Jojo Restaurant and Bar

Stopped in for happy hour last week. Enjoyed the burger and salad. The bartenders were so nice and attentive. Would want to come back to try the pastas and hear music.

I would always pass this place and think to myself I gotta try it then it popped up on my tiktok fyp and I was like alright fyp getting a lil too local this is my sign ! So I went along and tried it out and I was absolutely in love with the vibes created not only from the music but the food ! Oh the food ! It was so good just wish I took more videos of the live show but it really gets no better than that live music and delicious food and drinks…yeah I’ll be back soon ! (I highly recommend the lamb chops with mashed potatoes !)

*Disclaimer* This review is based upon my most recent visit, as this is only my second time eating here. So, I placed a to-go order this evening for the weekly special which was the Salmon Pasta, and initially I wanted to eat it there just in case I didn’t like it, but it was too busy and no seating was available. I got my order and made my way home, only to discover that the dish was nothing like I imagined it to be. As you can see in the picture the salmon is chopped into pieces, which I thought it would come in whole on top of a bed of pasta. The angel hair noodles were overcooked and soggy. Lastly, the board or menu didn’t mention there would be olives in it, which luckily I’m not allergic to, but I don’t care for them. Overall, for the price I paid I could have made this dish at home, because the presentation and quality scored a 0. Going forward I guess I’ll only go for happy hour and order the calamari, because the veggie quesadillas were good, but I asked for light cheese and I guess they missed the memo. Oh, and let me just note I live blocks away and it was cold outside, so after having not eaten all day this was very disappointing, but I wasn’t walking back.

Jojo is a great restaurant on U Street. Most people come on the weekend to listen to the live jazz band on the first floor, but we definitely enjoyed the cozier environs of the second floor. We still could hear the band from where we were, but it wasn't so loud that we couldn't hold a conversation. There aren't many seats downstairs, so all the more reason to enjoy a dinner date upstairs. Service was good. The hosts were quite welcoming. Food was great. I recommend the caprese appetizer. The crabbed stuff salmon was very delicious, as was the ribeye steak with the mushroom sauce. I think the prices were reasonable for what you're getting. I'd skip the Caesar salad, which wasn't anything special. Overall, this was a great spot to have a dinner date on a Friday. We'd happily come again.

It is a small little place, but the vibe is right, the food tastes great, and tbe bartender is superb. I highly recommend hitting tgat happy hour.

Real good food. Nice varied selection of dishes. The waitresses could do with a little smile when greeting customers and serving them. The ambiance is nice, the music was late to start and it was not as i expected, could be much better Jazz like! A two hour limit on your stay (table) maybe understandable since the first floor has only a few tables with live music, but I do not like anyone telling me when I have to leave, Nor do I like to be on a timer! Overall it was a nice experience which I may repeat to try some more dishes. Oh, do reserve online as early as you can to get the time slot you want to spend there.

Great small jazz venue. Ok to go in solo. Better if you go with a significant other or group. The jazz was amazing. The acoustics are exceptional in the space. The Big Bass player did his thing last night. Service for a jazz club was fast with food and drinks. The flavors were on point.

I tried to make a reservation, but there were none available for downstairs so I got on what I thought was a waitlist like a normal restaurant. When I arrived I was told that there is no waitlist and they are full. I guess the waitlist is to get a reservation if people cancel, but otherwise they are full until close. This was not clear on the website. Came on a Saturday night around 8 pm. Took the metro so I'm unsure of parking, though it seemed to be expensive in the area. This place is a very small. It has two levels. The live music plays downstairs. Downstairs there is a small bar with about 8 seats and about 8 tables total. I did not go upstairs as we wanted to be near the music. We were told to stand by the bar and wait until a spot opened up. I didn't like this because it was cramped and I felt like a vulture, but we didn't want to call it quits just yet so we decided to try it. We waited 17 minutes. This somehow felt quick and like an eternity. It passed because we were still able to enjoy the music while we waited, but I was anxious trying to get us a seat because we did not just want drinks, but food as well. I was able to snag a seat for myself first and then a second for my partner. Drinks ordered: Athenas Kiss *phenomenal!*, an old fashioned, and local DC beer. (FYI: They don't have a great scotch selection.) Food ordered: wings, caprese, and herb pan seared salmon Dessert ordered: none The food was good. I actually enjoyed the wings the most. We got a mixture of the spicy and sweet sauces at the bartenders recommendation. They were cooked well and the sauce combo was excellent. The caprese and salmon were yummy, but nothing phenomenal. The bands playing was great. It was fun to listen to. There was a mixture of keys, drums, trumpet, bass, sax. The time passed and we enjoyed ourselves. We stayed until the band's set was over. Again, I felt bad that people were waiting for seats (I don't like to be rude or take up too much space) but I had to remind myself that I was a paying a customer (because after tips to both the bartender and band we spent over $200) and it was okay for me not to feel bad. That being said, this place was definitely not cheap. It's not an every day, week, or month thing to drop $200 on dinner for one night, but in this case, it was a special treat that was worth it. It ended up being a romantic date night for my partner and I to feel connected. Obviously they cannot change the size of the restaurant but after reading the reviews from the past year, I believe that the establishment does read and try to make improvements where possible. Overall impression: a cozy, dark, exposed brick place. Because of this, it is loud and crowded. Come for a relaxed time to enjoy libations during the music and chit chat in between music as it is hard to carry on a conversation. If you go in with the right expectations and overview of the place, I believe its a great time. I would recommend the experience.

