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The vibe is what you'd expect, keeping the aesthetic of the DC DC Jazz Renaissance era. Enjoyed the perfect pitch of The Deborah Bond. She showcased her new album/CD.While she was tearing up the mic, her saxophonist/keyboardist/producer Trey Sorrells was tearing up the stage playing different instruments. Beverage of choice: Old Fashioned For a starter, I went with the Stuffed mushrooms with onions, pepper, potatoes and cheese. It included marinara sauce and everything was on point. Hope my Muslim friends won't be too angry with me, but for my main entree I went with the Jambalaya. It includes chicken, ham, and sausage in a Creole sauce over rice and veggies. Delish. Wasn't too salty just what you get from the sausage. All in all, I'm so glad that the food is really good there.
Another great performance by Joey Alexander and his trio, here at Blues Alley. It was a 2-day run. I was lucky enough to get tickets. Joey is a wonder; now 22. He had saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed take the stage with him for 3 songs. Such a nice surprise for all. So memorable. Balbed, a DC native, made his professional debut with the Eric Byrd Trio at age 14. He was a child prodigy, like Joey was. The two young men have been friends for awhile however this was their very first collaboration together on stage, live. What a nice gift. Blues Alley is still THE place to hear jazz.
Had an amazing time Blues Alley to see Brandin St Clair perform which was a made up show due to the weather last month, I am so glad that I was able to attend! They had a pretty large menu of food and wine to choose from and I'll be first to say we ordered whole lot at the table. We gave the hostess our names and were seated right next to the stage! The waiter came over and took our order and the food came out rather quickly. The interior is decorated with photos on the wall and has some cherry blossom flare throughout the places. There's lots of tables and seating, but it's best to make reservations. What we had: Cajun chicken with grits Chicken Wings Caesar salad with shrimp Fried butterfly shrimp Beef tenderloin Crab balls Stuffed mushrooms Definitely looking forward to seeing other performers and trying the rest of the menu!
Such a fun date night spot! Came here with my hunny for our anniversary and it was lovely! Great music, a cozy vibey environment, really wonderful service, great drinks, and a VERY delicious and rich cheesecake! Such a fun night out that we are hoping to return to again!
Blues Alley is a venue I've wanted to visit for several years. I recently had the opportunity to see this historic place in person. In fact, the night that I was there, Blues Alley was celebrating its 60th anniversary. Overall, the venue is a cool place with excellent acoustics. The show I attended was sold out (the Yellowjackets - an excellent jazz quartet), so the seating was very tight. You won't have much elbow room, but you WILL enjoy the music. There is a $15 drink/food minimum, but Blues Alley has a great wine list/drink menu and a food menu with a wide variety of items ranging from appetizers to entrees. The waitstaff work hard to ensure you have everything you need. I really enjoyed my time at Blues Alley and look forward to visiting again.
Because I would kick myself if i didn't catch a few jazz shows in DC while I am in town, I headed to Blues Alley to see how the iconic venue would tickle my fancy. Spoil alert: I had an excellent time. I had a full day in the city to myself and I needed to catch some more live jazz. I had already caught one at Jojo's and needed more. So, after a quick perusal online for shows , I landed on Blues Alley. Totally perfect since one of my coworkers already had recommended it to me. Arrived for the 7pm show and was able to snag a seat in the back. I'm a solo adventurer, but I'd absolutely bring a date here. It was definitely meant to be a place you listen to jazz and nuzzle. I saw a few cute couples doing just that. Music was phenomenal! It was a great show put on by a saxophonist and it lasted about an hour and a half. I didn't grab food here, but I did notice the service was speedy and efficient. Plates were coming out mighty fast and people seemed to enjoy the offerings. I did, however opt for a few simple cocktails which were great and did what they should have. All in all, great show at Blues Alley. Definitely my favorite so far in DC. Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch more jazz in the city that can match my great experience at this venue.
This is such a beautiful phenomenol place for jazz in dc! Anyone who is a fan has to check this place out. Please note if you go to a sold out show, you will be crammed in a bit, kind of like if you go to comedy cellar in dc. The service was quick and easy! We got all our food quickly though note if your hungry, be readily prepared to price your order because they are servicing a lot of tables in short amount of time. I ordered the blackened catfish, which was wonderful and my friend loved the Cajun chicken. My other friend, who is a vegetarian, had limited options but she loved the stuffed mushrooms. Definitely come here to enjoy a calm and wonderful atmosphere of smooth jazz!!
