Great food and great music. Every time! But more importantly, these guys nurture young musicians. I love their Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and how much work they put into training young jazz musicians. My son has been a part of the program for a year and he has grown so much. I know he would not have developed as well without Blues Alley

This music is amazing! The food is not good in portion (small) and taste. Eat before coming and youll have a great time!

Always good. A very cozy and intimate venue. Saw Keiko Matsui tonight for the first time. The band was quite international. Shes Japanese, drummer is Cuban, bassist Dutch, and guitarist is Brazilian. They were all exemplary. Acoustics are good, though seating is rather cramped. The food isnt a strong suit, so hit the late show to avoid having to buy dinner.

This is a great little jazz/blues club tucked away in an alley. I went on a Jazz night. Ended up showing up late to the first show. Apparently there are two shows and you pay separately for each rather than a flat cover. My fault for not knowing that, though. Atmosphere was great. Service was good. Ordered a dirty martini and Im pretty sure it was a glass of olive juice. Told them the issue, and second one was great. The crowd was great. Nobody on their phones. Definitely 5 stars if you want to see good, live music.

Had the privilege of seeing Ahmad Jamal back in 2009. A great performance in a cosy intimate setting.

Great venue. Intimate. You feel like the artist is performing for you only. You always hear the cliche, there isnt a bad seat in the house, well it is true when describing this place. Every table seems like you are next to the stage.We couldnt find this venue at 1st because it is not on the main street that the address suggest...its in the alley (duh) brilliant. The show was excellent. The service is outstanding. All of the staff were very attentive and helpful. The drinks were very good. Food was even better. Very cool place in a very cool area. The only downside was the mens room only has a toilet and 1 urinal. So guys be prepared to wait on some occasions.

Wife and I had a wonderful time. Venue was great but you want to show up an hour or so prior to your show time. Food was great as well as the service. When you see these reviews about how intimate the seating is they are true. Get ready to be a few inches from another table.

Wow! This place.rocked it! The music (Marcus Johnson and band) was amazing, the food was really good (seasoned well and well presented), the service was quick (perhaps a little too quick but theyre on a timetable!), the acoustics blew my mind. Absolutely loved my visit. Thank you, Blues Alley!!!

My dad has been coming here since the 80s and I first brought a date here in 1996. It was good then, and it’s good now. Whenever you want to catch good intimate jazz this is the place to go.The acts are always good...and tickets are 50% for the 10pm shows. I also love the Japanese Jazz series that happens here each spring. Some shows are also free.The service is fluid, graceful and friendly. But the food and cocktails are stuck in the 80s and could use a little modernization!

The top venue in Washington DC for seeing jazz and popular music acts. Blues Alleys intimate space places spectators in close proximity to the musicians making for an exciting and memorable experience. The food is good and the cocktails arent stingy. My most recent visit featured the Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute band. It was an amazing show enjoyed by all.

Always enjoy the shows at this venue. Never miss a Kim Waters appearance. Tonight his daughter Kayla joined him on stage to perform her song Zephyr . Wonderful! I will warn the venue has tight close seating, arrive early.

Probably the best blues and jazz club in DC. It is a very small place but that is the best part. No table is more than 50 ft away from the stage. In fact, we often sit right at the edge of the stage. The place is really packed almost every night, and the energy is just amazing. I have seen performers put in extra songs after songs because they were so excited by the crowd. And then the performers. This place does a really good job bringing in the top talents for the weekend. Their week night shows are good too with well chosen up and coming performers. We prefer the late show at 10pm. The 8pm show is like a warm up for the musicians.

Drinks were yummy. Gumbo was tasty. Music was exactly what the Dr ordered.

Blues Alley was wonderful! The food was so tasty. The entertainment was superb! Our waitress was very attentive to our requests. We had a great evening!

I enjoy the intimacy of the venue. Food is good, atmosphere is cozy and charming. The incomparable Lisa Fisher performed, she was amazing. Her voice was warm and strong. She was extremely creative with the way she sung. Loved it and would travel from NY again for sure.

Honestly the best performance Ive ever seen... Food for the soul no matter what genre of music you prefer. Will definitely try to see Chris Thomas King and his group again as well as visit blue alley!

Great and storied live music venue. Good food.

You can go back in time to Blues Alley. It looks and feels the same as it was in the 80s.Finding parking is the problem, so be sure to consider it so you will not miss your show.