We really loved stopping into Jojo's last weekend. It was one of the best parts of our weekend trip. We had originally had plans to hit another jazz spot in town but I wasn't thinking we would care for the overall vibe of the show there. I across JoJo's and without knowing for sure who the act would be we made a reservation. We arrived ready for a good show but initially we were in trouble. The gal at the front said that the lower level was full(where the stage was), and was sitting us upstairs. I said we couldn't do that, that we were there for the jazz. after a lucky break that someone left we did get a table downstairs. And the show started. the band was trumpet guitar keys and drums. They were pretty good. Everyone was bouncing off each other and often the keys were the playing the base lines along with keys(he had 2 synthesizers). Later songs a sax and then another sax showed up and played as well. Then a much older fella came in part way to a song and sang some licks as well. Incredible show, solid service and venue. Next time in town we will be back.

Totally had to get some Jazz in my bones while I'm in DC for a few weeks and I'm super happy to admit that Jojo restaurant and bar made for an awesome first stop. I made a reservation for 6:45pm and I'm happy I did. Although I probably could have managed to snag a seat at the bar without one, the place is teeny tiny and could have easily been filled to the brim. There were a healthy amount of folks in this night and I had a great time sitting incognito and watching them all. Jazz was great! On the melodic side but it scratched the jazz itch I had. Ok now, the food was phenomenal. For dinner I opted for the lamb chops and they were huge and delicious. When the plate came, I immediately knew I had been in Los Angeles too long because we never get anything this size and price back at home. The lamb was beautifully seasoned with delicious potatoes on the side; I scarfed down the whole thing mighty quickly. ALSO! I think the new love of my life is the Apple tartlet. Perfectly sweet with a healthy dose of cinnamon, sugar, and a big dollop of gelato on top. It was everything I needed to top off my already perfect meal. Drinks were great too! I got the jungle inn, a rum based concoction as well as The Ellington. Which was served in a fancy martini glass. Both were amazing. Totally great introduction to the jazz scene in DC at Jojo restaurant and bar! I'm already looking forward to where my next jazz adventure in the city takes me.

I loved the ambiance of this spot! It was beautiful and dimly lit for an intimate evening. We were going to enjoy the music, which didn't end up lasting very long after we arrived, so that was a bit disappointing. Also I'm not sure if it's advertised online, but if you're looking to sit down at a table, they told us that there was a cover charge and a 2 drink minimum per person. Now I might be able to understand, but we initially spoke with two people who had different prices for the cover which made it seem like maybe they don't charge a cover every night, or that they charge whatever they feel like. Nonetheless, their drink selection is extensive and I personally enjoyed their white wines!

Great vibes! Love the live jazz! The food was delicious too. There are two levels. We dined on the second level; next time we will try to reserve the 1st floor, so we can interact with the band. Overall, we will be returning the next time we are in D.C.

JoJo's Restaurant and Bar in DC offers an unforgettable dining experience. The food is exceptional, service attentive and welcoming, and the live music sets a fun/vibrant mood. A true "5 star" spot.

Jojo's is an intimate restaurant with live jazz, blues and soul nightly. There are a wide variety of options plus weekly specials and a daily HH (5-7) at the bar. The servings are filling and everything comes out quickly.

We tried to stop in here for a drink before dinner but it was totally packed! We tried again after dinner and were able to secure a table. The place is tiny and intimate but has a great atmosphere. Unfortunately they had no coffee options other than a basic coffee, and only had creamer and no milk. I would have loved an espresso after dinner but had to settle for a coffee. We ordered a dessert and a few drinks, and they were all great. Cute little place to stumble upon. Music was fabulous also, will definitely pop in again - maybe to try dinner!

What a great night! We got a wonderful spot at a high top in a the corner and had a great view of the bands. Wonderful music, wonderful food and drinks, and the service was lovely. We'll definitely plan to come back again for a nice date night!

