Smoke Jazz Club Reviews

Ugh! We could never figure out how Smoke got such high ratings, except that maybe a lot to locals with an affinity for the place loaded up the high marks. So, you can take this review with a grain of salt and realize there is some number of folks who rated Smoke high enough to get us to try it. The place is tiny, the seating is cramped but not intimate, and the food was certainly not worth the price. The price was $38/person just to get in for the show and if you don't want to sit at the bar, the price/meal/person is another $38. The bebop jazz style, in which each musician takes their turn with freewheeling improvisation was not enjoyable to us--by the end of one set, all the music started sounding pretty much the same regardless of the song title. But, maybe that's the style you love?

We booked ahead of our trip and I’m pleased we did as the venue was more intimate than I’d realised and we wouldn’t have got a seat otherwise. The ambiance of the venue is lovely. Very cosy and intimate with tables very close to one another. The food was delicious - the French onion soup was out of this world and the pork escalope was beautiful too. My husband had the lobster ravioli and that was equally gorgeous. The music was great - our first time at a jazz club so we didn’t have anything to compare it to but we thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely go to another. Acoustics were spot on. The only downside to our night was we were given clear instructions not to talk during the performance as it’s such a small venue and would be disrespectful to people around us if we spent the entire time talking. Annoyingly, the table next to us did just that and talked constantly and loudly. I would have liked it if one of the staff had had a quiet word with them to keep the noise down as it put a dampener on the night. It would have been very awkward for us to address them directly as the tables were so close, it would have made us feel very uneasy. Thank you for a lovely time!

If you are looking for a live music, jazz, this is the pace you should go. Make your reservation and go to drink something, but not wine, and listen jazz. But I don't recommend you to eat something. Eat somewhere else....

This is my favorite club, in the jazz capital of the world. Why? First, the music. It's mostly hard bop, blues/R&B-influenced music. Generally accessible. Good to bring non-hardcore jazz fans. Next, the room. Cozy, intimate (holds only about 50), warm decor and awesome sound no matter where you sit. Next, the food. Truly good, not just for a club. There is usually a three-course special. And a little more about the music. There is a core is regulars who play here. Legends like Harold Mabern and George Coleman. Mid-career stars like Eric Alexander, Vincent Herring, Orrin Evans, Mike Ledonne (b3 organ every Tuesday), more. Each weekend is a great group in a small setting. Likely someone who often plays much bigger rooms. Yes, it's now in its 15th or so year and it's in the guide books, etc., so expect tourists. Not nearly as bad as Blue Note or the Vanguard that way. Oh, and the staff are generally nice here too.

Visited in 2002 and came again this September. I was not disappointed! Superb food and marvellous music. Not the cheapest place to visit by any means - but food standards were excellent and service was first class.

My wife and I go to New York once or twice a year. We always try to make it up to SMOKE. This year we saw Lezlie Harrison on Wednesday and Annette St. John for Sunday brunch. The place is tiny and you do sit close BUT you are sitting next to people who are there for the same reason. We always make new friends. IT'S SO AMAZING TO SEE SUCH TALENT IN SUCH A SMALL PLACE! One would have to ask, how can they do it? They do it because all of us fans of Smoke are in on it. In a place with 50 seats. We get it. PAY the bills! Pay the talent! I'll take sitting in the back of Smoke over sitting in the front of any other club. And I have always had a great meal. Except once, I didn't like my chicken. They made me a whole new dish and comped my check-EVEN THE COVER! They are all class! Long live Smoke Jazz Club.

You might be wondering why you should trudge all the way uptown to 105th Street to hear jazz when there are lots of clubs in Midtown. It's because the jazz is the best and the food isn't bad, either! In fact, we are surprised at the beating Smoke takes for its food. We found it to be very good. The atmosphere in Jazz i what you would expect...a dark bar and small tables facing the stage. We arrived at 6:30 in order to enjoy our dinner before the show started at 7:00. On weeknights, they offer a price fixe menu for $42 which includes an appetizer/soup/salad, an entree and a dessert brownie and a $14 per person charge accompanies the bill for the music. We enjoyed a pretty good wedge salad, which substituted pork belly for the bacon. Nice. The coq au vin and lobster ravioli entrees were both delicious and the dessert brownies went mostly uneaten. But we didn't come here for the food! This evening we were entertained by the Dave Stryker quartet. Dave plays a jazz guitar and he's accompanied by an organ, saxophone and drummer. Each one of them was worth the price of admission and they played a mix of old favorites re-imagined and some original music, too. It was all top drawer and we enjoyed it so much we stayed for a second set. Including drinks for the last set, we spent right at $200. Not bad for an evening of great jazz and fine food in the big city! Our thanks to our terrific server, Sophia, who was attentive and helpful throughout the night and never got in the way of the music.

An excelent jazz club with some of the best jazz groups playing today in New York. The food is great and so is the bar. Must make a reservation.

My wife and I came to Smoke to see the illustrious jazz artist Charles McPerson along with his band, a quintet consisting of Mr. McPherson on alto sax, David Wong on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, Jeb Patton on piano and Terell Stafford on trumpet, in other words an all star straight ahead jazz quintet. It’s clear from this experience that Mr. McPherson, at the age of about 83, retains his legendary status as the leading progenitor of Charlie Parker. He has not lost his chops in the least and was at the top of his game on this evening. It was a first rate musical experience. We arrived around 5:30 for the 7:00 pm dinner set and were fortunately upgraded to better seats as this event was sold out. We settled in with glasses of delicious red Bordeaux wine, an excellent selection by the staff from the Haut Medoc region. Our very tasty meals consisted of a vegetable stew Provençale and a cheeseburger with fries and pickled onions. The food was excellent as was the music - a one hour set of about five amazing tunes. Service was warm and attentive. Overall an outstanding jazz club experience!! Acoustics here have improved significantly since their renovations and expansion. We would definitely return when featuring such first class, legendary talent.

I can't remember how we came across this place but it intrigued us and we wanted a different dining experience. We got it! Great little venue. We stayed for the first of the two shows and chose the set meal plan. Great price point for food and a show. The atmosphere is intimate and the staff are fabulous. And my meal and wine were phenomenal. If you are at all interested in jazz or even just want a different unique evening out - check this place out.

This is a great venue for jazz. We have been here twice and have seen a great show each time. The food is delicious and there is one entree that is vegan! Highly recommended!

Small, intimate club on street level, not in a basement! Jazz was amazing, great acoustics. The food was also a big surprise - I am a foodie, and the lemon chicken entree was so incredibly delicious, served with baby carrots, spinach and mashed potatoes. And, here's the surprise, ORGANIC chicken!!! As a foodie, this is what I buy for myself, I'm a Whole Foods market organic grocery shopper. It was elegantly prepared and presented, and tasted delicious. I was actually blown away by this meal, as jazz clubs typically serve food which is OK, this was hands down better than many 5-star meals I have had. Props to the kitchen. I visited on Saturday night, 8/20/2016 for the 10:30 show. One star off due to the bathroom door being right next to the stage (there is only one small bathroom). Every time this door opens, you have a view of the toilet. Not ideal, but the amazing kitchen staff and food make up for it!

The club was intimate and relaxed. The staff very friendly, welcoming and efficient. The food was good if a little expensive. Overall a great night out.

Went there alone in October 2018 for a jazz session and just to experience jazz in Harlem - had a great time, do try the prosecco and the Louisiana fried shrimps!

Lovely food. A beautiful Steinway B piano (and stunning pianist Lex Korten on Oct.8, 2023) Make sure if you are a party of 4 or 6 that you can get 2 or 3 tables together in the 3 main long lines of tables, No good option for party of 3 or 5. No refunds for persons who cannot make the show, for any reason, only a future credit. Even with ear plugs I found the amplification disheartening for such an intimate space, and we were as far from the stage as we could get.

Smoke is one of New York City's top boutique jazz & supper clubs; the nightly host of world renowned jazz legends as well as the premiere venue for the annual John Coltrane and Miles Davis Festivals. I was there last nite for the Miles Davis B'day Celebration (3 nites of remembering Miles on what would have been his 92nd.). Music was the best; Al Foster Quintet! The club's tables & bar were filled to capacity with fans & regular patrons. The menu created by their award winning chef offers a variety of delicious appetizers, entrees & desserts. The bar & wait staff are friendly and provided unobtrusive service for such a small space. I went alone & had a wonderful time. I did make a reservation which is recommended, especially if you want dinner at a table. I ate at the bar & was very comfortable. Historical note: Smoke is owned by 2 former bartenders of the historic UWSide Augie's Jazz Club that closed in 1998 due to financial probs. They managed to take over the lease by changing the name which allowed them to continue operating this neighborhood jazz club. Smoke continues to provide the best of jazz musicians nightly and for brunch on weekends. Easy to get to by subway: #1 train to 103rd St stop,walk 3 blocks north on the west side of B'way.below 106th St.

