Blue Jay Listening Room

This is the most magical place, period. From many shows and intimate performances, to our beautiful wedding day - we adore all that this listening room does for music and community. This place has such a special place in our hearts, and we cannot be more grateful for Cara, Mallory, the staff, and all the artists and patrons that bring this place joy. Check out the way this place can transform into the most magical wedding venue!

I really enjoyed the music, musicians, atmosphere, and staff. My only criticisms #1 being upstairs limits patron attendance who have physical disabilities and cannot make it up the dozen or so stairs and #2 a show that is scheduled to begin at 8, shouldn't begin at 8:30, especially during the week.

The Blue Jay Listening Room is such a unique and memorable place to listen to live music! While my husband is a huge concert goer, I don't prefer the chaos and crowds of a large concert venue so I thought I'd check out the more intimate Blue Jay Listening Room. It was absolutely incredible! I feel like every seat in the room would give you a fantastic experience. From the wonderful welcoming feeling that you get the minute you walk in the door to the vintage art on the walls to the creative drinks on the menu, Cara has certainly not overlooked any special details. You can tell that she's passionate for music and really does care about everyone who comes in. Also must give a shout-out to the awesome bartender Buckley... He was so friendly and was right on top of it bringing drinks whenever anyone needed one. It truly was a magical experience with such an overall cool vibe... It was just the perfect night out! I certainly plan on going back for more of the incredible musical guests. I feel so lucky and blessed that we have this one-of-a-kind music venue right here in Jacksonville Beach! 🐦🎶💙🩵

Tonight was our first time at the Blue Jay Listening Room and we will 💯 return! We were invited by our friend and local musician, Taylor Roberts, to come to one of the coolest most hidden gems in Jacksonville! Upon entering you feel as if you have stepped back in time to an era of jazz, comfort and subtle luxury. Cara, the owner, greeted and welcomed everyone and Buckley, the bartender, was outstanding! He remembered names and is a master of the wine based cocktails! Definitely put this on your must do list for a date night!

A hidden gem in Jacksonville! The Blue Jay Listening Room offers an intimate vibe, incredible acoustics, and top-notch talent. It’s the perfect spot to really listen to music. Can’t wait to go back!

What can I say except incredible! Such a beautiful experience with a great artist. Dan Rodriquez was amazing, funny and talented. The vibes, cocktails, decor and people at Blue Jay were top notch. Highly recommend checking out when in the area! Recommend the Moscow Mule cocktail on their menu it was delicious! The owner Cara is so hospitable and fun and makes you feel like a best friend.

This is a place you should visit. It's so unique and everyone that works there is so nice. A great place to listen to music ❤️

One of a kind and one of my favorite places to go for live music. I lived in Austin for many years and guess I took for granted how the norm there, at the majority of places which have live music, was to sit and listen and pay attention to the music. Although it was the only way I experienced music, I had never heard the term “listening room”. Until I came to Jax. Enter Blue Jay, which is just that. A place where people can go and practice the long lost art of being present in the room with performers and listening and paying attention instead of spending the whole time on their phones, chatting with each other, and generally making the whole event about themselves and what they’re doing that night, broadcasting it to the world. Honestly, I never thought a place needed to exist which focuses enjoying an experience together. But I’m really glad one does. That’s Blue Jay. Of course, it never hurts to have top notch decor and amazing staff. Don’t worry, Blue Jay has that as well.

It was a little challenging finding the entrance to Blue Jay but just follow the little blue bird to the second floor and look for the blue glow for the entrance. I have to say I haven't been to a place like this in Jacksonville where you can hear local talent in such a stylish setting in- I don't know how long! The people are welcoming, the drinks are carefully crafted, and the ambiance is artsy with whimsical decor, but well thought out lighting and recycled wood flooring. You can tell it's a product of love to bring locals together to share and celebrate the arts.

This place is such a hidden gem. I 1000% think more people should know about this place. The service is amazing, the staff super friendly, and the evening is well laid out. The musical guests we saw were so good and engaged the audience. I was pleasantly surprised. They do not serve food but the drinks are top notch. (Beer and wine cocktails; no spirits)

First concert experience here and we really enjoyed the small intimate listening experience. The seating felt like we were in our living room watching an amazing musical performance! Very cool vibes that the owner and staff appear to take pride in giving people a cozy cool atmosphere to share in a wonderful evening of fantastic entertainment!

