In a world where ordering all flats is typically an upcharge, it's refreshing to look down at a plate of wings untainted by drums. The homemade buffalo sauce was excellent, but pales in comparison to the service I received from Jordan, the bartender. He's a beast, give him a raise. The band was great and the happy hour prices were unparalleled. 3.6 stars is a disservice. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Out front on the sidewalk - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While on a date night, we visited Chris' Jazz Cafe for live jazz, and the music was outstanding--Langston Hughes II was phenomenal and the jazz club atmosphere is great. There's about a $30 cover charge per seat, so guests are already paying to enjoy the show. We had already eaten earlier, so we ordered water and dessert, but our server Ethan's demeanor noticeably changed once we didn't order entrées. Later he came back and took the QR code menu off our table and walked away, even though I mentioned I might order a drink, which forced me to go to the bar instead. I spent $117 during our date night and ended up leaving the tip with the bartender. Great music and venue, but the service experience unfortunately put a monkey wrench in the night--hopefully management takes a look so the service matches the quality of the music. read more

Down to earth venue with good music! The food isn't mind blowing but the jazz performances I've seen here have been great. The seating can be a little tricky in that if you don't order dinner and have to sit in the back, there's some obstruction by the pillars in the middle of the room. There's a TV streaming the performances, which makes up for the obstruction, but it's not ideal. I would recommend ordering dinner to guarantee a seat closer to the stage without the obstruction. And pro trip: you don't need to buy the prix fixe dinner with your ticket but can order a la carte at the venue. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Pan Seared Salmon - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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You always hear good music at Chris's surrounded by nice people. Their web site is very confusing- you do NOT need to order the prix fixe to be seated. I've taken family twice and they have been happy with the food options. It's a jazz club, not a famous restaurant, but the food and drinks are good. It's a place to listen to the music, not chat during the music, which confuses some guests. I always check what's happening at Chris's if I have some free time. read more

Went here for a weeknight jazz show and we were not disappointed. The drinks were SO good! The Rosemary cosmo and the Italian wine our waiter recommended were exceptional! The music was wonderful and such an intimate setting. I really enjoyed the oysters but the duck ravioli was a little beyond my taste palette. Would definitely recommend checking this place out! read more

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Greeted by the beautiful ladies at the front desk upon arriving on Friday, June 13th, 2025. Pretty expensive for a glass of white wine and a bottle of sparkling water w/ gratuity costed $33 and change, you get a $0.50 or $1 discount if you pay in cash instead. I called in advance to ask about the seating situation, $25 to reserve a seat to watch live music with a $5 fee so $30 upfront online (I ate dinner elsewhere) so about $63 and change in total. I had a great time listening to the performers' set (lasted about 30-40 mins). I do think the servers were cold which I haven't experienced before yet at any jazz clubs both in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. maybe because I wasn't ordering more than 2 drinks, maybe gratuity is added onto the bill but who knows, some places have their off nights so maybe that might've been the reason but I would like to give Chris' another chance. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Wine - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I really enjoyed my night, the service, the food, and the Jazz. At first, I questioned the limited menu and prices and whether this jazz place would cure my hunger for the night. Boy, was I wrong. The seafood pasta was excellent, and the Italian braciole was omg. It was a family recipe, I was told, and it was beautifully presented and delicious. Our bartender, Kenneth, did an amazing job with his recommendations and service, which put this place over the top. read more

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Went to hear the early set and have dinner. It wasn't at all crowded so had seating near the performers. The service was excellent throughout our time there. The food was better than we expected. I had the soup to start and it was very good. For the entree I had the pork shank which was tender but could have used some seasoning. The dessert was a pumpkin creme brûlée which was delicious. Music was nice and enjoyed the experience. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Soup - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This is a very nice place for listening to great music in a great atmosphere. We were very nervous about going in because we had never heard of the artist performing. But when he started playing, we became immediate fans! The music was so soothing and it took me to a comfort place. Warren Wolf plays the xylophone like I've never heard it played. Along with his band, they made our night unforgettable. We now have him on our music channel. read more

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Our first time at Chris' (this is my first ever yelp review!) and we had a wonderful time! The performers were amazing, the service was great, and everyone was so welcoming. Please ignore the review by Nicholas S. who attended the same evening we did. We observed his wife complaining that her wine pours were not large enough and she was obviously frustrated that she wasn't comp'd as a result of her complaint after making an issue about the pour. We shared the same server who was, in reality, an absolute joy. Can't make everyone happy! We will definitely be back! read more

Highlight: Music was great. Negatives: charged $20 per person to sit at the table. Spot right down the street had a $5 cover charge per person so our party of 4 thought it was similar. NOPE! $80 They ask what water you want. They charged us $9 for Pellegrino without clarifying it was an up charge. So before we order we are at $90. And there's a $10 minimum per person order... so $130 minimum. Absolute scam. Should have known walking into this place after 10 and seeing it so empty that something was up. Lesson learned. read more

