SUCH a vibe! We had dinner upstairs then headed down to the speakeasy. Service was great, food was outstanding, and the music completely blew me away. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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Music was phenomenal. Loved the entertainment and the bar downstairs was great to hangout in. Vibe was nice and chill. I would come back here for a drink and just to relax. The food wasn't that great. Meal left a lot to be desired. Duck was overcooked and thai curry lacked seasoning. Very diverse menu but was disappointing on taste. read more

Excellent service, did, and entertainment in a quaint atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of food options, from their appetizers to entrees, sides, as well as desserts. Service is prompt and attentive. The music was outstanding. This is an excellent option for any occasion, whether for a date night, a last date, tryst, celebration, couples night, or a group of friends. There's a full bar, as well, with high tops, for those that want to come solo or relax at the bar read more

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Definitely one of my new favorite places. I highly suggest for a date night with a jazz performance. It's a great experience just get there early for a good seat lol. The manager was very pleasant and kind with all guests. The food and drinks are good too. I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant and I look forward to coming back read more

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Good service, good jazz sets by the Laurie Vega Trio. The fusion food probably isn't what people come here for rates a C. Our BONELESS BABY BACK RIBS appetizer needed another 30+ minutes of simmering to get closer to the right consistency IF it is angling to be like Chinese sweet and sour pork dish. The entree CRISP BEIJING DUCKLING was not crisp, is roasted/sliced in such a way that it cannot ever attain crispiness. Steamed pancakes were not the Chinese standard- thicker therefore not easy to wrap around the meat, the accompaniment cucumber is thinly sliced but allowed to sit in such a way that it was drippy wet. Chardonnay Wine and New York Cheese cake were fine plus very jazzy ambiance- 90% full on a dreary cold Sunday evening. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Sunday evening interior - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

Nice date night venue. Live music and a great bar in this Madison establishment. Nice atmosphere and friendly service. The bartender was awesome she made excellent cocktails. The food was ok, not bad not great. Overall nice change of pace and recommend if you like live music. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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So the music itself was great, as well as the venue. We especially LOVED the bar downstairs and the vibe was on point. I would definitely come back to have a nice cocktail downstairs. Unfortunately, there was much to be desired with the food. The best part of our meal was perhaps the shrimp in the sampler platter. The duck was a bit overcooked, the chicken and Thai curry lacked seasoning and the short ribs deserved to have gravy. For such a diverse menu, we were very excited to see how everything would turn out, but we were very underwhelmed. Also to note: drinks are quite pricey, $20 for one dirty martini. All in all I would return for the lounge downstairs for drinks (possibly apps too), as you can still hear the live jazz from upstairs. Would not recommend coming here for a meal though. read more

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Came back tonight with my son to listen to my friend perform. It has been a long time since we last ate at the restaurant. Everything was the same from the past...the set up, the menu...it was fine with us, and we sat right next to the drummer per request. Service was not bad, given it was a Tuesday night and there were only 2 waiters and 1 runner. We ordered the bao bun. Very good. My son ordered the Thai curry...he said it was good. I ordered the shrimp and noodles...I should have asked for less oil and salt...totally agree with other yelpers that the dish had too much oil and salt. For dessert we ordered the lava cake and ice cream. Both were good. There is a cash discount. Bring cash to save some money if you want to. I may come back again in the future, but will remember to ask for less oil and salt for the dishes. read more

Come for the music, and some drinks (but not the $21 martini!), and eat before or after somewhere else. The food was really underwhelming, except for the polenta fries, which we thought were very good. The portions are very small for the price. Our server had a very aloof attitude, not to say he wasn't good, it was probably just a shtick. read more

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Very fun place, I loved the jazz music. The food and drinks were very good too. They do get busy! I loved the speakeasy downstairs. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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Food used to be better and they didn't substitute cheap bar rack on a 2nd round. But given the current cheap customers, it probably doesn't matter. However. still good service, ambiance snd music. read more

$40 minimum per person in Friday and Saturday -korean beef: essentially bulgogi, not sure why it wasn't just named as such. very good flavor, hubby and I highly enjoyed. would recommend. -short ribs: ver tender, tasty. would recommend. -music and ambiance: very good. Wish the music lasted a longer as $40min for 1.5hrs is a bit steep especially since it's NJ and not major city like NYC. read more