This place is very underrated and it shouldn't be! I finally made it to Blue Jay after having intentions to go for a few years. We went to one of the singer/songwriter nights and the four performers were such a treat. The venue is cute, cozy, and very functional. There's a nice sized bar at the entrance and couches along with tables and chairs in front of the stage. This is an intimate setting for both the performers and the audience. They serve drinks only, no food. The bar menu includes beer, wine, seltzers, ciders, dealcoholized wine, non-alcoholic beer, sodas, coffee, and tea. During the show, they encourage customers to turn on a little tea light to indicate that they want to order a drink. This is really a wonderful place that supports and promotes live music. I look forward to returning.

What a wonderful venue! The music was awesome. Drinks were terrific. Staff was amazing.

This is a great little intimate venue to hear music along with beer and wine. We were impressed with the staff and the service - very friendly and on top of their game. The owner is present and works along with the staff to make sure you have a good time. We went to hear a musician friend with a jazz trio and the acoustics were excellent. A hidden gem!

I was so fortunate to get invited to a songwriter night for a benefit at this venue. I loved the the ambiance, a very boutique intimate feel. It was an amazing evening enjoying four very talented singer/song writers as well an wonderful artist, Jolene Dubray (scarletsorrowsart.com) that was painting an incredible picture for a benefit raffle. I do hope I have the opportunity to hear all artists again: Elyse Berlin, James Kinne, Celia Tice and Matthew Monroe, and also to return to the Blue Jay Listening Room.

Came here last month since I won tickets from X99.5 to see Justin from Blue October perform acoustically. The venue is located upstairs in a little corner. While I was up there, I actually passed out while waiting outside. I didn't eat breakfast so it was my fault. The staff were great and let me inside and had me sit down. They gave me a wet rag for behind my neck to cool down. I also had a water and coke to bring up my blood sugar. The bar was nice and we sat to the side of the stage since it was closest to the door. JFRD came to make sure I was okay, and I was by that time. I asked Justin what his recommendations were to those suffering from mental illness. After the performance we got photos with him. The restroom was clean when I used it. The drinks were served in small wine glasses. It was a lot of fun and I super appreciate the staff for helping me too.

I visited Blue Jay for the first time to see Alyse Doty. I LOVED this venue, I think it's my new favorite. Everyone who works here was so nice, the drinks I had were really good, and the atmosphere was cozy and intimate. I look forward to many more visits and recommend everyone visit!

My wife and I drove from GA to watch John Cruz from Hawaii perform! As soon as we walked in we knew it was gonna be a great experience! The ambience was amazing the service was GREAT, and the people made it special. The Blue Jay Listening Room is the perfect place to enjoy live music!! Thank you guys!! ONELOVE

I'm wondering about the ADA compliance of this venue. It was our first time visiting last night and I saw no handicapped parking. We also could not locate an elevator and had to climb stairs with a broken handrail. When we finally located the venue, we discovered there were no seats for us, although we had pre-paid tickets. We were told the show was sold out and seating was first come, first served. That should not mean there was literally not a chair to be had! The hostess suggested we wait until the band took a break and seating might open up. We were only able to stand and enjoy a few songs, before we were forced to leave, as standing for long periods is not comfortable for us. We were extremely disappointed, as we had driven all the way from Amelia Island and even booked an overnight stay in order to enjoy one of our favorite bands. It ruined our much anticipated Valentine's evening!

To feel right at home. As a guest in someone else's house, while listening to live music is a unique and blessed experience. Tonight's event was all that and more. For several weeks my excitement had built up immensely in anticipation for tonight's performance at Blue Jay. My first visit and first to time here to see the husband and wife duo named "Calahoney". I was overwhelmed with the warm and inviting family atmosphere inside this venue. The band along with the venues management were amazingly gracious, friendly and welcoming. Special shoutout to Cara the owner of Blue Jay and her staff that helped make this visit a wonderful one. What a great location near many retail shops and eateries. Very close to the beach and you can smell the ocean in the air. The interior is super comfortable, decorated nicely., has great lighting, and relaxing vibes throughout. Large bar area that overlooks the stage is well stocked with many types of adult drinks and alcohol free drinks. I plan on many more visits to enjoy the live music that's showcased here. Was a fun and memorable night. Can't wait to return!

