Smalls Jazz Club

It’s definitely an institution you ought to see once in New York! The place is quite small and feels intimate, the musicians were great - I especially enjoyed that they added a trumpet and bass for the last song (to the guitar, contrabass and drums). For walk-ins, it’s a 25$ charge plus a drink (wine 12-14$; cocktails 15$; beer 5-8$). It’s also good to be early since you can choose your seat once you’re there. The performance lasts exactly an hour what felt a bit rushed and like mass processing (which it probably is;)). the place is absolutely freezing so you should bring an extra layer.

We had an amazing time here. The sound was great, the setting intimate and not too packed. The servers are amazing along with the phenomenal band.

An incredible experience - as a tourist wanting to see live jazz in New York, this was unbelievable. I was nervous to not go with the “catered towards tourist” venues and so so glad I went with Smalls! The musicians are extremely talented, I couldn’t get over how beautiful and truly mesmerising the experience was. We arrived five minutes before to a sassy staff member on the door (wasn’t our fault, we weren’t allowed to leave the previous venue we were in so had to rush to get there) so that wasn’t great, very pass agg, nor were we late or holding anyone up. The servers inside were really friendly. but honestly the music was breathtaking and worth every penny. Get there early for a good seat but we weren’t bothered about that as we were there for the music. Would recommend to anyone.

A wonderful jazz club located in Greenwich Village. The club is open every day and has a variety of gigs. It even has jam sessions starting at midnight! I went to a Sunday afternoon jam session with free entry and a small cover fee. In the first hour the house band that day play charts, and there is then a jam for the next two hours. The standard of playing is high and anybody can play with an instrument - I brought some sticks and enjoyed a few charts on kit. Recommended for jazz lovers and also musicians who want to play jazz in the world’s jazz capital.

Hi everybody. This is a tough review to write. Why, you ask yourself? It's simple. There is a different concert every day. Our concert was fun and delightful. Yours? It's up to the musicians. Cross your fingers and pray for the Lord. Maybe your concert will be just fine.

I really like this place. I've been twice. I like the open jam sessions at the end of the night. I also like the band that plays there before. I love the idea of this, Young jazz musicians getting together collaborating and creating right in front of you. The staff is really nice There's usually alot of young people and musicians. it's super loud with the crowd of music and jazz lovers but still a great atmosphere. Luv it

The music was great. The venue, well... it's an intimate\crowded place that puts the focus on the music rather than the overall experience. Seating is auditorium-style, so no tables, and they serve only drinks—no food. It's not your typical jazz club vibe. If you didn't get tickets in advance, you might be able to get some at the door, but be warned—the doorman isn’t very friendly or helpful, and will probably make the process uncomfortable.

The musicians were very talented and the crowd was engaged the entire time. Even on a rainy night, the house was packed and with a line waiting outside ready for the next show. The server was sweet and attentive to the large crowd of people. The seating is tight, but other than that the tickets were very affordable compared to other jazz bars and there was only a one drink minimum per person. I recommend this place to anyone interested in an authentic jazz bar experience, just be sure to arrive early so you can get first dibs on seating!

Fantastic! Nice no frills but sexy location on the bottom floor off sidewalk, restrooms are spacious and clean around the corner from open floor with seats. The server going around asking for drink order is fantastic, any seat in the house is not a bad seat (just arrive early to ensure you get in if its a Jam session and or your ticketed event), the sound is great, and they also offer streaming online. If here gets full then you can head over to sister spot Mezzrow. Friendly folks and lovely classic NYC ambience and spot.

Amazing little jazz club with a sister spot just down the road, in case this place is full when you stop by! It's always a fun time here and the drinks and service are usually great. Would absolutely recommend!

Underwhelming show for the price of the ticket. The wait staff is friendly so appreciated that.

Fun night of live jazz and attentive wait staff that took great care of us! We even stayed for a second set at midnight.