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If you're in the mood for a lively yet upscale dining experience, Shanghai Jazz is definitely worth checking out. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between being elegant and relaxed, with a touch of fun that makes it feel inviting. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a night out but still feel comfortable, which I really appreciated. We tried a variety of dishes: Korean beef, the house burger, and salmon. We also ordered cocktails and dessert. The portions were generous, which is always a win. Everything was cooked well and flavorful, but the standout was dessert - I can't say enough about the Key Lime Pie and Crème Brûlée. Both were heavenly! The Crème Brûlée had that perfect crispy top and smooth custard, while the Key Lime Pie hit the right notes of tangy and creamy. Absolutely a must-try. I thought about my pie the entire ride home. Service was solid -- attentive but not overbearing. We never had to wait long for anything, and the staff seemed genuinely friendly and eager to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. Overall, a great spot for a date night or a fun dinner with friends. It's upscale without being too formal, and the food and drinks are definitely worth the price. I'll be back for those cocktails and desserts again, for sure! read more

great jazz ensemble played- a gem for madison, which tends to be heavy on the Italian restaurants and sports bar/pub vibes

The food was way overpriced and BAD!!! All dishes were super greasy and CRAZY SALTY. We were there to see our friend perform. The entertainment was great. Will never go there just for the food. read more

The food and the service is excellent, I was there for John Lee, jazz and friends, Jazz band. He played at Susie Cue's in west orange in New York at blue note. The atmosphere was great. Everything was wonderful. read more

The ambiance was incredible. Live jazz music, beautiful place and great service. The waitresses were very kind all the time. The food was good but salty and the dessert was delicious. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

Despite this place not actually having much to do with Shanghai, I still found it to be a really nice experience. The musicians were talented, the food was very good. We got the pork bao buns, brussel sprouts, fried chicken wings, ahi tuna and dumplings. The tuna was our favorite. For the mains, we ordered the bulgogi beef which was tender and flavorful. The duck was just a tad oily but still very delicious. And I appreciate that use the traditional wrapper rather than a bun. The drinks were strong and the staff was nice. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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It's fine that our hostess forgot we checked in and sat several parties ahead of us when we got there first It's fine that our waiter took our orders then forgot to put in them in and had to ask us "wait, did you guys order already?" The atmosphere was good. Live music was good. Place was packed for a Friday night. The Asian inspired menu was not very inspiring. It was below average compared to what they were trying to accomplish (ie peking duck, curry, etc) Drinks expensive but vibe was good. Next time we'll definitely go again for a show, but maybe we'll eat beforehand read more

We went at 5pm and it was great. Bartender was excellent and the food was delicious. Cute Speakeasy in basement that's open on Thursdays, Friday and Saturday after 5pm I think. Upstairs nice with live music on the weekends. read more

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This was a great find... if you're looking for something to do on a Friday or weekend evening, do check it out. Live jazz music really adds to the cool vibe and we had an attentive server even as the place got crowded. Would recommended going between 5-6pm to get good seats. Food was ok.. this might not be the place for you if you're looking for authentic Shanghainese food but the holiday cocktails were delicious. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Dim sum platter - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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Excellent time here with our business group - great food, wonderful music, intimate club feel. Regulars here mentioned that the food improved incredibly so the previous reviews of just OK food dorsn't reflect the current foodie reality. Fun time with great cocktail & wine selections, and calamari, Korean beef, noodle dish, scallops, all delicious read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Jazz - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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Sat us and then ignored us for 20 minutes. We walked out. It's really unacceptable. Not going back.

The music is awesome and worth coming just for that, and the only reason I'm giving a point back... Service was ok and this wasn't a busy night, but the main reason for the rating and my ire is the food... we used to come here for great music and pretty good Americanized Chinese food, the music remained but the food was pretty terrible... nothing hits right, and you end fighting over which dish was the least bad (probably the cold noodles) read more

Absolutely love this place. It's such a unique atmosphere and there's nothing else like it in the area. They have some excellent musicians and the vibes are always on point. Staff are all super nice. The food is delicious, Asian fusion. Last time I went we had the bulgogi beef which was very good, dumplings, scallion pancakes, and the lo mein. The bulgogi which came with lettuce wraps and dumplings were my favorite. The food may not be the most authentic Asian but it's very good Asian-American style cuisine. Their drinks are top shelf too. What I especially love about this place is that sometimes people dance. read more

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I came out for a late birthday celebration with a friend. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked in and was greeted and the owner showed me where I could sit. We sat close to the band. They had a great live jazz band playing. Maliah was our server and she was great. I started with a lemon drop martini which I spilled a little and they completely replaced it. I was so appreciative. For my meal, I got Singapore noodles. My friend got the sesame chicken. The meal looked great and wasn't bad. My friend enjoyed his meal as well. After dinner, we walked downstairs to the speakeasy. That area of the restaurant was super live. They had an early happy hour band and music after. We sat at the bar and had a good time. All in all, I had a really good time. read more

