BLU Jazz+

Blujazz+ is classy, warm, inviting a true gem. A place where you can enjoy great food music, drinks, and a warm inviting atmosphere - definitely for grown ups, nestled in the heart of Akron. A place where you will experience billboard, grammy nominated jazz artist that prefer a cozy approachable environment. Tony the owner, Mike his son the manager, and Max one of the servers/ folk - blues guitarist will go above and beyond to make sure you feel welcomed and appreciated. Blu Jazz+ has been around since 2014 and continuing to soar and thrive and I see why. Don't take my word for it - come experience BluJazz+ for yourself. You will be pleasantly pleased. “The Experiemce” Jesse Jtjazz Thompson - Piano Adam Hawley - Guitar Jason Jackson- Saxophone Kat Hawley- Vocalist Chris Wright- Drums

Absolutely a great venue. Music was great. The cocktail 🍸 was very very good and the food was great.

BLU Jazz+ oozes opulence with its exposed brick and modern touches, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels both sophisticated yet delightfully approachable. The downstairs venue (handicap accessible) winks at the golden age of jazz clubs with its elegant design and focus on live music. It feels like a hidden gem, perfect for a special occasion or a casual night out. I attended Apollo's Fire performance of 'Taverns of 1610' exploring the Baroque style of Tavern Music throughout the world during this time. First off, fantastic performance - if you have an opportunity to see them, go! Secondly, this venue is uniquely gifted to provide intimate performances. You truly feel like you're at a VIP private performance. You're able to dine-in during the performances as well as enjoy an impressive wine list and mixed drinks. The menu is curated with a limited selection focused on taste and efficiency. I had the steakhouse burger with fries and it was delicious. Seasoned hand cut fries... Mmmm...is there anything better?! However, it would be an injustice to not state that the burger was the burger you dream about, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. I'm always saying, "I just want a good burger, where can I find that?"... Now I know the answer. Blu Jazz+, thank you for delivering on that and surprising me with an experience I never knew I was missing out on. Just to put your mind at ease, this is a genuine review from an Akronite who digs a bit of vocabulary flair. No sponsorship, no prompting, just a desire to share my awesome experience. As an independent reviewer, I strive for clear descriptions that paint a picture, while keeping things fair and accurate. I also enjoy providing artistic, yet visually accurate photographs for your consideration (with accurate credit). Mission accomplished, hopefully?

Now this place is a gem clicking on all cylinders- It has 2 floors, live Jazz most night and a cool, limited light food menu. Great Bar upstairs and down- and the staff is great. Worthy of a unique night out...

Want a different night out with someone or friends...enjoy music up close.... par take in Jazz. Corner of Main and Market in downtown Akron. A bar is available, parking nearby at the garage. Seating all around the floor and stage. I have seen people bring in a pizza from next store too. Go enjoy...

Me and my wife went on a Thursday night and loved it. It was an open jam session and people were taking turns playing. The bartender made good drinks. The sound was good. Really like the seating and esthetic. Everyone was friendly. Jazz club/speakeasy basement feel with some modern lighting. Definitely going back.

Perfect date night venue if you love Jazz like we do. Valet parking or public parking near by. Food upstairs is delicious the bar food can use a pick me up...... Drinks are good! Everything is reasonably priced also. Can't wait until the Blu-tique opens across the street.

I have always wanted to check this place out. Every Tuesday they have free jazz night. It was really great. Located in the basement, it has a very wonderful feel. Definitely bring ear plugs, sometimes it can get loud. I cant wait to go back.. perfect date night spot.

Omg! This spot is known for music but let's take time to appreciate the drinks and food. I ordered the Brussels sprouts spicy agave mustard and sunflower seeds and Thai chilli wings. Wings weren't on the menu but they have them! Both were delicious Brussels sprouts were fresh and savory I literally loved them and wings were cooked deliciously with a tangy sauce with pickled carrots as a side. So well balanced. Music was great as well we seem Om a group. I ordered the Burberry refresher with blanco tequila and it was also yummy. Nice service and polite staff. As you can see with my pictures everything was eaten up!

This jazz club will B Low U away, BLU as Tony would say with its great atmosphere and music. Just sit back and relax to the music. The service is very attentive and friendly. The drinks are moderately priced. Over all a great night out.