Wow, talk about a hell of a venue. It's completely hidden from the outside world, literally and metaphorically. Blue Jay Listening Room is a must for any live music aficionado. I've been meaning to come here for a while now. We jumped at the opportunity to attend an acoustic show last Saturday night. Local artists Pamela Elaine, my buddy Rick Kennedy from Strangerwolf, and Tampa artist Kelly White graced the stage for a singer/songwriter spotlight. All three musicians were on stage sitting on barstools. One would play a song, then pass it off to the following artist, and so on. Pretty neat concept to shake things up and keep things interesting. I believe they call this Nashville style, but I could be completely mistaken. What I enjoyed the most about the night? I grew up listening to cassettes and CD's of my favorite band's MTV Unplugged recordings. This was the closest thing to mirror that experience. The artists spoke about the inspiration of each song they were about to perform. It was intimate, at times melancholy, and utterly enlightening to be inside the artist's vulnerable state of mind. On top of all that, the space is immaculately well-maintained. Extremely eclectic room filled with unique sofas, chairs, bar with beer & wine, and spotless bathrooms. I'd say 60 seats in the entire venue, but you can easily double that number if it were a standing room only show. It felt as if the artist was merely performing to me, with no one else in close proximity. I can't believe it took me this long to come here. I hope to attend more shows in the future at this one-of-a-kind venue in Jacksonville. Located right above Casa Maria, you'd probably never know it was there. Can't recommend the space enough!

Second visit did not disappoint! Great beverage selection. Great show. Comfortable seating. Ate at casa Maria down stairs for convenience. Food sos so. Wouldn't go there other than for convenience. Great staff. Good seating set up. Chairs behind first se if couches are comfortable but aisle difficult to navigate, especially in center off row.

Amazing place to go and watch live intimate music!!! No matter who's playing it's always an awesome time. I would highly recommend you check it out.

There is no food to review. This is a listening room. You can sip wine or drink a beer while you listen to live musicians make awesome music. Very relaxed atmosphere. Very comfortable seating. It's a very intimate setting that really allows you to hear the music. The service is great, in this small, intimate setting, the staff don't disturb your experience and still manage to get you what you need. We, me and my husband, really enjoyed it.

Wow. WHAT. A. GEM. I've heard mystical stories of a little 'hole in the wall' place called Blue Jay Listening Room but never felt like I had a reason to go. SHAME ON ME. What a magical little place. It's a speakeasy style little joint with super cute retro / prohibition type / musical decor all over. Comfortable seating is available (I totally expected to stand!) and tables are placed near each seat for your beverage enjoyment convenience. I love the cozy atmosphere and the 'no talking during the show' rule - BJLR is serious about showcasing local talent and giving artists the respect they deserve! This is such a neat way to experience music and talent here locally and I'll definitely be back for more often. Tuesday jazz night, anyone?!

The ambience is very unique! Make sure to plan ahead and know their schedule before going. Worth a try!

I'm fascinated by cosplay. You know. Those people who dress up like comic book characters. Or video game figures. Or tv show people. Or whatever else it is that they want to create. I say dress up. But that's an understatement. These people spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars creating the costumes and buying the make up. They really become the characters. They are passionate about their craft. And that's kind of how I felt when I finally got to see a show at the Blue Jay Listening Room. The owners are passionate about what they've created. No, I wasn't dressed up as Jirou Kyouka (from My Hero Academia) when I went. I was just me. There to hear some great music by Coles Whalen (as an aside, Coles is a phenomenal singer. See her! Buy her music! She's fantastic!) The main thing to keep in mind if you do want to see a show at Blue Jay? It's not a big space. So buy your tickets early! The show we went to was sold out! Great for Blue Jay Listening Room. Not so good if you walk up the day of the show hoping to get in. Get the tickets early! Now, The space. Not so easy to find. Fear not. In the little shopping center. Go upstairs. Yes there is an upstairs. And there are signs. Once you do find it? Small. Intimate. Seats range from stools to chairs to couches. It's open seating so be prepared to sit pretty much anywhere. What I truly found amazing were the acoustics. Before the show started some people were talking behind me. I thought they were yelling at first. But they were just having a regular conversation. I don't know squat about acoustics and how to effectively design a space for great listening, but they certainly did that here. Once Coles began singing the sound was fantastic. I can't say enough about enjoying the music because the room really made it enjoyable. And that's part of the passion that the owners of the Blue Jay Listening Room have about their space. The audience is told at the start to silence cell phones and to not talk during the show. You are truly there to just listen to the music. And the audience was respectful of that request. No phones. No talking. Just listening and enjoying. Beer and wine are sold at the little bar at the front. The variety was impressive. Silver Oak? Seriously? Most restaurants don't even have that in stock. Good for them! They also did a good job of making sure drinks were served quickly and efficiently. Overall it was a great show put on in a wonderful performing space. Now, I'll probably never dress as Naruto Shippuden Annabu or the Kaname Kuran Vampire Knight. Honestly, i have no idea who any of these characters are, I just googled cosplay costumes. But what I will do? I will go back to the Blue Jay Listening Room to see more fantastic artists in a space that truly celebrates music.

