Small but great venue for a show. We saw the group covering the Buena Vista Social Club. It was amazing. Unfortunately, the show was supposed to start at 7:30, but due to previous shows running late we had to stand for an hour Waiting to be seated. Show started at 7:55 which is fine. What I didnt like was the fact that they had us get in line. We were the 2nd group there. And as people came in they stood wherever, even in front of the line . So when they let us in it was a mad dash to get seats . We did fine. But there were people who had decided to stay from the previous show and a group that had missed the previous show, so came to the 7:30 show and once seated there were people standing in the back. It didnt seem like there was enough space or that the amount of people is regulated. Kind of a mess. But otherwise enjoyed it and we will be Coming back.
You come to Bonafide for the love of live music. The place is a small music theater (cabaret type) with good acoustics. As in most cabarets in NYC, the food is not good, but thats fair; music is what matters in these places. They have good shows not limited to jazz, but it all depends on the show you get. In general the quality is good.
We enjoyed a wonderful performance this evening -- a beautiful talented Flamenco dancer/ singer, backed by drums, guitar, and piano (all very accomplished musicians). We had tasty light plates and drinks during the performance. It was a delightful evening.
It was ok. Dont eat come hungry. Chef isnt 3 stars.
Excellent music, great singing and marvellous band. Lynn Watson is fantastic. Such positive energy!
This is an intimate jazz club with excellent entertainment. With a full bar and nice small plate menu, it is easy to meet the two item per person minimum.
Nice small find with good service and good music. Mojito was pretty bad though. Too much Sprite. Couldnt taste the alcohol or mint.
Music was fantastic but food and drinks not really.
Nice little place for music. Service was good.
It is a great venue to see live music. I got there late for a show last week and they let us stay for the next show and gave us free tickets to any show. I really appreciated that because Im from out of town so I would be leaving soon. So the day before I left I got to see the Whitney Houston tribute show and it was amazing. I had a wonderful time and when I come back to New York I will definitely catch a show here.
Food needs serious improvement! The show was great!
Aug 16th, 8pm show. Advertised as an ensemble got a two piece. False advertising, dishonest.This is not a review of the space or the performers, it is a review of management in the hope they address this, and dont misrepresent and disappoint others.The space is great, although I wish the AC was quieter. Some really great talent booked here, and Richard Bona himself is one of the true all time greats, if you are ever lucky enough to see him play here, highly recommended.
Coal oven pizza was great. Small, cozy stage area, excellent service! Have to navigate a few flights of stairs, but nothing too impossible.
Very reminiscent of old time jazz clubs. Entertainment was killer. The small intimate clubbmade for great acoustics. Decor perhaps could use a freshening up. Definitely enjoyed my Malbec with the cheese board. Not cheap but its Manhattan.
Intimate setting for jazz acts. Excellent acoustics. Food menu consists of several appetizers and panini sandwiches.
Is all of New York full of hidden amazing venues on their second floors? This place makes me wonder....a small and intimate performance space where your never more than 15 ft away from performers or the stage, Club Bonafide is a hidden gem on the UES. Sure the food is bad, (lower than diner quality, shame) and the drinks are just okay, but the performers are usually so good it doesnt matter. The place is dark and has great ambiance with brick accents. If I had one complaint its that the small space makes it so that you cant really linger after a show. The club follows the comedy performance model with multiple shows and a two drink minimum, and is worth checking out if you like live music.
I had more fun here than I expected.
Lovely little place. Great show. Very friendly staff. What a find!
Intimate, evoking memories of 50s nightclubs where patrons sat cheek to jowl and enjoyed high quality music. The crowd is friendly and the music is eclectic. It can change nightly to represent a different genre from French bistro to New Orleans blues. The price is right and East Midtown is very accessible.
Loved the Buena Vista event. It does get super crowded though, its a very tight and small venue. Hope they expand. The appetizers and drinks are a bit pricey but nice spot for a good low key jazz show.