Good find! Me and my friend popped in here after heading out for a function on Rittenhouse. Cover to sit at the high tops when it was not even halfway full and there wasn't a band on at the moment is a little annoying but after we sat down the ambiance and decor makes you feel really cozy! We got the beignets and they were good! A couple cosmos got us through the night as well! Overall great place! Will be coming back again soon! read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Cosmo - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Chris' never disappoints- excellent menu and new preparations throughout the year. Solid, attentive service all accompanied by marvelous music read more

Went here tonight for New Year's, was surprised to be hurried out so they could get ready for a third show! Three shows, in my opinion, are too many. I was there from 8:30 to 10 and enjoyed the food and wonderful music, then was surprised when band ended and checks arrived. I thought the show would go through midnight Because it was NY's eve. It was 175, plus 18 for wine, and I left a good tip because wait staff had to hustle to make the three shows happen. Three is just too many for everybody. The 1.5 hours was great, just wished it was longer. read more

The music was relaxing, I almost got up to dance. I was there with my wife, we had a great time. But we went around the time it was about to close, so we enjoyed about half an hour or 40 minutes. I ordered regular Pepsi, but my wife had some alcoholic drinks, two different kinds. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Just the setting - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We've been here several times. The room has an extension giving it an L-shape. Visibility is highly restricted from the "L". In past, you were guaranteed seating in the main room along with the full dinner package. When we went last weekend having booked the full dinner we were shown to seats in the far rear of the "L". Visibility of stage is almost non existent there. We refused that table and the young man seating us said that the seating plan now assigned tables by booking date. We said that this was the worst table in the house; he said "I'm sorry that you feel that way". We finally were seated by the kitchen door. It was very cold there especially when the swinging doors opened. I see now that the club has placed a $20 premium on main room seating in addition to the full dinner package. The club does air replays on YouTube but there is a monthly charge to see some of the replays. At this pricing, we could go to New York for our music! read more

Local dive bar with neighborhood people playing board games, its a vibe and has its esthetics read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Small dive bar with locals playing board games - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ah, great jazz cafe! I went to Chris' on October 27th; Saxophonist, Mervin Toussaint & His Quartet performed. It was an amazing performance! There was a point were they literally had be in a trance state; hypnotized. I enjoyed my time there. The service and the drinks were great! I hope to visit again! read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Food was fine, service excellent. The 7:30 set was over at 8:15, which was disappointing, esp since the second set wasn't until 9:30. It doesn't take 75 minutes to turn over the room. read more

Went here for first time last night and was extremely impressed by the decor, staff, acoustics, and quality of performance. The program was a 50th anniversary tribute of the death of Lee Morgan, bop trumpeter extraordinaire from Philly. Met at the door by friendly and efficient hostess who took us to a very nice table near the front. This was a surprise as we had purchased general admission tix and expected to stand for the show. I was pleased that she checked everyone for vax cards first. (However masks were not worn by most staff.) Server was friendly and did a good job. I do not like to eat while listening to music so we did not order dinner. Some might say the club and food is expensive. I disagree. Try getting this kind of experience in NYC. It's very hard to make a living performing music or running a live music venue. We should all do our part to support live music in Philly, especially non-corporate clubs. The acoustics are very good. The stage area is lined with wood paneling so the sound is very warm. The place is clean and nicely decorated with posters of jazz greats. Bathroom clean. The crowd consisted of serious music listeners. No excessive chit chat. I fail to understand why people come to shows and then proceed to catch up with their friends and ignore the music. The bar area was a bit noisy but that's in the front of the room so not too bothersome. The show was about an hour and 15 minutes. It was terrific. I can't wait to come back for more. read more

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It's a cool place. The musicians are very talented here. They have good drinks, and coming here to watch the music is just always great. I like the pork shank, it was pretty good. Well seasoned! Good prices. read more

Great food and the musicians are so very talented. However, the pricing as it relates to available viewing towards space is poor. There are few clear views to the space as pillars exist between the $40 seating. The chairs are uncomfortable and have no back to them. The ambiance is nice if you don't care about seeing the live players. They do have TVs that reflect some parts of the show as it plays. Drinks are delicious too. The pricing of the food makes sense, but the back tables could be worth $25 to me. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went for a dinner and the music! Both were amazing. Service was fantastic! Jocelyn, our server, was great! Usually, I find the food to be mediocre at jazz supper clubs but this menu and everything we got was worthy of any upscale restaurant! They even had vegetarian and vegan options available! The show was incredible. Wonderful musicians! Highly recommend! read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The cafe is cramped when full but not uncomfortably so. The servers were constantly checking on our needs and serving drinks and food rapidly. The drinks and food was average and forgettable but we weren't there to eat. We had a table up front for our birthday boy and had a great time listening to some jazz classics. read more

