What a fun place off of the Main Street! Great ambiance, service, cozy and warm. The old fashioned is one of the best, get it with reserve! We'll be back for sure. read more

Loved the intimate venue, the shrimp po'boy was torch, Don Aliquo (in the video) and his band were phenomenal and shit. Jazz lovers must visit while in Nashville read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Love the N'orleans inspired menu and the music is fantastic! Abi Flowers and Haley Shattsschneider were great. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Katie Blomarz- Kimball and Abigail Flowers Great ladies of Nashville Jazz - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We went to see the live music and Regi Wotten and friends did not disappoint us. They were great! The place is quirky and dark but it works. The only downside was that there is a strong cigar and tobacco smell. It reeks of smoke to the point that our throats hurt. If it wasn't for the smell I would have given it a 5. read more

I wanted to watch something different besides an all-male review show and Ricardo Grilli & Quartet was playing, at Rudy's Jazz Room. There's a line-up of performers, so just have to look online for the schedule. In hopes I would get a seat at the bar, it was sold out, so next option was a seat in the front row, which stage-space was tight, but I was right there! I had to smartly think of what to order because of the limited space I had, but had a tiny side-stand to hold my cup of delicious beans & rice with Andouille sausage, then once I was finished with that, a plate of big beignets came out for dessert. Mind you, there was another side-stand to my right, in which a guy, sitting a seat away from me shared, for a Rudy's Chocolate Old Fashioned. (I had to order another Rudy's Chocolate Old Fashioned because the 1st tasted like a regular Old Fashioned), in which the cocktail server, Flo, did not end up charging me for! Really appreciated that. I was in a little bit of awe, when Ricardo Grilli, chatted with me for a bit at the end. The performers did so great. read more

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I love that we have a place like Rudy's in Nashville! I've seen some really great acts here (also some not so great acts - but that's a little more rare). Last night was Jason Marsalis, from the legendarily musical Marsalis family - really good show! It was sold out, but service was still really speedy. I had the house-special Chocolate Old Fashioned (which was delicious), the house salad (it was fine - just a salad), a glass of wine, and a coffee (surprisingly good even though it was drip coffee). I took off a star for the food. I have a shellfish allergy, so I can't eat much of anything on the menu. Most places usually have at least one entree that isn't shellfish, but with a small menu, they are going all in on the shellfish theme. The house salad was fine, but they didn't have any options to add protein to it. There is not a dress code, but the majority of people wear nicer than t-shirt / jeans. I wore a button up with shorts (it was hot outside) and felt appropriately dressed. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Glass of Syrah at the bar seating - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Love a great jazz room that supports local artists, provides a great place with attentive service for patrons to enjoy jazz up close and personal. You could hear every note carefully chosen by each musician to augment the song with their flavor, technically and artistically magnificent. Kudos to the owners of Rudy's. We really enjoyed the vibe, audio quality of the lounge and the superb musicianship of Jim Sullivan, Andrew Carney and Kevin Gustonguay! read more