I love this place. I've been searching for that classic jazz ambiance for so long and I finally found it here. The drinks are nice and there's a small food menu, nothing for vegans though except the fries I believe. However, that's not the reason to come right? Lol. The bands that play here are all over the place when it comes to the different sub genres of jazz, so I'd definitely do a little research before coming if you're picky or seeking a certain something. The parking is the only annoying thing.

Went to hear some local jazz talent and was very impressed with Ava Preston and her band. After the first set, locals from nearby colleges were invited to join in and they did. Pleasurable experience and will return. Not much to offer for food, got the double hamburger which was very good and messy. Did not have anything else, like fries, but was very filling. The cocktails were some of the best I've ever had. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive.

Very very cool authentic jazz club in Akron. Worth traveling to from neighboring cities/regions. Cocktails, music and service were all top notch. Just don't stay at the hotel across the street unless you want to be treated like a second rate citizen. I will definitely be back.

Husband and I visited this club to watch a jazz band. The woman at the check in was extremely friendly and helpful with getting a table ready for our large party (there were 6 of us). We arrived at 7:20; band started at 8. It wasn't too crowded when we arrived but really filled up the last 20 min before the music started. Our table was right next to the dance floor and we had a spectacular view of the band! The drinks were very strong too, making the price worth it. Food was amazing....we recommend the muffalata and the Mediterranean sampler. Our waiter was super friendly as well. This is such a fun club; we had a blast and will certainly be back! I would recommend getting there 30 min in advance on the weekend. The second time we visited it was a Thursday. We didn't need to arrive too early because it was not that busy. I would highly recommend the flavorful and filling veggie skewers with dirty rice instead of white (if you're not a vegetarian). The food is excellent but drinks a bit pricey. Great place to dance. Don't be intimidated by the amazing dancers who frequent here. My hubs and I are just learning to salsa and even though we screwed up a few turns, no one cared and we still had a good time!

Consistently rated as one of the top Jazz Clubs in the country and there is good reason why. DO NOT SLEEP ON BLU JAZZ. The atmosphere is upwardly casual with that laid back jazz feel. Top notch musicians from across the county play here along with our own "world famous" local musicians like Theron Brown, Jackie Warren and Dan Wilson(just to name a few). And, the grub from Blu Plate is pretty darn good also. The full bar, with a nice wine list and cocktails is always a hit. The only thing is the downtown parking situation. However, for only $5 valet you are good to go. The sound system is very nice and the cozy space give the feel of the artists playing just for you. Way to go BluJazz!

Attention for jazz lovers- a place that you can't skip! One of my favorite spots in Akron! You can come here after the dinner, or you can come to the upstairs restaurant to dine and after walk downstairs to listen jazz or you can come straight to the jazz place and have small entrees and appetizers/salads. Tom, the owner, always makes sure to invite interesting and popular jazz musicians/bands. I come here at least 1-2 times per month! I love jazz and I'm happy that we have this lounge in the neighborhood. Definitely visit! By the way, check out their website to know about musicians or bands schedule or who plays that night.

The venue and atmosphere downstairs is perfect for live jazz. The staff were friendly and the drinks were great. Would highly recommend if you're in the area.

This Jazz club used to be FAB! Great food, great artists. COVID came and of course it took a toll. They don't book out gigs months at a time now. Hard to plan far ahead to see ashowandstay downtown. I hope it gets better.

Wow! The atmosphere is on point! Great jazz and blu's experience. We will definitely be back.

Glad we experienced it, got a Po Boy, Open Faced Steak Sandwich, crab cakes, gumbo and $9 Rum Smash drinks. The drinks were good and the gumbo was great. It's an older crowd. The $4 valet parking was convenient. Won't be rushing back, but a nice place to eat.

This venue features live jazz acts inside an intimate concert layout. The upper level features a restaurant and pianist playing your favorite tunes . Aaron, our server provided stellar customer service and accommodated each request with a smile and can do attitude. Valet parking is available along with food and full bar options. This is a gem to discover.