Had an awesome time here. Bought ticket for jazz by myself cause reat of fam had something else to do. Showed up about 20 min before showtime and waited a few to fet let in. Server came to where i was sitting and i ordered a boulvardier which was on menu. Great drink, amazing show. Venue is tiny so you are right here in the performance. They said the layer show had tox left but i didnt stay for it. I am unsure if they would have charged you for each set or not

I had an amazing time at smalls jazz club! It was such an experience! I came here where they were performing with a vibraphoneZ I was mesmerized by the musician playing. Smalls is small but the smallness creates a very intimate environment which is really nice. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The performance was about an hour which I think was enough time to enjoy the music and leaving feeling satisfied. There is no food just drinks. They take your drink order immediately and there is a one drink minimum. The service was fine. They do come through during the performance which is pretty distracting but fine overall.

This is a great little jazz club, we stopped in to watch a jam session. You walk down into a small area, It was crowded but cozy, a one drink minimum I had a great little non-alcoholic German beer. The musicians were great I truly enjoyed all of it.

We came here for a jazz show. It was entertaining but an amateur effort. I regret that it was $35 pp but it was in the village... Drinks were ok for a dive bar. Bartender moved fast. The waitress was accommodating. Seats are first come first served. Reservations are recommended if you don't want to stand in line..this place was packed on an off night. I probably could've found something equivalent and free in Harlem. Apparently this is a community staple which I can respect.

Great vibes, intimate atmosphere; definitely a must-visit place for any jazz enthusiasts. I especially love their afternoon jam sessions... Seeing musicians improvising and creating beautiful spontaneous melodies in the moment is certainly provides an unforgettable experience.

Super small jazz club with a great vibe. The music was awesome, and the bar is perfect for the location. The bartender was very quick, and nice to everyone we saw her interact with. The cocktails were nicely made. Would certainly come back!

Was able to get a reservation to this jazz club last minute. It's downstairs and really gives a jazzy feel to it. Full bar and the bartender was working extremely hard. The music was amazing and they have a live streaming option online which was unique.

I went to Smalls in October 2023 to hear Steve Turre* play trombone. His son Orion was playing drums. The show was great! This is a classic NYC jazz venue in a basement. You could easily walk by it if you're not paying attention. If you have mobility issues or can't navigate steps, go to Dizzy's Club or the main performance room at Birdland. There's bar seating and floor seating in regular chairs lined up in rows. If you get there early enough, sit near the front, close to the stage. There was only one bartender the night I was there and it was a little hard to get a drink but not impossible. There seemed to be a lot of tourists at the show who were milling about quite a bit. I guess one of the things to do in NYC is see authentic jazz, which Smalls is. I'd call it a slightly gritty environment...hence 4 stars. I prefer their sister club Mezzrow, my favorite jazz venue in NYC. But it's definitely worth visiting Smalls for world class jazz. Side note: Andromeda Turre, Steve Turre's daughter is a jazz singer and you can get to know her on Real Jazz, Sirius XM. Her program is called Growing Up Jazz because as a child she went on tour with her Dad and Dizzy Gillespie. They didn't have a babysitter so she sat under the piano with some percussion instruments.

We saw the Tim Armacost quartet last night and had a great experience! The music was wonderful, lots of Thelonious Monk compositions, and the sound was great (though we had ear plugs since we sat first row). Smalls reminded my husband and me of a tiny little jazz club we visited in Paris many years ago: intimate and charming. The server we had was very courteous and our drinks were served quickly with frequent check ins to make sure we were satisfied. Think you need tickets in advance for most shows, especially on a weekend night, and get in line early if you want best seating options.

What an experience. Not sure how anyone would know about this place unless you got an add, saw it somewhere, or word of mouth. But I guess that's part of what makes this place so special. I had a great time. The performance was spot on. Very good. I would return for the show. Always best to get there early because seats are first come first serve. It's easy to get a less than ideal spot. Seating is a few benches on the side (which I got) and flip up chairs in front of the stage. It's a small space. There is also some bar seating. When you come in, you walk down the stairs and find your preferred seat ASAP. No food. Just drinks. Drinks are ok. Limited selection and one of my drinks was wrong. Understandable because there was about 2-3 people running around everywhere getting drinks for everyone. All in all, great experience. I would return and bring others with me. Fun time.