Visit this place for the first time a little while ago and had blast! Bought tickets at the door a few hours before the show then went to a bar nearby until show time. When we arrived, we were shown to our seats which were very close to the front. The wait staff came by and got our drink orders. There is a minimum you have to spend so we ordered drinks. They were nothing out of the ordinary in terms of quality/uniqueness. The show on the other hand was great! The atmosphere was lively and musicians were awesome! I will definitely be back. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I want to preface with I may be young but I am a people pleaser first. I have also worked in food service for over 5 years and still don't understand why this happened. I went tonight with my 2 roommates (21 and 24) and we were ready to listen to music and buy a few drinks overall have a good time. When we walked in the ambiance was amazing, we sat down and our server came up (no idea her name she didn't tell us) and we said we were ready to start with some drinks. She the put our order in... $18 espresso martini was barely filled. (pictured) After we decided on the food we were going to order we kept trying to get her attention. The issue was every-time she came to the table next to us she turned the opposite way which after 38 mins seemed deliberate. When I finally was able to call her over she seemed shocked that I asked if we could order (mind you in a very nice almost shy tone). The fries? loved. 8/10. Beignets? they were a good doughnut but fs not a beignet. Would have gotten another drink if she would have come back to us. She kept checking on every table around us and didn't check on us until we were there for an hour and after we had to get her attention to p it food in. After an hour and a half with no update I walked to the bar to just get a water refill since again she refused to look at us. The bartender asked where I was sitting and I kept profusely apologizing (cause i realize it isn't his responsibility again i work in food service i realize it's annoying) She then came out of the kitchen and seemed upset I was asking for water...I even apologized to her. Another 20 mins and I was able to get the check. I normally am a 20% MINIMUM tipper. I understand that's where servers get their money. I don't want to be the younger guests who don't tip but Im sorry the service was less than sub par. (for reference our check was $68, 20% tip would be around $12 which would be $80, normally I would have made it $85, so a 25%) I felt awful for only leaving $5 but in all of our opinions didn't even do enough to warrant that. Loved the musical guest she was so sweet and honestly really funny but will not be going back due to awful service. I also understand you go for the music and not for a restaurant style service but when someone is checking on everyone around you it starts to feel rude and pointed. This behavior seemed completely deliberate due to the fact that we were the only ones younger than 30. We ended up leaving early since we could not enjoy the show due to the uncomfortable service. As a Belmont student studying music and taking a vocal Jazz class, I felt incredibly rude and unprofessional for leaving but I also felt completely unwanted and as though I should not have been there. read more

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Come here for the music and stay for... the music. There were three parts to our visit: the music, the drinks, and the food. If we hadn't ordered any food, the rating would have been much higher. However, we did experience their food, so here were are. The venue could be a movie set for a 1940's era jazz club. It's a long, narrow space with moody lighting and lots of stone and brick walls. We got a table for two and were seated about 15' from the wonderful Bruce Dudley jazz trio. That's Dudley with in this case the occasionally brilliant Jim Ferguson on Double Bass, and Marc Widenhofer on drums. They were the highlight of the evening. We had a couple of their fancy drinks, Night in Tunisia (my wife likes Elderberry) and a Vieus Carre (because Nashville... Bourbon). They were fine and fairly priced. Dinner was the big letdown. Being of that certain age, we decided to split a salad and a main course. So, we ordered their house salad and Beans and Rice to share. The salad was OK --how can you mess up a green salad? The beans/rice is a different story. It arrived at our table tepid and tasteless. We explained the problem to our waiter. He took it back and returned another helping that was no different. We managed a couple more spoonfuls each and gave up. Life is too short for bad calories. My recommendation is to come for the music and maybe a drink. We learned too late that barely a block away is Peg Leg Porker, which by all accounts is an outstanding BBQ restaurant. That's where we should have (and where you should) have dinner. read more

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Unreal experience. Great location, great seating, amazing Jazz, friendly staff, good food. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I've been meaning to come to Rudy's for years, and finally made it for our 6-year anniversary and so glad we did! The vibe is everything you want in a jazz club - intimate, soulful, and full of uplifting energy. We saw Regi Wooten & Friends and they gave us an unforgettable night of music. We had tickets in advance for a Wednesday night, which I *think* I'd still recommend but not sure it's necessary or beneficial as admission seems to move in order of arrival rather than ticket status. Thankfully, we were still able to get a cozy table for two despite the unexpected long line. Parking on the street was $10 and monitored until midnight as we saw tickets being handed out around 11:30, so it's worth paying for peace of mind. We ordered and shared 3 cocktails throughout the evening - the Sazerac as it was perfect for honoring the jazz vibes and reminded us of our time in New Orleans, the New York Sour was just okay - wouldn't order again, and while we requested the Rudy's Chocolate Old Fashioned we got a regular one and it was still good. Service was friendly and as attentive as possible throughout the night. Overall, Rudy's is a Nashville gem that lives up to the hype. The music and atmosphere make it a must-visit spot! We will definitely be back!!! read more

