Bars & Jazz · Our pick in New York
Jazz in New York: the back story
The back story
About Jazz in New York: the back story
New York has been jazz’s capital for a century. Clubs in Greenwich Village and Midtown, and the stages of Jazz at Lincoln Center, still present music every night of the week.
The Village clubs
The Village Vanguard opened in 1935 and keeps its small basement room much as it was (NYC Tourism). The Blue Note on West 3rd Street has presented jazz since 1981, and Smalls on West 10th Street is an intimate room where people come for late sets.
Midtown and uptown
Birdland, named after Charlie Parker, is on West 44th Street in the Theater District. Dizzy’s Club looks over Central Park from Jazz at Lincoln Center at Columbus Circle, and Smoke on upper Broadway presents music seven nights a week. In Harlem, the Apollo Theater on 125th Street is a landmark of American music.
The Vanguard opened in 1935, and its basement room still seats around 130.
How to go
Most clubs have two sets a night, a cover charge and often a food or drink minimum: check each club’s calendar and book ahead for big names.
Our advice: go early in the week, when tickets are easier to get, and stay for the late set.
Why it's on our list
- The Village clubs
- Midtown and uptown
- How to go
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Jazz in New York: the back story before you go.