I was recommended this place by my saxophone teacher, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. If you're looking for the ultimate New York jazz bar experience, this is it. I've been to plenty of fancy spots around the city, but this one left the biggest impression. I went for the 1am jam session, which has no cover fee and just a one-drink minimum per person. Musicians with instruments can enter for free around midnight and even perform on stage! There are also jam sessions on the weekend afternoon and those are also free to enter. The basement is small but cozy, which adds to the intimate atmosphere. You can see how much fun the musicians are having on stage, and it's contagious--it really makes the experience special. The service was excellent, with a server regularly checking on everyone. People come and go often, so we had no trouble finding good seats after a short wait of about 5 minutes.

WOW. I love Smalls. My boyfriend and I came here pre Covid for one of our first dates back in 2018. We were in town this past weekend and came back to create those memories 5 years later! I ordered tickets two weeks out from October 18th (the night of our reservation). Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. You also have to get there 30 minutes prior to show time. Bless the man that was at the front door, haha. Everyone was trying to get in and each time you'd hear: "SOLD OUUTTTT?!". The look on his face was priceless. It gave us a good chuckle. We had a bottle of wine for only $40 bucks without tip and it lasted us the entire hour. I love this little cozy jazz club and will recommend to everyone! ***For any owners of the jazz club who knows the quartet that was playing on October18th at the 10:30 show, please reach out! They were amazing and I would love to follow more of his music!***

It feels more like a grungy rock club than a jazz club but I still enjoyed it. The energy was lively and young. I spoke to the owner and he seemed genuinely excited to run this place, which is always a great sign for a live music venue.

Smalls is an intimate event space with excellent jazz. We came for a show on a Wednesday night and snagged walk-in tickets ($25). There's a 1 drink minimum, with decent cocktails around $15. The show itself was awesome -- talented musicians and a very respectful crowd (nearly no chatter throughout the show and plenty of praise for the musicians between sets). We saw Evan Sherman's quintet, highly recommend.

Checking out a jazz show was a highlight of my latest NYC trip! Smalls felt like going to a local dive bar to see talented musicians perform, which was just the atmosphere our group sought. As a newcomer to the jazz scene, I didn't feel intimidated or out of place. They have a one-drink minimum per guest, and I enjoyed the Negroni and Boulevardier we ordered. Ordering can get a little hectic, though, and our server never really came back to check on us. Understandable, though, considering it was a full house, so you might need to try a bit to get their attention. Seating is first come, first serve. Reserving tickets online was convenient, and their website provided info about the performers in case you wanted to do a little research ahead of time. We came for a quartet performance, and the flutist and pianist were the highlights for me.

Went to their Monday night open jam...it was outstanding. Bar was cool, waiter a doll, drinks were OK, didn't try the food, but it was a great first time visit.

Phenomenal musicians, yet a very underwhelming venue to portray such artists. It's an incredible shame because you can tell many of the viewers actually visit to absorb the performance and engage in listening. Much my horror, people come here to pay a hefty price of attending the show ($25) to talk their ears off over the mandatory one drink minimum. Sometimes I couldn't hear the bassist, but the piano, trombone and drummer were loud as day. Really disappointing how much they charge you only to be gathered into a room that feels like a can of sardines. I waited 2 hours because the place was closed off at 10 pm, declaring it was a full house. Music, good. Rules and unnecessary bureaucracy of this place, bad. Disgusting bathroom soiled and wet with pee all over the ground, btw. Go in with caution.

Great experience. Reminds of a jazz club from many moons ago...Smoke. The vibe is nearly identical. While the faces have changed, one thing remains constant...jazz in all its illustrations. The space is cozy and the cocktails are priced well. Reservations are a must, but you may be able to walk in on the rarest of occasions. Parking? Come on. There is a 24 lot about 5 min away but that's about it. The garage across the street closes promptly at midnight so be careful with that. Vibe with me...

You know how all these village jazz clubs are in the basement? My son and I are avid jazz fans (his fave: Art Blakey, mine: Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Jaco) but he uses a wheelchair, which makes it hard to get down there! The guys at Smalls accommodated us flawlessly and the show was amazing! Highly HIGHLY recommend. Can't wait to go back.

Catching a live show at a jazz club in NYC was something we were both interested in, so we decided to book a reservation for a Saturday night. From our limited research, Smalls Jazz Club seemed like one of the best options around. We showed up early and ended up getting great seats. The space is relatively small and intimate, but I thought the noise level was perfect. I believe there is a one drink minimum, which was not a problem. Service was quick and efficient.

