Came in with our tour group to watch jazz and enjoy dinner after a day of site seeing. The team put on a great show for us and invited the guests to come up and play with them. Several kids and teachers participated and ended the evening with great music. Buffet style food for our large group. Good food and service was fast and pilot. Highly recommend. read more

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Very excited to have the opportunity to hear the artists perform in such a legendary place. They are open on Saturday & Monday nights, and I believe they may be in the process of bringing back their Sunday brunch. My friend made the reservation, and they have an old fashioned, pen and paper, system. And the only way to contact is via email on their website. Needless to say, plan in advance. The inside was put together fine, you can tell there is need for updating the decor and fixing a few items. The musicians were phenomenal, they were engaging and each of their songs kept you moving. During their break, we were able to directly talk with them about their experiences and how things have evolved there at the Cotton Club. They were playing upon our arrival around 8:30, took an intermission around 10 and then played for another hour until 11. There were only two other tables that evening, I think around 9 people total. I was shocked at that as well. I found the temperature to be a bit chilly and it was even worse in the lady's restroom. The men's room had a space heater...so not really sure how that worked out? One of the hand air dryers on the wall was almost falling off as well. Needless to say, I was sad to see the disrepair the building was in when such talent individuals were on stage that evening. read more

The Cotton Club is a hidden gem in Harlem. I went on a Saturday night and they offered a variety of foods. Covid vaccinations were checked at the door. There was a cover charge of $25 but it was added to our bill instead which I thought was convenient. The band playing was excellent and so friendly to new comers. They were fun to watch and the interaction between the band and the audience was great. I recommend passing by The Cotton Club and showing love to a Harlem staple. read more

Wonderful joint. I took my cousins from out of town there for a tour of the nightlife. They were thrilled to look at the photographs on the wall. It was a last-minute decision after the Harlem street naming ceremony for my grandma Fannie Pennington. The owner Mr. Beatty was a gentleman as usual and extremely accommodating. Thanks, Mr. Beatty. read more

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So sad the overall reviews for this place are bad-this place is incredible and should not be missed. It is a true journey stepping back into history-the place is very dated but in a good way the type of place an old school Jazz Club should be! You can feel like Duke Ellington is still coming to play when you walk in the doors. Cab Calloway and Ellington played at the original cotton club more downtown years ago along with many other famous dancers and musicians. It is dark lighting inside and all red with tables scattered throughout and all seats are a good view of the stage since it isn't a large place. I attended a fundraiser event at the club and the food was fantastic! It was buffet style with multiple cold salads, two chicken dishes, beans, salmon, broccoli, collard greens corn bread, biscuits and so much more. All the food tasted fresh and delicious with so many options for a buffet. They also had a full service bar for alcohol. The servers were polite and very responsive-they were consistent and very friendly. The emcee was entertaining and fun while the house Jazz band was superb-what an amazing group of musicians wow so talented and they played many familiar jazz standards like Take the A train. The two guest singers were great as well and the audience was really into the show. This is truly a hidden gem I wouldn't miss-it truly makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. read more

Went last month with a Harlem tour group around 9pm, and it was awesome!! I mean, it's The Cotton Club! For any jazz fan, that's a pretty big deal. I know it's not the original location, but still an amazing place where the old great jazz standards are played on a regular basis and the past is not forgotten but remembered through wonderful saxophone wailing and bluesy jazz singers. The night we attended, the band played some Billie Holiday, some Temps (My Girl in purely instrumental) and even Chuck Berry (Solomon Hicks really knows how to play that guitar, crazy...) just such a cool night! The servers/waitors were nice, the drinks were fine. More than anything, it was just the vibe. Dark lighting, the other people there were hilarious and dancing with each other while others' rallied them on, just a really easy-going environment to pretend you're back in the 40s. read more