Great service amazing experience and vibe , the jazz was immaculate, wings were incredible and well priced over all

Make my visit every three to four months when I come to DC to visit family and friends. Enjoy jazz and blues every night except Monday and Tuesday, with good American flavors and knowledgeable bartenders.

Amazing amazing amazing!!! They accept online reservations, which I highly suggest you do before going. Small place with big business!!! I love to bring my husband here on date nights or special occasions. The live music is the icing on the cake. The food is comfort food, good to your soul type of taste! You will not be disappointed! They also run specials on drinks!

Always a delightful time. Today we heard Dat Feel Good which is an incredible Baltimore based jazz band. They play every fiesta Satyrday so definitely go see them. Everytime I come to Jojos I get excellent food, quality customer service, and a fantastic vibe.

We LOVED, LOVED this place!! If you are in the DC area and you enjoy live Jazz/Blues music this is a must. What an incredible staff they make sure you are comfortable and drinks and food are always available. Our waitress Naku was the best!!!! We had no reservations and sat upstairs for a while but she remembered and when a table was available downstairs she came for us. She is a worker!! Loved her professionalism and just made our visit special. Would definitely come back and enjoy this Gem again.

I came here to celebrate my fiancé's birthday for dinner last night, 9/8/24. We were seated downstairs in probably one of the worst spots-- the table right at the start of the stairs to go to the upstairs dining. There was always someone behind my fiancé walking up or down the stairs or just standing there and every 2-3 minutes, there was someone walking by bumping my seat-- whether it be someone walking past or servers bringing out food. There is a $10 per person charge added to your bill for live music. The jazz band that was playing was amazing, left a $20 tip for them and I liked that despite how loud it was (this wasn't a huge deal), they played some selections at a lower volume. You are automatically charged 20% gratuity regardless of your party size, and the service reflected that. Usually at these types of places, when gratuity is automatically charged, the servers couldn't care less about the service they actually give because they receive a tip regardless. I was there to celebrate my fiancé's birthday and there was zero acknowledgment or care about this despite noting that in the reservation. Very disappointing service-- I had to ask the server's name (Naku) because she never cared to introduce herself or anything, just took our orders and brought out food and drinks. We were checked on once. The check came to $150 including $23 auto-gratuity, $20 for the cover charges, and the rest for our food/drinks. We ordered two cocktails, my love ordered the lamb chops (he loved this), I ordered the capellini pasta with a side of steamed broccolini which was exactly that-- steamed broccolini, zero seasoning or flavor. I don't eat meat so the capellini was an option that was available and was just alright. I would not recommend this place as like a romantic date night or place to celebrate anything important or special because you will NOT get that type of experience here. Overpriced in my opinion and I hated the service the most for how much you pay to dine here. This is more of a happy hour, after work, grab a quick bite and listen to some good vibes type of place. Not sure if I'll be back, but glad I gave it a try.

Such a fun spot! I love that they have live music that you can hear throughout the restaurant. We sat upstairs and could still enjoy the entertainment without it drowning out our conversation. The bread pudding was excellent. And the waitstaff were all very nice.

Drinks were good, food was tasteful and very well prepared. We also had the calamari and smoked salmon as appetizers. Service was quick and the waiter was very welcoming. We sat on the second floor and that was the still a good area to hear the band.

*Disclaimer* This review is based upon my most recent visit, as this is only my second time eating here. So, I placed a to-go order this evening for the weekly special which was the Salmon Pasta, and initially I wanted to eat it there just in case I didn't like it, but it was too busy and no seating was available. I got my order and made my way home, only to discover that the dish was nothing like I imagined it to be. As you can see in the picture the salmon is chopped into pieces, which I thought it would come in whole on top of a bed of pasta. The angel hair noodles were overcooked and soggy. Lastly, the board or menu didn't mention there would be olives in it, which luckily I'm not allergic to, but I don't care for them. Overall, for the price I paid I could have made this dish at home, because the presentation and quality scored a 0. Going forward I guess I'll only go for happy hour and order the calamari, because the veggie quesadillas were good, but I asked for light cheese and I guess they missed the memo. Oh, and let me just note I live blocks away and it was cold outside, so after having not eaten all day this was very disappointing, but I wasn't walking back.

Planned a surprise date for my wife and i's Friday night. I went on the website Wednesday and clicked the "Book now" button that has the text "Dine with us" right above it, seemingly thinking that was making reservations. The screen where you select the date and time even says "complete my reservation". We arrived 10 minutes early and were told that what I clicked was "actually a waitlist, and not a reservation". Confused, I showed her the website and how it didn't mention waitlist anywhere. She just said "well that's the waitlist." When asked how long it would take, she just looked at the iPad and laughed and shrugged. Abhorrent. Was really excited to check this place out, but that was unacceptable and we went elsewhere. Change the text on the website to make it more clear that it's a waitlist. Why would I join the waitlist days in advance? Won't be back.

