!! read more

Blues Alley - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ambience and entertainment were terrific. Great for Christmas time. Food/drink service was excellent, and waitress, Grace, was wonderful to chase us down to return a scarf we left behind! So grateful! It was a great night! read more

Wonderful intimate ambiance. Had a great time seeing Sy Smith. Perfectly situated near George town, surrounded by great bars, boulangeries and restaurants. Easy Uber ride from DC proper. Staff is friendly, easy to line up while you wait for the show. Drinks can improve, but overall it was a great experience. read more

First and foremost the website is inaccurate when describing first come first serve. Very misleading had to pay 100 to buy tickets plus a fee ok now we are in. But while waiting the staff was rude. Drinks are over priced and poorly made. The service is slow and the servers not good. The venue is dirty and the bathroom were less than stellar. Would recommend not going you can find other in DC that are better read more