I would recommend this cozy intimate venue The staff was…read moreamazing and friendly and knowledgeable. Although the place is small,it's like your in someone's living room and they are giving you a private show. I also like the fact that its BYOBB . So you are not being overcharged for drinks. My wife and I went to the early show which worked out well for us. Parking was on the street which was a little challenging but we managed to find parking but do give yourself extra time for that. Bills place has an array of excellent experienced musicians and I would recommend it.

History in motion, this place is recognized as the spot where Billie Holiday was discovered. Bill…read morewas not there the evening we went and the show started almost 30 minutes late. The quartet did well together as it was clear they were 4 separate musicians. Ice would be marvelous. But this is a no frills or amenities joint. The metal chairs in the back are very uncomfortable. Definitely a great place to hear jazz.

This place has changed so much over the last four years--and while a lot can change in that time,…read moreit was still disappointing to see. I stopped by on a weekday around 3:00-4:00 p.m., right as happy hour was starting. According to their website, happy hour runs from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The main reason I came was for their frozen rosé, which I remembered being one of the best. It's definitely more of a sweet, refreshing drink than a strong one, but it still gives you a nice buzz. I was even willing to pay full price for it. I literally paid for an Uber just because I was craving that frozen drink. The first thing I noticed was that, despite it being broad daylight, there was a security guard at the door checking IDs and searching bags. That's their policy, and that's fine, but what really stood out was the condition of the entrance. The front door was cracked and held together with duct tape. It seemed odd to be so focused on security while basic maintenance appeared to be neglected. When I walked in, I was only the second customer in the entire bar besides the bartender. Unfortunately, I found out the frozen drink machines have been broken for months, so there were no frozen drinks available at all. The bartender mentioned that she has repeatedly told management the machines need to be repaired, but nothing has been done. Since that was the only reason I came, and nothing else on the menu really caught my interest, I decided not to stay. This place has changed dramatically since the COVID era. The atmosphere feels completely different. One of the things I used to enjoy was their hookah happy hour, which was around $25 with refills for about $10-$15, and they had a great selection of flavors. From what I've heard, they no longer offer hookah, and it sounds like they may not have had the proper license back then, which is concerning if true. Another thing I miss is the outdoor seating area they had during COVID. The indoor space is pretty small, but the outdoor setup made the bar feel much larger and created a much better atmosphere. It's disappointing that they didn't keep it because I think it really added to the experience and probably helped attract more customers. Sorry I didn't take any photos, but honestly, there wasn't much worth photographing. The interior hasn't really changed, so the existing photos online are still an accurate representation of what it looks like still.

I came here for a game night with a Meet Up group. The spot is cute, a bit divey, but they have a…read moregood assortment of alcohol and enough space to host group events. They have a happy hour until 9pm. Dwanna (bartender) makes a great rum punch (I had two) and was able to recommend a vegan/vegetarian friendly meal. The service was great from start to finish.

This was my first visit. I will say for positives that the food is great. I had the chicken breast…read moreand subbed out the lentil salad for potatoes, and the server was good about making that requested substitute. The cheese plate was good and the server made great selections / recommendations for us on cheese to try. The server was very attentive. The music was great. It's a fun and lively place to get some food and hear some great jazz! However, they do not show online when choosing a seat that there is a column in front of the seats over to the right hand side of the venue when you enter, right by the stage if you choose those seats.

I had one of the most disappointing and frankly unacceptable experiences at Smoke Jazz & Supper…read moreClub on March 28th for the 10 PM show. Let me be clear, the main redeeming aspect of this place is the talent on stage. The musicians were exceptional and deserved far better than the environment surrounding them. I ordered a scotch neat, something I'm very familiar with, and immediately knew something was off. When I politely flagged down a waiter, he responded with visible annoyance, as if I was inconveniencing him by being a paying customer. I explained the issue and simply asked if it could be checked or replaced. Instead of addressing it professionally, he walked away without a word, returned holding the bottle and my glass, and said, "this is what you were poured," before carelessly tossing the drink back onto the table. No apology. No explanation. Just attitude. It escalated from there. When I confronted him about his behavior, he denied it outright and then doubled down with an aggressive, confrontational stance, getting in my face and effectively threatening me. His exact words? "If I tossed your drink on the table, it would have been all over you!", and "Man, shut yo ass!" Completely unprofessional and unacceptable in any setting, let alone an establishment that positions itself as upscale. The manager's response was just as disappointing. Instead of addressing the behavior of his staff, he blamed me, asking why I "chased" the waiter and suggesting I should have gone directly to him. That's not how basic customer service works. I tried to resolve the issue directly, respectfully, and without escalation, something his employee clearly had no interest in. I was thinking if I talk to the waiter first, he wouldn't get in trouble with his manager. To make matters worse, the manager continued to defend the waiter rather than de-escalate the situation. At that point, it was clear this wasn't a one-off issue; it's a reflection of how this place operates. I paid my bill and left. For a venue that attracts world-class jazz talent, it's astonishing how low the standard of service is. This place is doing a disservice to the artists who perform there. I will never return, and I would strongly caution anyone expecting a professional, respectful experience to look elsewhere.