Great venue for live jazz and blues. You don't come here for the food. That being said, some of the food is fine. They actually don't mess up the salmon. It's a decent meal. If you order a salad, definitely get the dressing on the side. They cannot be trusted to put dressing on themselves without drowning your meal.
Excellent time at Blues Alley. I've been looking for a place that play live music here in DC, and this place didn't disappoint. The band was excellent and the staff were really nice and the food was pretty decent. I had the blackened catfish with the rice and beans. The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The rice and beans were just okay. A few of things to note. The place is literally in an alley, so be sure not to overlook. Get there early as it's open seating and the seating is tight. Stake out where you want to seat and plant yourself there. The bathrooms are upstairs, and I didn't see an elevator. An old man with a cane had to drag himself up the steps. Overall, great experience.
Do you love live music? Then Blues Alley is a MUST visit in the DC area! I've been to numerous jazz bars in the city (back when there were numerous clubs to choose from), and Blues Alley is by far my favorite experience. First off, you won't find the entrance off any of the main streets in Georgetown - the entrance for Blues Alley is literally in an alley. While it might sound sketchy, it's in a well-lit area and you can't miss the giant marquee sign above the door. Secondly, when you walk through the door you feel like you're stepping back in time to when speakeasies were the places to be. The venue itself is cozy and intimate, and some of the seating is so close to the stage that you can literally reach out and touch the musicians (you shouldn't touch the musicians). The seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the doors open 15 minutes before showtime so make sure you arrive early if you want to have the best seating selection, albeit there is no bad seat in the house. Because the venue is so intimate, you might want to bring earplugs or sit further back towards the bar if you are hearing sensitive. Besides that, the atmosphere is great because the energy from the audience and performers feeds off each other creating a fun and energetic vibe. In addition to purchasing your ticket, there is also a $15 food/drink minimum per person. You can expect to pay the standard DC food and drink prices (i.e. $10 appetizers, $5-$10 beers, +$15 entrees). The staff is friendly, attentive, and quick so nothing but praise in that department. From beginning to end I had a great time and would say that visiting Blues Alley is well worth the cost of admission, and is an experience you won't soon forget!
I really love the small, intimate atmosphere here. You feel as though you are with family, and the artists we've seen seem to appreciate the venue as well. Recently we saw Marion Meadows, a really cool cat and awesome sax player! We got there early and got a prime spot. There is a minimum order, but we have learned to eat beforehand. The food isn't all that! We did get an appetizer, spinach artichoke dip and chips and glasses of wine. The desserts are okay. Not a fan of the entrees. You have to line up outside to wait for doors to open. Buy your tickets ahead of time. It's first come first serve with seating and it's close quarters in there. The early show is early, but it's nowhere near as packed as the later one. The later show can be s but livelier crowd wise though. You decide what you prefer. But get there EARLY!
I would consider myself a regular at Blues Alley and frankly this is one of my favorite places in the city. I have seen all different kinds of artists here and every show is fantastic. They really know how to feature amazing musicians, which is expected seeing as Blues Alley is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country. The vibes are relaxed and welcoming and it's always such a fun time. The food and drinks are excellent as well, my favorite is the jambalaya and the bread pudding is great too. Great spot for date night, or to come and enjoy the music by yourself. One thing to remember is that it's an intimate club and it can be loud for people with sensitivity to sound. If that is you, bring earplugs and enjoy!
