Smalls Jazz Club

Great Jazz club. I love the coziness of the place. They get great up and coming acts. GO!

3.75 Stars
I was in a New York state of mind, and needed to heal my soul with some Jazz. So, what does any normal person do? They Google and Unilocal best Jazz Clubs in NYC. And poof, Smalls is always number 1. Was going to be in the area for dinner and decided to make Smalls our late night stop.
:CON:
Everyone else has and have the same idea. The first time we tried to come, the line was around the corner. Literally. No joke. Around the corner. And it wasn’t moving. Someone else told us about the sister spot Mezzrow across the street so we went there instead.
:PRO:
If you buy a ticket to either location you automatically get into the next one for free (or included, however you like to look at things). Stayed at Mezzrow until closing at 2, then went to Smalls… which after 2. there is no line. But Still Crowded.
:CON:
Its PACKED. Smalls is a traditional Jazz Club. Underground and intimate. But, it is packed. There is seating though which is good. Also, its sorta loud. Its not a «hush we wanna hear the music» kinda place. Its a I want musical background to my conversation kind of place.
:PRO:
The music is awesome. And, that’s what you are really coming for right? They have a part during the show where the house band takes a break and they let anyone who wants to play come up and play. One of the best musical experiences I had seen. Seeing a club and band share and give breaks to up and coming talent was so refreshing.
Overall, Smalls is a hip cool place for a cool cat. You have to come and see it. But, understand your preference in Jazz. If you want a mellow place for musical appreciation… go to Mezzrow. If you want an exciting loud time, come to Smalls. Its Jazz man, Jazz.

What an awesome space to hear some live jazz. Get there early or buy tickets ahead of time as the place can get packed.

Amazing display of raw talent cover at the door and average priced drinks decent wine selection. ambiance is very New York jazz friendly crowd most nights definitely a go to jazz spot

Really cool spot for jazz. Very cozy and intimate and has that «speakeasy/​prohibition» vibe. Loved it.
My only concern is if there’s ever a fire there, cause the access is kinda tight and it’s all down in the basement. But would definitely come back. Really cool spot.

If you want late night jazz, this is the spot. The doormen, and, especially the bartenders or very personable. Drinks are as expected, and music goes till at least 3. Don’t miss out on this.

Imagine being in a living room with the best jazz players in the world. That’s Smalls.

Probably one of my most favorite NY activities. I’m so glad I got to come here and listen to great music. Drinks were strong and we got here early enough to grab a seat. The person who let us in was so nice and personable. Overall, great experience.

3 – 3.5 stars. I’ve gotta say I didn’t expect the name of this place to apply so literally. Came here on a Saturday night around 11 pm and was told by the host at the door that seating for the next show would start at 11:45 pm. We went somewhere else to grab a late night snack and got back to Smalls promptly around 11:40 pm, where we saw that a long line had already formed (big mistake on our parts). It moved quickly though and we were soon in after paying up a $ 20 cover charge each. Inside, the room is packed: there is a small space in the front for the performers and then rows of chairs/​benches set up. When we got in, we had to squeeze in the back, where there was standing room only. Much to our surprise, more and more people kept squeezing in-​around the bar, near the back, by the bathrooms-​basically where there was any inch of space. Throughout 90% of the performance (we were lucky later on and grabbed seats after some people left halfway through the show), we had to constantly deal with the waitresses/​waiters as well as basically everyone in the establishment it seemed squeezing past us to go to the kitchen or bathroom.
For a $ 20 cover an a 1 drink minimum policy, I expected to at least be able to get enough personal space to enjoy the show. The fact that I couldn’t really took away from the experience. The music itself was definitely high quality and the ambiance kind of took you back to an earlier era/​different world. I just really wish it hadn’t been so claustrophobic. In addition, I thought that the musicians could have been a bit more lively (especially during the improv sections), but maybe the band that night was going for a more soothing vibe.
It seems like there’s a way for you to get tickets ahead of time and thus grab seats instead of having to cram at the back. May try this if we ever decide to come back but a little less enthused about this place at the moment.

Great place, Amazing music!!! Really great cocktail waitress who even found us seats. I loved my experience here and can’t wAit to come back. Drinks are great and so is the staff. Great deal to listen to great jazz !