That is great because of the DJ the music it's great and the energy is there. You know it's nice…read moreit's a lively dance lounge.

This is a neighborhood spot. It's for music lovers. It doesn't have any ambience to speak of. I did…read morenot eat here so I can't talk about the food. We did have two drinks and the service was OK. You're here for the music. My understanding is after the bands leave at midnight you can dance until 4 AM. This is a good chill, relaxed spot. You don't need to get dressed up. It's very casual and you will have a good time.

What a fantastic place for a jazz show. Marjorie is a national treasure and warmly welcomed us into…read moreher home. Her son provided drinks and snacks. Top notch musicians and an intimate venue. A truly special experience. There is nothing like this. I wish could go back every week. A magical experience.

MARJORIE is a wonderful woman; an elegant lady. Opening her home for jazz concerts, she is warm and…read morewelcoming. When she plays the piano, it is like silk. Her son,RUDEL, also plays the piano and sings. They are accompanied by a stand-up base player, trumpet, and woodwinds. All are amazing talents.

Love this place.....great ..musicians and people…read more... Atmosphere is fantastic...cherishing Memories of good Harlem times and childhood...

449 LA features jazz that is not only authentic, but also a pleasure to listen to…read more Last Saturday I was entertaining a friend from San Francisco, and at first I was going to take her to Fat Cat which often features live jazz, lots of seats, and has a cheap cover charge. However, on the way there she said, "Yay, jazz in Harlem! This is awesome!" So... not wanting to disappoint her, not having been to jazz in Harlem for a long time, and not knowing where to go, I looked up some places on the internet, and we decided to go to a place at 449 Lenox Ave called 449 LA. Yes, that is a rather unimaginative name, but boy am I glad we went. The cover charge was $20, which may seem expensive, but included all you can eat (red beans and rice with baked chicken), and all you can drink (a choice among various soft drinks and sangria, which was not the best sangria I've ever had, but it wasn't bad, and I do believe it was spiked with brandy to yummy effect). The website where I found it says the cover is $10, which it normally is, but it was more that night because of the included food and drink. Call ahead to see what the deal is. The place itself is intimate -- I'd say about 18 people could actually be seated. But that Saturday night was brutally cold (25F, -4C, and it was very windy), so there weren't that many people there. We arrived at around 10:30pm, and there were about 8 other people. The service was very warm and friendly; when the band wasn't playing, the server stopped to chat with us asking where we were from and made other small talk. The music was GREAT. Small band: piano, drums, bass, sax, and a guy who invented his own instrument that was two kinds of saxes joined together that he blew into at the same time so that he was always playing a chord. No brass that night. A couple of improv pieces, a few standards. A couple of songs with vocalists. Not too loud, not too abstract, all of it very enjoyable. The band didn't mind if we took pictures (non-flash, of course) and we did. I would highly recommend 449 LA if you want to go to jazz in Harlem.

Went here for an event. Tickets were pretty cheap and the music was really good. Loved the vibes…read moreand service was good as well

I went to Ginny's for a birthday gathering. It is a quaint space downstairs inside of the Red…read moreRooster restaurant. The evening had a beautiful flow - we dined upstairs in the restaurant prior to entertainment downstairs. The cool thing is there was also live music playing as we dined. It was a bit noisy, so we were glad to experience an obvious change in atmosphere once we arrived at Ginny's. I love the speakeasy vibe and the fact that we did not have to exit the building entirely to be in a different place. Ginny's has its own ambience and the music was lovely. All in all, a wonderful experience and I'd go again, with or without a reason or special occasion.

Came in with our tour group to watch jazz and enjoy dinner after a day of site seeing. The team put…read moreon 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.

Very excited to have the opportunity to hear the artists perform in such a legendary place. They…read moreare 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.

