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    Wally's Cafe

    4.0 (362 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Wally's Cafe Photos

    Wally's Cafe - Lobster roll with steak fries - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - people sitting at the bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - pictures!! - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - a man sitting in a chair with a guitar in front of him - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - the inside of the restaurant - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Cider - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Latin Jazz Band every Thursday night! - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Front of the bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Behind the bar featuring a cool gift given to Wally's above the drinks - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts
    Wally's Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

    +105

    Wally's Cafe - a crowd of people sitting at tables - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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    the founders'
    Emilie H.

    A classically cramped, dim little venue. If you wait long enough, a chair will open along the wall--but beware, the waiter will make sure each person orders a drink! An $18 one at that. Not the worst pricing considering there's no cover and it's jazz in Boston... great for a date night or catch up with friends. Dress is unfortunately casual but matches the unfussy environment. Go local!

    Cute sign above the venue.
    Socaluv P.

    Amazing jazz sounds of young talented musicians from the local area. We loved the chill vibe and unassuming atmosphere, but had no idea that arriving right before 10pm was late and would be met with a standing room only crowd. By 10:15/10:30pm, a first wave of patrons started leaving and we were able to snag two seats and stayed for about an hour more. We're visiting from out of town and will be back again when we visit. We also loved the history of the place. Wally was a Caribbean immigrant from Barbados who purchased his place in the 1940s and had the first integrated music venue in New England, all before the CRM. Quite a pioneer with a vision for possibilities. His family still owns the place. Nice!

    Behind the bar featuring a cool gift given to Wally's above the drinks
    Brad M.

    Doesn't look like much from the outside, but this quaint little Jazz club was a nice spot to go to on a Thursday night with a friend of mine. We enjoyed the music the band played and had some drinks to unwind. The bartender bartended and the bouncer bounced. Wally's was a cool spot and I'll definitely go again.

    Packed night in full swing
    Jonah G.

    Reported to be the first Black-Owned jazz club in all of New England! Awesome music, drink strength will vary on bartender and time. Hours strongly vary. No food, but New York Pizza is next door. Packed beyond belief for good reason: it's a historic family owned club that Boston should support! Probably not wheelchair accessible. For the best experience, arrive a half hour before set time, secure a good bar or table seat well in advance, and tip your musicians! Some of the best jazz in New England.

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    Ask the Community - Wally's Cafe

    Is Wally's on Mass Ave still open for business? have not visited the city in awhile. Please update for 12/25 if possible.

    Yes!

    Do people dance?

    Not generally at this location because it's a tiny jazz club.

    What to wear?

    Totally casual and relaxed unless you're one to get gussied up when you go out

    Is this a 21+ venue?

    Up to 9 pm, no age minimum. After 9pm, minors out of the place.

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Wally's Cafe

    It has live jazz music by students at Berklee so you know it's going to be good.

    Mentioned in 19 reviews

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    Grace By Nia - Crab Cakes

    Grace By Nia

    3.6(257 reviews)
    2.0 miWaterfront, South Boston

    Starting with the most important part- FOOD: If it's a table…read moreshare, you'll have to order multiple apps. But all the apps were cooked very well, delicious. Ribs perfect, glad they were meaty pieces and not scrawny bones. Entrees: (and yes I tried all!) I am a steak fiend and was expecting more from the pallet but it was just eh OK. Salmon was dry and bland wish it was paired with a sauce and side dish but it was a big portion of just rice and fish. The BEST dish was the creole pasta and the two piece. I was not expecting that two piece to be the entire fowl! It was huge and tasty, not dry, biscuit was sweet and moist ! But the entrees are a good portion ! Ambience: Chic music lounge. Atmosphere is nice. It's a small/tight place, the pictures make it look bigger. We were a party of 6, sat at a booth. So some will have their back towards the stage but there's a tv screen of live view. Service: waitress was nice/attentive until it got later. Then it was harder to get someone to our table. the place turned more into a full lounge. Singer/band: perfect Drinks- kudos to the bar tenders: just right! Mixed well! Gratuity and an entertainment fee are included in the bill. Would I go back- YES

    TL;DR: beautiful interior, inconsistent service, overpriced, subpar food…read more Two of my girlfriends and I were excited to try the newest jazz club/restaurant in the seaport, Grace by Nia. we've all been hearing such great things about it and finally got a reservation for Saturday night. After our night out, we all had mixed feelings about our experience. The interior is beautiful. It's classy and fun setting the scene for a nice vibe. service was nice but slow, we needed to flag down our waiter a couple times so we could order food. Some of the things we ordered were the fried catfish nuggets, braised oxtails, Mac and cheese and steak frites. Fried catfish bites were okay, the oxtail dish was tender but too sweet, Mac and cheese was standard and the steak was dry. I never mind paying top dollar for amazing dishes but these weren't it for us. Drinks were good though and the music was great. I'd suggest coming just to listen to a great live band and a nightcap.

    Photos
    Grace By Nia - Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

    Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

    Grace By Nia - Mile High Red Velvet Cake.

    Mile High Red Velvet Cake.

    Grace By Nia - Steak Frites*

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    Steak Frites*

    The Lilypad - David Arteaga Trio Jammin' da Jazzzzz Jam

    The Lilypad

    4.2(33 reviews)
    2.5 miInman Square
    $

    Rude staff and SCAM. Read the other reviews BY MUSICIANS. I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND this place…read more Good beer is about all. They did not pay a group who had several out of town members and even one from out of the country and asked them to pay full price entry to the show before as well as for drinks. Also charge a ridiculous price to rent the venue after 10p on a weeknight when nobody is there. Pay to play for touring musicians - don't support this place if you care about honorability in music

    The Lilypad in the heart of Inman Square Cambridge is in my opinion without doubt the best…read moreperformance space in the Boston area, with exception of course of the great larger halls like Symphony + Jordan. When it comes to the intimacy of a smaller room, nothing compares to the vibe of this great sounding + visually stunning venue, thanks to Dan Masi for the fantastic wall murals, and to the entire staff for always maintaining a welcoming + energetic atmosphere. The beer + wine selection is superb. Sure the hotel bars bring in some heavy hitters, but the Lilypad consistently features the absolute best of the phenomenal + varied artists we are blessed with in the amazing music scene of greater Boston, as well as talent from NYC + all over the country. The music programming is incredibly varied; some of the best jazz + chamber music performances I have ever enjoyed happened here. The ongoing Sunday-night Jazz Jam session is an awesome scene, always featuring great opening performances by the house-band, followed by convivial jazz jamming, open to players + listeners alike, not to be missed!

    Photos
    The Lilypad
    The Lilypad
    The Lilypad

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    Wally's Cafe - jazzandblues - Updated June 2026

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