The Ultimate All Night Jazz Crawl in NYC
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, also known as JAM, and New York City is celebrating big time. Some of the world’s best jazz clubs are here, and if there’s ever a time to visit them, it’s now. Here’s Refinery’s guide to an all-night jazz crawl.
Stop 1: Winnie’s Jazz Bar
Arrive: 5:00 pm
We’re big jazz fans at Refinery: Every night there’s a live band at Winnie’s, our lobby bar. Grab a seat and begin your evening with a classic cocktail—our favorite is the Astor’s Daiquiri made with Owney’s NYC Rum, lime and sugar.
Winnie’s Jazz Bar: 63 West 38th St., 646-664-0210
Playing this Month: Fleur Seule, Tara O’Grady, Dario Boente, and Scott Ford
Stop 2: Swing 46
Arrive: 6:30 pm
Transportation: 15 minutes, take the N, Q, R train to Times Square, 42nd St.
Keep the energy levels up by hitting the dance floor at Swing 46, where the bands play upbeat music that gets people on their feet. No need to worry about your dance moves: Instructors are at the ready with dance lessons all night for $15.
Swing 46: 349 West 46th St, 212-262-9554
Playing this Month: George Gee Orchestra, Stan Rubin Orchestra, and Ron Sunshine Orchestra
Stop 3: Club Bonafide
Arrive: 8 pm
Transportation: Splurge on an uber to make your way to stop 3. We’re sure your dancing feet can use the rest. Approximate price: $7- 8.
Owners Richard Bona and Lolo Dantonio opened Club Bonafide in September 2015 in hopes of reviving 52nd Street to its former glory as the center of New York’s jazz scene. Given that they got Sting to play the piano at a recent concert, it looks like they’re off to a good start. When’s Sting is not in the house, expect rising local jazz performers.
Club Bonafide: 212 East 52nd St., 646-918-6189
Playing this Month: PLS.trio, Afro Bop Alliance, Roxy Coss, and Ross Kratter Jazz Orchestra
Stop 4: Jazz Standard
Arrive: 9:00 pm
Transportation: 6 train to 28th Street.
In the basement of Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke restaurant, Jazz Standard serves Southern dishes like baby back ribs, backyard barbecue chicken and macaroni and cheese, courtesy of chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois. The tables have unobstructed views of the stage, where legendary artists such as Etta Jones, Peter Bernstein and Cedar Walton have all played. Showtimes vary, but there’s usually one starting at 9:30 pm most nights.
Jazz Standard: 116 East 27th St., 212-579-2232
Playing this Month: Mingus Big Band, Pedro Giraudo, Patricia Barber Quartet, and The Anat CohenTentet
Stop 5: Little Branch
Arrive: 11:00 pm
Transportation: Take the 6 train to Bleecker Street and transfer to the B, D, F or M train to West 4th Street Station.
Behind an unassuming door on Seventh Avenue South hides Little Branch, a clandestine, dimly lit cocktail bar that’s the perfect spot for winding down. Slide into one of the cozy booths and enjoy a live jazz performance Sundays through Thursdays.
Little Branch: 22 Seventh Ave., 212-929-4360
Stop 6: Smalls Jazz Club
Arrive: 12:30 am
Transportation: Smalls Jazz Club is just a six-minute walk from Little Branch.
This intimate jazz dive really gets going after midnight. Smalls is known to bring younger emerging artists to the stage, so you just might catch the next big jazz artist performing. Jam sessions begin at 1 am and can last until 4!
Smalls Jazz Club: 183 West 19th St., 212-252-5091
Playing this Month: The Ehud Asherie Trio, The Theo Hill Trio, and The Corey Wallace Dubtet