6 months ago
Blues Alley has maintained their street cred after all these years as being one of the best places in town to catch a live jazz performance. I enjoyed the crab cake with a Caesar salad. The cocktails were veteran made and solid. The dining room is intimate, adding to the connection of the artists and the show. Deborah Bond dropped her new album Amber Dust, a true R&B artist keeping the tradition of the music well and alive. She hosted a listening party show with a customized cocktail menu with drinks named after her latest album! The show was amazing and the sound was clear. Although the menu is a bit limited I enjoyed my crab cakes, which had no filler. Oh and be sure to save yourself time and park in the parking garage across from the alley. This is an amazing little space with big names. Every time I've come here I've always met with the artists after the show. So if you're a super fan and your favorite artist is performing here, GO! read more
Got the crab cakes; food was okay, but the venue itself really stole the show! Honestly, it's probably my favorite concert venue I've ever been to. The space feels so intimate, which makes the whole experience more personal and memorable compared to larger, more crowded venues. The atmosphere was great from start to finish, and everything felt well-organized. The service was also a highlight, our server was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made us feel really comfortable throughout the night. Even though the food was just alright, the overall experience more than made up for it. Between the vibe, the quality of the show, and the excellent service, it's definitely a place I'd come back to again and recommend to others looking for a unique night out/date night! read more
The vibe is what you'd expect, keeping the aesthetic of the DC DC Jazz Renaissance era. Enjoyed the perfect pitch of The Deborah Bond. She showcased her new album/CD.While she was tearing up the mic, her saxophonist/keyboardist/producer Trey Sorrells was tearing up the stage playing different instruments. Beverage of choice: Old Fashioned For a starter, I went with the Stuffed mushrooms with onions, pepper, potatoes and cheese. It included marinara sauce and everything was on point. Hope my Muslim friends won't be too angry with me, but for my main entree I went with the Jambalaya. It includes chicken, ham, and sausage in a Creole sauce over rice and veggies. Delish. Wasn't too salty just what you get from the sausage. All in all, I'm so glad that the food is really good there. read more
Another great performance by Joey Alexander and his trio, here at Blues Alley. It was a 2-day run. I was lucky enough to get tickets. Joey is a wonder; now 22. He had saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed take the stage with him for 3 songs. Such a nice surprise for all. So memorable. Balbed, a DC native, made his professional debut with the Eric Byrd Trio at age 14. He was a child prodigy, like Joey was. The two young men have been friends for awhile however this was their very first collaboration together on stage, live. What a nice gift. Blues Alley is still THE place to hear jazz. read more
12 days ago
2 months ago
I saw Mycah Chevalier perform last night on August 20th. She did a tribute to Angela Bofill and a few original songs and the performance was absolutely electric. She was phenomenal. The energy in the space felt great. Looking forward to her next show. read more
Had an amazing time Blues Alley to see Brandin St Clair perform which was a made up show due to the weather last month, I am so glad that I was able to attend! They had a pretty large menu of food and wine to choose from and I'll be first to say we ordered whole lot at the table. We gave the hostess our names and were seated right next to the stage! The waiter came over and took our order and the food came out rather quickly. The interior is decorated with photos on the wall and has some cherry blossom flare throughout the places. There's lots of tables and seating, but it's best to make reservations. What we had: Cajun chicken with grits Chicken Wings Caesar salad with shrimp Fried butterfly shrimp Beef tenderloin Crab balls Stuffed mushrooms Definitely looking forward to seeing other performers and trying the rest of the menu! read more
1 year ago
Such a fun date night spot! Came here with my hunny for our anniversary and it was lovely! Great music, a cozy vibey environment, really wonderful service, great drinks, and a VERY delicious and rich cheesecake! Such a fun night out that we are hoping to return to again! read more
Blues Alley is a venue I've wanted to visit for several years. I recently had the opportunity to see this historic place in person. In fact, the night that I was there, Blues Alley was celebrating its 60th anniversary. Overall, the venue is a cool place with excellent acoustics. The show I attended was sold out (the Yellowjackets - an excellent jazz quartet), so the seating was very tight. You won't have much elbow room, but you WILL enjoy the music. There is a $15 drink/food minimum, but Blues Alley has a great wine list/drink menu and a food menu with a wide variety of items ranging from appetizers to entrees. The waitstaff work hard to ensure you have everything you need. I really enjoyed my time at Blues Alley and look forward to visiting again. read more
Because I would kick myself if i didn't catch a few jazz shows in DC while I am in town, I headed to Blues Alley to see how the iconic venue would tickle my fancy. Spoil alert: I had an excellent time. I had a full day in the city to myself and I needed to catch some more live jazz. I had already caught one at Jojo's and needed more. So, after a quick perusal online for shows , I landed on Blues Alley. Totally perfect since one of my coworkers already had recommended it to me. Arrived for the 7pm show and was able to snag a seat in the back. I'm a solo adventurer, but I'd absolutely bring a date here. It was definitely meant to be a place you listen to jazz and nuzzle. I saw a few cute couples doing just that. Music was phenomenal! It was a great show put on by a saxophonist and it lasted about an hour and a half. I didn't grab food here, but I did notice the service was speedy and efficient. Plates were coming out mighty fast and people seemed to enjoy the offerings. I did, however opt for a few simple cocktails which were great and did what they should have. All in all, great show at Blues Alley. Definitely my favorite so far in DC. Hopefully I'll get a chance to catch more jazz in the city that can match my great experience at this venue. read more