On 4.18.26, the weather here in NYC was pleasant with a calm breeze, so upon leaving the theatre, I…read morehad decided to "treat myself," for a change and has an early supper at THE EAST POLE, were several of the staffers, including the CHEF JOE, suggested that I head on over to MELODY' s PIANO BAR . . . the dim, comfortable, piano playing was perfect night to send the evening. The drinks were exotic, refreshing. The only nip-in- the-bud for me was: I was a lil' undressed; it its a very cozy, but chic environment. I highly recommend it for a first date, a ladies night out, birthday, and/or anniversary. I will be returning, again, and again!!! SULE, www.nunuradio.com

The experience at Melody's Piano Bar truly sings, from the attentive service to the surprisingly…read moreexcellent food and drinks. To be perfectly honest, I didn't arrive with high expectations for the menu. I carry a certain bias against bar food, even at a place as sophisticated as Melody's, and I was happy to be proven completely wrong. I began with the sliders, and as someone who's never been especially enamored with burgers (miniature or otherwise), I was genuinely impressed. Soft buns cradled well-seasoned double patties, finished with melty cheese and crisp pickles--exactly how a slider ought to be done. Next came the salmon tartare, and once again, Melody's challenged my preconceived notions. Raw fish isn't typically my go-to, yet this dish was nothing short of exceptional. I've had my share of salmon tartares elsewhere, and this one stands out as a favorite. There was a subtle heat, likely from chili oil, balanced beautifully by the deep, savory punch of roasted garlic. I ordered a second plate. I had enjoyed all this while sitting at the bar, enjoying the tunes wafting from the piano, all while receiving attentive service from the bartender, who expertly made the drinks. Melody's doesn't just meet expectations; it exceeds them, making it an easy recommendation for anyone.

Definitely a hidden gem! If I hadn't looked it up on Yelp first we would have walked right by…read morewithout noticing it on while walking by. The unassuming outside hides a tremendously cool inside. As soon as we walked through the door, we were greeted warmly by Dinara (sp?) who was effortlessly cool in her own right. A young lady ( whose name I didn't catch) promptly seated us. It's not a huge space, but we didn't feel cramped. There was a bar up front, tables along the side walls and a stage in the back. Apparently they have live music nights and open mic nights too. When we went there was 80s/90s music playing and it was very cool. The decor is unapologetically Black and I love it! The restroom is clean and contemporary. The service staff is amazing and attentive. They gave us cornbread with berry butter. Very tasty! My only complaint is that they could have given us each a piece instead of giving us one piece cut into 2. Lol! But it was free! And if that's the "worst" part of the experience then you know it was an overall good time! I was wavering between whether or not to get the collard greens and asked if they were sweet or bitter or spicy. Our server went and got a small sample for me to try because it was hard to describe. I was grateful for her willingness to let me try them. By the way I did order them and they are more savory than any of the above. It's a gentle savory flavor. I also got rice and beans and teriyaki salmon. The beans weren't exactly what I expected. They were black beans which I don't typically associate with soul food. They weren't bad although next time I think I'll get potatoes. My dining companion got lamb chops and collard greens and mac and cheese. She loved everything and at it right up! The food presentation, flavor, and portion size were all good. I didn't leave feeling overstuffed but I was satisfied. The servers checked in on us an appropriate amount of times (we didn't feel rushed or under surveillance but they made sure we had what we needed). The manager/owner stopped by to make sure everything was good and chatted with us. All around good vibes & good eats--I would go again. Highly recommend!

Thursday, 07May26 - A night of celebrating Taurus' at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar Lounge - and…read morewhat a celebration it was. So much joy. So much talent. Thank you, Valerie Simpson, and your late husband; Nickolas Ashford, for creating this amazing venue. The guest host for the evening was the incredibly talented Olutayo. Olutayo is joy exemplified. His vocal range, dance moves, entertaining facial expressions...infectious. I fell in love with this man and did not hesitate to tell him so. Beyond his talents was Olu's ability to manage / juggle the night's open-mic entertainers with such grace. From the lyrics of En Vogue and Salt-N-Peppa: "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, What a Mighty Good Man!" All of the entertainers were incredible. What a range of singers, dancers, a poet, a violinist. And the band! The band! The band! Come on!! Outstanding. I was seated next to Darius, one of the several background vocalists that were positioned throughout the lounge. We became fast friends in this space filled with exuberance. Darius was a delight. He was also a big brother to me, making sure no one blocked my view of the performance. Thank you, Darius, that was so kind of you. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of all these amazingly talented people. It was a 6-hour dopamine rush that should not be missed. The dinner that was served was top-notch. I had the Sea Bass. My friend had the Golden Fried Chicken. Both meals were delicious. I had the ginger mocktail with rosemary and blueberries - so yummy I had two. Dessert was key lime pie - suffer we will. Our server; Vickie, was a delight and amazing to observe as she maneuvered around the performers and kept us and everyone around us well served and continually hydrated. Vickie is to be commended for how hard she worked throughout the evening. I made sure our tip reflected our appreciation of her. Put the Sugar Bar on your bucket list when visiting NYC. You'll leave there feeling you have experienced Heaven on Earth.