Cancel

Open app

Search

Blues Alley

3.9 (364 reviews)
Open 6:00 pm - 11:00 PM

Blues Alley Photos

Business Info

BLUES ALLEY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Intimate
Live music
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Blues Alley

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Linda O.

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.

Anya R.

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!

Band
Victoria R.

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!

Meghan W.

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.

Taylor J.

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.

Stage
Sehar M.

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!!

Caesar Salad with added salmon (special request) would be fantastic if the salad weren't drowning in dressing. DROWNING.
Harley S.

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.

Erienne T.

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!

Blackened Catfish
Kent D.

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.

Reginald A.

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!

Fernando M.

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.

John H.

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!

Linda W.

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.

Chips and Dip

See all

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Toya J.
1978
554
847

2 months ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 1
Love this 8
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

21 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Hannah M.
27
18
25

22 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Vee L.
74
192
666

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of T S.
0
258
15

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 4

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rob C.
0
36
1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of AnSa A.
0
133
75

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 10

Blues Alley Reviews in Other Languages

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… Read more

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.

How is parking?

Parking garage directly accross the street!

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.

Any dance floor?

Nope, no dance floor

View All 10 Questions

Review Highlights - Blues Alley

We went to see Kevin Eubanks and his band, which was by far one of the top shows I've ever seen in my life.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Jazz & Blues 5,020 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

JoJo Restaurant and Bar - Dining room

JoJo Restaurant and Bar

4.2(948 reviews)
1.7 miU Street Corridor
$$$
Locally owned & operated
Minority-owned & operated

What an absolutely wonderful experience. We came here for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. Service…read morewas a 10/10. Super accommodating and kind all the way from the door, to the band, to our servers. We had reservations and were sat by the door which typically is totally okay except it was freezing cold this weekend so we were accommodated further into the room for some warmth as soon as a table opened up. I tipped the band and slid a note to the MC which gave the sweetest shoutout to my partner and the band played a happy birthday tune. To our surprise, the two tables next to us were also celebrating birthdays which added to the overall great vibes. The food was very pleasant and the drinks were awesome and served quickly. They gave us a free birthday dessert which happened to be one we were considering ordering !!! Thank you guys for such a beautiful night.

We packed in a lot of stops on a Friday before the winter storm…read more Wanting to claim the title for funnest human, my friend decided to take me to Jojo Restaurant for Jazz music after dinner. Sweet stuff! Okay FUN! Quaint restaurant off of U St, I most definitely had not realized this existed. We had reservations and my date requested the first table so we were front row (more like first table). We walked in, and there was our table with the reserved sign. A trio of musicians played their hearts out. As a lover of music, I appreciated this. Drinks were great! Very attentive workers. Ambiance : it's a D.C. hidden gem with no frills. Very NYC. Come glam, come as you are, you'll fit in! Would recommend! Tip: Don't forget to Tip! No pun intended! Bring cash!

Photos
JoJo Restaurant and Bar
JoJo Restaurant and Bar
JoJo Restaurant and Bar - Good times!

See all

Good times!

Black Cat - We were the first to enter the club.

Black Cat

3.7(428 reviews)
1.8 mi
$$

not my first Black Cat rodeo, but first time going to an internally organized event rather than a…read moreshow. Depeche Mode dance party was so sick, so fun, honestly just what i needed. trad goth prom almost? many oldheads (og DM fans perhaps?) groovin, the ambience was perfect to relax and just boogie like you do in your bedroom. thank you Black Cat, please do a Joy Division/New Order night next !!

Black Cat is a nice intimate venue that features more indie and local talent. I came here for a…read moreseated concert (seats were first come, first serve), but it's typically standing room only. The acoustics were great! IDs were checked at the door prior to entering. I had a small bag and it was allowed into the venue after a quick bag check. I bought a last minute ticket at the door and they stamped my hand for entry. The main stage is on the upper level. I took the stairs (not sure if there's a public elevator) and as I headed up, there were signs stating "no stage diving or crowdsurfing"... this ain't the Fillmore! I didn't really explore the facilities or check out the restrooms, since I beelined to grab a good seat, but the checkered floor certainly gives the venue some character and makes it memorable. While a seated event isn't typical at this venue, the seats were basic folding chairs and tightly packed next to each other (I definitely rubbed shoulders with the people next to me). But overall, this is a great venue to see a show! Pros: - Intimate venue (no screens necessary) - Not overcrowded - Can buy tickets online in advance or at the box office in cash to avoid fees - Metro accessible (walkable from U Street Metro Station) Cons: - Limited box office hours (only open when they have shows) - Show start times aren't posted until a few hours before doors open (not good for planning purposes). Doors/show times are posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account

Photos
Black Cat
Black Cat - Depeche Mode dance party

Depeche Mode dance party

Black Cat - Jawbox live

See all

Jawbox live

Dumbarton Concert Series - Judy Kuhn performs in historic Dumbarton Church

Dumbarton Concert Series

5.0(1 review)
0.2 miGeorgetown

It doesn't get any better than this for concerts during the Christmas season, and at other times of…read morethe year too I'm sure! I'm a sucker for intimate performance spaces and the Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Georgetown that is used for these concerts is stunningly beautiful with creaky old wooden floors and gorgeous stained glass windows. On Saturday December 4, 2010 I volunteered for the 15th year in a row at the season opening of the Celtic Christmas Concert. There are certain pieces of music done by certain artists in a particular arrangement that become etched in the mind as definitive. Listening to Silent Night in the concert's second half every year done by the respective artists on harp. mandolin, and flute is as much a requirement of the season as putting up our Christmas tree! Not only is this particular arrangement enough to get you hooked on Celtic music, but experiencing it in a candlelit church sanctuary that is decorated to the holiday hilt and with the waning sunlight pouring through the stained glass will get you in touch with the essence of why this Christmas classic is sung the world over. The reading of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" by WETA's Robert Aubry Davis is also a must every season. And you'll hear plenty of non Christmas music at this concert as well, the better to get you to buy one (or more!) of the CDs for sale! The Concert Series has other performances of chamber music done by artists on guitar, piano, etc. as well as vocal performances of Broadway and jazz music. It's the Celtic Christmas Concert that I love the most though. Once you've found parking, you're over the stressful part and are in for a treat if you take in any of the concerts that make up the Dumbarton Concert Series.

From the owner: Dumbarton Concerts has presented chamber and jazz music in the heart of Georgetown for over…read morethirty-five years. Performances by artists such as Red Priest, NSO's Steven Honigberg, and saxophonist Grace Kelly have filled the incredible acoustics of historic Dumbarton United Methodist Church. Our concerts provide a uniquely welcoming experience for patrons to enjoy acclaimed musicians in an intimate environment.

Photos
Dumbarton Concert Series
Dumbarton Concert Series - Dumbarton Concerts presents our concerts in the sanctuary of historic Dumbarton United Methodist Church.

See all

Dumbarton Concerts presents our concerts in the sanctuary of historic Dumbarton United Methodist Church.

Blues Alley - jazzandblues - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...