Bill’s Place

Bill’s place es un lugar muy recomendable, es en un departamento en harlem, la entrada cuesta 20 dolares y uno puede llevar lo que quiera para tomar.
Hay dos shows los viernes y dos los sabados. El lugar es chico pero se puede reservar.
Hay una banda de jazz tocando en el living!
Muy bueno!!!

Incredible intimate experience inside a small ground floor speakeasy vibe club. $ 20/​pp BYOB was just the ticket. It was like going over to your uncle bills house and him playing you a few songs. Amazing!

I don’t think I would have come here if it wasn’t for my friend. Although I am not a jazz head, I did appreciate the music and the atmosphere. The coolest part of the night was when someone from the audience, she sitting right next to me, got up and played a song with the band. I also loved Bill’s story — finding something he really wanted to do and making it work. With all the gentrification in Harlem, it’s important to have a connection historical harlem before the high rises.

The music at this place was absolutely amazing, very very good soul, great vibe, good people! The sax player I heard there was something out of this world.

If you want to hear some great jazz, go here. Bring your own beer or wine, they only thing they sell here are small bottles of water for two dollars. The place is basically a ground floor apt in East Harlem. The neighborhood definitely looks scary. The place is small and crowded, homey not elegant. Imagine a hot jazz quartet in your living room. All the musicians were great, the sax player was amazing.
By the way, none of the local small grocery stores or delis have a license to sell beer. So it is better to bring it from your area, don’t count on finding any on the block or around the corner. We did find a liquor store on the Avenue where we bought some wine.
If you claim to be a jazz fan, you have to go here, at least one time. This is the real deal.

Made a reservation for my mom & her husband to go. They really enjoyed themselves! Doors opened on time, very inviting place & everyone was welcoming. They really enjoyed the atmosphere! My mom is not the most tech savvy person & asked that I provide a good review on her behalf. Intimate jazz scene, great ambiance & a phenomenal performance until the close of the night (no intermissions). She stated they brought there own snacks/​drinks & they were set.

I feel really lucky to have attended a show at Bill’s! You want a good seat? Come early. You arrive late? Well, that’s your fault for sitting in the back. While the people working here are kind, they aren’t here to baby anyone. It’s a «jazz speakeasy» in the bottom floor of a townhouse/​apartment. So naturally not every seat gives perfect views. But ooh man, just feel the music! These musicians are SO talented! Bill was out of town when we saw the show, but that just means we can’t wait to return. For $ 20 a person and BYOB, this was a unique and affordable experience to have your mind blown! Now I just wish I kept up with those piano lessons when I was younger because these musicians were seriously so inspiring haha!

There’s no point in my restating the history of this place which you can read on their website (you should) or most of the other reviews here.
What I will say though, is that we have been to dozens of jazz clubs around the world, and Bill’s stands out amongst them. It is incredibly small, but as a result incredibly intimate. You are making eye contact with the musicians all night and really share in not just the musical parts being played by the musicians, but the silent dialog between then as the parts are passed back and forth.
The music itself was fantastic. (Bill was away on tour, so we saw Patience Higgins, himself a 20yr alumni of the Duke Ellington Orchestra)
On this night, we were treated to have the amazing Tommy Campbell on drums and playing his «Porkhestra»: talent, fun and rhythm all mixed into one. He made our night, and clowned it up for our two kids who loved every minute of the set.
If you are looking to get away from the big name clubs (Jazz Standard, Vanguard, etc) then Bill’s offers a great antidote uptown.

Visiting Bill’s is like stepping into a time capsule back to the years of prohibition. It was 1920 when this tiny, intimate venue was established, right on 133^rd Street in Harlem, which was called Swing Street due to the abundance of speakeasy’s in that particular street.
Bill Saxton took over the place more than 10 years ago and keeps up with the tradition. Friday’s and Saturday’s only you’ll be his guest in this cozy ground floor venue, and when I say «venue», I practically mean a long stretched room not larger than a normal living room in NYC. It hosts about 20 – 25 people, the jazz band, and Bill on the saxophone.
They play two sets an evening, starting at 8pm and 10pm. It’s recommend you reserve a seat before getting there. Cover is $ 20 pp, and it’s BYOB.
A unique, intimate, and great live jazz experience in Harlem. Highly recommended!

Excellent jazz, great musicians, amazing atmosphere, byob, only for 20 bucks. Worth it!

Bills is that charming neighborhood spot that everyone is looking for. Bill plays most gigs but if he’s not there he finds some amazing musician to sub for him. Don’t forget to enjoy the backyard terrace. Joe is the man.

