Found this place on December 23 after dinner in the neighborhood and looking for a nightcap. Followed the music down the stairs and discovered a jam packed bar with a (guessing) 20-piece jazz band and dressed-to-the-nines patrons. We worked our way through the crowd to the back of the bar and found some very cool sunken booths with couches and tables. Took ages to order our drinks at the bar, but the atmosphere and music was awesome. Haven't been to a jazz club this cool since Georgetown (D.C.) in the 80's. read more

Okay so if you are a music lover and love being in an intimate place with live music...this place is for you! During my October 2014 birthday trip, we were looking for a place to dance and drink and while we were out at dinner someone at the next table suggested we try this place. We weren't far from it (or really anything in City Center which is one of the many awesome things about Edinburgh) so we walked over to it. The venue is tiny (can't imagine how they're doing during all of the pandemic social distancing and all) so there was a small line outside. We chatted it up with the other people waiting and smoking and the hostess. Once inside it was totally 1960s beatnik dive bar cool and quaint. It was dark with original old wood bar and banquettes, small round tables and mismatched chairs and cushions. There was a small raised stage at the back of the room and there was a four piece band onstage when we got inside. I should also mention that this place at least when I went is an after hours club. They were open until 4 am. Awesome right? YUP! We made friends with everyone around us and not around us because we are those extroverted people. We drank a lot like I don't even remember all the booze. Danced and had multiple nights of good clean fun. What could be better?! read more

Very intimate space deep down a set of stairs marked by a small door with a neon "JAZZ" sign peeking through the front. The drinks are a tad pricey all hovering just above £5 but it is Edinburgh. It does take a little to fill up when I came, but the music was good. read more

The Jazz Bar - Jazz club space - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This place has a great reputation from diverse music in the city. On this nite it was a 17 piece band that was performing. They place is somewhat small and there is a 5 Euro cover. read more

The Jazz Bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Today is Tuesday, we spent 8 pounds each for the entry. Unfortunately most of the Jazz players were students, it seemed more like a karaoke bar. We could not get a seat either. Not a pleasant experience for us. read more

A fantastic venue in Old Town Edinburgh. With live jazz seven nights a week, it's no wonder this place has been voted the top jazz venue in the UK. The atmosphere is dark and homy. Pictures of jazz legends adorn the wall. Bartenders are laid back but know their drinks (well, all I ordered was a couple Belhaven's Best and a Laphroig). We were there on a Wednesday night. We'd missed the early (free) set, but paid the cover and enjoyed the old time guitar playing and singing of Graeme Mearns. He definitely looked and played the part. Mearns was followed by the Przemyslaw Straczek International Group, featuring members from Poland, Italy and Scotland. They played a fantastic set of originals. Apparently, it's like this every night -- top quality musicians in a top quality venue. It made me revamp my dream of opening a jazz club in my home town. The Jazz Bar is so great I'll even forgive it for the godawful piss trough in the men's lavatory. read more

The Jazz Bar - Graeme Mearns live and in action. Great stuff! - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great music Good sound quality Fair drink prices Low cover at times (3 pounds when I went) Good diverse crowd read more

This place is awesome! Me and my girlfriend came here on a Monday night at about 8:30pm and left at 3am. When we arrived it was pretty packed but we managed to find a place to stand. I would urge anyone going with the intention of finding a seat to go early. We watched a 17 piece jazz band that were fantastic, and then stayed for Glamour and the Baybes who were an absolute treat. The sound at the venue was excellent and I liked the style of the place. Drink prices weren't too bad (about normal), and they had loads of choice for the drink connoisseurs amongst us. Everyone in there was really friendly from the staff to customers. Unfortunately, I was only in Edinburgh for 2 nights but I can't wait to go back especially to see Glamour and the Baybes, so funky, and funny with it. I also had the chance to speak to a few of them, really cool guys. This place is a must for anyone visiting Edinburgh. read more

The Jazz Bar - THE JAZZ BAR's 17-Piece BIG BAND - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Oh how I wish I was cool enough, or had the concentration and patience to find out a bit about jazz music, and then actually listen to some and try and understand what the heck is going on with all those chords being put together in such a jazzy sense. Unfortunately, my concentration span can be dismal at the best of times, so the fact remains that I don't know terribly much about the wonders of jazz. However, I do like this bar, and I reckon if I came and soaked up some of the lydians and side-slipping (massively looked these jazz terms up) on a more regular basis, I might eventually sound proficient when discussing jazz. I've actually always fancied toting a sax and looking a bit quirky and offbeat, not musically of course. Anyway, the basement location of this bar suits its jazz orientation completely, and the atmosphere can be lively and bustling, or smooth and chilled, depending on which night you pick to come along. The bar looks good, but it isn't over the top, and it's more about letting the quality music sound through. There are three gigs a day at the bar, so you should find some jazz riffs to your liking. read more