After hearing good things, we gave this place a try on Saturday night. We made reservations well in advance, and were seated right away upon arrival. Great service and lovely atmosphere... However, the jazz itself was underwhelming... I was really surprised. It just didn't have the energy i expected... It was flat. I've been to much better jazz spots that cost much less money. The food was fine, tasty, but nothing wonderful or memorable about it. After paying $275 for jazz, dinner, drinks, and tip... we left feeling completely ripped off. I shall not be returning i can assure you.

This was the highlight of our trip to NYC. What a great little club with true style and one that provides food too. Not cheap, but for us it was worth it, all four of our meals were delicious. The band was superb and one that you can not take your eyes and ears off. Call them up if no tickets are available online, we got a table from a cancellation an hour before the start on the day! A must for a true American and New York experience.

My partner and I chose to spend our Christmas evening here on the 25th and we were both really excited about it! Unfortunately, on arrival, venue was quite small and stuffy and tables were really close together, toilets were filthy and unpleasant too. There was a real sense of being rushed by the waiters. You are informed at the beginning of the meal that you have to finish your three-course meal by the end of the jazz set (which isn't a great deal of time and lead to indigestion...) and what wasn't advertised when booked is that we were paying $45 each for a three-course menu (very reasonable) but an added $45 each for the music too. This made what had been a great value choice, an extremely expensive meal at the end of the night! We justified this because it was Christmas, but on an ordinary night this would be quite unaffordable. The food wasn't much to write home about. What was most upsetting is that we left a carrier bag (with some gifts) in the restaurant and despite trying to contact them many times by phone, email and twitter, received no reply as to whether it was there and no response as to whether we could collect it! It was such a shame that the service wasn't as great as the music was. The jazz was truly tremendous and a great experience.

We had a great night at Smoke Jazz. The food was fantastic and the music was brilliant. The music lasted about an hour and was the right amount of time to eat and drink- we didn't feel rushed at all. The venue can be cosy when it's fully booked but this adds to the atmosphere! We opted for the fixed menu. So including the food, music fee and a bottle of wine it came to about $230 for the two of us. It's expensive but well worth every penny! Thanks again Smoke for an unforgettable experience

Smoke is a first class jazz venue that also has delicious food at very well valued prices. We had a wonderful evening with friends last night 5/16/2025 enjoying the Terrell .Stafford quintet .The band played first class straight ahead jazz with Mr Stafford leading the way as an amazing trumpet player . I loved Bruce Barth on piano, David Wong on bass, Jonathan Blake on drums and time warfield on sax. All of the band members were very talented . Sadly, the set wasn’t longer . Dinner was fantastic as well. The expanded venue was lovely and the sound terrific. We can’t wait for the next visit. Margery David

If you are looking to do something special for yourself, go to the Smoke Jazz Club on a Sunday and have a delicious brunch with delicious jazz! It was a real treat. They have several sets. We went to the first set and it was terrific!

We visited the place for the second set, a late night in May. The music, the jamming and the ambience was splendid! The club is quite small, so the experience is intimate. I strongly recommend to make reservation in advance!

My high rating is towards the jazz music, the friendly waitstaff, & the club itself. However, as far as food is concerned, I would say it is quite average & overpriced (for the portions). Again, I realize we're paying for the ambiance and live entertainment. The night we went (Monday) they had a $9 cover charge & minimum of $20 per person in food/drinks. This is quite easily reached as an appetizer of calamari (half filled platter) will run you ~$19. Again, we went for the jazz & were not disappointed! Highly recommend for a fun evening.

Top jazz line up, very reliable and super atmosphere in this small an very authentic venue. If you can afford it, this is a memoriable experience. Food was better than expected.

My wife took me to Smoke for my BD and the jazz was great (a wonderful live performance by Gregory Generet), the service great and the food delicious. The reservation is for a jazz set, and the fixed price dinner was around $38.00 per person. I had the best honey fried chicken I've ever had, and the steak my wife got, with truffled french fries, a wonderful match. Great night aLL AROUND

My husband and I went to Smoke Jazz Club for dinner and a jazz set. The atmosphere in the clubclub is nice and relaxed. The food was wonderful - I got the steak and my husband got fish tacos - both delicious. The entertainment was great - just amazing to watch and enjoy while havinghaving dinner. The only thing I'd point out was that it's very expensive and you can only book for one set of music (one hour's worth), then you have to leave for the next lot of guests.

We chose to go to a Wednesday night session with house band doing a soul songbook classic set. We were not dissapointed as those cats can play and wow what a voice lady. The rapping bartender was a great bonus too. Decent food with a set menu to choose from. Overall a pleasant evening in a cozy and relaxed vibe. Would recommend to anyone and hope to go back someday.

Smoke Jazz Club just re-opened after the re-modelling done in style! Now back in business with more comfort and great food! Top American artists performing every night, cozy atmosphere!

We were there for the middle Sunday dinner show. I got my reservation wrong but they were very accommodating, The Coltrane festival was on and there was a lot of talent there for a small place, understandably they need 3 sittings. Our food was very good, a huge salad and great mains. Management are welcoming and they really seem to be trying to bring a great live music experience to the area. We got an UBER from midtown but the subway is right there. it is also a great jumping off point to try a few places in Harlem, which is easier than I had thought

I've been here a couple of times. food is ok,what really makes this experience so extraordinary is the atmosphere. the place is tiny and this gives you the possibility to enjoy the music wherever you are sit. it's quite expensive , but it's Worth it live music of course bear in mind to book in advance because it's Always packed.

Great jazz music, hard to believe the quintet fit on the stage. Be prepared for NYC prices. $40 cover and expensive drinks. Food was very good

Went there this summer and never forget. Good music and drinks, no wonder that the place was packed with people. If you like jazz and decide to go there, it is worth booking a table in advance. Enjoy!

We wanted to enjoy jazz in newyork city. For a 50$ fee plus forced to eat dinner with a minimum 30$ food spend per person policy…this is not a jazz lover establishment. It’s just a typical sort of entertainment booth with live music. I have enjoyed jazz with awesome vibes in better places than this. While servers are nice, jazz was decent…the concept of a forced dinner is not at all appealing by any standards

I visited Smoke on my last night in NYC and it certainly gave me the feeling that I'd saved the best until last. After being greeted with free champagne for my military service I was then treated to a fab 3 course meal in the presence of some of NYs best jazz musicians in the heart of uptown. Truly fabulous experience.

If you enjoy great live Jazz bands in a small bar that absolutely oozes atmosphere then this is the place for you- it's fantastic. A small bar, some 10 tables or so and a small stage, usually complete with a jazz band (4 musicians would fill it). The food is very good, the staff are friendly, the atmosphere is perfect..the cocktails delicious..... whats not to like? Did I mention the great music?! Its a little out of the way but well worth the effort and perfectly accessible by subway.

Smoke is one of those places where you need to think about what you want out of your evening. Are you looking to be your own center of attention? Do you want to have an intimate conversation with no other interruptions? Tryna smash that swipe-right thot? Thennnn, maybe you wanna keep looking. Now if you want to see some of the best jazz on the planet, this is your spot. If you know (or have taken a second to search for) what a real supper club is like, then you'll be ok with dinner here. Bring a date here. It's out of the ordinary and a cool experience. Walk down to the park for a passegiata afterwards. We came for the middle jazz set and drinks. Lezlie Harrison is a dynamite singer and performer. Go give her your adoration. I had a Palm and my wife had a red. Bartender and host were well accommodating. We stayed for the last set and enjoyed hearing Nickel rap over jazz beats on some freestyle flow was great. Killsmics is an apt name. Go to the website and lookup Lezlie and Nickel separately. Figure out what you want with your night. Do you wanna be flexible and versatile? Or do you wanna leave that axe handle firmly lodged in your colon? I suggest (if you are in fact, afflicted with a pine-lined rectum) you remove it and open your ears and mind and grab a drink. Always ask about the next set.

So many talented visitors appeared to play amazing tunes when they had never met before!?? Could only happen in a Jazz club. Singers, saxophonist's, drummers, bass players and pianists', who just turned up through the evening and just joined in. So Cooool???!

Wayne Escoffery played some great jazz , in a comfortable club with a great sound system. Food was good for this type of venue and service quick. Overall a fun night on the town.

We had an amazing night at NYC's Smoke Jazz Club. It was the first time we'd been to the club but we will be sure to visit there during our next NYC trip. Given we booked tickets online to see the 7pm show with the Nicole Glover Quintet we had to order dinner (part of the deal being at the club during 5-8pm time slot). Service by all staff was great and really friendly the main course was alright (salmon with lentils), nothing amazing but still okay. However, the Tiramisu for dessert was lovely. The show was fantastic, and I loved the venue, it was really great. We sat right beside the stage where the drummer was positioned and it was simply great. Definitely recommend this club, even for a later performance without dinner I'd recommend going along.