Blue Jay Listening Room should be part of every local's or tourist's itinerary while in Jacksonville and the Beaches! It is such an amazing venue for ultimate ambiance and good music. I highly recommend this venue for date night or a group outing.

In a place where "listening is everything " your ears are in for a treat as the Blue Jay Listening Room is a new place that's sure to continue to grow in popularity with the kind, friendly bartenders (Eric) and the amazing, original live music. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to just relax at the end of a long day and hear new music by talented artists. Chris and Jake tonight were two young guitarists who played a variety of greats and we were just blown away by their talent. Couldn't believe we didn't have to pay a cover. They were very versatile with a mix of music and vocals. *NOTE* You will find them upstairs over Casa Maria Mexican restaurant.

This place is amazing. If you really love music, songwriters and learning more about the artist, this is the place. This truly is a beautiful listening room with great sound and lighting. They also have an eclectic selection of beer and wine for those interested.

This place is adorable and romantic! It is a smaller listening room that sits maybe 100. There are couches and tables. The stage is pretty wide but not deep...so you feel like you are close no matter where you sit. The sound quality was quite good for a small space. The owner is charismatic and friendly. Definitely a locally owned well run place to have a night of music and arts. There is a wine bar and they offer wine cocktails. Great wine selection, the bartenders were so fun and let me taste a few wines. I was in heaven. I love this place.

Great intimate spot for something unique and fun. The sound is great and the staff is friendly.

Went to hear Valleymaker last Friday. Such a beautiful experience. It was comfortable and people very friendly. Their was a couple who did not understand what a listening room was and that was handled professionally. I am looking forward to going again soon!

Absolutely a hidden gem. The moment I stepped in this place I felt as though I was back in Chicago at one of my favorite live music spots. A friend and I went and had the best time! Nothing but positive energy and great live music. I'll definitely be visiting again.

This place is a hidden gem in Jacksonville Beach, great live music beer and wine only casual but intimate seating. The service was excellent.

I have been frequenting Blue Jay Listening Room since the first week they were open. I am a big fan of live, local music, and the listening style vibe is so much more appealing to me than a background acoustic guitar in the background of a loud bar. This is the only listening room in Jacksonville, and I hope listening room culture continues to grow in Jax. It's a unique experience for anyone music fan. Although it's location is a little hidden in Jax Beach on the second floor of a building, it's worth the search. The antique wooden decor with the blue velvet curtain makes you feel comfortable. They have a small list of beer and wine, but I enjoyed the Malbec on their menu. On my most recent visit, I was there for Paul Vinson and Dylan Gerard. Both were incredibly talented, I recommend checking them out! Blue Jay's acoustics in the room made the sound smooth and carry across the entire listening room, which is quite large. Cara, the owner, has been present every time I've been there. She can be seen scurrying around doing everything she can to make every patron comfortable. She is clearly a hard worker and passionate about her industry. If you're in the area, be sure to check it out. Usually there is a door price to walk in for a show, but I've never seen it more than $20.

Bluejay is the best live music venue in Jax and Cara is an absolute delight. Besides the stunning decor, bluejay offers an intimate experience with some amazing artists. Think MTV unplugged with much fancier decor. This place offers a great opportunity to tuck the outside world away and completely immerse yourself in music the way it was always intended to be listened to. My suggestion is to always purchase tickets ahead of time as most shows sell out quickly. Missed the boat on that? No worries! Bluejay after hours has great local talent after the main show playing some rad tunes on the piano. One trip to bluejay and you'll see why this place is truly the gem of Jacksonville.

The atmosphere is great. "Ample Angst" provided the music on the night we attended... great vocals, instruments and songs. The drinks were good also, I just wished they served appetizers or snacks. We will be back there again!

Great atmosphere, cool up and coming bands, superb ownership and staff and just an overall wonderful venue for a terrific way to spend an evening!