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Came here for brunch in January. Food is buffet style. It included cold tuna pasta salad, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, eggs and grits, etc. We got there at noon; music started at 1pm, lasted until 2pm. I feel it is important to share the cost here, because I don't feel it was well advertised on website. It was $43.50 per person. This is just for the buffet...it does not include any drinks, even non-alcoholic ones. Plus, for our table of four, there was a $55.00 entertainment fee. Our band this day was a pianist, a bass guitarist, a drummer, and a singer. Glad to know I have been to this historic New York City site, but I see no reason for me to return. read more

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The advertised Gospel Brunch was a sad/bizarre affair. The main space was set up as a dining room with candles, tablecloths, cloth napkins. Sure it had cracked walls and a water damaged ceiling but I had some hope that the musical atmosphere would compensate. Not so fast - the next hour plus was something out of the Twilight Zone. We were ignored by the staff (perhaps embarrassed as we were the only two customers in the entire place?) and sat alone, unattended from noon until 1. Served ourselves at the buffet around 12:15. Food was decent but the unwelcoming vibe threw us off. I googled reviews and history of the place while sitting there and discovered the gospel music start time was 1. A little after 1pm, three new people entered, one went on stage and tinkered around a bit. It was then we knew it was time to scram - after a brief search mission, finally tracked down the sole waiter, got the check, and left hastily, realizing that if we hadn't left at that moment, we would have had to pull it together to engage with the musicians and all our energy had been drained. read more

If you are looking for the "Original Cotton Club" you are in the wrong place. It is out in the middle of No Where away from the heart of Harlem. We went on a Monday Night The Band was a TEN. The dancers were a Ten. The reason for a low review. The place is a little run down for being a newer establishment. I am OK with being in a DIVE if it is authentic. Secondly when the band took a break, the lead trumpeter (who was a fantastic musician) started to pedal his personal CD's with high pressure. Most bands will mention they have CD's for sale, but don't come to my table and push me. Over all we had a great night that was ruined by one bad act. NEVER AGAIN read more

Fried chickem was bussin. Music was really good too. Everyone was super nice and super helpful.

We didn't have a reservation, but the owner let us in. The food was good. The wings fall~off~the~bone tender. And the band and performers were excellent. They mingle with audience when they are not on as well. read more

This place is an overpriced rip-off. The gospel brunch for five people with two drinks cost me $342.00. The food was marginally edible and mostly not even warm. The mac & cheese was made last week sometime and the fried chicken was mostly like fried chicken skin with a ton of batter. The music was better than the food but not by much - one singer and a 3 piece band - they tried. But it really wasn't all that exciting or memorable. The best thing about the place is that you can run across the street to Fairway to get the taste out of your mouth. read more

We went to the Gospel Brunch on Mother's Day. The food was good, but limited. They did not have all the promised buffet items and the (non-alcoholic) drink selection is severely limited. Unfortunately, the service was awful. Dismissive, rude and the man who handed out plates at the buffet was downright mean/abusive. I'm not a delicate flower, but being yelled at whilst trying to give my mom an awesome Mother's Day experience almost had me in tears. If you want customers to handle the buffet line in a specific way , provide them with instructions - don't yell at them because they step out of the designated area without telling them about the designated area. We enjoyed this experience only because of the awesome band fronted by the lovely and amazing Helen Slade. There are other gospel brunches in the city and I highly recommend you attend one of those. Do not go here. I only hope Helen and her band can find a place more deserving of their talents. read more

MUST SEE on Friday night. Solomon Hicks .. Doors open at 8 and Solomon starts jazz set by 8:15. After a short break, he takes off the tux coat, rolls up his sleeves and boogies till 11 pm. At 22 yrs old, this young man is the real deal. Go for Hicks and the music, drinks and food are just OK. read more

The Cotton club is in a great location.The music was very good. The food was good but I lost my appetite when I saw a cockroach crawling down the wall. The bathrooms need to be upgraded and clean. read more

Racist and rude....at the door I was told "We want customers not tourists". I may have an accent but ive lived in NY for some time now. It was 9:45pm Friday, the place was empty....good luck to them. Plenty of friendly and fun places opening up nearby, im sure the competition will sort them out. read more

