In the Washington, DC area, you can enjoy listening to jazz in a variety of venues, from intimate jazz clubs to gourmet restaurants and neighborhood pubs. Some DC-area jazz clubs require tickets and advance reservations, while other destinations are more casual, allowing you to simply stop by and listen for a while at no additional charge.
When planning your evening, keep in mind that some clubs feature a wide range of performers and may offer a variety of musical styles. You must call ahead and confirm the performance schedule before heading out for the night.
Jazz Clubs and Washington, DC
Bayou DC
2519 Pennsylvania Ave. NO Washington, DC (202) 223-6941.
Live music: every Friday and Saturday
New restaurant and live music venue
Blues alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NO, Washington, DC (202) 337-4141.
Coverage fee: $ 15-25, reservation suggested.
Live music: every night at 8 and 10 pm
The Georgetown Jazz Club features the best jazz performers from across the country.
Columbia Station
2325 18th St. NW, Washington, DC (202) 462-6040.
No fee
additional Live Music: every night at 10 pm
The Adams Morgan Pub offers jazz performances every night.
Duke’s City Restaurant and Lounge
1208 U Street NW, Washington, D..C (202) 986-9400 No additional charge
Live music: Thursday to Sunday evening
This contemporary restaurant on DC’s U Street corridor offers live jazz.
Howard Theater
620 T Street NW Washington, DC (800) 653-8000.
Tickets are required
Live Concerts: Hours vary.
The historic theater features a state-of-the-art sound system and flexible dinner club-style seating.
JoJo’s Restaurant and Bar
1518 U Street NW, Washington, DC (202) 319-9350.
No coverage fee
Live music: every night. This little club in the U Street District offers live jazz, blues, funk, soul, and R&B.
Kennedy Center Jazz Club
2700 F. St. NW, Washington, DC (800) 444-1324 Se
require tickets, prices vary
Live music: hours vary
This is one of the Kennedy Center’s newest performance venues.
National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden
Pavilion Café at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th and Constitution NW, Washington, DC
No fee
Additional Live Music: Fridays 5-8: 30 pm Memorial Day weekend through mid-September
Enjoy live jazz outdoors amid beautiful scenery and sculptures.
Sankofa Cafe
2714 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, DC (202) 234-4755
No coverage fee
Live music: Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 10 pm
Local jazz musicians perform.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum Take Five Jazz Series
Kogod Courtyard, 8th & F street, NW, Washington, DC
No fee
additional Live music: every third Thursday.
Board games are always available for guests to play, and the Courtyard Café offers seasonal refreshments for sale during concerts.
Takoma Station Tavern
6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC (202) 829-1999
No additional charge
Live music: five nights a week, including Wednesday through Friday, jazz happy hours starting at 6:30 pm
Takoma Station Tavern offers live Latin jazz, reggae, international jazz, and progressive jazz.
Twins jazz
1344 U St. NW, Washington, DC (202) 234-0072.
Coverage fee: $ 15, reservation recommended.
Live music: Tuesday to Thursday. At 8 pm; Friday and Saturday from 9-11 pm; Jam Session Every Sunday with the Ron Gary Trio.
Twins Jazz offers live jazz and American, Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine.
Utopia
1418 U St. NW, Washington, DC (202) 483-7669.
No fee
additional Live music: Tuesday to Thursday. 9:30 pm-1am, Friday. & Sat. 11 pm-2:30 am, Sun. 9:30 pm.-1: 30 pm
U-topia offers an international menu and a variety of music.
Jazz clubs in Maryland
Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club
7719 Wisconsin Avenue. Bethesda, MD (240) 330-4500.
Live music: seven days a week
The historic Bethesda Theater was remodeled and reopened in 2013 as a venue offering a wide range of musical performances. New Orleans style cooking.
Jazz Clubs in Virginia
Bangkok blues
926 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA (703) 534-0095
Cover Fee: Free at $ 8
Live music: Monday to Thursday: 7: 30-11 pm, Friday, Saturday: 8:30 pm-1am, Sun: 7-10: 30 pm
This Thai restaurant is known for its excellent food and late-night jazz performances.
Birchmere Music Hall
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA (703) 549-7500 Charge of
coverage: prices vary, buy tickets in advance.
Seating and food service begins at 6 pm Most shows begin at 7:30 pm.
The Birchmere is a 500-seat dinner-theater-style Music Hall that offers a variety of musical performances from folk, jazz, rock, gospel, or alternative music.
Ice House Cafe
760 Elden St., Herndon, VA (703) 437-4500
No additional charge
Live music: Friday. And sat. 8 pm-midnight. Suggested reservations.
The restaurant is known for its fine dining and live jazz entertainment.
King Street Blues
112 N St Asaph St, Alexandria, VA (703) 836-8800
No fee
Live music: hours vary
King Street Blues features “Comfort Food with a Southern Accent,” including items like BBQ, meatloaf, shrimp, catfish and salads. Live entertainment is available at four family-friendly restaurants: Old Town, Kingstowne, Crystal City, and Stafford.
Performance hours vary by location, so call ahead to confirm.