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It makes a lovely change at 1am-3am to go to the Jazz bar than trying to get in to an already overcrowded club just to carry on drinking. Live music is always something unique played by funky trilby wearing bearded men. A friendly atmosphere leads to a lovely late night hangout, I'm aware it's open earlier than midnight just I've never, ever been at that time. Ever. read more

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After the demise of the Bridge Jazz bar in the Cowgate's devastating fire in 2002, the Edinburgh scene was once more missing a vital component - somewhere for the jazz cats to chill. It was several years before the Bridge's owner Bill Kyle managed to get a new premises, but when he took over the Cellar Bar on Chambers Street, previously the Blue Note Jazz Cellar, he got it just right. The Jazz Bar is small, dark, underground, and moody - everything a jazz bar should be in this musician's opinion. You almost don't miss the clichéd smoke that Scotland's smoking ban put pay to! There's live music every night of the week, with two shows many nights. It's free to get in most of the time too, though the most popular nights (Friday/Saturday after 11pm) now charge - never more than £5 unless there's a big name guest playing. These charges were introduced with consultation with the Jazz Bar clientele, and ensure that the musicians are paid fairly, so are not to be grudged. You'll need to get there early to get a seat on the busy nights, but if you get there before the door charge kicks in you don't have to pay to stay, so it makes sense... The music ranges from pretty straight jazz, such as the Saturday night house quintet (usually unrehearsed but great quality musicians) to funk jams and DJs late nights through the week. The programme has also recently branched out into singer-songwriter nights and even poetry nights, usually run by external promoters. The quality of musicians is almost always superb though, Edinburgh boasting some of the country's finest young jazz musicians. Drinks are in the upper end of Edinburgh's price range, £3 for a pint of San Miguel (at least it's decent beer!) but this is to be expected in such a small place. There's a huge range of spirits behind the bar, a cocktail list, and even some special soft drinks - the Bundaberg Ginger Beer being a definite treat. If you want a guaranteed atmosphere, the Jazz Bar has it, basically! read more

The Jazz Bar - The Jazz Bar on a busy night - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Good place for jazz music. Go on Saturdays, as they have live sessions quartet, in which really good musicians come together without knowing each other or having performed / rehearsed together, and just start playing! Don't come in too late, as we came in around 11.30pm, just as 1 band was done playing, and another one started setting up, which made it for a very long (25 to 30 min) interlude without any music. Which is okay when you don't have to pay a £4 charge per person, but a bit long when you do have to pay. Good choices of whyskeys. read more

This aint a fancy bar. It's a chilled nice and cosy place to unwind in the evening with some live music and affordable drinks. I heard about this place from a waiter in a restaurant and we went there on Sunday evening. To be fank, our sunday evening was transformed to an awesome time! read more

My friend Rachael introduced me to this gem just before Christmas, and what a recommendation! It's now one of my favourite bar/clubs to go for some nice classy drinking. Situated on Chambers Street it's really handy to get to. They quite often have drinks promotions on too which is useful. If you're into jazz, go. If you're not that into jazz, still go! I think it would be a great place to go later on on a date, or even just quiet drinks with friends to start an evening... It does really liven up later on, one Saturday I was there pretty much everyone was standing dancing. There is a really cool vibe to the place, very much like an old fashioned 1950's gin joint I would say! There seems to be live music on every day of the week and at least 2-3 different bands on each night. As it's quite intimate you can speak to the player's as well which is also great! Highly recommend. read more

I enjoy Jazz as much as the next person, been to a few Jazz nights here and there. But this jazz bar has seen me converted into a regular, its my go-to on a weekly basis. The Jazz bar is not a big fancy venue but it has down-to-earth approachability. Elderflower Gin & tonic is a nice twist on the classic, and a casual highball to pair with the lowdown for a start to an evening. With gigs lined up for every day of the week starting as early as 5pm, its a jovial way to get around. Easy enough to wind down for a drink listening to solo tunes before it gets into the busier hour, you can just pop in anytime. It does get crowded in the later evenings and even more so due to the tight space. But its always a nice stop on by if I'm in the area. And despite its nominal title, they do offer up more than just Jazz. So its worth an early night taster for those unsure of dedicating a full-on Jazzy night. read more