I love the music there .the music was not laud but stirred the air enough to have a comfortable background sound. The free bread they serve was very tasty! the butter was cold though. I had a big combo. i hope it has brown rice instead of white one

A basement jazz club that definitely has the "cool" vibe working in it's favor. Every time I go, I get a different specialty cocktail and all of them have been great. The food menu is limited and comes from the restaurant upstairs, but who goes to a jazz club for the food menu? They have really had some great musicians pass through the place. I especially like to go to Blu Jazz when it's a jazz band that plays music that can be danced to...such a treat. The dance floor is small. It would be nice if Blu Jazz would remove the tables and chairs from the dance floor when they are expecting a larger number of dancers to attend for the evening.

We loved our night out here. We live about an hour away and put Blue Jazz+ on our staycation itinerary. I'm so glad we did. Bobby Selvaggio was leading the big band which sounded cool enough, but what knocked us out was that this is, as he explained, a 'reading band'. These young virtuosos were playing through charts for the first time, many of them compositions by the members. It was amazing to know that, because they sounded fantastic. The space feels very intimate, yet is quite spacious. I recommend arriving early to pick a spot you like but there are no bad seats. Their focus is on classic cocktails, speakeasy style, and the servers were friendly and knowledgeable if you'd like a little modification. They do not serve food, but I think outside food is ok as we saw a group with pizza. I'd like to see them at least sell some snacky-snacks as I always want a little something with liquor. In any case I highly recommend Blue Jazz+. You couldn't do better in any big city and this is a treasure in NE Ohio.

Jazz jazz jazz!!!! I didn't dine in. Went straight down to the lower level for a jazz concert. Venue is incredible, very intimate, surprisingly clean, and service was great. One of the light fixtures came loose because the band was so loud and it hit my friend in the head, so the manager gave us a free round on the house. Even in the crowded area people were waving around refilling drinks, taking orders, setting up more chairs and tables to accommodate. The jazz club culture is amazing and definitely something everyone should experience. I'd say this place is a must-see when in Akron. And definitely check out THE ADMIRABLES on soc media.

While we came for th jazz we stopped upstairs and had dinner. I had the cornmeal encrusted catfish with remoulade coleslaw and fries. The fish had no flavor, it was not seasoned well or seasoned at all. The coleslaw while different was good, but again it could of used a little salt and pepper. My date had the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, while the presentation was good we had to send it back as it was burnt. They were very nice and made another, however it was burnt as well. The atmosphere is very nice and the staff was very nice and accommodating. We decided not to stay for the jazz concert but they did have a pianist playing while we had dinner. He was awesome and even took request from some of the patrons.

So fortunate to see this amazing restaurant Came for happy hour and listened to a piano player that brought back great memories Definitely a must go to Good and drinks were outstanding The service was the best!

Wonderful venue with attached parking! Lovely staff, great music and an amazing drink and food menu. I'm in love with the savory crawfish beniets. Lots of seating choices and a very cool vibe.

Wonderful new venue - not a bad seat in the house! Specialty drinks, while on the sweet side, were innovative and interesting. Of course, all the food is from 3 Point, which is a plus for me. That's another review I need to write, because 3 Point doesn't get the credit it deserves! Tickets were very affordable - only $8!! And we were able to load them to an app on our phones, so no messing with paper tickets! Very easy to purchase through the website! Long and short of it, this is a hidden gem! Check it out!

Had a great night. The band was good. The service was attentive. I like the lay out of the place and the acoustics. I would definitely come back. Parking is not the easiest.

Music was great, but unfortunately the night took a turn for the worse. The bar staff opened a tab on my card, and at the end of the night when I went to retrieve it, it was gone. They lost it. It would've been fine if the staff would have made any effort at all to help me, but instead I was treated like an idiot. I was told they had "no idea" where my card went and it was my problem to deal with. I also was not intoxicated at all. I had one drink. I was trying to act reasonable and understanding, but it was hard when I was being treated with such disrespect. Not sure if I'll be coming back. I couldn't believe the treatment I received. The bar staff should not be treating its customers this way. Unacceptable.

We love going to Blu. Dinner (now also lunch) is great upstairs at Blu Plate, then we head downstairs to listen to amazing music. So cool to have this fabulous venue right in Downtown Akron. We recommend this night out to all our friends.