I had heard a lot about Jazz clubs in NYC. So this first time that we came to NYC we were offered to visit one by one our friends. It was really amazing experience and I like the band. Bar people in this club were also nice and caring. We had a few good drinks while listening to the band. I highly recommend this place. Remember to book in advance and be there in time as you would get the perfect seat.

Smalls is real jazz club. There aren't many of them, anymore. Get there early to get a good seat, then sit back and enjoy the real deal. Mezzrow is right nearby snd reminds me of the legendary club, Bradley's. Thank you to the owner for keeping straight-ahead jazz alive in NYC.

Great music, great service, great drinks. I really enjoyed my experience and would recommend visiting. I came for what turned into an open mic of jazz musicians and filled with talent. If you enjoy jazz you should enjoy Smalls.

Amazing experience! The band really seemed to love performing and i loved that the atmosphere was small and intimate. The server is great at taking care of your but not interrupting the show. Can't wait to go back! Definitely recommend lining up 30 mins before doors open for your show. Also, I recommend getting tickets for the first show and then if you want to stay for the second set, it's only $10.

Awesome Jazz club. Had so much fun and would definitely recommend your next visit to NYC.

If you want to go and listen to Music, where the Musicians hang out? This spot is "the Clubhouse" and the meeting grounds for New York city's elite. You could walk down the stairs and immediately find yourself in the same room with the Cutting-Edge best musicians playing this music, present-day. Many places come and go. Smalls has lasted the test of time, for a reason. It's owned, managed and operated by Human beings who feel passionate about Jazz. This place is the real deal. Go and experience it for yourselves.

Went on a Wednesday night without reservations and we were able to see the band. We had to wait till everyone with reservations got seated and then they let us in, seating is not assigned so we had to search for seats. There is a one drink minimum but our waitress took so long to get to us that by the time we got our drink the band was playing the last song. We also wanted to get a snack but the olives on the menu they no longer had, the waitress was polite and apologetic. The musicians were good but the performance felt short and rushed because right when it finished everyone needed to leave because there was another performance right after.

It is small but very intimate experience. Players are fabulous. My son Joshua is hooked!

I must begin this review by proclaiming Smalls is my "Goto" place for Jazz entertainment and was one of the reasons I flew to New York for the weekend with reservations for an evening show on a Saturday night. On several previous visits I have had a phenomenal time and stayed to the wee hours enjoying the skills of some of the most talented musical artists New York has to offer. On this particular trip I was totally unhappy with my experience "Post Pandemic" as follows: First the show I attended was twice the price I have ever paid for their entertainment and the set lasted half as long ($100 for an hour) and the musicians were not the quality I have grown to expect at Smalls. In addition, you could stay once inside but now they are charging for each set and for the "Jam Session" which begins around 11pm. Had I known of the changes I would have only opted for the "Jam Session". Being literally kicked-out after an hour and having paid $40 for two well drinks was obscene, when previously the same type drinks were only $8 and the entrance fee for shows was $20. I have recommended Smalls to all my friends and relatives in California, now I must caution them about a visit under the present situation. I haven't given up on this establishment but I will be mindful about a future visit. The Smalls, I recall, is gone.

Very very good Jazz venue in the basement in Greenwich Village.There is always a good band playing with a late night jazz session after like 1am.This is a must go to if you are ever in NYC

The name says it all. It is small. And it is not a date place. I you want to hear good jazz and don't care about where you hear it, this is your joint. It's exactly what you expect a dive jazz bar to be: No cute tables with dim lamps, No glam sexy cocktails. It is bare bones. The layout is first come first serve. There's about 20 unobstructed seats to fight for; the rest are Bad angles, behind a column or right in front of the drum kit. The servers were cool and prompt, but doesn't make up for the lack of charm. I wouldn't plan on intentionally coming here again, but wouldn't be terribly disappointed if I ended up there.

My friend and I came here on a Saturday night. We bought tickets online in advance for the 7:30pm performance. It's $40 per person. The jazz club is located in the basement. We saw a line waiting outside when we arrived. The benefit of buying tickets online in advance is that you don't need to wait in line. There's no assigned seat though, so you still need to get there early to get good seats. We were sitting at the bar and can still see the band on the stage. The performance lasts about an hour. It's great. We had two cocktails and enjoyed the music.