I wanted to experience a jazz night in nyc as I have never been before and although I am not really into this kinda music it's a must do on any trip to nyc (especially as it was my first time in this city). After looking around the net we booked a 9pm dinner and show at smoke jazz and supper and we were not to be disappointed. On arrival we were greeted by a friendly lady who walked us over to our table - this is a cosy place and tables are very close together but as the venue is tiny (probably only seats around 40 people and you are in nyc this is to be expected!). We chose from the fixed menu dinner at $38 each (we paid $18 each for the ticket itself) for a three course it was good value, I had the pizza for starter and lemon chicken for main and both were amazingly tasty, the dessert I felt let it down as there was only one option (unless you ordered from a different menu and paid extra) and it was a choc brownie and not to my liking as it was a bit hard. The music was good great and the overall experience of eating, drinking and listening to some blues in a dark and sultry venue was just what we had wanted - the overall experience is about 2 hours which was about right. Great experience so just book it if you are searching a blues night as it will not disappoint.

Went there primarily to experience good jazz what was exactly what we got. Furthermore talentet young musicians who participated In the jamsession later. Dining was excellent and the sitting close to the music and yet confotable --- brilliant serving an great wibes. Go there any evening! We heard Vincent Herring and his quartet-- Outstanding!!

We came for the famous New York Jazz and found seasoned, quality players doing a great set in a nice, intimate venue. The food, drink and service were superb. The music, sublime. The manager was very welcoming and we had a really special night we shan't forget. This is where it is at.

Incredible show! Jacky Terrason's compositions and piano playing were a sheer delight, his bass player and drummer were so much fun to watch and the surprise guest harmonica player was mind-blowing. The harmonica sounded like a clarinet, it was a singular performance and I am grateful to have seen it. The food is better than average however to address a negative comment below. I have only been to jazz clubs that have a food minimum. That's how it works. The staff is so much fun and so friendly and they have got service dialed in! Unfortunately, I live on the West Coast because I would love to be a regular!

Love going here, great Jazz, brunch with the Annette St John Trio are the real deal, experienced, talented and just perfect. Waite staff are very helpful, having celiac disease id always a challenge when a restaurant has limited or no options. The waiters are aware and check with the kitchen what is ok. Have had fun birthday brunches, with friends birthdays, and being sung to by Annette has been the highlight of their day. Well worth the visit, especially if you are new to New York.

To attend the early (7 pm) jazz show here (which was a memorable set by the Nicholas Payton Quartet) they want you to have dinner, first. My wife and I were happy to find out that the food was excellent -- we each got the special Mushroom Ragout , Gluten-Free ($29) and the Lemon Ginger Trifle ($12), and loved both dishes. I didn't love the $22 charge for a Rye Manhattan Up, or the $20 for a neat Glenlivet single malt. So dinner for two was just over $160 (including a cheesy "Non-Cash Adjustment"!) + a $30 tip. This is in addition to the music charge, of course, so the one- hour set + dinner was well over $200. Too many nearby good restaurants to do the early set again.

One of the hidden Jazz gems in New York City! Small & intimate.....fabulous, Jazz music and nice dinner menu with a variety of food selections. Super attentive staff everyone was so attentive and most kind. Can’t say enough ...what a wonderful evening we had , the dinner show was amazing.

We went there for a jazz evening. The Jazz playing was good but very short. Food was ok expensive we had to eat fast while listening to the music. My steak was cold so was my chips. Had to get up to find someone to inform. They did finally bring me a new one. By then we have to leave as they run a tied schedule. Recommend to eat first or after and the sit on the bar for a drink

Went here on a Saturday night for the half 8 show to celebrate my partners 30th birthday and the place didn't disappoint! Superb music (4 piece with a visit from the leaders daughter to sing a couple of songs) excellent food, very (but not overly) attentive staff all in a small venue that created a cozy atmosphere that made the night. Yes, it's not cheap but in my opinion it's worth the money. If you want cheap, there are other places to go but I'm not sure they will be as good. If I ever come back to NYC, we will definitely be returning here!

We went there in a party of 6 and all of us just loved it. A great band (Steve Turre) played . Great piano, amazing drums , trompet, bass and Steve was wonderful too. There was a good selection of food, but nothing was super appealing. But the jazz show de was superb and would highly recommend it !

We sat at the bar and enjoyed drinks during the show, it was a great evening! It was a very chic environment, definetley going back!

We stopped in the early afternoon prior to seating time... just to have a drink. The staff was welcoming and friendly... cocktails..wow. Old standards are specific and superb !

This rather small club fosters intimacy and serious listening to some of the greatest musicians in the jazz world. In addition its food is pretty good. I go for the jazz but I have gotten one or two dishes; again, not three-star or anything like that, but good. I almost always go by myself, my husband no longer enjoying going out except to theater, and people are always ready to have lively conversations, although NOT when the musicians are playing! The audience is always told, before the performances start, to keep their conversations to a whisper and to turn off their cell phones.

My husband and I have visited Smoke repeatedly over the past seven years, enjoying excellent live music in a cosy atmosphere. We visited again this past weekend, much anticipating the same flavor as that of past visits - our most recent was two years ago. Although the interior of the small venue remained unchanged, and we were seated in our favorite spot right next to the band, the entire format of the club was different than what we previously experienced. Instead of being able to enjoy music sets throughout the evening, an elevated cover charge ($40pp) provided exactly one hour of music, whereupon guests were thanked for coming and the band was off again until a set much later in the evening. Our dinner reservation was for 6:30. We were served by 7:00 - at which time the band started - and were done with our meal at the same time that the band finished at 8:00. The next set did not start until 10, with the same cover. A later set (11:30) was advertised with a cover of $20. Dinner at our seating was a la carte, with (literally) a plate of arugula and 2 slices of orange and a sliver of onion priced at 17.00. My husband and son order the calamari appetizer which tasted "ok", but the bowls in which it came were packed with paper at the bottom, making the bowl look overflowing instead of shortchanged. The music was great, but the price was outrageous considering the limited experience, and the food was not impressive. We were disappointed and melancholy as this favorite spot of our is now a ruined memory.

We saw the early show. The reservation worked, great service and better than expected food, Lot's of character and just a place that you like to be in

We came with a group of ten for Sunday brunch. The ambiance in here was great - I wish we had come at night because I bet it gets even better. The menu was pretty standard, nothing really stood out but it was all good. We came in at 11 and the show was 11:30-1. We didn't have time for dessert as the next seating was coming in but would heave loved to try it, that menu was very tempting! The host was very welcoming and even gave us a bottle of champagne as we were celebrating a bachelorette. The music was amazing, smooth and sultry, I loved it!

Smoke is a fabulous reincarnation of a classic small jazz club that also happens to serve some great comfort food. There are no bad seats and the atmosphere is intimate. They book high-end national groups, but our recent visit was on a Wednesday, which regularly features the utterly charismatic singer Lezlie Harrison, a perfect accompaniment to some baby back ribs or short ribs, with a nice bottle of Chianti. We left feeling completely satisfied and ready to take on the world. Really, it’s not that far uptown, and only a couple of blocks from a subway stop. Admittedly, the rating here is for the music plus the food. It’s not cheap, but both are well worth it.

Booked here for restaurant week whilst in NYC and got an expensive taxi out from midtown to visit, very disappointed to find that despite it saying clearly online on restaurant week that there was no music charge on Monday we were told before even getting in the door that there would be a 15$pp music charge. Absolutely outrageous on top of a very expensive bill this hidden charge was not good at all and should be made very clear on the restaurant week website at point of booking. Food for a Prix Fixe at 42$pp unfortunately did not live up to that price tag and was firmly average. Very disappointing and won't be visiting again, would advise to avoid if visiting NYC.

I was in New York solo and looking for good jazz and good food. Smoke was the perfect combo. I called to see if they were busy and person said come on over so I hopped in a cab in rain and made my way uptown. I lucked out and sat at the bar where bartender Tarik took care of me. I ordered a fantastic steak & fries, cooked perfectly. The David Berkman Sextet entertained and wow’d me. The room is small and intimate and I’ll be back.

I had a great time at Smoke Jazz Club last Friday night (7/27/18). I attended the 7:00PM dinner and show with two friends. The venue is small but not tight seating, I had a clear view of the stage, very comfortable. The server (Frankie) was very friendly and attentive she went out of her way to make sure we had a full explanation of the menu and how things were prepared.She was excellent especially when I spilled a bottle of water on the table. Oops. The music was real jazz not the pretend kind. Totally enjoyable. The Prefix menu was my choice and the appetizer and main course were good. The added music charge made it financially difficult to visit every week but I would go back. All in all it was more than I like to spend but it was an enjoyable evening

I've been to Smoke quite a few times over the years, never liked the food very much but always came back for the music. I loved hearing Bill Charlap over the weekend. But the food was worse than ever.

Went for a family night out. Victor Gould quartet was great with lots of talent. The food was better than what can be expected at a jazz club. Of the meals we had, the NY strip steak was the best. The Prix Fix menu dessert is a bit on the stingy side. Not sure where you buy macaroons that small.

