Where to See Live Jazz in Los Angeles Any Night of the Week
Los Angeles was a mecca for jazz back in the 1950s, and if you do a little digging (or just read this post), you’ll discover where to find a great spot for live jazz in Los Angeles almost any night of the week. And this isn’t just for adults either – some places are perfect if you want to bring the kiddos along or enjoy music before the night owls come out.
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Sunday Night Jazz
Checker Hall
This former masonic hall in Highland Park is home to a performance space and dining room with gorgeous light streaming through the Juliet-style balconies. It’s also one of the only spots on this list where you can enjoy live Jazz in Los Angeles with the family as early as 6 p.m. on Sunday nights. Since it’s a restaurant, there is no cover or drink minimum, and you get to enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired dishes from Culinary Director Gabe Kennedy. The restaurant is designed to feel like a relaxed neighborhood hangout, but when the restaurant is in Highland Park, you can’t help but feel just a little bit cooler, too.
Dirty Little Secret Photo Credit: Douglas Friedman
Menu must-haves include The Dirty Little Secret Martini, which has a sidecar that will keep you in the fast lane for a bit longer, and just about anything in the Dips & Snacks section of the menu – especially the Whipped Feta with burnt honey butter and served with fluffy hot za’atar pita. The Chicken Schnitzel from the Larger Plates side is large enough for two, and it’s complemented nicely by the Charred Asparagus with lemon rosemary emulsion.
The Blue Notes: Live Jazz takes place on Sundays and Mondays from 7 to 10 p.m. Checker Hall is family-friendly. Make your reservations here.
Photo Credit: Douglas Friedman
The Georgian Room
The Georgian Room in Santa Monica is located on the alley of The Georgian Hotel and has the same speakeasy vibes that celebrities flocked to back in the 1930s. Not only is Sunday night jazz night, but it’s also home to a Spaghetti Sunday Supper that’s easy on the wallet and tough on the belt buckle. The meal begins with Garlic Bread and a traditional Caesar Salad, followed by your choice of entrée featuring Meatballs, Eggplant Parmesan, or the chicken counterpart. Dessert is a generous serving of Gelato, Soft-Serve, or a Brownie with Vanilla.
The Blue Notes: Reservations are a must, as you need to be buzzed in at the door. There is also some nice bar seating around the piano, which may be first-come, first-served. Piano jazz happens every Sunday from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Piano Bar at The Georgian Room
Monday Night Jazz
The Nice Guy
The Nice Guy on La Cienega not only has live jazz to kickstart your work week, but it’s also home to Martini Mondays. That menu features $10 Martinis and a $30 Martini Meal, with your choice of martini paired with ‘The Classic’ meal, the ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ or the ‘Nice Girl’ Dinner. If you get lucky and roll doubles during live jazz, your martini meal is on the house
The Blue Notes: Live Jazz takes place Monday nights only from 7 to 9 p.m.
Photo Credit: The Nice Guy
The Lighthouse Cafe
It’s not easy to find jazz music on a Monday night, but famed The Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach has something going on every night of the week. You might recognize this spot from the 2015 film La La Land in which actors Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone shared the sweet love that comes from the magical combination of youth and big dreams. The Lighthouse Cafe is 21+, except during their Jazz Brunch, usually at 10 a.m. on Saturdays or Sundays.
The Blue Notes: Check the schedule before you go, as hours change based on the performance.
Photo Credit: The Lighthouse Cafe
Tuesday Night Jazz at Bar Lis
Bar Lis in Hollywood is your rooftop spot for French Jazz with Jazz Eclectic LA hosted by Giles Amsallem. The restaurant is inspired by the French Riviera and features cocktails like the Jane Birkin and everything from a Charcuterie to Steak Frites and Smoked Trout. While they do serve food, Bar Lis is 21-and-over.
The Blue Notes: You can make reservations for as early as 6 p.m., but the music will not start until at least 8 p.m.
Photo Credit: Michael Mundy
Wednesday Night Jazz at The Baked Potato
The Baked Potato has been cooking in Studio City since the 1970s, and their Events Calendar makes it very easy to book a show almost any night of the week, with showtimes at 8 and 10 p.m. It also boasts of being a family-friendly establishment. If you’re wondering what to order off the food menu, the venue name says it all :).
