Birdland Jazz Club

Verified by N49

Booked a table for dinner at Monday night's Cast Party - it was phenomenal!!! The show began a little slowly, but before I could second guess my decision to go, I was awed by the magnificent talent which appeared one after another. The host, Jim Caruso, was a hoot; and the jazz band backing up all the performers were outstanding themselves.

Amazing experience! Saw a big band play. Loved every minute of it! You can order a full dinner while you’re there plus drinks. Huge portions but a bit heavy. But hey, you’re there for the music right? Service was pretty good - coming by between sets.

Definitely worth making the effort to stop by. Decent bathrooms.

FRIDAY NIGHT.After going to Broadway show Momma Mia, worth walking a quick 10 blocks. A pure diamond. 1030pm jazz show with dinner. We appreciate musicians and they sound absolutely amazing. U feel the music. Best spot to sit is at the intimate round table. Thank you for making my daughter's birthday a special one. We will definitely recommend.

Incredible live jazz with classic New York vibes

Birdland Jazz Club delivers an amazing performance — the musicianship and energy are top-notch, making it a must-visit for jazz lovers. The atmosphere is classic and intimate, though seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early if you want the best spot. Book your tickets in advance, as shows can sell out.

There is a $20 per person minimum spend on top of the ticket price, and while the food and drinks are okay, the real highlight is unquestionably the music. The crowd adds to the lively, authentic New York jazz experience.

world-class performances in a quintessential jazz setting.

Stepping into Birdland feels like stepping back in time — in the best way possible. The intimate setting, steeped in jazz history, immediately wraps you in warmth and nostalgia. The acoustics are sublime, every note floating effortlessly through the room, making even the quietest ballads feel personal.

The lineup the night I visited was stellar. The performers had a deep connection with the audience, blending technical mastery with heartfelt improvisation. Especially moving was the encore — soft, melancholic, and utterly captivating.

Food and drinks are classic and comforting. While not the star of the show, the service is friendly and attentive, letting the music remain front and center.

If you’re in NYC and crave a night of world-class jazz in a space that respects the tradition while embracing the now, Birdland is a must. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz aficionado or simply seeking an unforgettable evening, you’ll leave with your soul humming.

Attended a Richard Bona concert here and the location was great. Enjoyed the music.

Seating is first come first serve which is a nuance, but it was disclaimer.
Food was nothing to write home about.

Service wasn’t as great and it appeared that they were more interested in making sure that they kept to the time limits of the concert to get people out and usher in the next group.

I come from DC to NYC just for the artists that perform in Birdland. Have been multiple times in Birdland theater downstairs and the main one upstairs. I like both venues. Downstairs is smaller, more personal, but also very interesting artists. For the better table come at least 30min earlier. It’s first come first served rule. Tickets are available for bar and tables (+$10), $20 min order per person. I truly love and enjoy the music and atmosphere.

Waited in reservation ticket line to get in on Saturday. Sunday had no line. Be aware of the $20 minimum per person per set.
Enjoyed the live music! Highly recommend the cheese and fruit plate.

Wonderful experience. We were looking for a jazz concert and we found that Birdland is a must for intimate Jazz concerts in New York.

There's a minimum consumption besides what you pay for tickets but it's not bad at all.

Great venue.

Wonderful jazz club. It's a fantastic experience. They provide an amazing time and the food is great as well. We heard wonderful music and just had so much fun. Love going there. We've been several times and hope to see more great sets in the future. It's a great New York City institution.

The show was phenomenal. Let me say that up front. It was fantastic live music. Someone had mentioned the $20 per set per person being a little frustrating and I agree. If you are buying a ticket for the show and it is a late one, you may not want to be eating and drinking. We ended up getting some drinks and food out of obligation. They were ok. If I have to spend a little more money on the ticket to not have to buy food and drinks while I'm there, I'd rather do that.

In any case, I know when I come again (because the food/drink minimum will not deter me from coming again), I'll stick to chips and guac and some drinks.

Went on a Saturday night, January 11th. Had tickets to the early seating, so doors opened at 4:30. Got in relatively quickly and were served quite promptly. Our seats were second row, smack dab in the middle of the room. And, the room did fill out. Not sure there were any seats left. The big band we'd come to see was excellent (Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band). Food was good and well priced. Drinks were delicious. We'll be back!

