Where to Catch Live Jazz in Philly
From intimate lounges to big stages, these bars and restaurants host the best musicians in town.
Live jazz at South in Spring Garden. / Photograph by Ted Nghiem
While it’s a genre often overlooked in the mainstream, Philly has a deep history of jazz — and great spots to hear some of the best local and touring musicians over drinks or dinner. Here’s where you can hear some seriously amazing performances, plus a few eclectic spaces newer to the game, helping to introduce the genre to new audiences.
South Restaurant and Jazz Club, Fairmount
Robert and Benjamin Bynum are two of the biggest names in Philly’s enduring jazz and dining scene. After their erstwhile club Zanzibar Blue, which ran out of the basement of the Bellevue, closed in 2007, they opened several locations throughout the city. South combines authentic Lowcountry ingredients with jazz acts in the restaurant’s club space almost every weekend. 600 North Broad Street.
Bob & Barbara’s Lounge, South Street
Amid the karaoke and the drag shows, the quintessential Philly dive still features no-cover “liquor drinking music” from The Crowd Pleasers on Friday nights and The 3 Notes on Saturday nights. Deep cut for the hardcore jazz fans: Bob & Barbara’s is the only club in Philadelphia that still uses a Hammond B3 jazz organ. Once a staple in Philly clubs, it is now a rarity to hear one live in this city. 1509 South Street.
Solar Myth, East Passyunk
The new home of the Ars Nova Workshop, this Broad Street location isn’t just a bar; it’s also a coffee shop and a record store. It features weekly ticketed jazz shows with musicians presented by ANW, including local Philadelphia artists and visiting performers from New York and Chicago. 1131 South Broad Street.
Rex at the Royal, Grad Hospital
Housed in the historic Royal Theatre, Rex at the Royal is carrying on the space’s musical legacy with live performances every Sunday. Best of all, there’s no cover! So, slide into a blue velvet booth, order an old fashioned and watch as funk, R&B and jazz musicians jam on stage. 1524 South Street.
Manayunk Brewery, Manayunk
When Center City’s 23rd Street Cafe closed in 2015, its longstanding weekly jazz jam moved out to Manayunk — where you can still hear tunes from local groups on Tuesday nights. Pompanoosuc Mills, 4120 Main Street.
Chris’s Jazz Cafe, Center City
The Sansom Street icon is the longest running jazz club in the city and features a slate of Louisiana-style dishes with ticketed live jazz shows almost every night. Each performance is recorded and uploaded to their YouTube channel, @ChrisJazzCafePhilly. 1421 Sansom Street.
Jerry’s Bar, Northern Liberties
Every Sunday showcases a jazz brunch starting at 11 a.m. This neighborhood bar offers a wide array of breakfast sandwiches and burgers, omelets and pancakes off the griddle to enjoy alongside their extensive cocktail list – all while you soak in the summer sun in their outdoor seating area, tapping along to the beat of the performance. 129 West Laurel Street.
Live jazz at Sassafras. / Photograph courtesy of Sassafras
Sassafras Bar, Old City
This cozy hangout on 2nd Street has been in business for 50 years, with an old-school vibe to match. The menu features solid tavern fare plus occasional no-cover live jazz performances. 48 South 2nd Street.
Ortlieb’s, Northern Liberties
Northern Liberties’ “Hot Dog Bar” has plenty of events throughout the week, including comedy shows, karaoke, no-cover open-mic nights and jazz performances every Monday. And with vinyl records from local artists playing in the bar until midnight, the music continues even after the band has left. 847 North 3rd Street.
Time, Market East
The whiskey-centric bar and restaurant on Sansom Street features live jazz in its 60-seat dining room during dinnertime, with more bands, artists, DJs and open-mic nights performing late into the night. 1315 Sansom Street.
World Cafe Live, University City
Serving as the home of Philly’s own public radio station WXPN, World Cafe Live hosts bands from a myriad of genres, but there’s always jazz on the calendar. In addition to ticketed jazz performances in the Music Hall, World Cafe Live hosts Jazz Jam with Grammy-nominated pianist Orrin Evans in the lounge for free every second Wednesday of the month. 3025 Walnut Street.
Black Squirrel Club, Northern Liberties
There is nothing in Philadelphia quite like the Black Squirrel Club. The exposed brick, tall windows, and eclectic décor make the lofty industrial space look the way jazz feels: eclectic, classy and effortlessly cool. 1049 Sarah Street.