An easy, no-doubt, slam-dunk 5 star review. A swanky, classy, sophisticated underground establishment that has been impeccably detailed and decorated to the highest standards of later-evening musical entertainment venues. Dimly lit, moody, with an ambience that says "hello, night on the town in the big city," you'll need to pinch yourself several times to remind yourself that you're in humble ol' Akron. All tables are good tables at Blu as far as being able to see the stage is concerned, as one previous reviewer pointed out. Find a seat, plop down, and enjoy the show; regardless of who is playing, you're in for a good evening. The venue carries the sound well off of the stage, but the music never quite feels too loud as to prevent you from having a conversation, should you wish. The bar area alone might be Akron's best place to enjoy a hand-made adult beverage. Sip a Sazerac as you soak in the sounds of jazz piano and thank your lucky stars the weekend has arrived. The food menu is brought to you by the Three Point upstairs, and features several fun choices. Poutine, Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, Potstickers - lots of stuff that fits into the "comfort food revival" category popular in today's forward-thinking casual dining restaurants. If Blu is your second (or third) stop of the evening crawl, what better way to slow the rate of alcohol absorption into your bloodstream? A food purist will find room to nitpick: the poutine uses gouda cheese instead of cheese curds (just ain't the same), and although the shrimp and grits impresses with its perfectly-cooked jumbo prawns that jut high out of the dish, it loses some points for its lukewarm, hardened grits that need to be reheated with more liquid and perhaps more butter and cheese. In the end, though, you're not really there to eat, right?

Wonderful service, live music and food! I recommend the charcuterie board. Great atmosphere for a date.

An interesting combination of restaurant (on the ground level) and jazz venue (in the basement). The restaurant features southern cooking. I had an excellent ettoufe with just enough spice and my son had an excellent stuffed pork shop over dirty rice. Excellent food at a reasonable price. Jazz venue is large and comfortable with drinks available. We listened to an excellent jazz trip for three hours that cost us $15 per drink. All in all, a nice place at reasonable prices.

Live jazz in Akron, a wonderful addition to North East Ohio music scene. One of Downbeats Top 100 Global Jazz Clubs. Not bad for a newer club. Food is very good if you like southern cooking (we love the Gumbo), staff is attentive and the owner Tony always sets a great example of customer service and enthusiasm for the music and all guests. Their restaurant upstairs Blu Plate does a very nice job and has a piano player to enhance the atmosphere. There is valet parking available.

Cool little jazz bar in downtown Akron. The service was great, and the venue was pretty cool. The entertainment was good, but not sure why it switched to a DJ or something towards the end of the night. Overall, cool place, would recommend.

I was so hopeful about this restaurant but was disappointed. We were seated right away and the drinks came out quickly but it went downhill from there. The restaurant was virtually empty except for our group of 5. The food took forever to come out and then it was sub-par. I ordered the etouffee and was looking forward to an authentic dish, but it was bland and sweet. My son had the pork chop, again bland and sweet. Four out of 5 dishes were disappointing. Then we ordered 2 desserts and waited at least 30 minutes. I really wish I could have given this restaurant a 4 or 5 star review as we could really use a good southern/soul restaurant in Akron.

Great place to hear jazz. Intimate setting like a Chicago jazz bar. Very nice waiters, waitresses and bar staff. Will make this a regular stop.

Blue Plate Restaurant located upstairs from Blue Jazz. Chef Lee at Blue Plate will keep diners coming back. The selections though few are all creative and shows the intense passion of the chef. we had the Pork Chop stuffed with cornbread with a side of red beans and rice. Absolutely hands down the best we have ever had.. The server that we had was very nice but didn't even know what was included with the dish and did not offer any specials at all.If the owners invest in hiring top notch servers that really have the same passion that Chef Lee has about the venue and the menu, Blu Plate will be a huge success..

This is not a place to go and talk with the people your hanging out with while you hear some cool music. It's way too loud for that. I like the place but it's loud, couldn't hear across the table.

This was the worst dining experience I've had in years. It took 30 minutes for the server to take our order. Nearly 40 minutes to get our food, and AN HOUR TO RECEIVE THE CHECK. It was ridiculous. The music was decent but the service was extremely poor. P.S. Do NOT order the half-chicken! It was awful!!!!