Not my usual scene but was a surprisingly good night out. The place was packed and I would recommend picking up tickets in advance as there was a few folks who came hoping to get tickets at the door but couldn't. Service was fast and friendly and the food was better than we expected. I had the steak and my wife had the Mac and cheese both of which were cooked to order and tasted pretty good. Dessert was also good, mixed sorbet and the creole bread pudding. Music was cool with a good vibe throughout the set. I would definitely recommend if you want to do something a bit different.

Music is 5 out of 5.

The service deserves negative. What you read on the other 1 star reviews is actually true. I hope my review here to confirm them helps you gauge whether it is worth the ticket + min. $20 charge if you are just there for the music.

There was certainly a discrimination of treatment. When I walked in no body asked to hang my jacket or tried to serve me, which I saw was offered to other customers. I made several eye contact attempts with various staffs. They did not look busy but no body was there to take my order. I ended up walking up to one staff and ordered like I was at a fast food restaurant. There was also no one to clean up my table after I finished, just like what you'd experience at a fast food restaurant.

Their coffee tastes the same as the free instant coffee in the pantry of my office.

They are also selling tickets at the door for half the price they charge online. When I confronted the hostess about having to pay double she gave a dismissive response and refused to even move me to a better seat (while people who just walked in would pay half price but offered the front row).

My friend told me that Jazz Bars are a white people thing so racism is expected. Good luck if you are planning to go there.

I went here during the Christmas holidays and it was so good to enjoy the atmosphere with family. Our seats were bar seat but it was also good to see the stage. You need to order drinks/foods at least $20 per person. I don’t know if it’s always possible or not but we were possible to join the club with teenagers.

Birdland is a fantastic jazz club in Manhattan! I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance, as it’s a popular spot and often sells out. I went without a reservation and had to wait about an hour to see if there were any cancellations. Luckily, I got a ticket, and it was absolutely worth the wait. The music featured a mix of performers—some stood out more than others—but the overall experience was incredibly satisfying. Definitely a must-visit for jazz lovers!

I went here during the Christmas holidays and it was so good to enjoy the atmosphere with family. Our seats were bar seat but it was also good to see the stage. You need to order drinks/foods at least $20 per person.

We brought tickets for our family and us to attend a show this Christmas and we what a treat! The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra was amazing. Hope to hear them again in the future! Food was served quickly, yet it was delicious. The food definitely exceeded our expectations! Staff was friendly despite how busy they were and respectful of the show going on. I am already thinking about the next show we will book!

If you want the jazz club experience this is it. Sound quality is beautiful. I love the ability to easily order food and drinks during it also! Food was just ok, not the best - but then again, you’re not going here for the food. I will note the dishes and drinks are a bit pricey.

The jazz show was amazing, with a very attentive audience. The atmosphere inside the jazz club was cozy and had its charm. However, I didn't like the rule of having to order $20 worth per table, even though I had already paid for the performance. I followed the rule, but there wasn’t much variety in the drink or food options anyway.

Had a wonderful evening here celebrating my birthday. I love how the venue added to the day and made it more special. The food was fantastic and the cocktails just as good. Service was amazing too. All around worth the hype.

Birdland Jazz Club NYC

Birdland Jazz Club is an absolute gem! The ambiance was fantastic, the space was clean, and the food—especially the fish—was simply delicious.

The highlight of our evening, however, was the incredible hostess, Ella. After being told that the club doesn’t typically do birthday shoutouts, Ella went above and beyond to make our night unforgettable. She quietly surprised our 17 year old guest, who had chosen Birdland to celebrate her birthday, with the most creative and delightful birthday dessert dishes. It was such a thoughtful and special touch that truly made the evening magical.

Thank you, Ella, for your kindness and attention to detail—you are simply the best! Birdland Jazz Club, with its amazing food, atmosphere, and exceptional service, is a place we’ll definitely be visiting again. Highly recommend!

By far my favorite jazz club I’ve ever been to. So many incredible performers! With an atmosphere that really lets the performers thrive.

Staff was friendly and knew when to serve and when to let the patrons enjoy the music.

This small club is a wonderful successor to the original Birdland. It’s small but not claustrophobic, with a great staff servicing delicious food and drink. Go on Mondays to see the incomparable Vince Giordano and his band.

I would break this down in to two reviews if I good. First the good! The venue, ambience and most importantly the entertainment is fantastic and worth every penny. We had a great table and it pays to get there early in order to get a good one. The food was not so good.. The pork belly was really nice to start, but the southern fried chicken was very bland and had no seasoning (there was plenty of it tho!) and the gumbo had very little seafood. 100% worth going, just plan to eat before you go 😉