I love the jazz bar. It's full of fun people, full of fun music, and full of fun booze. I personally don't dig the 9-12 slot where they play actualy jazz, but after midnight the Funk Dungeon kicks off and some of Edinburgh's finest musicians play incredible moving music every damn night :D read more

There should be more underground music places in Edinburgh. This brings me back to my jazz roots as a child when I used to play saxophone in my spare time in Montreal. The jazz festival is something i miss so when I see this place i say... YAY. Great spot and affordable cover. Never seen a bad show. Coming here is a great excuse to wear sparkles and feathers. woo! read more

Yay for The Jazz Bar! Smooooth! Live music seven nights a week, what more do you want? Most nights are free entry before 8pm or so but after you need to pay door tax, around £5 or under depending on the night. It's just how I would imagine a Jazz bar to be. Located on the basement level so it's already dark with a dimly lit bar and candle lit tables - the perfect Jazz den. Chilled out atmosphere with a real mix of customers. It's great for somewhere to open late that is not full of pervy drunken idiots! Drink is pretty expensive here. However the beer and spirits choices on offer are quite impressive for such a wee place. Weekends are mobbed! Don't expect a big conversation cause its quite loud - but its a jazz bar! If you want a seat, go early. Although I think they should remove the tables and chairs come the weekend to create a proper dance floor and prevent people from falling over the chairs and bumping into people sitting on them... just a thought! That's what weekends are for anyway - dancing!! Nice! read more

As a venue this is a very cool and intimate place. Went here as part of the Jazz fest with really no more notations or information than the location. Can't comment on covers and such since we got tickets from the Jazz fest web site. But down a set of stairs you enter into a cool little space. Reminds me of places of underground jazz bars all over the place. Makes me wonder if they are all the same place and just linked through the dimensions so you are actually only visiting the same bar! Apparently Monday nights is big band night at the Jazz Bar, 17 pieces last night! Normally they do a rehearsal and then a set, but because it was the fest they did two sets last night. Very cool, very fun. We were about two rows away from the sax section and while the room was packed it all worked. The sound is just right in this place, you don't feel yourself getting blown away from the volume. For a foggy like me, I appreciate that. The bar staff was very friendly and knew their job. My only minor complaint is the selection of beers is a bit sad. Pretty much just lagers, which is fine if you enjoy those, but I one or two good ales might be nice. There is a full bar and some nice house wines as well. Wish I had time to go back on this visit. read more

One of my favourite underground venues of the City. Starting with a late tea session(around 5pm) its all about music in this place. However, despite its name it hosts funk, blues and a whole variety of shows, with weekly standards (Aki Remally and his funky band is a personal favourite-usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 12 pm) to occasional one-off acts. Check their website for weekly updates. The darkened interior set off the mood, and the Friday and Saturday night are crowded so don't expect to find seating, but instead lots of dancing (yes in a jazz bar!) It's for people who appreciate music and a chilled out atmosphere. Even the bouncer is cool! There's usually an entrance and the bar is not cheap but no one is forcing you to get a drink. read more

With the discreet entrance and basement location I like to pretend I'm going into an American speakeasy filled with glamorous women and gangsters. It's not quite that cool inside but it's definitely up there! This is a great bar if you fancy trying something a bit different for a change. I'm not actually a jazz fan but I always enjoy a night here. Partly its the cool than cool atmosphere but it's also good to be able to enjoy some live music and a drink. As a previous reviewer said the music can be a bit hit or miss but it completely depends on your taste so I'd say give it and go and you can always leave if you don't like it. read more

Unlike the name suggests, the Jazz Bar isn't just about jazz, it's about music in all it's glory, from James Brown soul-funk to Radiohead experimental rock to the Motown sound. It's small and when the dance-floor gets crowded you may feel claustrophobic. It's a basement bar and doesn't look too pretty on first sight but the fact it's underground suits the general vibe of the place- mysterious, funky, non-mainstream, cool, hip and alternative. Dimly lit with candle-lit tables it's the perfect place to go on a date or just to relax to an afternoon live music sesh with a cold one or a coffee. Drink prices and entry fee-fairly reasonable. If you become a regular, like myself, you will meet some awesome characters such as Aki a.k.a Jimi Hendrix, who plays there often. read more