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The live music at Shanghai Jazz is fantastic--it's the real reason to come. Unfortunately, the food missed the mark. We both ordered burgers, one medium and one well-done, but both arrived closer to medium-rare. After sending them back twice, my friend opted for the curry instead. The server was incredibly accommodating and apologetic, never making us feel bad about the issue--though ideally, the mistake should have been caught before the food reached us. There was also a billing mix-up when splitting the check, but once we pointed it out, she quickly corrected it. This was my second visit, and while the food hasn't impressed, the service is warm, and the entertainment is excellent. That's really what you're paying for. read more

Been going to Shanghai Jazz for about 20 years and for most of that time it was our favorite restaurant. The last 2 years things have definitely started to slip a little. Food is still good, but portions are definitely smaller. Service is hit or miss. Not sure if the need more help or if the waiter we keep getting just doesn't like us. Great place for drinks and live music! read more

I have always enjoyed Shanghai Jazz as a special place where I can enjoy an amazing cocktail and amazing music in a swanky atmosphere close to home. Having said that I feel it has gone downhill lately. The food costs have gone up and the portions have shrunk and an entertainment fee was a surprise. The bartending is "meh" but at least the atmosphere is still great. Next time I go (and there will be a next time) I plan to order appetizers only and vodka on the rocks with lime. Still a great place locally that can't be beat for music and ambiance. read more

The music was exceptional. The service was quick and kind. The food was mediocre and so were the drinks. We had a 6pm dinner seating, where we were squeezed in between two other two tops. We were so close together I felt like we should be dinning together. Our server was attentive and cheerful. We got drinks right away, but my husband's was way too sweet. Despite the other tables being seated before us, and ordering before us, we got our food before them. (Like I said we were super close together.) I ordered the dragon dumplings, which needed every once of flavor the dipping sauce could provide because they were steamed balls of meat mush without seasoning. For our main I got the crispy spiced tofu ras el hanout, gingered sweet potatoes, celery heart salad, tzatziki for $26. It came drowned in minced bell peppers and once again lacked a lot of flavor. You'd think from the title that spice would be involved, I think someone left it off the plate. My husband got the Korean beef $35, which was suppose to be shredded beef but instead they use thinly sliced beef as for cheesesteaks, served with rice, lettuce cups and some sort of shredded carrot in sauce. It was desperate for salt, garlic and some amount of heat, any amount of heat! He also ordered a side of the roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and black vinegar. Which came far too covered in some sort of fat and tasted sweet instead of salty and smoky like bacon would imply. All in all this meal is still sitting like a rock in my stomach. I can tell you our table neighbors got dessert we weren't willing to take a chance on, a creme brûlée and a key lime pie. They looked pretty insipid too. They didn't finish the creme brûlée. The band was warming up and doing a sound check just after we placed our order but then didn't start they're set until we were finished with our entrees. We were able to nurse our 2nd drinks in order to enjoy the music. And that's the REAL reason to go to Shanghai Jazz. Is to see and hear a little of a live performance. The band was excellent. But if you can, get a seat at the bar and skip the food. Oh and order a glass of wine or beer or whiskey neat, cause the bartender is a little heavy handed with the syrups. read more

Wanted to have little night out with music involved and so we tried this place out. I actually wanted to try this place before but never made reservations early enough so this time I made sure to book timely. Our table setup was perfect, on the side but had full view of the band. The drinks were made beautifully and the food was good. Dumplings were surprisingly tasty, I didnt really want to expect much. The pork buns were flavorful as well. The polenta fries was nicely executed but I guess polenta just isnt for me. The cheesesteak rolls could have been better. For entrees, the korean beef was very generous and nicely marinated. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the duck entree he got and finished his plate. For my sesame chicken, i found it a little too overwhelming in flavor. It was good but I think I would have enjoyed it better if the flavor of the sauce was toned down a bit and if the sauce wasnt too thick. Overall, the food was good but I seemed to have enjoyed the appetizers more than the entrees. Music was good too but wasnt exactly exceptional. Still worth a visit and a fun night out option. Glad we tried it. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Menu (2022) - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

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So, I am actually extremely disappointed because I thought this place would be five stars. Made a reservation for a certain time and we had to wait over an hour and 20 minutes because they were still setting up For the night. Why allow people to book reservations for a time you know the restaurant, host, bartender, and etc wouldn't be ready? Even after waiting for as long as we did we wanted to set that aside and just try to enjoy our night. Sad to say our food came out extremely cold and the waiter replaced it with another dish that was warm not hot. On my entree the sauce was cold and the broccoli was tasteless. The only great things we experienced this trip was the amazing host and the awesome drinks. Sad to say an hour drive to try a place we've had on our restaurant bucket list didn't turn out to be the awesomeness we expected. read more