This is such a beautiful phenomenol place for jazz in dc! Anyone who is a fan has to check this place out. Please note if you go to a sold out show, you will be crammed in a bit, kind of like if you go to comedy cellar in dc. The service was quick and easy! We got all our food quickly though note if your hungry, be readily prepared to price your order because they are servicing a lot of tables in short amount of time. I ordered the blackened catfish, which was wonderful and my friend loved the Cajun chicken. My other friend, who is a vegetarian, had limited options but she loved the stuffed mushrooms. Definitely come here to enjoy a calm and wonderful atmosphere of smooth jazz!! read more
Great venue for live jazz and blues. You don't come here for the food. That being said, some of the food is fine. They actually don't mess up the salmon. It's a decent meal. If you order a salad, definitely get the dressing on the side. They cannot be trusted to put dressing on themselves without drowning your meal. read more
Excellent time at Blues Alley. I've been looking for a place that play live music here in DC, and this place didn't disappoint. The band was excellent and the staff were really nice and the food was pretty decent. I had the blackened catfish with the rice and beans. The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The rice and beans were just okay. A few of things to note. The place is literally in an alley, so be sure not to overlook. Get there early as it's open seating and the seating is tight. Stake out where you want to seat and plant yourself there. The bathrooms are upstairs, and I didn't see an elevator. An old man with a cane had to drag himself up the steps. Overall, great experience. read more
Do you love live music? Then Blues Alley is a MUST visit in the DC area! I've been to numerous jazz bars in the city (back when there were numerous clubs to choose from), and Blues Alley is by far my favorite experience. First off, you won't find the entrance off any of the main streets in Georgetown - the entrance for Blues Alley is literally in an alley. While it might sound sketchy, it's in a well-lit area and you can't miss the giant marquee sign above the door. Secondly, when you walk through the door you feel like you're stepping back in time to when speakeasies were the places to be. The venue itself is cozy and intimate, and some of the seating is so close to the stage that you can literally reach out and touch the musicians (you shouldn't touch the musicians). The seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the doors open 15 minutes before showtime so make sure you arrive early if you want to have the best seating selection, albeit there is no bad seat in the house. Because the venue is so intimate, you might want to bring earplugs or sit further back towards the bar if you are hearing sensitive. Besides that, the atmosphere is great because the energy from the audience and performers feeds off each other creating a fun and energetic vibe. In addition to purchasing your ticket, there is also a $15 food/drink minimum per person. You can expect to pay the standard DC food and drink prices (i.e. $10 appetizers, $5-$10 beers, +$15 entrees). The staff is friendly, attentive, and quick so nothing but praise in that department. From beginning to end I had a great time and would say that visiting Blues Alley is well worth the cost of admission, and is an experience you won't soon forget! read more
1 year ago
I really love the small, intimate atmosphere here. You feel as though you are with family, and the artists we've seen seem to appreciate the venue as well. Recently we saw Marion Meadows, a really cool cat and awesome sax player! We got there early and got a prime spot. There is a minimum order, but we have learned to eat beforehand. The food isn't all that! We did get an appetizer, spinach artichoke dip and chips and glasses of wine. The desserts are okay. Not a fan of the entrees. You have to line up outside to wait for doors to open. Buy your tickets ahead of time. It's first come first serve with seating and it's close quarters in there. The early show is early, but it's nowhere near as packed as the later one. The later show can be s but livelier crowd wise though. You decide what you prefer. But get there EARLY! read more
2 years ago
I would consider myself a regular at Blues Alley and frankly this is one of my favorite places in the city. I have seen all different kinds of artists here and every show is fantastic. They really know how to feature amazing musicians, which is expected seeing as Blues Alley is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country. The vibes are relaxed and welcoming and it's always such a fun time. The food and drinks are excellent as well, my favorite is the jambalaya and the bread pudding is great too. Great spot for date night, or to come and enjoy the music by yourself. One thing to remember is that it's an intimate club and it can be loud for people with sensitivity to sound. If that is you, bring earplugs and enjoy! read more
2 years ago
Blues Alley is an incredible jazz bar hidden in a quiet alleyway off Georgetown's bustling streets. The food is good and the music is always incredible. They invite the best jazz musicians, who make each night special and unforgettable. While the ticket prices are expensive, I've never left without feeling like they were worth it. The servers are quick and attentive. The atmosphere is relaxed yet upscale. Put on some nice clothes. I've been here several times and have never felt like it wasn't worth it. I'm looking forward to my next visit! read more
10 months ago
3 years ago