Found me a new home on Fri and sat nites. Jam session with regulars and rotations and amazing players and soloists. And that was just for the jazz. Gotta get my chops up for the fast numbers but this is going to be very fun. And I didn't even taste the cuisine. This review for the jazz. I stoped outside t finish the grand cigar I was enjoying and was wowed by a group of outgoing folks sitting at and standing around the table next to me. They were very casually dressed so that I thought they were guests. Turns out they were the musicians for the late nite sets!!! The one. Eric. was trying to engage with folks who were waking by, but they were probably freaked out by his charism. He is in fact the linchpin, the main guy, the pianist that makes the final set go round. And wow! So humble in his playing and leaving room for all the guys to solo! I can't wait to go back. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Stagefront ($10 cover). Oban 15 ($16) - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chris' is consistently fantastic! The acts are insanely talented and the food is right up there! Drinks are great and the service is always a 10/10. Their chicken dish is my absolute favorite! Amazing spot to take friends and family who are visiting Philly. read more

Wonderful Friday Date Night! Performance was amazing and I was in awe when it ended. Food was just okay. Fried Frog legs was my favorite. We sat next to pretty good company as well. Oh and they charge approx. $8 for bottled water unless you ask for tap water which should be free. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - SHRIMP & GRITS - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The musicians are unbelievable, absolute fantastic... our waitress tonight was absolutely ambivalent. It was a pretty small crowd. She had virtually no tables, but was apparently catering to the guy that she had the hots for two tables down.. We dine at a plethora of fine restaurants and when we pointed out that the wine pour was below the line which was obviously on the glass for a reason she made an obtuse excuse and rudely at that. The worst part of the experience, however, was the fact that the gratuity was included on the check with no option to remove it so her lackluster to say the least Service could not be reflected in our tip.. I suppose we'll just have to find equally talented, musicians at other venues read more

Great service and nice relaxed atmosphere. The band I saw was fantastic and lots of audience participation as well. I'd recommend just going here for the jazz and drinks because the food was expensive and the portions were kinda small. Otherwise very solid. read more

This was the perfect nightcap to an anniversary date night in the city. We came to a 10 pm show. We decided on drinks and dessert. We got great seats. We had great service. And the live music smoked. I was a big fan of the beignets personally. Thought it was a little cheesy that they charge a $10 service charge for two tickets at their online site on top of the $25 ticket price each. I mean, are they Ticketmaster? But I'll be back sometime when I'm in the mood. read more

The jazz band was absolutely amazing. From their energy, to their rhythm playing together, it was a precious experience I'm sure everywhere there enjoyed. The waiters/waitresses were also super friendly as well as the hostess. I ended up ordering the vegan jumbalaya (which was fantastic) as well as the zoodles which were prepared a special way for me (vegan and gf) which also came out great. This is a great spot to come with friends, or that special someone. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Vegan jumbalaya. Zoodles - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Frankly, there wasn't anything particularly rave-worthy of this jazz cafe. My friend and I came here on a Wednesday for Center City Sips, after visiting about five other restaurants first, only to see that they were completely packed and unable to accommodate us. I can't believe Center City Sips is this popular!! At Chris' we ordered mozzarella triangles, truffle fries, and chicken spring rolls. I ordered a Moscow mule. The mozz was cheese and tasty. The fries were ok but you can tell this was likely from the freezer. The chicken spring rolls were whatever. I just couldn't believe the price for only 2 pieces in 2 dishes... That's absurd. The Moscow mule was normal. I didn't really like the restaurant itself because it was incredibly loud, and I was getting tired of shouting to talk. It wasn't my favorite experience, and now I understand why this was the only Center City Sips restaurant that could accommodate us. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve experience at The Cafe. We were in town and looking for something different to do and we came across this place. What an amazing experience! As soon as we got in we were seated and our server Jamie took care of our culinary interest. Our reservation for the evening guaranteed us a 3 course price fixe meal. For my meal I started with the lobster bisque which was ok, I personally prefer it to be a bit more on the thicker side. For my entree I had the pork tenderloin which was very tasty and a perfect portion size. My girlfriend ordered the Smoked Salmon Terrine which she enjoyed. For her entree she had the Pan Seared Striper which she loved. Our dessert options were delicious as well. I had the crème brûlée and my girlfriend had the artisanal cheese offering. We enjoyed the dinner and the attention paid to us by Jamie. Part of our experience was the dining piece but also the Jazz show as well. Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Nine were the star attraction. This was our first venture into a jazz show and we loved it! The music was great. Chelsea Reed has a magical voice! Her singing and stage presence was great! I think we have found something new to do-listen to jazz while dining, who knew??? read more