Tables were squeezed in a little tight but jambalaya was very good and Capitol Lab Band was fabulous. Acoustics were just right. Music wasnt too loud. Will definitely look at more shows for this venue.

Outstanding jazz venue. Valentines weekend 2020 was 1 of 1. I have over 75 reviews no reason to lie, it was amazing and worth every dollar.Drinks 9.88 out of 10.Atmosphere 10 out of 10Band 10 out of 10Food was good.

Set in an actual alley in Georgetown, Washington D.C., this is a fantastic place for a first date or an intimate evening. The tables are small allowing conversation and appreciation of the excellent food. During the shows (the first at 8pm and the second at 10pm) lights dim and conversations hush. Tables are so close to the stage its impossible to have a bad seat or view. Three seating is first come first served. Play attention to which performance youve paid for and arrival time.

I got there 45 minutes before the show. Got one of the worst set. The seat police where on patrol! You cant sit there. Turn your chair around, that table is wrong. So I was stuck in the isle miserable! The show with Roy Ayers was amazing! This was my view. The lady told us we couldnt sit in the other seat. Because they may have someone coming. Well nobody came. And Im sure you will guess how my night was! Thanks ladies!

Nice place, nice food. Super helpful and friendly staff. Went to Marion Meadows for Valentine. Did not disappoint.

It was very intimate but in true jazz club tradition. Had front row seating which was great! A little disappointed with the food. I had heard good reviews but everything I tasted lacked salt and flavor...but the desserts and drinks were good. Would definitively go back again!

I enjoyed myself because the closeness provided an intimate setting that created a camaraderie with fellow guests. The food and drinks were delicious! The artist was amazing! What a great experience for me!

Worth the expense for the experience. A real hole in the wall, that will transport you to the 1950s. The food was excellent and the service was great. The music surpassed expectation. I live in PA, and I plan to make the trip again just to visit this place.

My first time and what a great venue. Hidden, small which is perfect. Saw Jim Croce’s son. What a talent.

Great venue! Love the collection of artists performing there. Easy parking at garage across the street.

ALWAYS enjoy Blues Alley. The venue is perfect for a great, intimate night of music...sound is great, you can see the stage, youre close to the artist. There is also food and drink. Food is OK. Some things better than others and the drinks are priced as youd expect for the circumstances, but the staff is great. Blues Alley is a family affair for my family and I often have my walker-using or at time wheel chair bound Dad with me and the staff is so fantastic about accommodating us. My 93 yr old Dad always has a great time. That is priceless for me. PS - HE really likes the food. Do try the crab cakes!

I have a birthday tradition to come here every year to see Kim Waters. He and I share 2/24 as our life day so no matter what I plan to do I include a visit to Blues Alley to watch him and his band perform. Its a bit tight but its perfect because it makes the place more intimate. The food is great and the drinks are always on point!!!!

Phenomenal place for live jazz music! This is very much a hidden place in Georgetown, off the main road and easy to miss. But its a historic venue boasting a good amount of seating while retaining the small coziness feel. Food was pretty good also - mostly New Orleans origin such as poboys and fried chicken. Great place for a date!

Good food and GREAT music. Love the Chaise Lounge Christmas show. The servers do a fabulous job.

On the small size but food is great. Nice intimate and up close place. You can reach out and really touch the headliners. My first time and it was great.

The service is terrible and it is overpriced for what you get. We went to a 10:00 show and the kitchen was closed. There is a $12 minimum and the waitress was aggressively trying the get me to buy another beer when I wasnt even half done with my first one. She was snippy about the minim when I simply asked what the policy was. She was also aggressive about the check and they didnt waste a minute after the show finished before lights went up and cleaning started. There were loud noises coming from the kitchen during an acoustic bass solo which was ridiculous. The place is a dump and needs new management. The only good thing about it was the music itself which was good despite the distractions.

Great atmosphere for a mature upscale proffessional audience. The seating is a little tight but the menu makes up for the seating inconvenience. The Waitresses are attentive and professional and friendly all at the same time. A must go to spot for great live jazz music.

This was my first time at the Blues Alley Club which is quaint. The food was pretty good; but the jazz performance was fabulous. We saw Alex Bugnon and his band. I will visit again soon. It was amazing!

Absolutely loved it! Cozy atmosphere with amazing musicians. Was visiting from PA and happen to find this place online, Keiko Matsui was performing that night. Definitely 5 stars !