My sister and I came out from LA for a few days and wanted to find a nice Jazz Club and did we ever! Great music in an intimate atmosphere. We listened to two sets and enjoyed every minute of it! I recommend buying tickets ahead of time as space is limited. Buying tickets also ensures you better seating and I think it was well worth it. I will definitely be coming back next time we're in New York!

pros and cons mixed. line of people before it opens at 7. i did a walk in for $25 but you can't be seated or let in until 7:30 *eye roll* they give you a ticket to give to the waitress to start your tab. $35 for a reservation. which i didn't do. you must buy a drink. no tables no food clean bathrooms. tightly packed. metal chairs are very uncomfortable. i ordered orange juice (i don't drink) for 6 dollars. it was in a tall glass with ice which was very yummy and refreshing. if you have a tab you pay later. if you don't have a tab you pay right then and there with the waiter. i don't like the fact that you can't be let in until the show starts. i would like to be settled so i can watch the show. i was using the ladies room when the show started. :( i don't like that in the back people are laughing loud and talking AND KISSING LOUDLY while i'm trying to watch the show. i think its rude. no place to put a cold drink in your hand. show is an hour. the show tonite was wonderful. she was amazing. i posted a video (if you can hear it) i'm not sure if i would come back. i feel like theres better places for jazz in the city. but they seem like they have great talent so u never know if i'll be back. show up early because it will be packed. people were coming in during the show and they were standing.

- doors open for 730 show at 7 there was a line of 15 people when i got there at 7:04 on a Monday night in the winter - no food - show is amazingly fun - tightly packed - waiter service - if u buy a bottle, there's no ice - show lasts roughly an hour - there's no 'dress code' - I pre-bought a eat for $35, I believe walk in is $20 - after the smalls show, we went to mezzrow and caught the 9pm show mezzrow has same drink menu there was less people it is less packed and there's tables Smalls doesn't have tables meezrow ahs waiter service as well there's one bathroom i believe meezrow is more laid back the meezrow show is roughly an hour as well - the smalls and meezrow shows were both amazing smalls has a more basement, underground jazz club vibe

If you're going to go to Smalls, you've got to do it right. What I mean by that is that you should buy tickets beforehand, arrive an hour in advance of the show, grab seats, and get your drinks and whatever else you need ahead of time. This is because the place is incredibly tight, and seats fill up incredibly quickly. Also service here is awful, truly truly awful. The waitress is really rude and will physically push you if you're standing and are in her way. The general manager guy is really rude as well. He will almost go out of his way to make you uncomfortable there, not to mention how unfriendly he is. The awful service really leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth and this was not just me, but also plenty of people around me. So, if you're going to come for a show, set yourself up for comfort in advance so you enjoy the music. The actual jazz is absolutely mesmerizing. You'll get lost in the smooth saxophone, the bouncy piano, and the energetic drums. They kill it! It makes for a relaxing and romantic night. There are lots of couples in the crowd, both sitting and standing. Beware that your ticket lasts you one show at Smalls, but you're able to use it at Mezzrow the next block down for another show that same night.

One of my favorite experiences in NY -- came in at around 11 PM on a Tuesday night and paid a $20 cover to see the sets for the rest of the night, which was VERY worth it! There were a group of trombones playing and the energy was infectious and the music was fantastic! We stayed until a tad after 1 AM and I thoroughly enjoyed both sets. The drinks here are also lovely, and I tried the Sidewinder. It was super tasty and fairly strong, but not to the point where the drink was unenjoyable. It's worth coming in a bit earlier, as seating is pretty tight. That being said, coming between sets is probably the best way to snag a seat. Overall, loved the experience and highly recommend!

I took my wife there for some jazz and some relaxation with some amazing music I was glad they had some small bites I had a cheese plate which was really good surprisingly the drinks were good the ambience even better. Just make sure you get there on time and try to sit in the front it's definitely a good place to go. Even if one location is overbooked they have a second location that's even better.

Awesome jazz, great ambience with friendly hosts and a lovely underground get away to listen to live jazz. The community felt so warm and kind!!