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Loved everything from the food, drinks , and of course the music! It was really great seeing multiple ppl visiting there and getting up on stage to play with others! Had a great time? Highly recommend ! read more

A not so hidden gem that was one of the highlights of our trip. Drinks were great, music was PHENOMENAL and the vibe was unmatched. This will always be a stop of ours when we visit Nashville. read more

Really enjoyed coming here for the first time! Wow! Very cool vibe here. The jazz music was energized and fun to watch as well as listen. The food was New Orleans in spirit and you MUST try the beignets- delicious! I was super impressed with the servers- They seamlessly work their way through and around all the seating and tables. Not a bad seat in the house btw. Great team effort to make sure all patrons enjoyed themselves. I will 100% be back! read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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This was my first time going to this amazing lounge. I met one of the owners Adam and discussed their vision for their Jazz Room and it was such a great conversation, his passion for the art and the amazing musicians and people left me in awe. The food was delicious , there not a bad seat in the house. I do recommend reserving a lounge chair though. Great music, and we were surprised with a special guest singer that was so enchanting. If you haven't been there, get there . read more

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My daughter introduced me to this place knowing that I love jazz clubs. We had to purchase our tickets in advance. we chose the seats because we knew we were not going to eat there. they do have tables with food service. we sat upfront and we just in awe of the band and their interaction with the crowd, this is a true jazz club. I come from KC and we know a thing or two about jazz clubs. Rudy's would fit right in with the KC scene. This was such a nice departure from going to Broadway or a loud music venue. read more

Don Aliquo Quintet with Stevens, Feldman, Aylor and Ryan Brasley behind the skins. Just wow. WOW. Stunning musicianship, stunningly humble guys, amazing playing. Jaw dropping. Like everything at this treasure of a jazz club. Perfect. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Don Aquilo and the band. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Come on Monday nights if you enjoy live salsa music. Been on different nights and I enjoyed myself throughout the night as well. Bartenders are always on point as well. Many different instruments per night. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Band - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

AMAZING FIND! This little gem won't disappoint. Super Jazz vibe, awesome music, fantastic service and great food. Don't miss out on this "Off mainstreet" masterpiece! Will plan trips back regularly when we're in town! Thanks to management for such a GREAT night out and experience! "10 STARS!" read more

Rudy's is the kind of place that makes me feel like an adult. It's all dim lighting and shadows, cocktails and jazz, spicy food and leather seats. It's classy but unpretentious. Also, my server looked exactly like Matty Matheson, so that was obviously a bonus (see my photo for evidence). Speaking of photos: My photos of this joint suck because the lighting is red. Red lights are amazing in person and set the mood perfectly, but they make everything in a photo look like a bloody vampire movie. I couldn't exactly parse out the exact colors in my food (it all looked red), but all of my food tasted delicious. Rudy's specializes in New Orleans Creole food. I visited with a group, so I got to taste a few things, and I started with the Creole Red Beans & Rice, which comes with andouille sausage. It's spicy! I was warned, but I thought, I'm Mexican, I can take it. I could barely take it. Luckily, it's served with perfectly cooked white rice to temper the heat. I also tried a bit of the Chicken, Andouille Sausage & Shrimp Gumbo, which was just a touch spicy but so satisfying and warm. Our table also got an order of the Rudy's Popcorn Shrimp (served with cocktail sauce) and the fried pickles (served with spicy ranch). Both of these were delicious and definitely enough to share. The menu at Rudy's is concise -- which I love -- and includes many spicy options, so if you love heat, you will love this place. They also have a dessert menu that includes beignets, which I didn't get to try but I heard are great. My server, Matty Matheson's doppelganger, created one of the special cocktails on the menu: a cocktail made with fernet, Italicus liqueur, lemon and simple syrup. So, I had to get it. It was amazing -- refreshing with just a hint of licorice, poured over one of those big, square ice cubes. If it's on the menu when you visit, get this cocktail. Food and drink is just half of the experience of Rudy's. This is a jazz club, so expect to hear local jazz, especially jazz that honors New Orleans swing and French roots. When I visited, the band that was on stage was channeling Django Reinhardt hard. It was a nice because I love that old timey, jangly type of jazz. It was a lovely evening of music and food and drink. read more