I did not realize this is Not the original Cotton Club. The guy Curtis who works there seemed very indifferent as if we were a bother. it would have been nice to have ben told this is not the original Cotton Club. Will not go back there. read more

The entertainment was wonderful! With a very aunthentic jazz sound. However, the servers are impolite and they do not clearly outline the charges of their service. Before you go know what you're paying for! They charge $25 for multiple sets, which is great but they also charge seperate for the buffet, desert, and whatever you drink. Would recommend, but definitely be cogniscient of what you're paying for. read more

1920/10! The Cotton Club does NOT disappoint! Perfect location, center of Harlem, the cops have only busted it a few times. I've heard it's the most popular speakeasy in all of Harlem, and I see why! The live jazz band, modern dancing, and delicious food cannot be surpassed. As an African American, I felt truly welcome from the second I walked through the doors. I even ran into some snazzy fellow named Langston Hughes, who really had a way with words. You never know what might happen when you're at The Cotton Club. Would certainly recommend to all friends. read more

Went there April 7th food was horrible...whoever the chef is they need to fire. U cannot cook soulfood if u dont have the soul..it was disgusting..I would not give the homeless the food. Never again. read more

Me and my wife came all the way from France to visit the cotton club, it was a Monday night the 21/09. The music was amazing, the food was very tasty, and the environment was simply great. But above all of that, we had this waiter who can actually speak fluent french, which was surprising yet very helpful for us, because he was able to explain for us the Cotton Club history and made our night very welcoming, as well as he showed us this guy named Curtis who helped us with getting a taxi in the middle of the night. It was one of the most memorable night of our life, and we are definitely going back there again once we come back to the USA. read more

On Monday, July 15, 2013, my husband, myself & two friends went to COTTON CLUB to celebrate my birthday, as we do every year. We've made this a tradition because the place is so enjoyable. The musicians are top notch. The food is yummy. And it's a great opportunity to dance or watch those who are. It's definitely worth trying, especially if you're at the nearby university. I hope this review is believed & respected, as the one I submitted on August 1 was hidden & sent to be with the Filtered Reviews. I am a trustworthy person & no one paid me to write this, nor could they. Thank you, Jean T., Glenside, PA read more

TERRIBLE, MENACING, LOW-CLASS ORGANIZATION!!!!!! I attended a gospel brunch with live music Sat. 11/6/10. The lead singer often hovered over the tables in the front. She physically and verbally menaced the people in these seats deliberately leaning over them waving her hands, bending down in their faces making threatening statements while they were trying to discreetly enjoy their meal. This was advertised as a gospel BRUNCH and she had to know that people would be eating because the wait staff was serving most of the time. There was also a very rude man who was working the buffet line; he had on gray shirt while the other staff wore white, so I guess he was in charge. He deliberately placed himself in front of me to be rude, moving only when he found the need to constantly point, stretching his arm across my face each time. This organization should realize that you can't advertise events and then be jealous and start harassing the people who have paid for the events - not if you want to stay in business. Who wants to pay for that? read more

We had a great time there. the music and the singers were excellent. a MUST for every visitor from NYC :-)

I went there on a Sunday with my girlfriend the first week of February 2013 for the gospel show and the buffet. This was one of the best experiences ever. The band was excellent and the singer was very good. I recommend that people try their food they even have vegetarian options. My girlfriend had the mac and cheese (to die for) and the candied yams. I on the other hand, given the fact that I'm not a vegetarian like my girlfriend, had the fried chicken and collards green that was recommended by my waiter. Might i say that the chicken was the crispiest i ever had and very moist and juicy in the inside. My waiter was very professional and had very good knowledge about their menu and their special cocktails. The whole experience felt like i was in a 1930's speakeasy club with the staff dressed in tuxedo shirts and bow tie. I'll definitely be coming here again and bringing friends. Its affordable given the food, location, entertainment and great customer service. Highly recommend it! read more