Marion Meadows brought the house down. After 29 years on the DMV, I made it to the Alley. I thoroughly enjoyed everything

Great place, great live show atmosphere. The service was great. The show was spectacular, i came for 8pm show ended up staying for the 10pm show. I will definately be back next time i am in DC.

I went to blues alley club for the first time and enjoyed myself, i never thought i could have so much fun. I will be returning very soon. The staff was very nice and pleasant.

Best venue for smooth jazz. Awesome place to play if you got the chops. Dinner and jazz.

They know my name. I absolutely love this venue!

Loved it! Very laid back. Food and service were great. Musicians blew me away!!!

The talented artists are wonderful. The food, however, is awful and sometimes the staff are unpleasant, particularly with the seating arrangements. The spacing between the tables is too tight! The bathroom is outdated. Waiting to enter the venue while the rats roam in the alley while you stand in line makes for an unpleasant experience!

I went to this place in February 2009 to see Kim Waters, and it was like the best experience EVER. Food was phenomenal, and the music was even better. I subsequently moved across and out of the country, so there was a lengthy gap to my return. Living a bit closer (almost 3 hours away), I was excited for the opportunity to go see Marcus Johnson perform on December 19th. I booked the late show because of my traveling distance. Seating seemed excessively tighter than how I remembered from 2009, but still, I was happy to be there. As the room filled, there seemed to be ONE server running from table to table, to get orders. I ordered a fried shrimp appetizer and glass of soda to get me started (so I thought). My friend hadnt had an opportunity to order anything, because the server whisked away after taking my order, before my friend could view the ONE menu that was there for us to share. She was quite troubled by the fact that she was still sitting with a single glass of water almost 30 minutes later, and no food or drink order was placed for her. The persons delivering the food to tables was not the same person taking orders. Eventually, another server came out, and we watched the newly seated people next to us get their orders taken and were actually served their entire meals before our server returned to get our dinner orders. Ultimately, my friend ordered the salmon, while I ordered the roasted chicken. BIG MISTAKE. The chicken I was served was a cold, dehydrated, hard, burnt, brick-like object, that was assumed to be chicken (the room was dark). Instead of enjoying the show which had long started, Im distracted trying to get someones attention to either get a manager or the server to come collect the debacle. My friends salmon was ice cold, and she also had to wait until I was able to get the server back to say something about that. Thankfully, she was able to send her plate back for microwaving. In my case, the server informed me that the kitchen was then closed, and they had nothing left to serve me. She said I could only order dessert... which I refused. I told her I had not eaten that entire day because I was anticipating having dinner (an actual whole meal) at Blues Alley. She shrugged it off and kept on moving. Before I knew it, the entire performance was over, and I realized I didnt get to enjoy ANY portion of the show, from trying to deal with the poor service. If the seating wasnt so tight, I would have easily gotten up to chase a server or manager down... but that wasnt an option. Neither my friend or myself was ever able to get a drink refill or an offer to get any other drink. I was beyond angry, and while Marcus Johnson so graciously hung around to greet people, my anger from the disastrous night had me storming out of the door. Now I feel like I have to pay to go see Marcus perform at some other venue on a future date. Also, I should add, the show was over, and the server hadnt had the sense to return to tables to drop off checks and collect them in a timely manner. We watched her sitting in the back over in the corner with other people, seemingly having a good time with them. There was NO offer of apology, and there was never a manager to come even when I requested. I really was looking forward to going back in February to see Kim Waters again, but after this experience, Ill have to catch up with Kim elsewhere. Wont be returning to Blues Alley, and definitely wont be recommending to ANYONE.

Performed to a sold out show 4 days 8 shows with Marcus Johnson. Great place that showed at lot of love to me. Ill have my band there soon.

This jazz club is a Washington institution rivaling the best clubs in New York, Paris and Berlin with its line-up of fine musicians, straddling all genres of jazz. A must-go experience.

Marshall Keys was great. Thank you for a good night of jazz.

The service was excellent. I asked the roasted brie but the sauce was too hot. The music was superb (Eri Yamamoto trio), the atmosphere was awesome.

Great place. Fantastic jazz. Saw Arturo Sandavol who was as great as always.Staff is great and helpful.Special thanks to Brian and Stewart.

Blues Alley is an intimate venue where you can see all kinds of great music. Its easy to get to and pay parking is available right across the street. Arent we lucky to live in this area? Yes we are!