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The food and service here was amazing, but if you are only a casual jazz listener I would recommend take out only. A few friends and I went here for happy hour/dinner and to catch up, not realizing that the jazz band was the main attraction rather than just playing in the background. We enjoyed our food and the ambiance for a bit, but couldn't talk through dinner like usual! If we were chatting between the band playing, we were shushed by others in the crowd. We ended up leaving early and went to another place downtown. read more

I will definitely be coming back to this restaurant. The food was wonderful and nice and hot. The service was quick into the point of the restaurant was really cool to look at. read more

Went to Shanghai jazz on a recent Sunday night. Drinks were made well. Appetizers bao buns were delicious. My main course of short ribs were definitely dry and underwhelming. Would not order them again. Live music was great. read more

It's hard to give this spot a lower score because the music is always, and I mean always- great. However, since ownership changed, it has not been the same. The food quality really plummeted. On two separate occasions at least a year apart, we sent back our calamari. They were so rubbery and chewy, they were in edible. They mai fun is really bland, the duck is unremarkable, the bao buns aren't great.. really most of the food the last 5x ive been here has been disappointing. However, tonight was an exception and maybe it's because they got different staff in the kitchen or maybe we just didn't order any of the disappointing dishes we had before. The shrimp appetizer is flash fried very lightly (not a heavy fry) with nice spicy mayo sauces on top. Nice portion size too and very shareable for the whole table. The salmon and beef entrees were both good. The bar is set pretty low mind you. I wouldn't say the vegetables that come with the salmon were really amazing, but at least the fish was very tender and not overcooked. The espresso ice cream dessert is also pretty good for something to wake you up a bit, as well as the drinks. Again- low bar for food because of the general disappointment over the years but the music - always worth it. It lost a special touch when the old owners left, they were always out on the floor, they knew our names. There was a more home like feel. They were special people. read more

Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, New Jersey

Music is still great, and the only reason I am giving 2 points. Food and menu was very disappointing! No more Asian menu- looks like Applebees, with burgers and salads, with dumplings and Peking duck thrown in for old time's sake. Then, when our check arrived, we were surprised and felt duped by the following additional charges: -$5.17 per person music fee- an odd amount, but that's what it said! - $8 surcharge because we only ordered apps, although we were well over the required $40 minimum per person. Also ordered a bottle of wine. Usually packed on a Friday night, but they were only about 2/3 full. Not a good sign. read more

We had heard great things and Shanghai Jazz lived up to our expectations! Half bar, half jazz club. Great music, delicious cocktails (we had the spicy margaritas sooo good!) and eclectic tasty food/menu. The show is just an additional $5pp and worth it for an entertaining dining experience. Check out their lineup ahead of time and make reservations! read more

So disappointing. So many great reviews - they must have changed owners or at least head chefs. Apps, drinks, entrees, dessert, tips - almost $500 for party of 4 and food was Applebees quality. Not one thing was good. read more

UPDATE: On 2/3/22, We came out to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It was wonderful to be back! It was pre-pandemic, last time we were here. The restaurant has a very large bar area overlooking the stage. (Next to the bar, there's an area where you can purchase music memorabilia...) In addition, there's lots of table seating on the stage floor. Hostess Veronica greeted us. Sarah was our server for the evening. We started out with Great Drinks!!! -Stoli Doli- Pineapple infused Vodka and a Moscow Mule! Next, we moved on to a Delicious Dim Sum Sampler for Two! :) We had a wonderful Barnard Griffin Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany our entree. We shared the Triangle of Three Precious Ones! Beef, Pork, Chicken, Peppers, Bamboo shoots, Spicy garlic sauce ($27) and sides of Lo Mein and White Rice. Even with one entrée, there was so much food, we were able to take a lot home. At Shanghai Jazz, you can always count on first rate entertainment! These top rate musicians have performed in major clubs all over the world. This evening, we saw John Lee- Bassist, Freddie Hendrix- Trumpet, Tommy Campbell- Drums, Steve Carrington- Saxophone and Ippolita on the piano. All the musicians were amazing! Shanghai has it all- Great entertainment, food and service! A Speakeasy is now in their newly designed lower level. A very large back parking lot is available. Parking is available on the street too. Definitely, check out Shanghai Jazz for a fun filled evening! read more

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