Cool place, very small for too many people, the show was good, and the food was very good too, its a bit noisy, so you have to make your order in a high voice. The show was not included in the price of the diner so you are going to pay more than 200 usd for a 1 and a half hour including the show and the dinner.-

Smoke Jazz Supper Club featuring Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet. We took the subway to get there from the RIU which included a little walk to the subway station and then a little walk from the station to Smoke. The warning on the ticket was really very unnecessary. It said to arrive as early as 5:15 and not to show up after 6 for the 7:00pm show and expect to be seated at a table even with a ticket. WRONG! Plenty of seating was available even at show time. Anyway, the quartet was great but I was very, very disappointed as I chose this venue because Peter Bernstein was supposed to be part of the quartet that night. Instead it was Tony Davis who I am not really familiar with. He was very good but not even close to Peter’s level of playing. However Mike LeDonne, Eric Alexander, and Joe Farnsworth were all great. It’s a small room, seats about 50 people and of course a little loud but not like a rock show. Tunes were great, amazing tempos, lots of groove. Plenty of examples on YouTube. Food was also excellent. I had the Southern Fried Chicken and collard greens w/bacon. Sally had the pork chop dinner. Lots or restaurants and clubs in New York have what is called a prix fixe which is a set price for appetizer, entrée and dessert. Wish we had time to get to more jazz clubs but we did see a vocal/guitar duo another night after dinner on Restaurant Row at the Swing 46 restaurant. They were really just average but pleasant enough.

Visited in March 2019 for my daughter’s birthday who is a jazz fan. Wasn’t expecting the food to be so good, but it was actually excellent. The service was attentive. Fabulous atmosphere. Great show. Definitely recommend.

Cozy jazz venue with outdoor seating in enclosed greenhouses. The service, the food and the music we’re all amazing! Just a wonderful evening!

Small, quaint, and great service. Staff was very friendly. Food was actually good - large portions! The Jazz band that played (Heads of State) was excellent. But it was restaurant week so the menu was fixed price. No problem there because I am used to that and the selections were actually good. However, there was an EXTRA $45 entertainment charge PER PERSON to go along with the fixed price dinner. I don't mind paying for entertainment, but a 1 hour jazz set for $45 per person is too much. That made a dinner for 4 = $415 :-(.

The acoustics and band were great and the food was delicious! There was a $38 prix fixe menu on the day we went. We ordered a few things that were up-charges but they were worth it (the truffle chicken and new york strip steak). The portions are quite large. I would highly recommend the up-charge on the dessert as well. The cheesecake was amazing and the chocolate peanut butter dessert was quite decadent! Be aware there is also a $12 cover charge. Drinks ran about $14 apiece. The ambiance and experience was so nice that it was totally worth the cost!

I will not be coming back. This club’s new business model is that you MUST order an entree (minimum $30) on top of the ticket you already bought ($55 in my case). Well, they do use some discretion. They will “allow” you to get 2 appetizers to yourself. Based on the bad attitude of my waiter I’m guessing I’m not the first person to be surprised at this new policy. The couple next to me flew in from Texas and asked me where else they should go where they won’t get ripped off like this. So yeah this place is definitely losing customers. For the record, I would HAPPILY pay DOUBLE what I paid to listen to live jazz and eat GOOD food. “Good” is the key word here. Nobody wants to be forced to pay for overpriced mediocre food when they just came to listen to jazz and maybe get dessert or a cocktail.

A small jazz club and restaurant. We went to hear Gary Bartz and stayed for the midnight session with young lions of jazz. The place is small but you can capture all the sounds. The midnight show was packed with NYorkers.

My husband and I wanted to enjoy dinner and music and Smoke did not disappoint. Our excellent server, Alison, was friendly and attentive. We arrived at 6:15 and were offered the chance to select any open table. It is a small restaurant but comfortable. There was a $40 entertainment charge and a fix priced 3 course meal for $38. We had the roasted brussels sprouts and chopped salad as starters. For our main courses we had fried chicken and fish tacos. Both were excellent. The music was terrific and because it was not crowded we were stayed for the second set. The second set was even better than the first. I agree with other posts that Smoke is not cheap but we would have selected an expensive French restaurant if we had not been able to book Smoke. The music and ambience was much more fun than a stuffy French restaurant and worth the price.

A client gave us a gift card to Smoke last year so on our recent trip to NYC we booked a reservation. The club is small and intimate, although the tables are a little to close to each other. There is not a bad seat in the club and because we got there early we were able to get a table very close to the stage. Cyrus Chestnut was performing and he was outstanding. Although we were not expecting the food to be very good we were pleasantly surprised. The fried oyster appetizer was excellent as was the chicken.

We had just arrived in New York and we were looking for a nice dinner at 9pm with entertainment.... We found the perfect ambiance we were looking for! I had the Salmon and my son the Steak, they were delicious and cook perfectly! The music was just EXCELLENT!!!! Thank you for a nice evening!

Smoke has many famous jazz musicians and very good music, but it is too expensive considering the food. I had a salad with pomegranate seeds.I got a"mountain" of green salad and not much seesds. The boullibase was good. There is another thing: when I was in New York in november, alone, I tried to book a table, but that was not possible. Not the best service to a single person.

Very small location and it’s hard to move around to get to bathrooms. Music was great and food was excellent. Although I was not a fan of the lobster bisque, the evening was worth the $$.

It was a great experience to walk by into smoke. It seems like they have a good base of local visitors, and the jazz artist are great. The food is good, though a tiny bit overpriced. We were hungry, and ate well. Great experience

Excellent performance. We felt at ease instantly. Just had a couple of drinks. I had reservations for a table and we we able to listen twice to the group. Friendly atmosphere. We easily reached the place by subway from midtown Manhattan.

This was a wonderful set. Al Foster killed it on the drums. Restaurant week special! Absolutely delicious Short Ribs off the bone. For lovers of Jazz, this place is a gem. A must in the city! Took out my brother and my girlfriend who had not been to a Jazz club before and they loved it. Service was great. Food was delicious. And music, superb!!

Frosting on the cake: the draft from the AC was so bad my hair was blowing and the Kleenex flew off the table. It was so cold I wore my napkin over my arm but that did not help with my neck which got stiff and my sinuses which started aching from sitting in the draft for 90 minutes. Since Teona our server seemed unable to get the AC adjusted, we left before the show ended. Our table was in the very middle of the restaurant. Pros: Tarik was great about adjusting our reservation when we got hung up at work. Music was good. My salmon and hubby’s pork chop were great. Cons: Sons fried chicken was maybe from KFC next door? Music was SO loud that even after taking out my hearing aids, I needed to put Kleenex in my ears to be pain free.

Hidden away uptown on 105 and Broadway is NYC’s own small jazz and supper club. Excellent food and performers you’d see in the bigger name clubs. Intimate setting where at some tables you could touch the artists. Special deal for regulars: ask for the neighborhood card that gives you free admission on select future shows. Prices are definitely downtown Manhattan but this little known deal is great for regulars who want to make this their regular hang.

I've been to the Smoke's Sunday brunch at least 12 times. Annette's band is AMAZING, the food is great. It's a great place to relax and listen to great jazz.

Went to NYC last week for my wife's 50th birthday and friends 10th wedding anniversary We went to the Smoke 2 years ago and loved it so much we thought we would return - on our last visit you could pay to watch the jazz if not eating or if you ate, the cover charge was waived which made this very appealing. On our last visit the waiter was excellent, gave us complimentary drinks as our 10th anniversary and the jazz was superb so made a decision to go back easy! This time, the evening started well - the jazz band and vocalist were outstanding, real highlight of the trip. We had our food and on hearing it was our friends 10th, they were given complimentary sparkling, even though we were a table of four! After discussion, 2 more sparkling were brought over. The food was good, the jazz superb. At the end of the evening, the waiter brought the bill and then said he had forgotten the cover charge so needed to get a new bill - we said that the cover charge was not payable when dining and he advised that was not the case so we would have to take up with manager. The new bill was brought over so we now had 2 bills - we asked to speak to the manager He came over and we explained the cover charge should not be payable as we had eaten - he said this was not the case and the online booking would have made us aware (which it had not). We also said on a previous visit this is how it worked. He then became quite aggressive saying the cover charge paid the band and we again reiterated the deal that cover charge was waived if eating. He then got more aggressive saying that we had asked and got free drinks and a special pudding for my wife's birthday - the cheap sparkling was complimentary for an anniversary, my wife's pudding was the standard canoli that came with the fixed menu and my gluten free friend did not get her pudding as they had run out of strawberries! The manager was so rude and loud that the singer was signalling to keep quiet - we weee the furthest table from the stage so you can imagine how loud this rudeness was! We were then told that we had to pay the gratuity, irrespective of service received- based on the managers manner, we were not happy, so he deleted the gratuity but kept the cover charge on - we agreed to pay As we left, the waiter stood in the doorway asking for a tip - we said he needed to speak to manager as his rudeness had caused the issue - he bacame rude, stormed off and slammed door behind him This is a shame - we went back as this was a highlight from our trip 2 years ago but this trip means we will not return The venue is great, the band were great, the manager very rude - such a shame!