The name of this venue is very fitting. The location was hidden within the second floor of building that looks like it is only one story. When we found out it was upstairs, we walked in just in time for the band to start their first set. We were fortunate our friends sat at a table in the front row. The house lighting was dim with stage lights on high to focus in on this band, Ample Angst. The lead singer drew us in with here angelic voice. She accompanied a 4 piece band, guitarist, bassist, standup bassist and a violinist. They graced us with original music as well as classics. My favorite classic that they performed was Hallelujah with their standup bassist singing backup. He sounds like John Legend. So much talent in this band. The listening room bar served beer and wine. I did not see the bartender mixing any drinks. I believe it would have taken away from the entertainment of the band. The seating was comfortable and intimate. I can see a date night here as long as it isn't your first date because they don't like talking but only listening in the house. I understand because it is a small venue. It feels like the band is playing a private show just for you. We will definitely come back to see another band. My only improvements would be more signage on the building to help us navigate to venue. We drove around the building twice before asking if it was located here. Inside the listening room, I would have enjoyed a space for dancing. It would be nice to slow dance to some of those songs they sang.

Blue Jay is an incredible place to hear live music. The ambiance is awesome and I loved the decor. Cara has put her heart and soul into making Blue Jay something special for our community and it shows!

The best place in Jacksonville to see a show. The room is put together with so much love, the decor is amazing and there is a big variety of acts. Go to a show here if you like live music, it will raise the bar on what you want to experience.

This place is "literally" a hidden gem. It wasnt the easiest place to find but it was well worth it. They have live music each night with extremely talented local artists. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the customer service was incredible! The night I went Christina Vane was playing. The most soulful sounding blues slide guitar i have ever heard. If you want to listen to amazing local music this is your place!

This is a trendy new concert and bar venue that is cozy, warm and artsy all at the same time. The owners are hands on and will make you feel right at home. We went to our first concert there to see Kyle Jennings. One of the best small concerts I have ever seen. He is coming back Oct 7th and we will be there. They use the motto "where every seat is a back stage pass" and it feels just like that. You get the feeling that you could be in your den at home with a group of good friends being entertained by some of the best talent around. If your in the area, this is one you don't want to miss and if you live close by, this should be your new watering hole...

This is hands down the best live music venue I've ever experienced. Such an intimate setting for a music lover. Highly recommend!!

Free bird is gone but a Blue Jay has arisen. What a cool local and intimate live music venue! The space is well decorated and dripping with charisma. The friendly staff and a great convo with the owner have certainly earned my repeat business!

Great music venue. Very unique with quality entertainers and a lively and warm environment. This is a great addition to a growing trendy group of new places for folks to enjoy the local scene. As a neighbor next door with 185 condos, we will frequent often. The soft opening was about as good as it gets. Packed house, great fun, great service and great talent. The crowd loved it. Standing ovations with folks wanting more and getting it with an encore. Great stuff !!

Blue Jay Listening Room is my favorite venue in Jax - hands down! Perfect for date nights or a night out with friends and family. The owner, Cara, is effervescent, personable and passionate about providing local music lovers with the great music. The space is intimate and unique, the drinks are varied and affordable, and the music will always leave you wanting more. If you're looking for your new favorite spot - look no further. This is it.

My wife and I were lucky enough to have bought tickets for the Listening Room's Grand Opening with Randall Bramblett. What a wonderful concept and great place to hear original music in a supportive and fostering environment. The Room is a well designed space with great acoustics, making this a great place to do just what it says...Listen. Don't go if you want to talk loudly or get rowdy - lots of other places for that. If you want to soak-up some great music and meet some wonderful people, (& even sip a beer or glass of wine) I would definitely recommend you try The Blue Jay Listening Room. Hope & Chip

I attended the soft opening (which was great) but the bar tenders need some education in customer service. I asked for a Chardonnay, and then went to my table. There was a menu there, with several Chardonnays. I realized the server had given me the most expensive one (or at least charged me for it) without asking me if I had a choice. I don't think that's the way to develop loyal customers.

It was my first time to Jacksonville Florida and to this venue. Absolutely loved it. Great drinks, great customer service, a great environment for friends. The live band was outstanding and I can't wait to go back to check the place out again when in Jacksonville. Check it out, you're missing out!

I attended the "soft" opening and thought it was the best! Cara I loved that you told your story. I completely enjoyed the entertainer, Kyle Jennings. This was my first visit to a listening room and loved the venue! I'll be back!!!