I'll freely admit that everytime I come here I am pretty trollied. However it's great fun. Fantastic music and lots of booze. ALWAYS incredible value for money. The bands are really excellent and as it's open till 3am it's one of the only decent places to go out in old town if you don't fancy a terrible club. They could do with increasing the range of beers but I'll forgive them for their lack of beer ability because of their musical awesomeness. Would recommend. I would have written a longer one but I genuinely can't remember that much about being there..... read more

This is the best place to go to quick off an evening in edinburgh. Live, good jazz music and decently priced drinks. My mates and I start here around 9 on a saturday, get in the groove and then head out later if we can find the motivation to leave the incredible ambiance of this wonderful little club. Sometimes we end up sticking around dancing the night away to live funk, disco and whoever else is on the bill. I highly recommend at least one night at the Jazz bar, it is well worth the experience. read more

This is my favourite haunt in Scotland bar none. I am a member of Ronnie Scotts and this matches the place. The jazz bar is a small basement with a big loyal following and live music every night of the week. Expect anything from trad jazz to old school funk. If you want to sit arrive before ten or wait for the late night tequila dancing to commence. Seriously, if you enjoy live music, you must go to The Jazz Bar - This music venue won U.K. "Best Jazz Venue" award and Scotland's "Music Pub of the Year"... and god damn! Quite rightly so. read more

The Jazz Bar is a basement venue and the focus is the music. From a jazz music point of view it is a-ok, as a bar though it lacks something. Certain factors are accepted at any venue with a 3am license, the first being a group of guys will normally have more hassles getting in than a mixed group or a group of girls, fair enough but the doormen here are particularly obvious about it. Second the drinks are likely to be more expensive and served with a lack of care, again ok I'm here to listen to some music, I can live with that. Why then do I feel the bar lacks something, the drinks just aren't that good... More correctly (and perhaps this is a one off) there was a taint to the glasses that gave all the drinks I tried a nasty acidic edge. Duly I switched to bottled beer, but I don't go out to drink beer from bottles! Sadly any return to the jazz bar I make this will likely be exactly what I will do though. My advice enjoy the music, drink bottles and don't try to enter as a group of more than three guys. read more

The place to be, especially on Monday nights, when The Babes jazz up the place with their jams. They're super skilled, and are a bundle of fun to move and listen to. Their set progresses from dance-able instrumentals to jazzified Prince covers! For these tunes, which include "Kiss," the saxophonist switches between vocals and the brass. Pay the cheap cover and grab an equally inexpensive vodka ginger, and you'll be good to go, in this dimly-lit, underground jazz bar. If jazz hands and the twist aren't your thing, there are tables you can sit at, whilst sipping your drink and bobbing your head, but I highly recommend hitting the dance floor. When the Prince covers begin, you simply cannot just sit there! read more

I always feel like I've come straight from the black and white movies when I'm in here, red lipstick and cocktail dress in tow. There's something quite cool to say you're going to a jazz bar, and I like to click my fingers as I walk down the steps. It's a hit or a miss with the jazz you get when you're there - if it's the house band then great (the pianist in particular can knock out some tunes) but sometimes they have guests which can be amazing, and can be bad. Overall, definitely a fan! read more

The Jazz Bar is a gorgeous, if a little unimaginatively titled underground jazz havan where, unlike local theme bards, you are guaranteed some quality live music seven nights a week, with free (or at least very cheap) entry. Music tends to stick to traditional straight jazz but deviates into Jazz, Funk and Soul territory on Friday and Saturday nights to great success. Drinks are a little expensive for this area of town, but are around the Edinburgh average so shouldn;t hurt the pocket too much. The Beer & Spirits choices on offer are quite impressive for such a dinky place. Great atmosphere, rarely cliched, always a joy! Ess read more

The Jazz bar is a great dingy basement jazz bar but without the dingy! The best night of the week to go for decent jazz is Monday when they have their jam night. You'll hear some quality traditional bop by some extremely talented musicians. Other than that there is ALWAYS music on, so you if you're looking for somewhere that is guaranteed to have some live music on, the Jazz bar is it! The drinks are very good. The selection on the pumps is slightly limited but spirits and bottled beers are great. Unfortunately you have to pay to get in at the weekends but I guess this helps to keep the riff raff out! read more

An excellent evening means ending up here! As a basement bar, the decor feels like you could be walking into a little joint in anyplace from NYC to Paris but just order from the friendly staff and you'll remember you're planted firmly in the Burg!! Excellent drinks stock and well-made cocktails. The live music calender is superb and the variety will astound. Saturday Night 'Fishfry' (Midnight to 3am) really anchors the venue as an essential hangout for music appreciation with the gents from Four Corners sourcing some of the most extravagant and funky live groups from 'out of town'! The seating/dancing setup can be a little crammed at max capacity but the music, staff and drinks will help most people feel like part of furniture. read more