Great music and a lovely room. But I will not go back again. They donot know how to be gracious and accommodating. I took two friends for the evening show with dinner and they seated us at a table for 2 . There were 3 of us. Another chair was added. The table was very small and when they bought our food there was absolutely no room for the large plates. I spoke to the manager and told her it’s impossible to eat there. Right next to us there was a table for 4 people and another behind us. So she reluctantly gave us a larger table. The table for 4 remained empty. We were the only non white patrons there and I began to wonder if we were white , would she have done the same thing. One can only wonder!

I read all the positive reviews and was really looking forward to visiting for dinner but left feeling very disappointed. I took my father here who was visiting from overseas for his last night in the city and unfortunately his last night wasn't as pleasant as I had hoped. We made a table reservation for 8.30pm and the restaurant has clear instructions that if you are late they may not be able to accommodate you with a table. I arrived bang on 8.30pm and was still standing in a queue for a table at 8.45pm along with about 12 others. They ended up seating us at the bar which was a little useless as the band is behind you. If I had known we would be seated at the bar despite making a reservation I would have eaten beforehand and just had a drink there. Because we hadn't eaten we ordered food but needed to eat it on our laps given we had to turn our chairs around to watch the show. It was quite awkward. I gave up trying to balance my food and didn't finish my meal as the waiters repeatedly rushed by each time, I wondered is this the time the knock my plate on the floor? One waiter even pushed my father's chair as he walked past which was very rude. I'm a local and I definitely would not go back for a dinner reservation. I'm not sure what the hype is all about here - the food was ok (not fabulous and amazing as described in some reviews) and the jazz only played for an hour. There are so many other fabulous places for jazz in the city - most which don't charge $38 for one hour of jazz and many even free for hours of quality jazz. It's a cute little place but not very relaxing as they rush you in and out trying to accommodate the next group. If you want to go, I recommend only going to the bar (still make a reservation as they don't discriminate between tables and bar when you make the reservation) and drink - don't eat.

We went there to have a drink or two and the bouncer said a band is gonna play soon, which I thought would be nice to hear. We ordered two over priced drinks, listened the live jazz for 15 min and decided to go back to our hotel to sleep. I was SHOCKED to get the check! There was a huge fee for the band $38/ person I had no idea of when we went in! I asked the bartender about it and said I have not been informed about this and I wont pay it. After talking to someone he removed the fee and we paid just for the drinks like in a normal place.. I felt like they tried to cheat us cos we were tourists there.

Best food on upper west side! Perfectly cooked chicken and pork chops. So happy Smoke is open again. Check out the greenhouses

We visited Smoke jazzclub Thursday 4th of April. The George Coleman Quartet was fantastic, but why do we have to eat that much food? We ordered drinks, main courses and wine. But we also had to order a starter. Why? We had paid the expensive cover charge in advance.

It's been a while since I've been back to Smoke Jazz Club and I had forgotten how amazing this place is. Last time I was here they weren't charging a cover charge during the week. Now they charge a small cover and its worth every penny. In fact I'm surprised that they used to not charge before. They still have the delicious 3 course prefix, but it was the intimacy of the room and the quality of the music that made my night. My girlfriend and I were there on Tuesday November 29th for the organ band and it was fantastic. The sax player was one of the best I've ever seen. I recommend this place to anybody serious about having a true jazz experience in New York City.

came for Miles Davis review, which was good and the players talented, but the show was short and I think the cover price was sufficient for a bit more play.

If you want an intimate evening hearing amazing music this is the place for you. It’s a very small club where you can dine on okay food. Or you can sit at the bar and have a couple of drinks to cover the minimum cover. I recommend sitting at the bar.

Great music, intimate setting, delicious food! Worth a trip up here to experience a true first class jazz club!

If you're in Manhatten and are just remotely interested in Jazz (even if you're not), go here and experience an amazingly great night you won't forget. The music is incredibly good. Jazz legends play here and send uncomparable vibes through the room. No matter if you're here with your spouse or some friends, you'll have a super relaxed and fun night while having a great dinner and great cocktails. The staff is super nice, drinks and food are being served quickly and did I mention the outstanding music? My wife and I liked it very very much at Smoke and will definitely come back.

On Upper Broadway this is the place to go if you want good food and Jazz. We had to go to an early sitting at the club 7.30 for the Jazz but 6.30 for the meal. The tables are set out at right angles to the stage which makes eating and looking at the performers a bit difficult but as you are either close to the end of your meal or finished when the music starts, it is possible to kick back and look directly at the stage. No doubt in the past this was a smokey dark place but with a non smoking regime it is an intimate comfortable spot where couples, singles or parties can go. The singles are usually seated at the well stocked bar, the rest at tables. We were there for a performance by the Eddie Henderson Quintet. The Jazz was excellent and the standard of the very best, even I enjoyed it, though less of a Jazz fan than my wife. It was a memorable night out. There are three sittings in the evening, but once there you can stay, if there is space and make a night of it. As a place to listen to music and enjoy a good meal and possibly something to drink this hits the spot. The staff are friendly and very efficient and usually you will meet other people there who enjoy the music and the food, we had a Lithuanian couple to our left and an American one to our right, both couples keen to talk but not "in your face". The atmosphere had a great buzz with the close proximity of the performers who wandered among the tables, at the interval, randomly chatting. Jazz and food what is not to like if you are a fan and if you are not a fan it is a good place to become one as the music is of the best quality and food to match.

We had a great night at SMOKE, the club is nice, the food good and the jazz great. In my opinion, the show should be a little longer, the musicians play for only 1 hour with 30 minutes of pause between sessions(4 session/night probably too much). Since the place was not full we asked to stay for some time more; the answer was that we had to spend 20 dollars/each more, on top of the 330 that we spent during the dinner(4people). I found it cheap, they could let us stay for free asking for the table if needed for new customers. Overall good but the show should be of at least 90 minutes

I wanted to do something different with my adult daughter and found out about this place in Harlem. Brunch was highly recommended - so we went for it. I had a couple of bloody marys followed by an excellent smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. My daughter had cream cheese bagels and salmon. All very good indeed. Its a small and intimate place. The three guys on the band were excellent and the black lady singer was wonderful. Could have stayed another hour - but the lunch time crowd were arriving. Price wise its mid range and excellent value at a $100 including booze.

Every time I'm in New York City I spend an evening at Smoke listening to jazz. The intimate room and the great musicians are two of the reasons; the third is that a woman, accompanied or by herself, can be there in complete comfort. I was there this trip with my adult son. We sat at the bar and ordered small dishes. It was a Friday night, and I usually go there on a week night. The price difference is substantial--weekends have a $38 cover charge plus at the bar you have to buy $20 worth of drinks or food. During the weeknights I believe the cover is $12. There are many small tables, too, but if you sit at a table, you must have the full dinner. No matter. The music was fantastic, as usual, the Jimmy Greene Quartet. We were at the early show, but the musicians were Smokin'!

A wonderful jazz venue. Service from door to table is friendly and efficient. The food is very good with a great selection. The music has a range from very good to exceptional. The overall experience keeps me coming back for more…

We were there in early October, when the Vincent Herring Quartet was performing. We do not have much experience with jazz performances, but we do like music in general, and boy how much we loved it. All players are all top notch, very well coordinated, giving space to each other to shine (they do that in Jazz, I know, but still :-). Sitting a few meters away was just phenomenal for us (we sat on the bar, so the view was actually very good, as it is an elevated sitting, and we were able to see the pianist hands very well). The drummer was obscured behind a pillar, but you cannot have it all ... by the way, we were surprised to see many other mostly young players later on coming to the stage and making ad-hoc short performances - this was kind of an opportunity for them to get attention/stage/experience - while in some cases it was notable they really are beginners compared to the well experienced Vincent Herring Quartet, it was still fun as well (and some were really good) - they all came with their own instruments (like guitars, trumpet, trombone, etc). the food was good, not much to say about it. I'd say that the over all value for the money we spent (food + performance) was really excellent.

We went after a show, just arriving after the seating time for the 10:30 show. Drank spiced rum sour, ate blackened catfish and soaked up the great jazz music from two acts. We stayed until the end of the midnight act as our table was at the very front. Very helpful staff and great service.

Great jazz club, small and intimate. All tables are relatively close to the scene. You can almost hear the musicians breathing. Food is SoSo and a dinner with music will easily take you over the $100 pp. lifetime experience though for out of towner.

The supper club has a great and efficient model, Friendly staff and a very good steak ! Was there for the Jimmy Cobb birthday bash and that was a great show, good food and good wine (even though a bit pricy, we opted for the saint estephe and that was a very good choice... )

As part of my girlfriend’s birthday gift, we decided to visit Smoke for dinner and concert. Unfortunately We were dissatisfied with the overall experience and with the quality/price ratio. We found Service a bit rough, starting with the “mini bouncer” who “welcomes” you at the entrance and continuing with the staff who checks your ticket inside the restaurant and with the waiters. The space is warm and cozy but very tiny and the seating not very comfortable; paying 45 Dollars for the “privilege” to be seated elbow to elbow with other customers is a bit too much. I thought food was included, but no, on top of that you have to buy a fixed price menu and drinks. The food experience is nothing special worth of any diner you find at every corner. The concert was good, with well executed Coltrane classics, although a bit short. At the end of the dinner/concert they literally kick you out quickly in order to host the next round of guests (that evening they had 3 dinner/concerts). In the rush they had forgotten to bring us our dessert. Overall the experience lacks warmth and “soul” and is horribly overpriced for what you get.