«Smalls» lives up to its name.
As you venture down the tight narrow staircase you enter a room with five or so rows of individual chairs… a bar on the right… standing room only in the rear… and a cozy stage when you can enjoy 2 ½ hours of fine jazz for only $ 20.
As most Jazz Clubs charge $ 40 for one set of music — price wise — «Smalls» certainly lives up to its name as well. And it’s a comfortable setting. With a one drink minimum (at — again — very reasonable prices) people are just hanging and smiling listening to the band.
Obviously performance plays a large part in one’s enjoyment. Friday night we had the pleasure of listening to «The Joe Strasser Group» which included Joe Magnarelli, David Hazeltine and Neal Miner. An enjoyable evening to say the least.
As we ventured out after their 2^nd set there was a line of people around the block awaiting another bands 10:30 show (how in the world were they going to get everyone in there?) — again 2 sets for $ 20.
Great Jazz Venue!

Smalls is an aptly named jazz club located in the basement under Bar Sardine on West 10^th and West 4^th in the West Village. No pre-​sales or tickets sold online, so you have to get there a little early before the shows to wait in line if you want to go.
The tiny club has theater style seating, each seat getting a *very* small footprint. Every jazz musician and group I have seen here were top notch. The audio levels are just right, not too loud, not too quiet and well balanced.
Cocktails were well designed but only adequately mixed. They have some house-​infused bourbons like cardamom and others I can’t quite recall. No food.
All-​in-​all a good night out for $ 20 plus drinks, and a good spot to take dates to show him/​her how cultured you are.

Great bands play here but be aware that during the holidays it is packed and you’ll have to get in line at least an hour beforehand if you want to get in. You can pay for tickets before but the only thing guaranteeing you get a seat is if you wait in line.
Once we got there so early 45 minutes to see the 9:30 and there was already a line. But we weren’t too far off and we were excited. But then a group who arrived late formed around the door and weaseled their way in front of all those who had paid tickets and waited an hour. No one was controlling the door area so we told them and the people at smalls didn’t care, apparently they know they will always fill the place so they don’t waste their time make sure people have a good experience. The next day we waited again and got in but with 1 hour in line and they wanted everyone to leave after one set, we explained what happened the other day and they let us stay.
Space wise its a basement with like one table the rest is all chairs and benches packed to get as many people in as possible. No food and the drink list is nornal, you’re here for the jazz anyway.

Way cool! I’d like to do more research on the membership /​shared revenue dimension of the business model, but as a first-​time visitor on a Tuesday night, it was a great, music venue.
Very intimate. I’m guessing 50 or 60 tops, and about 15 — 20 were standing. It was crowded. It’s like having great jazz, in your living room with a few friends … and a bar. Okay, maybe rec room. Very casual. Not sexy … at least, not the night I was there. Maybe it was me. But, we all packed in and got rocked by an awesome pair of acts.
The waitresses were friendly, and not pushy. I don’t think there was a minimum — the cover charge was sufficient.
This is now a ‘favorite’ spot. For my first visit, I figured out that the room clears out between acts. I caught the last 10 — 15 min of the first act while standing, and then scored a bench seat for the second act. I had to take off at the break — about 90 min into their gig — and when 5 or 10 of us left, about 15 piled in.

I am a jazz musician myself and this is the best club in New York. The musicians that play every night are world class, and Smalls gives you the chance to see and hear them perform their craft in an up-​close, intimate setting. They may not be as high-​profile as acts at the Vanguard or Blue Note but the product is no less magnificent.
Not to mention, Smalls is affordable– the cover is under 30 bucks and the drinks are relatively cheap. My only complaint would be, sometime it gets a little noisy in the back of the club where many musicians converse and hang out. I would recommend to anyone to sit right in the middle, you can really hear the sound of the band with great clarity. Please support Smalls, and its sister operation Mezzrow (right across 7^th avenue).

As some New Yorkers say, this is one of the best jazz clubs in town. You get to see great bands for 20 $ entrance fee. It’s a cozy place with limited seats available. If you’re looking forward to see a band and get a seat, I’d suggest not to be late.

Incredible music and awesome vibe. Packed but worth it. Great paintings and décor and if you are into the real New York small jazz venue experience… This is it! Cover charge is usually $ 20, but if you head down the Street to Mezzrow and purchase tickets for an earlier show, you can head over to Smalls after for free (with ticket). Same owners! Totally worth it!