My husband and I had a wonderful time at this Great Bar last Friday night .it was the our 1st time there.we had Great Service and and all the staff was very professional. The band that night was Superbad. Lots of great music and well priced drinks. I thought the Mural Wall opening up to the stage so Original!We will definitely come back again.
Been there over 10 times. Always have a great tine with my wife. One tine the show we wanted to see was cancelled and we were gave .a signed business card for two free tickets and we saw the show that was there for free.
Great show-New York Nightingales-cafe is intimate, food so-so, but altogether a really pleasant evening.
Very sweet venue. Close to the stage and musicians. Good place to relax and enjoy good music and wine.
Upon reaching the third floor of an unassuming entryway of Club Bonafide you will step out of a VERY TINY elevator (3 people maximum), and find yourself in a room with red walls, with a NYC 1950’s vibe. The dark and vibrant lighting decorates the stage, and though space is limited, it is a very cozy dim lit venue.I was there for a Flamenco inspired show and was very pleased with the artist and venue.Well, unless you decide to order a drink or even a water then your satisfaction will start to get lower and lower. Surprisingly enough they seem to have only one (very frustrated) waiter walking around trying to take orders and deliver drinks at same time. He kept repeating, to anyone who would check on their drink status after 15mins “I am doing my best but clearly that isn’t enough for you…”Then there was the DJ channeling the “grumpy cat”, that guy couldn’t look any more bored. I added some pictures to prove my point. I left almost feeling sorry for his miseryOk, back to the service…. We waited no joke over 20mins to receive our drinks that we ordered upon arrival and our waters right before receiving the check.Anyway, very cute venue with a good selection of shows. I will definitely go back (just with no service expectations)I will have to take a star because of the extra slow service and for that poor sad DJ sitting there looking like he is in pain.
I cant give place that charges $7 for tap water any more than 1 star. Music was fine, but not great. Avoid if you can. Or just dont get water.
I loved mrs Ellynnes. Concert. The birdsong
New york experience in a nutshell.Small place, tightly arranged tables, amazing cocktails and i understand why they take time to arrive. Marvelous show all in a speakeasy setting. Loved it. Took a star because The food quality to price ratio has room for improving.
From the moment I walked in I had a favorable experience. My bartender, Samali whose roots are Ugandan and Black American, made The Bona, a delicuous Martini. Great app selection!
Fun Singer fun night
We nrt to set french heart jazz band. Very good time. Had a bottle of rose, very nice. Cost is rekative... manageable cheese board was good as well.
Very impressive when it comes to having an astute atmosphere. Great date place. Live performance with band which was excellent!However the waitress was a bit snappy. Pricy but I would love for a date to bring me back.
Great, intimate club to see live music. Good drinks, and light food options. We had so much fun!
Its was AMAZING love the DRINKS and food
The location is quite intimate and refreshing.
Terrible time waiting to be shoehorned ingraciously into a tiny, cramped performance room in bad condition on the third floor of an old building.
Great place. Great entertainment
Not so great. Went with my husband for a Friday evening performance of French Jazz that was supposed to start at 8. When I called to confirm the reservation they said I absolutely needed to be there by 7:30. We arrived on time and proceeded to wait around for 40 minutes standing up in a small room with about 50 or 60 other people. When we were finally shown to our seats, I swear to God its a fire hazard! The tables and people are crammed in with no space to move anywhere. Additionally, we ordered drinks immediately after sitting down and 45 minutes later they still had not arrived, nor had the 8:00 performance begun. We left at 8:45 having nothing to drink nor eat nor any of the music we had come for. We ended up having to go to completely different venue. Unfortunately, with so many other excellent jazz clubs in the city, this one is not worth returning to.
Good place for music
Small place excellent sound system
Jazz Singr Audrey Silver was spectacular. If you are looking for a nice jazz experience and great drinks then this is place to be.