We have been visiting NY just for two days and booked this little gem well in advance. Rightly so, there's is a line to get to and it is rather busy. Very vibrant with delicious food and absolutely amazing jazz singer- Lezlie Harrison - what a character!!!! Definitely a must visit when you are in NY.

The jazz was great especially the trumpeter. It is best to come and only watch the music (though there seems to be limited space). I am vegetarian and the options were very poor and very expensive - an entree of tasteless fried butter beans cost $32. My partner had lobster ravioli that resembled packaged supermarket ravioli. The AC was so high that we were freezing cold and this also made the food cold!

I wouldn't want dinner at at jazz club (I don't want to be eating when I'm listening), so we went to the 10:30 show, which doesn't require a meal. The price, however, was $40 per person music charge, plus a $20 minimum. That means it was $120 for two people for a 1 hour set. That's a bit high. That said, the club is small and the musicians are top notch. So it's a perfect venue to hear some great jazz.

I'm a real jazz fan and my wife is a bit of a foodie. Whenever we come into NYC we usually go to dinner and then one of those downtown clubs like The Vanguard or sometimes Smalls. We have been meaning to check out SMOKE for a long time so we caught the vocalist Leslie Harrison. It was the night before Thanksgiving and the place was jumping. We didn't make a reservation and luckily Tarek at the door was able to squeeze us in. We had the prix fixe dinner which was surprisingly very good. I had the steak (Slight up charge) and my wife had the salmon. Leslie was fantastic and I couldn't believe there was only a $12 cover for this incredible show. Bodhi our waiter was friendly and efficient and the sound and intimacy of the venue blew us both away. I will be back and plan to make Smoke my new "Go To" spot for jazz in NYC!

Was in NYC ( from upstate NY) to accompany my significant other for major health care services. Decided to treat myself & catch some jazz- solo. Bought my tickets on line(easy) I was greeted and reservations easily confirmed. Saw : George Cables - piano Craig Handy - tenor saxophone Essiet Essiet - bass Jerome Jennings - drums 🎶🎶What a set 🎶🎶 The setting is intimate. Service was good. Shared my table with a young man from Boulder, CO. We were both WOWED‼️ Grabbing a cab to get back to the east side seemed relatively safe & fairly fast Find your music preference& BE bold & GO …If not now, when?!

I live in the area and have seen scores of shows here over the decades. The great things is that Smoke only gets better and better. A recent renovation opened the space nicely and created a separate room for the bar and bathrooms (huge improvement). The food is good and the service phenomenal. My only wish is that they add more sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage options to the menu. Phony Negroni anyone?

Really nice atmosphere, small place but perfect for really enjoying the food and music. Rather inexpensive for the quality of the music, service and food. Would definitely recommend- perfect way to escape the busy city.

It's just a nice place to sit either at the bar (my preference) or at a table and have dinner and listen to great jazz. Super chill vibe.

Really loved the intimacy and friendliness at Smoke. Tables are very close together and we enjoyed chatting with the people on either side before and after the terrific jazz set. Would go frequently except that in addition to the jazz charge, you are required to purchase one main course per person, so it adds up.

We’ve been coming here for years. The music is almost always great. The servers are gracious and attentive. But the food is consistently awful. Tonight we had barbecue ribs that were mediocre. Last time greasy fried chicken and the time before a very low quality steak. The only passable offering has been the hamburger, which for reasons the manager hasn’t explained, they’ve discontinued. Go figure!

A very enjoyable evening with top notch musicians in an intimate setting. Try to score a corner table otherwise you are kind of sitting super close to everyone else. The staff were lively and helpful, but the food, sadly, is under seasoned and overpriced. There are plenty of nice places to eat in the area, including Ollie’s on the next block.

Intimate dining/bar and jazz venue with interesting and varied menu and solid bar. Calendar shows astonishing array of performers, from already famous to up-and-coming. Bring a lover or friends, and come hungry for music. Wise to book ahead. Enjoy!

I was in town for the weekend and I usually try and hear some jazz every time I'm in the city. I looked around on Saturday and decided to check out the Eric Reed Quintet at Smoke, since I hadn't been there in ages. I went for the 9PM set and the music was fantastic (straight-ahead jazz in the case of this band) and food wasn't bad either. The space is intimate and the acoustics are quite warm. The only downside/caveat is that you can only get a table if you go have two or more people in your party. If you're flying solo, you have to sit at the bar and kind of turn your seat around if you want to look at the stage comfortably. The staff was really friendly and attentive as well.. what a wonderful little club.

Had never been here but went with friends to see Gary Bartz. Greeted with a smile, fantastic service, really nice food and 'what a show'. Such an amazing, intimate venue to experience all that Jazz musicians have to offer. We will be back for sure!

This is a nice cozy, maybe a little romantic jazz club on the Upper West Side. We have been here several times and had enjoyable experiences. However, our evening on Saturday, February 17th was a night I wish we could forget. The four of us waited an hour and a half for our entrees to arrive. Mine, the Bouillabaisse, a dish on the limited menu for a long time, was unacceptable. It was supposed to have Alaskan cod, sea scallops, little neck clams and black mussels. What arrived was a cold bowl containing a fish broth without the Alaskan cod, sea scallops, and little neck clams. It did have four mussels and 2 or 3 shrimp resembling the minuscule rock shrimp cocktail appetizer and two slices of a 2-3 day old baguette. At $32.95, it was a complete disappointment and detracted from our pleasurable music experience. I tried several times to call them about this. On the first try, the message on the house phone said to call after 5:00pm. The second time I called, the message said that they do not take messages. Frustrated, I sent them an e mail and got this response in part... "It is possible that your email might be overlooked. Please do not place reservations here. For a more immediate response please call SMOKE after 5 pm 212 864 6662." My second attempt at e mailing and fourth attempt overall was met with silence. Until I hear from Smoke, I recommend just going for drinks and avoiding dinner. Inclusive of the $40/head music charge, it was a $450 evening for the four of us. You should not have to have our experience.

I just love it! Have been going there for years and despite different people at the door ( not sure if it's new management they don't disappoint. A must for anyone visiting NYC who is looking for an authentic jazz experience without the hefty price tag of Blue Note or Dizzy's. And the food is pretty good to boot.

This is a quaint little Jazz club in Uptown Manhattan. I really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere was great. They even had a few surprise guest who played with the main quartet. The appetizers were great and the main course was excellent. I’ll definitely be back and would definitely recommend!!!!

Booked for one of the jazz sessions and evening dinner. Lovely intimate venue, quite small but great views of the stage and the band. Food was very good - we had the prix-fixe menu which was really good value. The jazz was OK but maybe not quite to our taste - nevertheless it was a great experience and all in all a very pleasant way to spend the evening.

This Jazz Club offers the best jazz performances in NY! Always quality artists, very high level. Cosy, intimate club atmosphere , surprising good food. On Tuesdays the Mike Ledonne Quartet with the organ groove!

We went to the 8:30 seating, it was a good crowd and a fun atmosphere. The wait staff was friendly and efficient, the menu on the small side but appropriate for the venue. The fried chicken I had was tasty though the hush puppies were not my favorite; my husband loved everything about his lobster bouillabaisse. The show was great, every seat had good sight lines and acoustics. Highly recommend for an enjoyable and entertaining evening!

Let’s just say the jazz here is amazing! We saw an amazing concert and enjoyed a few drinks. However, the service was shocking. We were practically stalked the entire time feeling like we HAD to get another drink as soon as we had finished one! Then when the students began to arrive for the jam we couldn’t see a thing and at one point a female server demanded I moved my chair to give others space (who hadn’t paid a dime, may I add) meaning that I couldn’t see or hear due to the conversation. Ordered more water and it never came. Not impressed and definitely not in the mood to tip! Shocking shocking service.

If you have the cash and only one jazz club to visit in nyc then this is it. A great menu and wine list in an Uber cozy setting before featuring world class jazz . It is a must!

This is as our first time visiting this Jazz club. It was easy to get to on the 1, getting off on 103rd and walking 2 blocks up Broadway. The club’s capacity is about 100, so it’s quite intimate. We saw the Charles McPherson Quintet, but any show here would be great. We were pleasantly surprised by the food, which was excellent. We had the wagyu burger and Montauk striped bass. For our show we had to purchase an entree each, which made the show, which cost $50, much more expensive, though still reasonable. Service was great.