Typical bar like food selections, not enough time to eat due to the musicians coming on set. Ordered the crab cakes and they were plentiful balls of crab, not too much bread, light seasoning and tasty. Staff are attentive, not intrusive. Musicians line up.. what can I say? Merlon Devine is soulful on the horn, his talent is without say stupendous! Close your eyes and his gospel penetrates the room. Small intimate environment for the lineups that is worth it. read more
2 years ago
Amazing place! I love it. Every once in a while you find these type of magical places that really take you out of the ordinary and make you disconnect, that's Blues Alley. I cannot say much about the food, since we just had a couple of drinks. But the atmosphere is great, and people a friendly. The space is great as well. read more
1 year ago
Ambiance was great! The band Marion Meadows group was excellent! Food was fair only because the selection was small. Good portions of food were provided. Service was good and waitress was attentive. read more
6 months ago
The ambiance was great bc the crowd was vibing for the artist and was giving off amazing energy. The music was more R&B than jazz to me but it was still great. BOOMscat was very engaging and their music was a really interesting mix of electronic and acoustic with soul and R&B sounds. The space was tight, bc I think they really try to get as many folks in the building. But it wasn't too uncomfortable and the servers were really nice and friendly. I only ordered some Cajun fries bc I wasn't that hungry and they weren't anything out of this world. But I don't think folks come here for the food. The entertainment was where it was at and they were fire. A really cool spot to check out local artists! Check it out. read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
Must go to jazz spot. Ambiance is A1. Located in a slim ally and the mood is set for an excellent jazz experience. Seen Kandace Springs here for the first time and really enjoyed the show. For food all I had was wings and a couple of drinks but no complaints what so ever. Excited to go back. read more
2 years ago
Amazing live music venue! Get there early and get inches from the stage tables, but all the seats are close enough to feel like your part of the band. Service was swift and accommodating. Great cocktails and food. All around a great experience. read more
3 years ago
We loved our time in Blues Alley last night! It was Liv Warfield performing! Very impressive! The whole vibe was so friendly and enjoyable, food and drinks were good, prices - decent, service - great! Thank you, will def be back soon! read more
This place is a hidden gem! Now it's very small, but atmosphere is great! Nice crowd, gets crowded. Now I will say get there early and stand in line, because if you want food you want to order before show. The prices for nice jazz live music, and food is great! Please check out this place, you will lot be disappointed. read more
3 years ago
Expressly bad service. Paid around $400 for a reservation of 8, came to the club it was full and we did have a seat. The guy on the picture was extremely rude, and said we could sit ar other people's tables. We had made a reservation for our friends bday surprise. It was ruined, so was our first impression of the place. Employees like this ruin the reputation of the business. We weee planning to have. A nice dinner and spend a good amount of money. We were given a very rude attitude and no table. Really bad experience read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
I saw Art Sherrod Jr. Live at Blues Alley a few weekends ago. It was my first time at Blues Alley and I had a good time, mostly because of the band. I arrived about an hour before the show started and waited outside of the building. I was second in line. The line was fills up fast, so I recommend getting there at least an hour early. I ordered food l, shrimp and grits for $27.00. Definitely do not recommend. It tasted like instant grits, barely any shrimp, hardly any taste. I wouldn't really recommend their entrees. The establishment is not very big and they cram in tables, so you can hardly move without bumping into the person in the table next to you. read more
We came by for a date night and had such a great time! Since they had been closed for fire, this was one of their first shows and the atmosphere was all love!! The place was packed to the max and the group we saw brought the house down, they even had a guest singer who had been with the band off and on for 15 years. We got to enjoy some appetizers, the spinach and artichoke dip was tasty and pretty filling. They have a lot of menu items, in addition to a great wine selection. Definitely coming back here!! read more
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More info about Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007
Georgetown
Directions
(202) 337-4141
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http://www.bluesalley.com
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Ask the Community - Blues Alley
How early should we arrive? I understand the doors open at 6pm, do we need to be there before that? If we get there at 7pm for an 8pm show, will there be no seats left?
It's a small venue and one of the top jazz diner clubs in the country. Depending on the popularity of the artist there is usually a line outside before the doors open. This has been the case for the early and late shows. I usually arrive well…
Is there an age requirement to enter?
I'm not sure if there is or not. Since alcoholic drinks are served an adult would probably have go with anyone under 21. Recommend checking their website or better yet, call them to be sure before getting advance tickets.
Are children (mature 12 year old in mind) allowed to attend shows?
Yes and this is directly from their website; "Blues Alley is an all ages venue unless otherwise posted".
How long do the shows usually last?
The show itself was about 1 hour. We were in the venue for about 1.5 hours with dinner, etc.
Is there a cover charge?
Yes, it varies based on artist and there is a minimum purchase requirement. Some shows sell out in advance. Check TravelZoo and Groupon or their website for occasional discounts.
Review Highlights - Blues Alley
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