I like this place, but not sure how safe it is
A great jazz club and lounge with a cozy & rustic vibe thats inviting to jazz lovers who appreciate a fantastic atmosphere enjoying wonderful music.
Horrendous service. Came early to reserve seating (must be on-site to reserve) for a double birthday. Managers and staff refused to remove the four opportunists who not only ignored the reserved sign but also refused to move. Bad business making the performers wait + catering to a four-top vs. a combined party of 15 that included elders. Save your money and skip the flies and empty menu. This joint aint got no class. *the performers were fabulous*
Very cute. Great entertainment. Food very mediocre. Subpar menu. Even for appetizers. Drinks totally overpriced. Nice service. Friendly wait service.
Nice space.
The Best Jazz Spot on East Side of NYC! Come one, Come all! Tell a friend, Bring a friend! Come make a friend! At Club Bonafide! Where friends of Live Jazz meet other Friends!
A jewel in Manhattan, cozy jazz club with amazing performers and lovely staff. A must see
So French was wonderful and the venue was very nice.
Amazing service, the room sounds great. Great musicians.
Great place for music. Nice intimate venue.Waitress asks too often (during the show) if we want something.Show was too short (barely an hour). Nevertheless, it was amazing.
Small place, but low cover, and solid jazz. Its improved recently in sound, lights, and slightly in decor. Full bar. Eat before you come.
I went here once to see a friends band. You have to take an elevator or stairs to the third floor. Theres a limited snack menu and drinks are slightly overpriced. The sound is great- you can hear everything clearly in both rooms
Good music. Expensive drinks. Nice crowd
My friends played music. Great place. Clean and beautiful. Fun.
Nice cozy venue
A great music club in a fantastic midtown location. Friendly staff, great service, Great Sound, comfortable.
First time was glad to find the moms owner is Italian
Nice cozy place to see a live show.
Great time I had there. Staff is awesome !
Very cool place to a visiting country hick with great music
Kinda tight seating (intimate setting). Too dark to order food
Beautiful show. Drinks are good.will be coming back
Music great. Drinks great. Small portions of food
The ceiling was leaking, the food menu is miniscule, the waiter was great, had to wait 30 minutes standing in the crowded bar past seating time.
The music is great, the customer service is awesome and the whole energy is just festive.
Music was great. Service was good. Nice atmosphere.
Had a great time here for valentine. Great music and friendly staff.
Cozy and romantic venue . Perfect for a second date .
Fun and cozy. Great show.
Loved our singer, but didnt enjoy the climb.the small elevator
Bona is doing a great job here. Check it out! Always an excellent choice for music and a drink.
Front for illicit activities.
Overpriced, worst wine I have had in years, it took 1hr 10 minutes to bring the food !!!, asked us to pay for food and drinks we did not have (then apologized and offered a free drink). Overall chaos, very low quality, show was a B- at best.
The AC didnt work and I had 3 guests so it wasnt as enjoyable. Music part was amazing
Outstanding live music spot, always great.
Reasonably priced, small,, very cozy venue.
Awesome atmosphere. Had a great time
Intimate club, great acoustics. Limited bar.
A weird and crazy place. Went there with friends and we were listening to one interesting band. The Guinness they serve is from a bottle, which is the worst form of serving a Guinness.
Nice place for having a date, talk, drink and watch some great live bands
Fabulous Venue..Sensational Live Music.
Was a great show
If you want a place to enjoy live music, a good drink, or good snacks, this is the place to be. Bonafide gives u the opportunity to experience sounds from around the world with great artists such as Richard Bona and the Mandeka Cubano, and many other great names of world music and jazz. Take some friends and relax urself at this beautiful location in the heart of Manhattan, u will not regret it.
A lovely intimate live venue with charming staff, great wine and cocktails and top notch entertainment. Friday nights are the best.
That good ole Jazz flavor amongst family...
Cant wait to perform there again.
Lovely place
Great Services great staff great live entertainment