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I took my bf out for his bday. After a not so great dining experience, I found Chris Jazz Cafe thru Siri. It was the only place in the area open until 12 according to google. Just a 6 minute walk "in heels" from our current location so we headed to Chris'. Upon our arrival we were greeted by a group of not so pleasant patrons and or staff that informed us it was closed and private as well and if it wasn't private they would still be closed because they close at 11. I replied well, the website states 12, so u may want to update it! There's this brief but hostile exchange and a few whispers about what website I looked at? I got extremely bad vibes & won't patronize in the future. It was giving prejudice and toxic energy! read more

Stopped here after dinner to listen to some Jazz music. It did not disappoint! GREAT Jazz music and amazing drinks. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I rarely write reviews, so when I do, I really mean it. Last night I wanted to find a place for some special 1-on-1 time with my Dad as we celebrated his 80th birthday. I wanted something that shared the essence of the heart of Philadelphia culture and a mix of something old and new that had style, ambiance and class. I read the descriptions and reviews of all of the different Jazz clubs in the city, and Chris' stood out hands down. While reserving the tickets (also a smooth experience without too many fees) I commented that it was my Dad's birthday and hoped for a special experience, but what the staff did was above and beyond. When we arrived, the hostess and one of the servers, noticed that he was moving slowly. One held the door as the other made sure we got in OK. They'd saved the best table right in front of the stage for us. The music was great, the ability to watch the musicians close up was even better, but the special care and kindness of the staff moved me. They came out with a little candle on his dessert...it was just special. During the break between the sets (neither of which did we want to end because they were so great), we had probably the best conversation I've ever had with my father, talking about our love of music, musical influences and experiences, instruments we loved...all sorts of things...and all new topics to us...which can be difficult when you've heard all of someone's stories over 50+ years. I want to thank this team for a night I will never forget. The music lovers in the crowd loved the performances because they were high quality and enjoyable. The staff smoothly did all the little things to make the experience special. I hope you have as great time there as I did! read more

On the outside of this Cafe, it may look like a place you wouldn't want to walk into, but once you are inside, the place looks nice. There is a bar on the left and the place is sort of small. The food isn't huge portions but it was quality. If you are someone who likes quantity then maybe eat somewhere else after you go here. We ordered a lot of food which was pretty filling. The jazz band sounded nice and they performed well. It's hard to hear people talking when the band is playing. Our waiter checked on us often. Honestly, I can't pin point the best item on the menu because it was all delicious including the drinks. read more

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When you walk into Chris' Jazz Cafe you can almost imagine that it's the 1940s and you're out for a night on the town. As you step into the dimly lit establishment, you're greeted with a wave of great music, friendly staff and a diverse gathering of fellow Jazz lovers who are taking in the moment. Whether you're there for dinner, or just a couple of cocktails, it's impossible not to give into the mood. You sit back, relax, and take it all in. It's exactly like you imagine a Jazz club would be, minus smoke in the air. It's the type of place you tell your friends about, and can't wait to visit again. Yes, there's a cover charge on top of your tickets. But it's completely worth it. This isn't amateur night. These are real deal, professional musicians. For what you'd drop at a regular bar or restaurant, you can treat yourself and also enjoy the type of evening that sadly doesn't come around as often anymore. The staff is friendly and helpful. The owner is passionate about the music and the experience - you can sense it the moment you meet him. They want to make sure you enjoy yourself. If you've stopped with a reservation for a meal, they'll make sure you're satisfied and taken care of. I've never been disappointed here. read more

I wish I could rate the music and food separately because my 2-star rating is all based on the food/restaurant but I would give 5 stars to the musicians! We saw a local jazz band perform songs from their new album and they were all so talented and full of energy. I took my partner's mom here for her birthday and she loved the show! The restaurant has a policy of having a $10 minimum spend per person, which was not advertised when purchasing the tickets online. I do understand requiring a minimum spend to help support the restaurant and musicians but asking to pay $30+ (after taxes and fees) per ticket for the show AND making customers pay for food/drinks didn't sit well with me. We decided to share a few desserts and drinks and the desserts were terrible and horribly overpriced. Each dessert was $16 and the portions were comically small. You would be better off walking a few blocks to some of the local ice cream spots and paying $5 for a generous scoop of gourmet ice cream. One of the dessert we ordered was a strawberry and ricotta dish and the order came with a teaspoon of ricotta with 1 strawberry cut in quarters. Absolute rip off and didn't taste very good. It's unfortunate the restaurant food quality did not match to the quality of the music. The service is a little too attentive with the waiter coming a little too often to check-in, especially while we are trying to enjoy the show. There are many venues in the city that offer live music and I would NOT recommend choosing this place. I'd come back to the cafe if I could pay for a ticket to enjoy the music and not have to eat anything here. read more

Definitely come here for the atmosphere, great entertainment and I recommend coming with a group of friends! Food was alright, nothing to write home about. read more

Chris' Jazz Cafe - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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