I visited this place on Friday night for the first time and I LOVED IT. As my brother put it quite simply when describing this place, 'It's just how you would imagine a Jazz bar to be.' It's basement level with dark interiors and small, round candle-lit tables. It had a nice, chilled out atmosphere with a real mix of customers. It was £5 in, £3 if you were a student. More than worth it. read more

Intimate setting. You walk down the stairs to get to the underground bar area. Very low lighting, live music not too loud, so you can still have conversation. £4-5 Cover after 7:30pm. read more

Does this really not have any reviews yet? The legendary Jazz Bar is one seriously cool place to go and chill out. With live music every single night (often from the excellent house band, Freaky Family) you can basically rock up any night of the week and check out some outstanding musicians. If you haven't been there before, go tomorrow. And I wrote this review yesterday. read more

Well, for a comprehensive review, there doesn't seem to be much i could ever add to the one below. I just wanted to give some third party support to the argument, and add an extra star - i can't see how this place could ever not get five. If you want a decent evening out, but you're not sure where to go, you're unlikely to be disappointed if you head to the jazz bar. While it does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin (so i wouldn't come here if you want a cheesy night of pop and r'n'b), i've seen some incredibly unbelievable talents performing here. The sort of people that could quite easily have recording contracts and deals, if only they had the money and the contacts. Its seriously good live music without the price you'd pay elsewhere. read more

Seeing as there's already some great reviews of this place, I wanted to add my experience of Monday nights at the Jazz Bar, which have always been great. Sometime around 10pm, or maybe a bit after (you know how jazz musicians are..), the free Late n' Live Jam Session starts off. What happens next is an always fun, experimental, and loosely-played (in the best sense) session with the greatly talented house trio and a plethora of guests that bring their bit to their stage. Drinks aren't very cheap, but considering the great atmosphere, awesome music, and good times, you're getting a lot for your money. Highly recommended. read more

for my first edinburgh review- will have to start with my favorite place. i should preface it by saying that for some reason, with few but notable exceptions, there are three types of bars this city. 1. student bars. unlike in my home country of obamaland, where you dont have to suffer pre- 21 yr olds, this is not the case here. also ive never seen anyone check ids in this country. ever. so if you want to be surrounded by girls aloud fans wearing hoochie skirts in the middle of the winter- these are the bars for you. dangerously blocks away from the jazz bar (but the mighty russian cossack bouncer would never let those fuckers in). the tron is a key example of a shitty student bar. 2. trendy twat bars. all of the ones on george street. horrible. shanghai leads the pack of crap ttbs. 3. old man pubs. these are my favorite of the three. ugly casino like carpet, newspapers from the last three days, footy on tv, often only pints and no cocktails, see future reviews for the best of these. jazz bar is a notable exception. located across the street from my law school, it is prime post class location. live jazz all the time. often free, and if they charge a fee, you get can get a student discount. it has a mid 20's to early 40's scene, from hipsters to suits to stoners to normy norms, chav free vibe in a darkish basement. the music is loud enough to dance to but quiet enough to talk as well, just dont talk over the music, that is annoying as fuck. all kinds of jazz. usually can get a table. open ridiculously late. dont forget to get a battered hamburger at the nearby city restaurant when you call it a night read more

Live jazz till 3am? Yes, please! I've been to the jazz bar quite a few times now and thoroughly enjoyed myself every time! The drinks aren't too expensive, it's got a nice cosey feel...but what's most important is that you can dance into the wee hours to such sweet, sweet music amongst a plethora of interesting characters! Because at the jazz bar, there's always someone to dance with. As mentioned, lack of dancing space is a bit of an issue on busier nights due to the fact that there essentially is no dancefloor. But, of course, it's too good not to, at least, tap your toe! read more

£3 to see two shows in a seedy basement full of college dropouts, artists, doctors, hipsters and barristers with a devoted appreciation of the best improv jazz in town. This sweaty basement is compulsory listening my friends. My only complaint is that the beer list is rubbish, it's otherwise a top joint. read more

Jazzbar provided me with what was probably the best, most memorable night of an Ireland/England/Scotland vacation. It was only about 5 pounds to be there for the evening and see some of the best jazz I've seen in a looong time, even in the USA. The atmosphere was comfortable and the people were cool, no uppity pretension. Just a little underground (literally) cozy jazz bar. I want to go back again and again. read more