Live band!!! We didn't have reservations but able to grab a table luckily. We just came for a drink and quick snack. Wings and fries that my girl was craving did not disappoint. The drinks were great, as was the service. There were lots of people there so it was a good vibe as far as the crowd. The band was so talented. I'd recommend checking this place out! This was my second time here and I'd go back for sure.

Other than the great band, this place was a bust. ...Definitely take a look at your receipt. I booked the reservation over a week in advance as a surprise for my husband, and messaged the website to see what time to arrive for the 7:30 show to get a table on the first floor (and actually see the band). They said 7:00. We arrived at 6:45. I have kids- but they are 17 and 18 years old. We were immediately told kids aren't allowed where there is a bar. So they sent us upstairs (where there is also a bar). Obviously that isn't a law or anything so I questioned it. The owner said it's house policy so the kids won't be overstimulated but given my kids are adults, they acquiesced to let us sit downstairs. The food was super overpriced. Not bad but not great, and it seems extraneous on top of an entertainment fee. The worst was when the check came - they added the $10/person entertainment charge, which is fine even though they don't mention in advance, and THEN added a 20% gratuity *including on the entertainment charge* (and this is for a party of four - you usually don't get a forced gratuity for a party of four. The funny thing is, I tip 25%, so they screwed themselves out of a larger tip ). I wouldn't recommend the place. It seems like you have to know somebody...

I had the pleasure of introducing my sister and one of her friends who were visiting DC to Jojos for an East Coast jazz supper club experience. As always, Sophia and the staff took good care of us with the best seat in the house, three delicious entrees, and a great atmosphere. Can't lose with this spot! As the man said, "I'll be back!"

Service was an A++!! We were put on a waitlist but when we showed up the hostess so kindly found us a place to sit. As it was our 10th Wedding Anniversary this meant the world to us! My husband steak was cooked perfectly! I had the creole shrimp and they were delicious! I loved the jazz music! Even sitting up stairs you can still hear it and enjoy it. So glad we found this place! Wonderful time here!

Fantastic music, atmosphere, service & food! We brought our daughter & it still felt like a great date night.

Date night success at this absolutely amazing find in DC. Checked reviews for JoJos prior to visiting the DC area and quickly made reservations confident that we would be in for a treat. They certainly did not disappoint! Note: there is a $ 10 per person entertainment charge on Fridays and Saturdays. Also due to the limited spacing availability, they offer seating accommodation of up to two hours per party. We made reservations for 8:30pm. I believe the entertainment charge did not apply to those patrons seated outdoor & on the second floor. We were extremely pleased with our seating. We were seated at a round table across from the bar on the first floor. We Loved, Loved, Loved our space in the corner. We both had tastes for burgers. Our Lyft driver also recommended them. They were huge and very delicious. We were glad for the recommendations. Drinks were great! The artists on the calendar that night were showing all the way out and were absolutely amazing! Clarence Ward III & group Dat Feel Goodyes! We are fans! Go and check out JoJos the next time you are passing through DC. Highly recommended for Live music and great food. We will be back!

Went to JoJo's for the first time to watch a friend perform and as a date night. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very intimate, dark and dimly lit with candle lights. The first floor where the bands play is a little small so I highly recommend getting a reservation and making a request to be seated on the bottom floor if you want to watch then band. To start we shared a bottle of wine and ordered the mussels as an appetizer. We received these pretty quickly and the waitress was nice and allowed us to taste the wine before committing to the bottle as well as pouring our glasses for us. The mussels were ok, unusually large from what I am used to, but the sauce they were in was solid. For our mains we had the crab stuffed salmon and the pan seared salmon. Both were very good, cooked perfectly, no pieces of crab shells, and the sauces on both dishes were a standout. The prices are a little high, but if you consider that you're also paying entertainment and ambience, it's not bad. Overall, great date spot, would recommend.

Me and my partner frequent Jojo's and the food is always on point and the ambiance is out of this world for date night. He had the spicy Cajun pasta with chicken and sausage. It was flavorful, spicy, and had just the right amount of sauce. Too boot, his pasta was so dente. I forgot to mention he had the gazieto soup, which was filled with seafood- mussels, calamari, and shrimp in a light red sauce. He enjoyed it all. For me, I had the Mahi Mahi with roasted potatoes ( the potatoes are always delicious) and broccolini. Every bite left me wanting more until there was none left! I would've given JoJo's a perfect but the service was just okay. And there's now an up charge for eating downstairs when eating close to the performers. Not too much of a biggie on the up charge, they ALWAYS have excellent musical talent!