This was our second time here. We get there at 5 pm for the 7 pm show so we can meet our friends and have a decent time to chat before the show begins. This works out great. Great place to see some great jazz names up close. The sound mixing is fabulous as you aren't blown away with it being too loud even though a small space. The food is solid; not exceptional, but decent. Service was great. Sometime we would like to come and just sit at the bar and see a show without eating. All seats are good. We had a group of 6 and worked out great. We got to see Eric Alexander and Dr. Eddie Henderson and the quintet and it was fabulous!! Our only wish would be if the shows were more like 1.5 hrs instead of an hour. Really nothing to complain about. If you love jazz and want a nice small space to hear and see it, this is the place.

This small, but very friendly venue is a great place to sample quality Jazz. The food is a very good. Steaks to perfection, tacos looked very good. The chicken is awesome! Excellent service from start to finish... can't fault the night out.

This place is really good for a date nights. The food is perfect and music is not that loud, so you can actually eat and talk and enjoy jazz. They have the dining area and the seating at the bar area. I would say dining might be a bit pricy, so if you on a budget just go to the bar. Drinks are large.

What a great experience during our visit to NYC! The food, service, music & ambiance were all tops! The club is well run & clean, with an interesting menu & delicious dishes. The venue is not in a musty basement (often typical for a jazz club), but rather in an intimate street level setting with warm exposed brick, comfortable seating & good acoustics. The fried calamari appetizer, striped bass main course & cheesecake were all excellent. Fantastic jazz (Emmet Cohen Trio) made this a memorable evening. Will definitely return.

Smoke Jazz is lovely. Miss it at your own peril. Loved the music, the environment, the food (especially the calamari). We reserved a table from 10:15 pm anticipating the 10:30 pm show and it was great. When the 11:45 pm show began I asked whether we could stick around and pleasantly the server said yes. So we were there till 2 am. The music was crisp, the environment vibrant. Loved our server, Jordan. There is a $40 per person music charge but the music and the environment was totally more than worth the money. However, because it was late the dinner was optional (woo whoo) which meant we did not have to order dinner which was $45 each from a Prix Fixe menu. But we were there for some drinks and appetizers so we did not bother with the dinner. There was a $20 (I think) minimum food bill per person, but during our 4 hour stay we happily spent about $70 over three drink mixes, three fried calamaris (each containing about 15 small pieces), one fried oysters (four pieces) each about $11. The food was great, especially the calamaris and the Elderflower Martini (with vodka). There was also a recommended 18% tip but I happily tipped more. I was impressed. It was one of the most liberating and exhilarating experiences for me in a long time. I will surely be there next time I visit NYC. Ok, I will take Smoke Jazz on any day except Monday, because I heard Woody Allen plays Jazz at the Carlisle hotel on Mondays. How can one beat Jazz plus Woody Allen? (I haven't been to the Carlisle hotel yet, but am looking forward to it.)

This was a typical New York rip-off. We visited this place on a Saturday night. Bought tickets (38$) in advance. My understanding from the website was that this included food. But no, it did not. We paid 215 $ (18 % service) for the food and show. The chicken was poorly micro waved. The lights are dimmed when the food is served (I’m still not sure what kind of vegetables we were eating) and you are not allowed to speak. One and a half hour later you’re back on the street again. The music was OK.

Everything about the restaurant was excellent. The food, the service, the atmosphere and especially the music. It had everything I imagined a jazz bar to be and more...definitely recommend it. 5*

My partner wanted to hear some good live music in NYC and after some research we chose to come to Smoke. Great decision as the music was excellent with some dance as well on this evening and with restaurant week in NYC, the prix fix menu was great value. We were seated immediately in the intimate space which worked well for the Jazz club feel. We ordered a bottle of prosecco and eventually our food. Huge portions of buffalo wings, fried chicken arrived and I finally had a New York steak which was cooked to perfection and came with around a million fries and onion rings. The dessert was a s'mores brownie which I only managed half of and was finished by my better half. Great food! Half way through dinner the band started. The music was fantastic and the atmosphere in the club was excellent. Had an excellent night here and I was one of the best nights we had in NYC.

We had a terrific time at Smoke, and as long as you know what you are signing up for you will not be disappointed. Your ticket is basically a deposit that gets you a table but you are expected to either have dinner or order drinks up to at least $38 each. The food is excellent, hearty pub grub and you can mix and match food and drink up to the $38 as much as you like, though most likely you will end up going over the $38minimum.

 Note that there are several sets and you are expected to give up your table after your set – we arrived at about 6pm for a 7pm music set and left about 8.30pm. you can stay on if there is room I believe.

 Most folk will be here for the Jazz rather than the food and we were not disappointed – we saw Marianne Solivan and she was terrific, amazing smooth singing voice backed up by wonderful piano, sax, bass and drums. A great experience and in the cozy confines felt like we were transported back to another time. Even if you are not a Jazz fan, if you like top quality music and decent food and drink this is a great night out. The staff were excellent and worked their socks off, it’s not easy as the club is packed and there isn’t a lot of space to work in. I’ve seen some comments saying the service is poor here but not when we attended – it looks like a tough shift and we thought they did a great job. We will be coming back next time we are in New York.


If good jazz is the priority, this is a good place to have dinner at. Food was decent, not spectacular, but large portions. They participated in the NYC Restaurant week and we had their 3 course prix fixe menu, at $45 for Starter/Main/Macrons-eclairs. Restaurant is small, with tables packed closely together, so not your typical romantic date getaway type dinners. The French onion soup was quite good, while their charcuterie was ok - large portions but the iberico and serrano ham were a bit tough. Smoked salmon was tasty. For mains, we had an ok pork chop (huge portion), a 14oz steak (decent but nothing to write home about), and fried chicken. I was pleasantly surprised though, that the red wine on promotion (blend of sangiovese and cabernet franc) was pleasantly drinkable for the price! Overall, the food was not disappointing but is definitely not the main attraction. When the music started, the conversation level immediately dropped and the diners listened attentively to the jazz being played. I guess in that sense, the food was no competition the music! I am not a great fan of jazz, so I probably won't return anytime soon, but it's a decent place for jazz and food and drinks.

The músic was excelente but the food the service and extra charges : Music 20 usd ??? Well forgett Luís

Top flight musicians put on a great show. Can be a little pricey what with the minimum and the ticket cost but you will see the best jazz. I found the food and service to be very good.

Be sure to book a table in advance. The place is small and intimate. The band playing was truly spectacular. Please note it can get very loud, it's not the best place to chat with your companion. Food was excellent as well. This was my highlight of our trip to NYC.

One of my favourite jazz rooms. Smoke is cosy and offers you the chance to eat great food whilst taking in jazz vibes from some of the finest musicians NYC has in offer. Friendly bar and wait staff who were happy to advise on gluten free choices. A safe bet for great meal and music.

Several options are available to you, you can listen to a jazz band inside but it has a cost and you have to consume for a minimum of $30 more. Otherwise you can be on the terrace or at the bar and listen to the band played but you will not see them. The music was good and the cocktails are good but the concept is quite expensive for the price and it is not well explained on the site.

Music was great but the food was far to overpriced for the quality. Starter of calamari wasn’t too bad but the mains of lobster ravioli was poor. Small portion, tough undercooked pasta and just warm enough to eat. Followed by a fixed sweet of a small portion of a brownie. Sorry won’t be returning.

Pre booked before leaving the UK Had the fixed price menu which was very nice , complemented by good jazz music Venue is small & intimate Tables very close together but all adds to the overall atmosphere

There isn't really much to say other than that if you want good food, you're coming to the wrong place. You come to Smoke for the atmosphere and, obviously, the music and unfortunately on my visit both those things lacked a little. The bar was half empty for most of the night and the band, while good, chose very similar repertoire in each set. Would recommend trying Birdland Jazz Club instead.

The place was nice. In my opinion it felt small. They tried to fit too much in a small space. I liked the idea of it being a Jazz club and having live music. The night I went the music was okay. The service was okay as well. The alcoholic drinks offered I tried 2 of them and I didn't like it and had to resort to white dessert wine which came in a tiny wine glass yet cost >$15 😕. Overall the place was okay. I would suggest people to go. Just because I said it was okay others may really like it. I don't know that I would return.

It was a great surprise to us the first time we found Smoke. A small almost old-style jazz joint in the Upper West Side with serious quality jazz and great dinner and drinks. Last time we were there we caught the Billy Harper Quintet and had a delicious dinner. If you like jazz, and arent going to the Village Vanguard or some place like that downtown that day, or are in the Upper Manhattan area for any reason, its a spot not to be missed!

On April 24th, 2025 at night we were at a concert. Excellent music. Good food and drinks at the bar (not in the lounge). But the place to listen standing still is inadmissible. I don't understand how the Municipality could authorize it. There are many ways to improve it. And the previous lay-out, where you could hear the concert from the bar, was much more suitable.

I have been at this club a few times over the years jazz and is about time I gave it review. The quality of the players and band it never disappoints, it has gotten better and better over the years. Food, as in all jazz clubs nothing to cry home about, as in most jazz clubs. Make sure you ask about the cover charge it can vary greatly with the artist. Almost right on the mark if you want to get the downtown feeling of a jazz club in the Uws.