An intimate atmosphere, incredibly talented performers, and some delicious drinks that'll put some hair on your chest. A gem I'm so happy to have stumbled upon on my first day in Nashville. To drink, I had the Call Me Maybe off their summer menu (blackberry old fashioned) which was a perfectly mixed cocktail and packed a great punch. I kept it light for dinner (shocker!) and went with their vegan red beans and rice. My other Nashville reviews will prove easily that I am far from vegan, but as someone who grew up on the Latino version of rice and beans, I was pleasantly surprised by how good the Creole version was. Admission is relatively cheap - paid a fraction of the price of a table at Blue Note in downtown Manhattan - and the vibes are there for an unorthodox but infallible way to wind down a busy day in the Music City. Will be back on my next visit to Nashville - & I'll be bringing a bigger group with me! read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Not a bad seat in the house! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We went to hear some live Christmas music and were impressed with the band. We were not so impressed with the drink service as it took 45 minutes to get our first drinks and the show was only 65 minutes long. Needless to say we left thirsty. The ambiance was cute and intimate and we would return for another musical performance if invited. We did not have time for food so I cannot comment on it but I did notice that other tables ordered food that took 30-45 minutes to receive. It did look tasty. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Nightly drink specials for Saturday - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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I stumbled upon Rudy's Jazz Room after having some dinner nearby; I was looking for a bar or lounge to decompress and after scanning Rudy's website this place seemed to be the perfect place to do that. Needless to say, I made my way over to check it out. I quickly discovered upon entry that Rudy's books musicians and charges ticket fees for each of their sets. That wasn't an issue, I only mention it because most (if not all) of the other Nashville spots I went to did not charge a cover. While they take reservations for their shows, I was able to snag a seat without one and after paying the ticket I was showed to my seat. The interior is super intimate - there's a bar to the side with seating and the majority of the space being taken up by couches, soft chairs, and small tables; the low lighting added to the overall feel. I was able to catch a portion of Dana Robbins' show - her and her band were awesome. While they do offer food, I only opted for a drink; I tried their Pink Panther which was a vodka-based cocktail - smooth with good flavor. Service was good - everyone we encountered was friendly and honestly I really appreciated them making room for me even though I didn't purchase a ticket in advance. Overall, I had a great experience at Rudy's; it's a refreshing change from the typical honky tonk bars which dominate Nashville, and I wouldn't hesitate to return here for another show. read more

First timer and I had a gift certificate from last Christmas and it's Christmas time again . So it's a good time to use it. "Key" (Keira), was the second person we came in contact with here. She is a SUPER HOSTESS! First class lady. And I don't want to forget Linde who answered my emails speedily and made our reservation. I met her via email. Then I met Matthew, a famous Bartender who takes pride in being a mixologist. We also met the Manager of the evening, "Jana". She's very personable, friendly and knowledgeable. We stayed for 2 shows. The first one was Christmassing: New Classics for the Old Soul feat. LaLa Deaton & Blue Champagne . And the second show was Regi Wooten and friends. The ambience reminds me of a speak easy bar room. Dim lighted room and romantic I'd you are, or on a date. :-). Our server is Trey and John. Trey is personable, friendly and honest. ( I say that because I asked what would he suggest for dinner.). Thanks Trey! John forgot that we had ordered a drink and remembered later in the show. We had the fried pickles, Gumbo, and, po' boy shrimp sandwich and side salad. Fried pickles was a plentifully serving for 2 people. I got a bowl of Gumbo. I disappointed because I was looking for the andouille sausage, shrimp, and, chicken. Mostly soup with 2 scoops of rice. Well It got left out of my bowl :-( My husband had a shrimp Po' Boy . He was disappointed because he said that he got maybe 4-5,shrimp and his sandwich was mostly bread. Not like the Po' Boy sandwiches that we have in Nola. I will say that the salad was good. I wouldn't order food off the menu again because I was expecting to get more for my money. It's not cheap! It's not expensive neither but you would think you would get More for your money. Overall I gave it 3 stars because the food was subpar, and the drinks are pricey. The bathrooms were clean and personally it could use a facelift. The chairs are worn and tattered tables are very very small inside. Maybe enough for one person to eat on, but that's what you would expect in the speakeasy. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Fabulous club to see live music. We saw Jody Nardone Trio. Great original tunes and cool riffs on classics. Final song was a jazz version of Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden. That was mind blowing! We sat at the bar and had prime seats to see the band. Food was good. Friends had crawfish grill cheese, shrimp poboy, gumbo, and I had the red beans and rice. Drinks were also delicious, pink panther, Tijuana moods, old fashions with Belle Meade reserve. read more