Made 6pm reservations for Thursday. Found street parking a block away. We were seated downstairs. It's hard to hold a conversation while the music is playing, but that wasn't an issue for me. Our server was friendly, helpful with suggestions and very attentive. The food was great! I had the bruschetta and the grilled veggies - my family enjoyed the stuffed salmon, tiramisu and the apple tart. No cover to hear an amazing band. They brought out a complimentary dessert with candle for the birthday girl.

Jo Jo's is great spot to catch live jazz acts Monday-Thursday with no cover and Friday/Saturday w/ $10 cover. Great drinks and dinner are also available. Would suggest making a reservation as this place is small and by the time I arrived at 6:30pm - the music had already started and all of the tables were already taken. The hostess was very helpful as there were no seats when I arrived but she was quick to accommodate when a seat at the bar opened up. The bartender was also really cool and made some nice drinks. The Brandon Woody trio was performing and did a great job - Nice cats overall ! Planning to checkout this spot again tomorrow and grab dinner also

I soon as I arrived, the host actually showed me where to go she could tell it was first time lol. She was super nice. Parking is hot or miss, I mean it's u st. However I got lucky and got parking literally next to the bar. My bf and a I were waited on immediately. We started with the calamari which was so good! Our drinks were strong enough and place is just a whole vibe needless to say. We sat upstairs and they have a tv up there to watch the performance. I read reviews and decided to make a reservation, the only seat available on the 1st floor wouldn't have worked so that's why we opted for the 2nd floor. I got the blackened salmon and my bf got the lamb chops both dishes we seasoned well I will be coming back for sure.

Sublime soulful restaurant with live jazz music that brought our dining to another level. We got to sit right up front so we were treated to a lovely band of jazz musicians who played with intensity and pure love- Now for the food- My mom had the shrimp scampi and it was flavorful and succulent. My blackened rockfish and creamy crab sauce was decadent and I cleaned my plate as the sauce had such a kick! This was the highlight of our musical and dining experience in Washington DC. This is a must visit venue if you are ever in town--

We came here to what we thought would be live jazz but were quickly disappointed to be told we had to sit upstairs because all of the downstairs tables were taken. I had made reservations in advance thinking that meant we would be downstairs being that we were celebrating a birthday. So then we were upstairs watching jazz on a TV, not the same vibe at all. And it wouldn't be as bad if the food was amazing but it wasn't. And for the prices I would definitely preferred to eat somewhere else. I had the ravioli it was 7-8 raviolis spread out on a plate with a mushroom sauce that tasted like it was from a can. He had a burger and it was dry. The waiter was nice and the service was fast.

Cons: Drafty Lukewarm food All seats are decent but close, very close. If you thinking Covid friendly this ain't it Pros: Good bartender Easy booking Booking and changes were a breeze. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food: Presentation was on point. I ordered the pan seared salmon with garlic potatoes and asparagus. He had the lamb chops (lollipops) garlic spinach and roasted potatoes. My entire dish was lukewarm down to the center of my asparagus which had a coldish center. Although flavorful it was not warm and I would not dare send it back. His lamb chops were rare even though he asked for medium there was nothing medium about his lamb chops. He received 5 chops with 2 lollipops together and one single. The single lollipop was the only cooked one. The edges were fatty but cooked a little. The waitress came over saw his raw lamb chops and said ooo. Another waitress came over and asked if we wanted them to cook his lamb chops some more. In all my years and especially since Covid have I had a restaurant offer to take my current meal back to cook more, not sanitary AT ALL. We declined she said what do you want and we just said we were good. They automatically included a $25 tip which was around 18-20% and it was only 2 of us. There's a live band in the lower level certain nights of the week starts around 630 or so. Amazing vibe We moved to the bar after dinner had a few more drinks and left prior to closing..

Nice experience food wise. We did not have reservations biggest regret since we didn't get seated downstairs where the band was playing - full house. We ordered the Cancun shrimp fettuccine since the order only comes with three shrimp, I added chicken which was perfect. We also ordered the Cajun Chicken w/ Penne Pasta I was not a fan of this a dish but my husband really liked it but he's a Cajun, lol. Dessert - bread pudding. We felt the only need for improvement was their Caesar salad, first of all it was not pre-tossed and then the dressing itself was not of quality taste - it had a bitter citrus flavor.