We got married just prior to visiting Smoke as my now wife loves live Jazz especially the saxophone. We were running late but they still accommodated us and sat us right by the stage. The atmosphere and music was fabulous as was the food and service. Highly recommended for jazz lovers!

We went to Smoke to see Steve Davis and his All-Star Quintet. And he didn't disappoint! The show was phenomenal!! And it was nice to see Steve afterwards and chat for a minute. We arrived a few minutes before our 8:30 seating for the dinner show. Ordering off their current seasonal menu, we started our meal with the Green Salad. Then our entrees: the Grilled Salmon for him (and for 3 of the 4 people seated on both sides of us!); they all seemed to enjoy their meal!! The Coq au Vin, a usually tried and true dish, for me, although I swapped out the Black Truffle mashed potatoes for plain mashed potatoes; the resulting dish was a bit disappointing since the mashed potatoes were barely there, same for the roasted carrots, and a few mushrooms appeared on my plate (one of a few things I can't tolerate). Still the ambience of the club and the appreciation of the musicians on stage outranked the food for me. Maybe next time we'll just come for the last set and have drinks!

This was our second visit to Smoke (our first being at least 6 years ago), and it was a great way to round out our weekend in NYC. The meal was expensive, but the food was very good, and the cover price for the music was really reasonable. The music itself was enjoyable, and the performance was very personal. The set seemed a bit short, though. A guest singer (a student of the leader of the band) made an appearance that knocked our socks off. You never know what you're going to come across in a place like this! It was all quite intimate, unpretentious, and high-quality. Definitely gets our recommendation. We will be back for a third time, for sure!

Saw Bill Charlap for early Sunday dinner show, and he was great! Unfortunately we had a 1st day on the job server who nobody except the customers tried to help. I get the staffing problems but it is tiring after this long. We sent one of our mains back to be cooked more and it returned looking the same. The next table were regulars and still got their cocktails after their mains. The short ribs were underwhelming but others seemed to do well with the chicken. Hot beverages/coffee were unavailable that night? Reserving your seat is nice and I think the future but that night we just sat in the wrong section. Overall, I would still recommend a visit as it is a fun night. We. want to support this style of Jazz Venue, and will try again next trip in the spring.

We recently went to the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Smoke -- the music was terrific, and the food was very good. There's no cover! And the brunch menu is reasonable ($15-$20 entrees) with something for everyone. We heard a singer with a great combo, and there were some musicians at the bar who got up and played with the band...all very good players. Highly recommended!

This is a small venue and you are really snuggled in close to other patron tables. Know that the food and the show are two separate charges - this seemed to cause confusion with some others visiting when we were there. The music was fantastic, and the acoustics were perfect. The food was very tasty, but my husband had the scallops and there were only 3 small ones - not a dinner portion. We plan to go back the next time in NYC but will order the pork chop ;)

“Smoke gets in your eyes,” says an old song, but “Smoke’s Jazz Club” gets in your blood. It is a great place to see and hear jazz performers, while having a chef-quality meal or Sunday brunch in an intimate but relaxed atmosphere. We have been going to places like “Dizzy’s” at Lincoln Center or “Birdland” at 44th off Ninth Avenue and the music is often great, but we are often disappointed with the food, with seats and even the general treatment of guests. For example, at Dizzy’s they have a tendency to make you wait in lines for no apparent reason (even if you have reservations) and then to disappoint you with bad seats or no seats at all. This has happened several times at Dizzy’s. At Birdland they often get fussy if you come in a bit early for one set or a bit late, even if there are plenty of seats. “Smoke’s” is just the opposite: it is a welcoming place at 106th Street and Broadway. It can set about 50 people, all of whom can see and hear the performers easily. We had just heard of the place, called them and took a cab. Even though we got there a few minutes early for the second musical set, they had room, and they seated us. The great vocalists Charles Turner (see picture) was performing, and we got to hear songs from his first and second set, and to buy his CD for ten bucks. Turner, who also has performed at Dizzy’s, was a great discovery for us, along with Smoke’s. Turner sang beautifully, soft and smooth like a satin sheet but with the beautiful insights inflections of a musical genius. We had the prix-fixe menu for $38 apiece plus a $12 cover: $50 per person. For that you get an appetizer, main course and brownie. The service is great, and they have a few dishes for people with special dietary needs like vegetarian or gluten-free. These dishes are clearly marked. My wife loved the quinoa fritters. They also have great fish dishes like fish tacos or grilled salmon, and many more. That’s the food part. For the soul: you get well over an hour—maybe even two or three hours, if they are not crowded—and get eight to ten songs. We also ordered a couple of drinks that were very good. As for smoke getting in your eyes: don’t worry. That’s only in the song. It is smoke-free, but as the owners say, their music and their food are “smokin’.” Among the performers for March through May were pianist Harold Mabern, Mimi Jones Band, George Coleman Quartet, One For All, Dave Liebman “Expansions,” and the Helen Sung Quartet. They also have special recording sessions, versions of which they sell at the bar. A great place for jazz.

The place is very small, and the tables are very close to each other so we are not sitting so comfortable. The food was bad, my steak was over cooked, and they forgot my friends main course. They told us that my friend will have her coctail for free but they charged it. The prices are huge! One glass of wine 14$!!! And we pay 9$ extra per person for the music. We were 4 people and we pay 300$ for a very bad meal. The music was the only good think!

We went only one night to listen jazz and eat something good. We loved it. The music band was over 40 age and it was obvious that they are very experienced and they know how to do jazz. There is $12 music fee and prices are little above average, but totally worth listening jazz here.

The place is cramped with just inches between takes so that they have to be moved around for people to get in and out. The jazz band on a tuesday night was like a circus act. The person on the keyboard played with his nose and everyone clapped. Other than this the sheer noise they made instead of music made us want to leave before the meal was done. It's not cheap and better jazz can be found in NYC subway stations. My earlier review somehow disappeared from TripAdvisor.com. If this one disappears too, it will be telling of the veracity of these reviews. I still have hope.

The newly refurbished and expanded Smoke Jazz Club was smokin’ last night with The Nicholas Payton quintet. The interior is cozy and sexy. Service was excellent. Sound quality is great (and they no longer have that strange artificial fragrance that they used to). Check it out!

A local friend suggested. She knows I like good food, but, just as important, good jazz. What I wasn't expecting was the nice intimate ambiance. Expect a $10 cover per person. Our night offered a $38 prix fixe (which is also minimum per person). 18% gratuity is automatically added to bill for parties of 5 or more. Now the ugly is out of the way. I would be disgruntled for the fees if the food/service/entertainment was not worth the cost. All apprehension dissipated as food/beverages were served and the music started. I had the chopped salad, pesto pasta, -great flavor! Wifey had lobster ravioli- al dente and moist w lots of lobster. Brownie s'more included dessert was exquisite!

The reviews were excellent and Smoke had high expectations to meet. They did not disappoint. Arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation and were seated promptly. Server greeted us quickly and gave us great info on choices and recommendations. And the music was excellent. Performers were hanging out with the audience. The people sitting around us were fun and engaging, which helps when you're seated as closely together as we were. A little pricey with the cover charge - but, I knew that coming in.

Small intimate Jazz club, excellent Jazz and a great menu - Fish Tacos are a definite. As with most clubs you are close to the stage and get to experience the music.

Excellent Jazz House. Very good food. The music was very good, until something extremely unfortunate happened. He was taking on one of the remaining icons of Jazz, saxophonist George Colleman, who in his late 90s stopped the show and humiliated the pianist who was playing with him (it wasn't any of his business, he must have been hired by the house). The Pianist was already a gentleman. He ordered it back to be chosen, said it was terrible, etc. A lady in the audience who was next to me said that she was there to listen to music and not to hear public humiliation. From then on, he continued to put on a show of stupidity, shouting at the client to shut up, among other things. A horror show. If I were in Brazil I would have gotten up and left. The staff at the house were extremely embarrassed. The note is no less that I understand that the house is not to blame for what happened, and it is a good jazz house.

The players, each renowned in his own right, were assembled to perform a birthday tribute to Mulgrew Miller. They played flawlessly and with verve. The club's seating is intimate, with no one seated more than a few yards from the band, and those closest could almost reach out and touch the players. Yet the sound was rich and full without being too loud or overpowering for the room. My NY strip steak was very good, and the cheesecake, served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon, was exceptional.

We went to Smoke on a Thursday night for the 7pm set. The music was excellent and so was dinner. The fish tacos were perhaps the best fish tacos we've ever had. They were served with three different sauces, all excellent. Also had the quinoa fritters served over a vegetable hash, also excellent and just the right amount of food. I highly recommend Smoke for a mid-week treat. You might want to make a reservation as is does fill up.

Better to reserve in advance. We choose the bar instead of dinner tables and share a main dish before the jazz session and we think it was the best option. Nearly no tourists; all local people on Sunday night. Anyway, the best was the playing band, celebrating the anniversary of Jimmy Cobb, one of the Kind of Blue band with Miles Davis, and of course Cobb was playing in the Smoke! Real jazz indeed.