The Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft in Greek town is my newly discovered gem.
Under advisement from an older, but very hip gentleman friend of mine, I decided to check it out one Monday night during this summer.
At first, walking down Monroe street in Greek town, I was wondering «where is this place?». There was no clear signage that I could see pointing the way. My friend had told me it’s up a steep staircase that opens up onto the street next to Plaka’s restaurant.
And so there it was. There was a handwritten sandwich board just outside the doorway leading up the stairs saying «Jazz Tonight, Drink Specials» and that was it! The sign above the door advertised psychic readings.
So up the narrow, steep, and stained staircase we went… Wondering where this was all going to lead too.
At the top of the staircase to the left, a door opened into a smallish sized bar, with red hued walls and a few different rooms. The wonderful lady at the door with a couple of gold teeth and a fantastic concert of colors outfit announced it would be $ 3 cover tonight. We gladly paid and made our way to the bar.
I asked the bartender, «What are the special’s tonight?» he said, «Baby, EVERYTHING is special tonight!» and boy was he right. In the literal sense, all drinks are a dollar less on Monday jazz nights than other nights. We ordered two Jameson’s and cokes and headed out the the deck, where the action was.
Out the doorway of the bar, the establishment opens up onto a beautiful, partially covered wood deck. The deck has a café like seating area with little tables, a good sized stage, and then an open, very large deck a few steps up with seating all around the edges. Other little off-​shoots of the deck, and nooks and crannies to sit in lined the edges.
White curtains and lamps holding candles hung from the post and lintels surrounding the café area and the stage. The curtains billowed slightly in the warm breeze.
In the café portion of the deck, I noticed several couples had ordered food.
It looked like soul food mainly. We only ordered drinks, so Im not entirely sure what their menu offers.
In any case, on Monday nights, the venue does Live jazz, late into the night. Usually, I think the place is called «Exodus» but on Mondays, its the Jazz Loft.
Musicians come from all around, and wait their turn to jam with the house band. They have singers too. They play sets for about 30−45mins, with 20 min breaks in between, where the musicians talk about what they are going to play next, and jockey for position to get to play on stage with the band.
As we were sitting out on the deck, a trumpet player and a sax player would stroll around the deck, playing along with what the band was playing on stage, practicing, and talking to the patrons enjoying the music.
The deck is basically on a roof in Greek town, so you get a great cityscape view of tops of buildings, Old St. Mary’s Church, and the Ren-​Cen.
The clientele is wide ranging, from downtown hipster kids, to sophisticated jazz aficionados, cool musician guys, ladies who dress to impress, and interesting local characters. Everyone is very laid back and happy, and welcoming to their special place.
I love the Jazz Loft, its my new favorite summertime night out. I believe during the cooler months, they hold shows inside, in a side room that is much smaller, but still looks like it would be fun, although more intimate.
Try to check it out, and remember to look for the hand written sandwich board and the Psychic of Greek town sign above a door leading up a narrow staircase next to Plaka’s. A special night awaits you at the top!