The Blue Notes: The Baked Potato is open almost nightly beginning at 6 p.m. with sets at 8 and 10 p.m. Prices range depending on the performer, and you have the option to enjoy indoor or patio seating.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Thursday Night Jazz
The Smoke House
This Burbank restaurant near Warner Bros. Studios has been part of the scene since 1946. The Smoke House is home to stiff Martinis and extra-large Prime Rib, but the dimly lit bar area is where you’ll want to beeline to beginning on Thursday nights. Hours and performers vary, so check the calendar before you go.
The Blue Notes: Jazz nights vary, but there’s a good chance that Thursday through Saturday, there will be something going on.Thursday nights begin earlier (7 p.m.) while Fridays and Saturdays have a 9 p.m. start and a $25 cover.
The Smoke House Martini with sidecar
Catalina Jazz Club
Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood offers live jazz music in multiple genres, from Latin Jazz to a Black Sabbath Jazz cover band! The club is for all ages and serves dinner and drinks that trend toward Italian. The supper club is named after Catalina Popescu, who founded it with her husband in 1986 and still remains an iconic place for live jazz in Los Angeles.
The Blue Notes: In addition to the ticket price, you must also buy an entree or two drinks, which range from the low $20s to the mid $40s. Catalina Jazz Club is open from Wednesday to Sunday with varying show times, and you can come in about an hour before for food.
The Queen Mary
Party like it’s 1936 with Jazz and Blues Nights aboard the iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach. The docked boat offers a transformative trip back in time once your feet hit the wood flooring and leave the port of Long Beach behind. Your evening features themed cocktails and light bites in the former first-class lounge of the ship.
The Blue Notes: Check the schedule before you go and purchase tickets on their website. Music generally runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
Royal Jubilee Week painted in 1935 by Alfred R. Thomson Photo Credit: Queen Mary
Friday Night Jazz
LACMA
Seasonally, on Friday nights from May to October, you can enjoy FREE live jazz at LACMA and dance the night away on the plaza. Reservations aren’t necessary, but I encourage you to use their Events Calendar to confirm the artist and start time – traditionally at 6 p.m.
The Blue Notes: Feel free to BYOB or bring a picnic to enjoy outside while you sway to the music. Ray & Stark Bar is also open if you forget to plan ahead. The venue is family-friendly.
The Tower Bar
See and be seen at this West Hollywood haunt since the 1930s. The Tower Bar at The Sunset Tower Hotel has been a celebrity scene since it opened, and the dimly lit ambiance reflects why it’s remained so popular. The food has never been stellar, and the prices are sky-high, but there’s something about that music and those plush booths that will have you dining like you make the celebrity bucks, too.
The Blue Notes: Live jazz happens nights from 7 to 11 p.m. Reservations are a must.
OH LA LA
Also notable for both Friday and Saturday nights is French Riviera-inspired OH LA LA in Pasadena. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. until “late,” and all you need to do to enjoy is dine in at their restaurant. Musicians change weekly. Make your reservations on their website.
The Blue Notes: Dinner features classic dishes like Steak Frites and Coq au Vin, but be sure to leave room for the transformative Goat Cheesecake.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Saturday Night Jazz at The Velvet Martini Lounge
The Velvet Martini Lounge, located above Vitello’s Restaurant in Studio City, is your spot if you love crooners and old Hollywood vibes. They open for service as early as 5 p.m. (which is great if you have little ones at home), but the live music doesn’t get going until 6:30 p.m. The ambiance is so lovely though, that you might not mind if it’s just you and your lover listening to Frank Sinatra recordings on a plush couch with a duo of Manhattan Cocktails.
The Blue Notes: Reservations are available for live jazz from Thursday to Sunday night at The Velvet Martini Lounge and while they do serve food, I wouldn’t come hungry. The cocktails are the stars of the show.
What spots are open nightly for live jazz in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has live jazz music playing nightly, but a few venues are open almost every night of the week. The most iconic ones are The Lighthouse Cafe, The Baked Potato, and Catalina Jazz Club. Others, like The Velvet Martini Lounge, are open on select nights.