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What a wonderful place for a great jazz! Service was top-notch. Food was great. The atmosphere was amazing. Good experience and we had a really good night. read more

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Amazing music and venue! An intimate, cool vibe. The drinks were good and the popcorn shrimp was 10/10! Come early to your show for the best seats and to find parking! Amazing staff and perfect for a date night or a group! read more

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Randomly found tickets to go see Gabrielle Cavassa and her band perform. It was a great time. Things are pretty tight here so be prepared! We got here right when they opened for the evening. It was assigned seating it seemed and myself and our group were seated up at the front. Like I said earlier, things were tight so I felt a little claustrophobic but after the concert got started it wasn't too bad. Getting up to sneak through and not knock over any of the small tables to use the restroom was a challenge though. Pretty sure I heard others shatter glassware on the ground throughout the concert. Overall though, the concert was amazing. Everything sounded great throughout and because we were so close to the band, it seemed like the concert was especially for us! It seemed like a pretty long concert too, so we definitely got our money's worth. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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The entertainment was not good at all. I don't remember ever getting up and leaving any show halfway through before. It was a struggle to last that long. The staff and atmosphere was very nice. We saw Reggie Wooten and friends. They seemed to have never played together before and were all just doing their own thing. The guitar/singer was horrible. The piano/ singer was pretty good. Nothing worked together and the sound levels of each was way off. If you go, good place, just make sure you don't get stuck with this band read more

What a great place to watch live jazz in a city full of live music. The vibes are great, the music is great, and the staff is friendly and helpful. read more

I saw this place as one of the best Jazz options so I book 2 entrances of around $50 each, left Blue underground and got here a bit early. We couldn't get in until the time specify... the once in we found out the music was a bit too deep, like classical Jazz and the food/services subpart so we left early (like many other couples did) and didn't take advantage of the money invested. read more

What the actual fuck did I just see on a Sunday night in Nashville? Only about two dozen of the most talented musicians rotate on stage to play some classics and jams. Piano, stand up bass, drums, vocals, trumpet, trombone - all ridiculously good. Local music college students + cagey vets, all looking to jam together. Combine this weekly 9pm Sunday jam with the 7pm Station Inn bluegrass jam and thank me later. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Jazz? Yep. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Come to Rudy's for the atmosphere and the music. The musicians are incredible, the venue is beautiful, and the vibe is warm and welcoming. They have drinks if you want, and if you're hungry, their french bread, gumbo, red beans & rice, and beignets are all good picks. read more