I've been enjoying this beautiful black owned DC Staple for 7 years now. I absolutely loved the live Jazz brunch they offered. I cannot wait until they revive those. This Jazz restaurant and bar has held a place in my heart since the first time I stepped in and that hasn't changed, even now. Last night I enjoyed the mellow smooth Jazz sound of the Tyler Leaks Quartet. They did what NEEDED TO BE DONE! I enjoyed the Myles Davis selection they played, but they also hit us with a little Fugees as well and I just fell in love. Also, they have a full bar so you can enjoy whatever your heart desires while listening to the live Jazz. Let's get into the food. To start, I enjoyed the Mussel appetizer with a glass of Red wine. The wine was just the thing I needed to relax and enjoy the music. The menu said that the mussels were prepared in a garlic butter, but honestly I would have thrown a little more garlic in to make it pop. They were not bad, but I can definitely say, I've had better. For dinner I chose the Crab Stuffed Salmon with a double side of Broccolini. And I couldn't be more pleased with the choice I made. I was torn between the Blackened Salmon but, the Crab Stuff Salmon won me over. The Salmon was cooked to perfection. It had the right kick of spice but a dash of sweetness in the sauce that sold me from the first bite. The Broccolini was great. Done just the way I like it; not too soft with a bit of a crunch to it is always my go to. I'm salivating right now thinking about how spectacularly prepared my meal was. No complaints at all. For dessert I enjoyed the Gelato with fresh berries. It was so smooth, not too sweet and just the right amount of hardness. It had cinnamon and powdered sugar sprinkled on top with fresh blueberries. It was delectable. Perfect end to the perfect dinner. The live Jazz and the conversation of the evening was just what I needed coming out of quarantine. I honestly can not complain at all. 10/10 would definitely recommend.

Best lamb chops ever! I generally only eat lamb curries but the lamb will now be a cravable item for me. I loved the live music and elegantly chill ambiance. The service was okay. Despite making a reservation we had to enjoy our food upstairs prior to being moved downstairs for the live music. Overall, I'm looking forward to going back.

I went to this restaurant and jazz club with a group of 17. We had reservations and were seated right away. First we ordered drinks which were well made and delicious. I ordered the prime rib steak medium well and it was oh so good! The wait staff was very attentive and served us in a very timely manner. The music was good as well. I'm going to keep this restaurant on my list.

Live Jazz music has so much soul. I enjoyed the music and the food. For cocktails, we tried the Pumpkin Spice Martini, which was an acquired taste. We also had the Dirty Martini and Raspberry which were on point. I do wish they would have informed us the Dirty Mariniti would not include olives. We had the lamb chops and crab stuffed salmon entree and both were delicious. It's extremely tight in this restaurant and there isn't any social distancing. JoJo's would not be a good match if you prefer social distancing. I wasn't expecting this but I enjoyed the live jazz during my meal.

If the pay was good enough, I'd become a personal tour guide and take people on excursions about the town. I just love doing things like this for my guest and the DMV is the best metropolitan area to do this. Moreover, I had family and friends visiting from Boston, MA for the weekend. We decided after a full day of sightseeing (they decided...I tried to warn them to take a nap before going out...) to bar-hop and explore the nightlife of DC. I said, are you guys sure? They were so Bostonian down! I said, oh, okay, well, let's start on U Street. One of the MUST DO things to do in addition to sightseeing, when visiting DC for the first time, is 'LIVE' music. JoJo's was the first thing that came to mind. When we arrived, we received a warm welcome by hearing the music of Colin Chambers & Friends, just outside the spot and my friends were super excited. When we walked in, it was quite a few people inside, we weren't sure if we'd be seated right away but the host greeted us and was able to accommodate the three of us. The band played skillfully, and that's kinda rare these days. Sometimes you run into bands that attempt to play jazz and experiment too much, taking away from the melody and not following the jazz form. Needless to say, the band was a treat and helped my family and friends have a remarkable time. We sat down in a great spot (not too close to the band) to peruse the menu... * Lucky for me, I had just left a singing gig and I had a mixed set that involved some French tunes and it just so happened that one of my tunes was the La Vie En Rose. When I saw that this spot had that on its cocktail menu, I had to have it. LA VIE EN ROSE: House Infused Raspberry Rosewater infused Tito's Vodka | House-made Raspberry Syrup | Lime ($13) * My cousin ordered The Jungle Inn and her husband ordered the Henry Grant. The Jungle Inn: Malibu coconut rum | Lemon | Mango | Passion Fruit | House-made Pomegranate Syrup ($13). HENRY GRANT: House-infused Chai Bulleit Bourbon | House-made Ginger Syrup | Lemon | Carrot | Turmeric ($13) My cousin enjoyed this drink so much that she thought she'd explore other flavors... I had to remind her that this was just the first stop for our bar-hopping. (smiles...) Moreover, she was feeling herself and requested another drink so I was "forced" to order another as well. (smiles...) For her second drink, she ordered the NIGHT OF PASSION: TWF Tequila, G03 Vodka, Passionfruit, Watermelon, Lime, Grapefruit Bitters ($14.50) and I ordered what she had earlier, The Jungle Inn. We then decided we should get some food, just to be safe. We ordered * JOJO WINGS: (by the way, we ordered all three flavors) Buffalo | Fiery Habanero | Sweet Bourbon Glazed | Blue Cheese | Celery ($13) * GRILLED VEGGIES: Zucchini | Bell Peppers | Eggplant | Cherry Tomatoes | Mushrooms | Balsamic Vinaigrette ($13) Well, we were having such a great time, and they were totally feeling the music and the drinks, I had to break it off by sneaking away to pay the bill so that I could get them up. They got too comfortable and almost forgot about our Bar-hopping. So, when you think about it, that's a good thing. So, keep JoJo's in mind when trying to make a DMV impression on your guests. Enjoy!