I’d give Bill’s 10 stars if I had the option. By far the best jazz show I have ever been to. Love love love it. Just give it a try.

This place is awesome. We had a big group (20 or so) out back on the porch. I recommend chilling for the first 15 minutes then going in close to see Bill and his crew after the initial crowd backs off. Top notch sets. BYO so bring some glasses. Do yourself a favor and go here.

Absolutely amazing! My best live jazz experience to date! And frankly, don’t know if it gets better than this. Bill is a welcoming, wonderful and gracious host and a divine seasoned saxophone player. It turns out it was Bill’s birthday and everyone was in a festive mood which further enhanced an already perfect evening. He’s played with some of the greats. The chemistry between the entire band is on point and it shows during their performance.
I was sitting directly in front of the drummer within hands reach during the first set. I was shocked when he handed me one of the sticks and let me play as they were all jamming! Hopefully I didn’t screw up their rhythm too badly. I was so freikin’ thrilled!
After the 8pm set was over, we were hanging out with the band (cause we’re cool like that) and the pianist invited us to stay for the 10pm show free of charge. I was on cloud nine!
BYOB
Must go! Go! Go!

First and foremost, thank you, thank you, thank you Bill for the unforgettable time.
For $ 20 (cash only and byob) we listened and watched Bill and three other musicians play great jazz pieces. We got there early and sat right in front of them; we watched how much fun they were having playing the sax, the piano, the bass and the drums. And Bill was the most gracious host. (Most seats were in the adjacent room but even if you were not seated directly in front of them, you could still see the musicians through the opening in the wall.)
Small, intimate setting. Make reservations online — the place was full in no time. Take cash for the bucket.
Highly recommended. Definitely a wonderful experience for anyone from neophytes to connoisseurs!

An amazing jazz treasure. A fantastic venue, loads of fun and great people (Jonathan who is the manager is gracious and warm) and the people we met, like ourselves, where there for the first time too.
We brought our own wine (I emailed Jonathan first to be sure) brought some nuts (so as not get drunk) and had a smokin good time. The music was stellar.
Highly recommended (went to eat in a french bistro just around the corner on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd right after the show– a great evening — GO GO GO)
The musicians pass a bucket, be sure to bring cash to be generous — its worth it, these guys deserve it

What a treat! We were looking for an alternative to Village Vanguard or Dizzy’s and we found it in «Bill’s Place».
A small and very intimate former Speakeasy made for a great jazz experience. Bill Saxton leads his very fine quartet comprised of some very talented young musicians.
Bill’s sax playing is strong, versatile and rooted in bebop. Heard some great music, heard some history, got to hear him sing which was fun, and watched him support a young sax player who he invited up to play with him.
Thanks Bill !!

Dear Bill,
What an awesome time my Mom and I had at your place last Saturday for her 65^th Birthday.
There is something magical at your place that truly delighted my spirit. Thank you for sharing your amazing gift and the talents of your band members as well. You all were fantastic! I will never forget the evening I had at Bill’s Place.
Blessings, Music, Peace,
Tammy Rose
P. S. I started your wife’s book… and thank her too for sharing Harlem history!

How can anyone give this place less than 5 stars! For $ 20 you get a very up close and personal jazz concert.
The sounds were mesmerizing. The atmosphere, super cool. Just a little Harlem apartment with great sound capabilities. The crowd — very diverse. Charming is the best word to describe the overall vibe.
Coming from Jersey — we just parked right in front about a half hour before the show began.
*NOT a BYOB, just FYI

We had a great time at bill’s last week!
Bill Saxton and his musicians are great hosts. Some really big jazz names played here back in the day and Bill shares some of these stories throughout the set.
$ 20 gets you in and it’s worth it. Plus BYOB makes for a very reasonable night out! They have ice, cups ($ 1 buck a pop) and bottle openers. There is a warm homey feel about this place. it really feels like you’re in someone’s living room.
Btw, it’s a cozy space. If you are uncomfortable with a sax –or possibly a trumpet…(that was the best!) – in your face, don’t sit in the front row of chairs and wear a scowl. Ask for a table on the back. That’s just a buzzkill.
I love this joint!

My friend invited me to Bill’s Place and I told her I wasnt a huge fan of jazz but I am so happy I came. She informed me it was BYOB so I bought a small wine bottle and truly enjoyed the performances for the night which lasted almost 2 hours. You defintely should make reservations because seating is limited but the seating that you get is up close and personal. The staff are very friendly and interacts with the crowd throughout the night. Some of the sets were low key and others were rocking and body shaking grooves. I had a great time and it was truly a positive and unique experience in Harlem.