I thought the Sunday Jam session was awesome! I got a stool at the small bar area on right. (other folding seats are lined up about 4 deep on the left) Amazing pianist along with amazing sax ..and a steady stream of new musicians coming in carrying their instrument to keep music ever changing, totally vibing & cool cool cool! I loved the "dimly lit cellar atmosphere with brightly colored paintings of jazz greats on walls. This is laid back local feel. Not for picky folks wanting hi-end table service or expecting a roomy corner table. Its tight...but fun if you love good musicians & music

A small, intimate jazz club where the music is the attraction, and the audience is respectful.

The performers and music were delightful, but the staff here were universally ornery and unpleasant. I stood at the bar with two friends and we ordered a drink each, and asked for some water. After paying (and tipping) we kept to ourselves, talking quietly and listening to the show. The bartender on Thursday night has some delusions of grandeur and thinks she is Stevie from Schitt's Creek or some other seen-it-all, no-nonsense tough 'lass, just for having to deal with the occasional impatient clientele like any other service worker in New York who does not don this attitude. She greets all but her regulars as seemingly a chore to serve. Throughout our entire time there, she whispered to patrons next to us and some other regulars about how bothersome she found our party. We overheard enough of her snide comments to understand that she thought we were underage. We weren't, but I don't take umbrage to this as we are students and do look young. What I do mind is the incessant chatter at our expense. At one moment, she and some late-30s regular loudly bantered about us "it's like dogs" "not even - puppies" "puppies! They're so cute, but then you have to pick up their poop" "you have to clean up their poop.." (yes, this was indeed the dialogue had by people no longer in high school). Out of what I can only guess is an acute longing for their twenties long-gone-by, they persisted with this Buzzfeed millennial fodder the entire time we were there, even though we were utterly non-disruptive and in fact went out of our way to speak in hushed tones and stay out of the way of other patrons walking to and from the stage. I give two stars rather than one because, in her direct interactions with us, the bartender was at least tolerant and professional, even though it was disappointing that she had to blow off steam at our expense when we were only trying to politely enjoy our night out. It was a real vibe killer and she was inexplicably peeved by us being there. Of course, in her Ado Annie from Oklahoma get-up, and especially since she is the only woman on staff, the men (regulars and staff alike) lap up her whispers and commentary like cats to saucer's milk. The man at the door, similarly, was nice enough and did let us in at the student rate. However, he too bemoaned how many kids were there to his friend and begrudgingly let us in to join our friends in the first place. I thought he was pleasant enough, but combined with the effect of the bartender, it just sent a message that the establishment as a whole is hostile to anyone under 30 and that a younger generation of jazz listeners and performers - who will no doubt bring innovations in the art form - are unwelcome. Perhaps this is the intended effect. I think that's a shame for a jazz scene/industry which is already shrinking. Musicians and customers should take their business elsewhere. Both deserve an atmosphere more committed to kindness and letting people enjoy music without derision.

Mr. "Leave your ego off the stage" needs to apply this to himself. The so called host requested musicians and singers, however he and the drummer played practically the entire time. Mr. Ryo Sasaki , if you are going to ask for volunteers to the degree of taking names then you should honor this (especially if we were among the first three to sign up), not bring a random person who was NOT on the list then say "sorry" we no longer have time. This was a jam session Sasaki, not a concert, SHAME on you for not abiding to the culture and positive environment.

I REALLY like this jazz club. The vibe and service is awesome. I've read mixed reviews on service, but there's one waitress taking drink orders for EVERYONE seated and bringing everyone menus and drinks, so she's got a lot going on. She was still really quick and attentive with us. Things you need to know: The venue is small and there will be a line. Get there early if you can to make sure you get a good seat (a seat with a back and not the benches...). We saw a show at 7:30, got there around 6:45 and there was a line of about 10-15 people already. You can pay with cash or card, but you'll get through quicker if you have cash. There's a one drink minimum, but you can get nonalcoholic. They have sodas, coffee, beers for around $5-$8, wine, and cocktails ($12-$14, I believe). Cocktails are pretty strong. Cover is $20, but on Saturday's the cover is only for one set rather than the whole night (I think the $20 cover gets you in for the entire night during the week and on Sundays).

Excelente place to catch real real underground jazz. I was so pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this place.