New York City Jazz On A Budget
New York jazz clubs are some of the best in the world and going to one is an experience that any serious fan of the music should not pass up. But a night at a club like the Village Vanguard or Dizzy’s can be an expensive proposition. The average admission to a big name New York jazz room is around $30 with another $10 drink minimum. Fortunately, for the music fan on a budget, there are ample opportunities to hear really fine jazz with little or no cover charge. There are many small rooms around town that feature jazz on a regular basis. Here are our suggestions for the best jazz deals in town .
Smoke ( 2751 Broadway near
106th). Located uptown, this tiny 70 seat bar is one of New York's best
jazz experiences . If you want a more intimate place to hear jazz,
you'll have to invite some musicians into your living room to play.
Sunday through Thursday, the club presents live music with no cover
charge (there is a small minimum, usually $20). On weekends, bigger
names are booked and there is a cover.
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola
(Broadway at 60th). A part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, what's not to
love about Dizzy's? (well, we're not crazy about the name). From an
aesthetic point of view, Dizzy's is the finest jazz club in town. The
nicely appointed furnishings, perfect sightlines, and top quality sound
system would make this a terrific experience, even if it didn't have
the view of the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop to the performers. The
standard cover here for the headline performer is $30 with a minimum of
$10 table / $5 bar. But you can check out the spectacular view and fine
surroundings for a $10 cover, at the “After Hours” set featuring local
artists on Tuesday - Thursday at 11:00 pm and after the last set of the
headliner on Friday and Saturday.
Arthur’s Tavern (Grove and 7th Ave at Sheridan Square) This West Village bar hasn’t changed much since it opened in the 1940’s and neither has the cover charge. Jazz is presented seven nights a week until 3:00 am with no cover in a friendly no attitude atmosphere. Expect a crowded room, if you go.
55 Bar (55 Christopher St) is another Greenwich Village bar that hasn’t changed much since prohibition. There is no cover for the early set featuring upcoming local artists. Later, bigger names such as Mike Stern, a sideman with Miles in the ‘80’s, perform for a $10-15 cover. Again, expect a full house.
Lenox Lounge (288 Lenox Ave / Malcolm X Blvd. between 124th & 125th streets, 212-427-0253 ) Harlem’s most famous small club has been renovated back to its original art deco look. Every Wednesday Nathan & Max Lucas Organ Trio perform 6:30 – 11 pm with No Cover (2 drink minimum) and every Thursday is Blues and R&B night with a $5.00 cover plus 2 drink minimum. 8 pm – midnight .
Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia St) is another Village jazz institution. A little more upscale than Arthur’s or the 55, the cover ranges from $6-10 for jazz performances.
Smalls (103 W. 10th st. at 7t Ave) and the Fat Cat (75 Christopher St at 7th Ave). These West Greenwich Village clubs share a booking policy that features up and coming musicians at lower than usual cover changes. Performances start at 8 &10pm most nights. The Fat Cat has late night jam sessions starting at 1:30 am (every night) that go until the early morning. Small's also has late night jam sessions on weekends.
