Affordable
Jazz Clubs
Too many people avoid New
York City's jazz clubs because of reports
that cover charges and drink minimums at
clubs like The Blue Note will set you
back at least $50 per person. While we
are happy to report that we have never
been disappointed by any of the acts at
the Blue Note, we are equally happy to
report that there are quite a few high
quality jazz clubs that are much more
affordable.
Our Favorites
The Back Fence --
corner of Bleecker and Thompson Streets
in the heart of Greenwich Village. Phone:
(212) 475-9221. Minimal cover (about $5)
on Fridays and Saturdays; no cover during
the week. Two drink per person minimum.
Good place for people who like their jazz
early since the first acts come on at
about 6:00 pm.
The Back Fence typically
books three acts on weekends and two on
week nights, which allows for non-stop
music. The acts we have seen at the Back
Fence tend to be smaller groups that can
fit on the club's "cozy" stage.
The music played varies somewhat, ranging
from jazz and blues to classic rock. Some
of the best performers we have seen are
small acoustic groups that play old
favorites from the 1960's.
This club supplies
bottomless bowls of peanuts at each
table. There is no free lunch, however:
you have to remove the shells. Do not be
shocked when the waiter tosses the shells
on the floor -- the shells are quickly
crushed into the fine powder that you
probably thought was sawdust.
Arthur's Tavern
-- 57 Grove Street near 7th Avenue in the
West Village. Phone: (212) 675-6879. No
cover charges; two drink minimum on
weekends and one drink on week nights.
Jazz and blues are what you will hear at
Arthur's. Multiple acts are booked so you
can listen to continuous music from 9 pm
to 3 am. Cash only.
Cleopatra's Needle
-- 2485 Broadway between West 92nd and
93rd Street. Phone: (212) 769-6969. No
cover; $10 drink minimum per set at each
table. This jazz club always has piano
music going, frequently accompanied by
vocalists, sax, etc.
Detour --
349 E. 13th St. between First and Second
Avenues. Phone: (212) 533- 6212. No cover
charges or drink minimums -- arguably one
of the best no-risk entertainment values
in the city. Only jazz is played at
Detour.
The Knitting Factory
-- 74 Leonard Street between Broadway and
Church. Phone: (212) 219-3006. www.knittingfactory.com.
Tickets vary from $5 to $12; you can save
a few dollars if you order in advance.
Act types vary.
Smalls --
183 West 10th Street near 7th Avenue in
the heart of the West Village. Phone:
(212) 929-7565. $10 cover. This club is
open all night -- live music starts at 10
pm and is played until 8 am.
Worth The Extra Cost
Blue Note
-- 131 West 3rd St. Phone (212) 475-8592.
www.Bluenote.net.
Cover varies. Considered the world's
finest jazz club by many and the place to
see major stars like Lionel Hampton,
Chuck Mangione and Dizzy Gillespie's
band. The burgers are good, too!
Bradley's --
70 University Place at 11th Avenue.
Phone: (212) 228-6440. Cover: $15. $8
drink/food minimum per set at each table.
The music at Bradley's is strictly jazz.
This club is pricier than the others
above, but most people we spoke to agree
it deserves a mention because of the
"high quality to cost ratio."
Metronome
-- 915 Broadway at 21st St. (212)
505-7400. www.metonomenyc.com.
No cover charge or minimum, but the food
and drinks are on the pricey side. Still
the space is lovely (art deco touches,
and comfy couches in the bar area) and
the music (from a stage over the bar) is
usually enjoyable. Sets Wednesday at
6:30, 8 and 9:30 pm; Thursday-Saturday at
7, 8:30 and 10 pm.
Sweet Basil
-- 88 7th Avenue South. (212) 242-1785. www.sweetbasil.com.
Sets: Monday-Sunday at 9, 11 and (Fri-Sat
only) 12:30 am; open daily from noon to 2
am for lunch, dinner, late supper, plus
no-cover weekend brunch. Listen to the
greats of traditional and contemporary
jazz.
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