This is an excellent venue. I've gone there several times and loved the music and the atmosphere. The acoustics are great and so is the food. However, the menu should be expanded and the audience should be more mindful of the artists and not talk so much during the performances. Kudos to Tony Troppe and his staff. Perhaps this place will put Akron on the map for jazz.

Such an amazing spot. My crew of 8 were bar hopping and popped in. The owner was amazing he let us know there was a live band. He checked on several times & told us told us where to sit and we enjoyed ourselves. The food was amazing!!! This was a happy accident. We will be back.

Moved from NYC and lucked out in finding this new jazz joint! Space very large, lots of seating and up at the bar as well. Dimly lit, classy, romantic loungey atmosphere. Saw a jazz trio and really enjoyed it. Solid cocktail assortment as well as a whole page list of beers. Had one app and the food was also on point! Service very good. I left there super relaxed and looking for another show to come back to. So glad this venue is in Akron!

We were a group of 13 that walk in on Saturday night last minute. We are grateful for that but that was the only positive compliment I can say. Service was extremely slow and at times non existent. One in our part did not receive her meal for 45 mins after the other 12 finished. Manager said the OWNER would be over to adjust our bill. That NEVER happened. When I confronted her she said they took off all of our drinks. Not true. We all paid for drinks.Never again.

Great spot to hang with some friends and hear great music. They get some great musicians and bands that come through and the food is excellent.

New upscale jazz club with a nostalgic feel and modern amenities. Photos of jazz greats line the walls and there's not a bad seat in the house. Amazing local talent will blow you away! Do yourself a favor and try the fish tacos!

Good music..... terrible service. Waited 90 minutes to talk to a server. Many of the items on the beer menu and most of the food menu they didn't have. I don't see this place surviving if they don't clean up their act. They even took ten minutes to get my check paid.

Had a lovely meal yesterday for lunch. Reasonably priced, background jazz music playing. Will go back for sure

This was my first time going to BLU Jazz+, and I'm so happy I went! Was a little confused at first how the seating worked. Didn't know if we needed to get drinks at the bar and then sit, or if someone would just come to our table. We took our chances and sat down and had service pretty quickly. I ordered the "Blu Line" drink and it was fantastic. $9 seems a little pricey, but the it was a bigger martini glass. Didn't get to stay too long and order any more drinks or check out the food menu, but even with this I highly suggest going to check it out! Perfect place for a date night or a hangout with some friends to listen to some fantastic jazz.

I am not a Jazz person however I deceided to treat my self to a nice dinner and a Jazz night with my teenagers and my friends . I was very impressed. The place is very well kept and the stage and the seating arrangements are perfect. The wine and food selections with a southern twist were amazing. Valet parking was perfect . Special thanks to Cicada who was our server and he made sure we were having a great time. Thanks to Mike who gave my kids a discount on the cover charge. Would definately come back. Highly recommend this place for a nice evening out with family and friends. Thx DR MD

What a great new space in Akron. Has that cool blues/jazz feel like old New Orleans. Went there opening weekend and you would have thought it had been around for years. Great menu and specialty drinks. Heard some great jazz and had the famous fish tacos and crab cakes. Wow! Staff was top notch. Prices are great as well. Great date night or couples evening out place. Get tickets in advance as the shows sell out.

Great atmosphere and music. Not so good at food. The Étouffée was chef Boyardee level. The more basic menu options are a safer bet.

We went to BluJazz for the first time. Such a great time! Great music, cool urban atmosphere, great service! We'll be going back again soon!

Blu is an excellent destination for not only locals but for Jazz connoisseurs seeking an exceptional experience. The music has yet to disappoint and the food is first class. The Black & Blu Burger alone is worth the visit. Blu features a limited menu. What they lack in selection, they make up for in flavor and presentation. Try it, then add this great destination to your 'regular' list.

My husband and I went to Blu for the first time and will definitely be back! The vibe is super cool and the music was amazing! Blu has a great drink menu with a large variety of beer, swanky cocktails, wine, and bubbly. Our server was extremely friendly and was always on top of refilling our drinks. The owner even stopped by and asked if we were enjoying ourselves, which we thought was pretty neat. This is a great venue and perfect for a date night or even a night out with friends!