I come here every now and then. Place is small but cozy, absolutely stunning! I took all my friends here and some — to Mezzrow (one block across 7^th ave). Entrance fee is $ 20 for which u r not gonna get guaranteed seating but still the whole experience is worth every penny. One day we got discounted entrance: because of the snowstorm place was empty.
Little tip — if you are coming for a particular show, arrive early — before the previous show ends (they usually have 10 – 20 mins break in between shows). That’s how U will be able to find a good seat — for some reason people leave after a show and almost noone stays for the next show.
My personal best are Sunday nights with Johnny O’Neal!

Very low-​key and small place, hence the name. Came here for a weeknight live show, and they can hold their own (moderately). I wasn’t a fan of the $ 20 cover charge, but you live and let live.
They do their drinks strong up in here, and that’s a good thing. You need to get buzzed to really enjoy the music. I’m not sure what I had, but it had a lemon peel and bourbon in it. So good I knocked back two. The crowd here isn’t obnoxious at all.
I wouldn’t mind coming here again, but maybe if it had a livelier band. Our band tonight was a trio and they were rather luke.

Allez c’est parti, de retour sur Unilocal,pour un avis mitigé en direct de New York… ou je vais présenter ce club de jazz ou je suis actuellement…
Alors «Smalls», c’est son nom, oui c’est petit pas plus de 40 chaises, donc si vous voulez une chaise venez sûrement très tôt.
Lorsque qu’on est au comptoir on se fait bousculer par les serveuses (très mignonnes au passage) qui passent pour servir les clients tranquillement installés sur les quelques chaises.
Les musiciens sont bons, voir très bons.
Mais la sono pas bien réglée…
Par chance, l’entrée était gratuite quand je suis arrivé, vers 23h30 mais en principe habituellement c’est payant environ 20 $ l’entrée.
Sinon, parlons boisson, j’ai pris un cocktail original, si je me souviens bien, tequila cointreau citron et confiture de myrtille, fin quelque chose comme ça…
Mais, il était vraiment mauvais… Et 13 $ quand même.
En résumé, un bon endroit, pour écouter de la bonne musique, en ayant la chance d’être assis, et peut être mieux vaut éviter les coktails. :-D
A bientôt les Unilocaleurs et Unilocaleuses :)

Music and atmosphere: five stars.
Drink selection (or lack thereof) drops it down to 4 for me. I can appreciate a good dive bar especially when the music is this great, but wish I could have had a nicer cocktail. That said, cocktail prices were good– $ 7 for well liquor.
Paid $ 20 cover for the show at 10:30pm on Sat, loved every minute, would come back.

Un local de jazz a la antigua usanza, es pequeño, cómodo, con buena acústica y detalladamente decorado con fotos y cuadros de música. Los fines de semana se llena de turistas y hay que pagar «cover». En estos días no se está tan cómodo, dado que te sientan e invitan a esperar que te sirva una única camarera que muchas veces tarda un poco. Los días de semana suele haber jam sessions y un ambiente más distendido.

Absolut cooler Club, kann ich nur empfehlen. Ich war dort zusammen mit meiner Ehefrau und wir waren sehr begeistert, es wurde Jazz aus den 20er und 30er Jahren auf dem Piano und Saxophon gespielt. Der Club hat einen sehr kleinen Eingang und kann schnell uebersehen werden, es geht nach dem Eingang direkt eine Treppe in den Clubkeller. Dort wird man von einer Katze begrüßt :-) Es gibt dort nur wenige Sitzplätze, also früh dasein.

Smalls = petit ! C’est intime, et tellement agréable ce petit jazz club… La qualité des musiciens qui y jouent est exceptionnelle, le service est simple et amical. J’ai adoré ma soirée au Smalls.

Ein Muss als Freund der Jazzmusik, lasst es euch nich entgehen. Programm findet hier statt bis in die frühen Morgenstunden, im Anschluss finden nette Jamsessions statt, bei der sich Musiker zusammenfinden, die sich nicht mal kennen. Ein tolles Erlebnis!
Cover kostet 20 Dollar, man bezahlt hier allerdings nicht pro Set sondern kann den ganzen Abend bleiben. Kommt entweder rechtzeitig oder in den frühen Morgenstunden, wie der Name schon verrät ist der Club sehr klein, dafür äußerst gemütlich, schön schummrig und etwas verranzt. Das gibt dem Ganzen aber eine tolle Atmosphäre! Schaut euch ausserdem gut an, wo genau der Club liegt, wir mussten ungefähr sechs Passanten fragen