Great spot. Get a reservation. Live music regularly and the service was great. I was traveling alone and made fast friends with people sitting around me. Bartender was attentive and engaging. He made me a delicious cocktail (Ellington, I believe it was called) so I had a second one. Opted for dinner and ordered the ribeye. Cooked perfectly. Ambiance was thoroughly inviting. Next time I am in the area, I'll come back.

The service was mediocre. We had to flag a waitress down to place our order. I would have thought with us being seated first in the upstairs dining room, service would not have been a problem.. My friend had the Crab Stuffed Salmon which was not good with the pairing of the lemon butter sauce. The broccolini was overcooked, and the saffron rice was okay. The Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Pasta was a 5 out of 10, the pasta noodles were saturated with oil. Three grilled shrimp comes with the entree. The highlight of JoJo's was the Jazz music and mango margaritas.

Tips up Front: make a reservation, this place is small. There is a two hour limit on the table and a $10 entertainment fee per person for anyone wanting to hear the band. Lastly, Yelp said band started at 6, a sign inside the bar said 6:30, the band didn't play until after 7. If you're here for the band, I'd recommend reserving your table for 7 or later. Our entire meal, from sit down to departure took about 90 minutes and would've taken longer but they were out of their creme brûlée, a huge bummer. I came across JoJo's while surfing Yelp, I had made reservations at another restaurant in Georgetown but after reviewing their menu, I wasn't too excited. Then, JoJos popped into my feed and I was immediately enamored with the reviews, pictures and at the opportunity I see live jazz music. I made my reservation online for 6 as that was one of the only options, as I stated above, for a safe bet, I'd recommend making it for later if you're there to see the music. The restaurant itself is multiple floors, I was on the basement level, seated next to the bar, as one persons review put it, it's like a speakeasy setting. It's small, quaint, and elegant. It offers a couple a very intimate dinner, while still giving you that bar like atmosphere. We started our evening with cocktails, I ordered the Black Broadway and my wife got the Shirley. There are some disparities between the online menu, and the menus offered in the restaurant. For example, the Shirley isn't on the online menu, but is on their hard copies, the New York strip is on their online but not their hard copies. The Black Broadway was good, it was made with captain Morgan and was on the sweeter side, the Shirley tasted better, IMO. It's made with gin (I hate gin) but it was made in such a way that I couldn't even taste the gin. It's mixed with ginger beer and is dropped in the copper mug. For a starter, we shared a Caesar salad. The salad came lightly topped with the dressing, but they added an extra cup for those who love to drown their food. The caesar dressing was more of a vinaigrette, not as thick as a normal Caesar but just as delicious. I have to admit, I used the second cup. My wife ordered the salmon stuffed with crab that is topped with a lemon butter sauce. The sauce is good, it tasted like it had a heavy helping of butter that was lightly dusted with lemon. The salmon itself was cooked perfectly, but neither one of us tasted any crab. Nonetheless the salmon was delicious and I'd recommend it anyone. I ordered the New York strip, medium rare that was cooked to perfection. The steak is topped lightly with a buttery blue cheese. This is where I'd wish they would've drowned my steak in this dressing, because it is delicious. The steak came with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The asparagus was cooked right, it had that crunch you're looking for at first bite. Not that soggy taste you get when you cook it too long. Something i haven't quite been able to replicate while cooking at home. The mashed potatoes were good. I have no complaints but honestly, I'm not as big into sides that accompany my meal as much as I am into the main entree or the dessert. Which brings me to my biggest disappointment of my night. They were 86'd or out of their Kahlúa Creme Brûlée. You realize what this means right? I have to come back. At least I have something to look forward to on next date night. However the next time I go, will be when a blues band plays as that's my favorite to play when playing guitar.