Visited on a Monday, which is Salsa night and live band night. They don't let you in until 15 or 20min before the show starts. The hostess seemed off to my party, but we gave her grace and eventually got through her challenges. We purchased our tickets as walk ins. They place cards on the table identifying which tables are reserved and how many people can sit. So if there is a table of 3 and your party is only a party of 2, you can't sit there. The area is very small, but people didn't mind as the crowd got heavy... There are two salsa instructors in the room that will teach you for free. The waiter was nice at the beginning but also off... it seems to be a racial issue in my opinion, but when they see what you won't tolerate, they quickly adjust. For example; at first the hostess told us we have to buy tickets online. Then, she said come back and buy with her. I said so what's the issue with buying now. We ended up purchasing the tickets with her right then, but it was a weird energy. The next group was a different race and she didn't tell them about waiting to enter or anything about not purchasing tickets through her. The waiter said people leave out without paying so they require everyone to leave a tab. Nah I wasn't feeling that, so I said cash me out now. Then all of a sudden we don't need an open tab smh... and after we ordered, we had to work hard to get service afterwards. Overall, the salsa and band were fun, but the bar and hostess staff are weird. There is more that I don't feel like typing, but just know they were off. We all felt it. The food was okay. Overpriced everything. I probably should do 2 stars, but I'll give 3 since they straightened up after I addressed each matter... read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Shrimp poboy and fries - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Took 45 mins to get a drink. Waitress was rude as he'll. Music was great though. Terrible staff.

Well, I haven't reviewed this place since it opened six years ago, so I think it's time to rereview it. Rereview--is that even a word? Well, you know what I mean. Things have changed since then. Not physically--the building and atmosphere are still exactly the same. That's a good thing IMO. Food and drinks are pretty much the same too. I really like their red beans and rice. Really nice and meaty with a tinge of spice. Cocktails are all top notch too. The music has gotten better! When they started out, it was mostly vintage swing. Now it's a bit of everything. Both vintage and modern jazz, and everything in between. Seems like about at least once a week, they have a band tribute a late musician like Miles Davis or Thelonius Monk. Now for the negative, and why I'm knocking off one star. The service. So the service from the bartenders and servers is fine. The problem is with the service beforehand. Before you even step foot in the place, you have to buy tickets. Yeah, walk-ins are sometimes possible, but rarely. They fill up fast. So go to their Web site, choose your show...and then it takes you to a separate app called Eventbrite to choose your seats and buy your ticket. Therein lies the problem. They basically pass off all the responsibility to Eventbrite. Eventbrite has a no refund policy. So if you accidentally buy an extra ticket, choose the wrong seat, the wrong show, etc., you're screwed. And if you try to call Rudy's, it takes you to a recording, which says, "Please don't leave a voice mail, go to our Web site." As in, the same Web site that refers you back to Eventbrite to buy tickets. ‍ There is no way to get a hold of Rudy's other than just physically going there. Other than this horrible customer service conundrum, I love Rudy's. The place is fantastic. Fix this customer service problem, answer the dang phone, and sell your own tickets with a reasonable refund/return policy, and I'll give you five stars again. Until that happens, it'll be four from me. read more

Everything about this place is incredible: Music -- top notch jazz Service -- polite and professional Vibe -- feels like a speakeasy; hole-in-the-wall Drinks -- great BUT: it reeks of smoke! My wife and I visited in February 2023 and we do not remember smelling any smoke. We visited again this weekend (December 2024) and as soon as we stepped in, it smelled smoky. I asked the waiter and he said there is a cigar bar upstairs, so apparently the smoke from that place is seeping into Rudy's. If not for the smoke, it would be 5+ out of 5 stars. We really want to go back but we probably won't unless they fix the smoke problem. read more

Rudy's Jazz Room - Dave Potter Sextet was fantastic! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We loved Rudy's! Book ahead. Choose your seating of choice. Order a drink and some food and enjoy. The musicians were fantastic, and the volume was (and this is rare) perfect for the room. There aren't any bad seats and in fact I'd recommend a back of the room high top as ideal for a couple. It's a NOLA themed room, so if you like a good Sazerac or Vieux Carre like I do, this is your place. If I lived in town I'd be here ALL the time. So well done. read more

The musicians are doing great work and are a joy to listen to. Great atmosphere, but you're better off just going out to dinner before coming here and listening to the music for an hour or so. We waited 50 minutes to be checked on by the waitress while she checked on the tables behind us multiple times. Beignets are 3 for $9 and are dense and flavorless. Martini was $18 and barely filled the glass. read more