This is a must go in DuPont DC. Small place so reservations highly recommended. We were seated quickly as the band was on break. Check schedule to know who and when. We sat upstairs verses right next to the band. There is CCTV and you can still hear the band upstairs. The server was quick and attentive with generously poured Casamigos repasado. Salad and smoked salmon for apps and perfectly dressed and prepared. The star was by far the butternut ravioli. Steak wasn't bad per the fiancée, however the ravioli was delicious. We did ask for mushroom gravy on side and server said she would take back because it arrived wrong. But wasn't too bad. Ravioli tho....Good flavor like taste every component flavor. It may be seasonal but with their slight spice and gentle sauce with good music and pleasant staff.... I would eat again at this MOB and telling others.

My group of 5 had a semi-late dinner here one evening. There was a live band playing an interesting choice of music (instrumentals only). Everything pretty much sounded the same. However, the overall ambiance and environment was okay. The service was very slow...it took a really long time to get our entrees. I cringed when some of the guests ordered dessert because I knew that would make for an even longer night lol. I must say that my meal, Blackened Salmon w/Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, was a lot better than I expected. The portion was huge and I couldn't finish it all. With that said, they definitely give you enough food to match the price. I didn't order any cocktails, but the others in the group were impressed with theirs. Overall, the place is really small inside so you'll definitely need to make reservations. Also, the entertainment rotates so I'm sure some nights are better than others.

I've been trying to find the perfect day time to eat at Jojos and it was worth the wait! Let's start with the pros: It's very intimate but with such a welcoming feel. I had the calamari for a starter and that's probably some of the best calamari I've had, followed by the lamb for the main course and bread pudding for dessert. Everything was incredibly delicious. For drinks, I had the ginger mule and another cocktail (already forgot the name) Let's not forget about the live music while I was finishing off dessert. *added favorite* My only con is that our server had a bit of an attitude but my friends and I chose to ignore it because the food was incredible, service was fast and the other server helping her was super sweet. Overall, 4.5 stars but it's a gem in dc!

Im struggling with this one . The vibes deserve 4 stars but the food was really lacking- 2.5 stars for food. I ordered the rockfish special and the fish was very dry. Overcooked. The fish and the Cajun cream sauce both lacked in flavor. The sides were good the mashed potatoes and broccolini was cooked well and had flavor. The ambiance of the place is nice. It's very small so I was glad that we had reservations and were sat right away . The drinks and band were amazing .

One of the few authentic jazz lounges in the city since COVID razed the scene, JoJo's continues to be a perennial favorite amongst local Washingtonians. It's dimly lit atmosphere certainly quiets the bustling crowd where seating is scamp, but the ambience is plenty. The food is definitely A1. So much so, that I had to break character just then to tell you that the wings were . Still, there are but so many reputable clubs around that can boast being the best on the block--and that's JoJo indubitably.

We came here for happy hour, and we thought it was amazing. The food was cheap, I got the ribs and it was only $10 and came with fries. What a steal! Ribs were great and I would 100% come back for some more. Also $5 happy hour drafts and some other cheaper drinks like cocktails. We all loved the food and the love music was great too. Would recommend.

I had such a fun time at JoJo restaurant and Bar. Delicious food, amazing music, and unique ambiance. I really energizing way to spend an evening. This would make for a great outing for friends or date night. Pros: Quick service: The service was quick and friendly. We put in our order and were quickly served. Everything arrived just as we had asked. Flexibility: I actually misremembered my reservation time, and arrived an hour early. The hostess assured me that this was no issue, and sad me down without missing a beat. I really appreciated her flexibility and kindness. Awesome music: The music was just amazing-- a jazz quartet played. The restaurant was filled with energy-- everyone was vibing and snapping and clapping along. Delicious food:The food was delicious. As a vegetarian, I had the veggie sandwich, while my boyfriend had a juicy steak cut. The masked potatoes were out of this world, and my boyfriend also enjoyed some asparagus. We finished things off with an apple tart, which definitely hit the mark as well. Prices: Prices are reasonable, I think. Not cheap, but not astronomical, either. The portion size is pretty solid, and the food really tastes amazing. Pro tips: If a performer is scheduled, having a conversation might be a challenge-- it is not the biggest space and the entertainer is front and center! Other: A $10 charge per person is included in your bill, to go towards the performer-- definitely well deserved. Also, be sure to make a reservation, and if you are coming on a Friday or weekend, try to get in by 7...it definitely fills up here and is a popular spot, for good reason.

We went on jazz night! Fun atmosphere but make sure you make a reservation. Food was okay. Not bad at all just nothing to brag about. Great service !