Go for the music and musicians. Cozy, intimate and feels like a private experience. Drinks and food are just bleh.

A wonderful venue and atmosphere for an evening of jazz. Kieko Matsui and her ensemble were masterful!

Great intimate evening with my friend. We enjoyed listening to Ms. Nancy Wilson sing beautiful ballards.

Absolutely wonderful intimate setting

Great music from jazz greats and rising stars. A nice venue to really feel the music and (sometimes) meet the artists.

Great place for music lovers! Mostly dedicated to jazz and fusion. Its a pleasure to see the world class musicians there which happens very often. Nice choice of food and drinks, very good service, friendly and attentive staff.

Blues Alley has a small, quaint and laid back atmosphere to it. The artist are up close and personable. Great place with great music.

Dont miss this place if youre a jazz fan. Seating is tight but this allows for an intimate setting that you just cant get at larger venues. Atmosphere is genuine and the artists that play here are generally amazing.

I visited this spot to see Kirk Walhum for a friends birthday. It was my first time seeing Kirk Walhum perform. Him and his band gave a great performance! The is a cozy spot with great music, food and drinks. The tofu veggie dish is not recommended. But the chicken caesar salad and blackened fish with beans and rice was delicious. The parking garage is average for that area. 4 stars because seating was extremely tight and the show was a little pricey to only last for one hour.

Top of the line music and tasty small plates. The food and drink are a little pricey but not unreasonable given the fantastic atmosphere you get with the music so close. Service was also good and not overbearing

Its amazing after all this time, Blues Alley has not expanded. Love the live performances but hate the cramped environment. Food is not delivered hot or in a timely fashion; my waitress was irritable & short tempered. Her mood changed at the END of the night after she caused the spill of water & food on my guest.

It doesnt get much better than Blues Alley. The history, the intimacy of the place, the vibe, the music and the sound. A true classic!

For my very first experience going to a supper and jazz club I must say that I was not disappointed! The food was beyond delicious especially the blackened Cajun catfish . However, the real crown Jewel of this throwback gorgeous establishment is the: musical artists that perform their music is truly an experience that you will never forget . Another awesome bonus is the intimate cozy environment of Blues Alley. It feels like you have been transported into another dimension filled with sexy jazz and delectable cuisine! This place is a must go! You will never forget it!

One of the best jazz restaurants in the city. Nothing can beat the ambiance and food. Immensely romantic. You can feel the vibes in the air here

My new cozy love romantic place for date night. The food was tasty, but needed to be served hot. Great ambiance!

A classic intimate venue. Have visited for over 30 years.

Great Jazz and good food. I felt as if I slid back into history and was watching in 1920-30s. However, place is overcrowded, waiters are less hospitable, bad washroom and fear of rats

It was a wonderful 4 days of music I had the pleasure of playing with Meshell Ndegeocello, Federico Peña and Gene Oliver Lake

Nice, quaint atmosphere for music. Good vibe.

Great venue. Intimate yet alive. Excellent service. Many options for food and drink. Felt like I was sitting with the group. Will return again and again.

Reminiscent of small, smoky jazz clubs of years ago (think village vanguard, without the smoke!). Great atmosphere, great accoustics and very friendly staff. Roy Ayers was great! A wonderful place for showcasing all the most respected jazz artists. Great experience. Ill definitely return.

Fantastic. Good food, good drinks, great music. Cool venue.

Love this place! Been there many times. Enjoy the world class music, good food, attentive wait staff in a cozy, intimate setting. And what a thrill to be sitting just five feet from the bell of Arturo Sandovals trumpet!

My husband takes me to see him EVERY YEAR for my birthday. I LOOOOVE me some Najee since I was younger. When he didn’t perform on my 44th I was so upset. I was so mad all I could do is stay home. His music has helped me in MORE WAYS THAN HE WILL EVER KNOW !! So I’m praying he’s there for my 45th.. I’m a Scorpio and NOT getting my way makes me a little ticked off.

Good deal for students, the band was excellent, they got me jamming to the music

I love this place! The music is always amazing and it’s a great experience every time. Good drinks too!

We had a fantastic time. Food was great.

Tarea, Paula and the rest of the staff were AMAZING!!! I LOVE the FOOD!!!!! #chickenTendersWithFrenchFries #mixedGreensSalad

Good food, great jazz tunes, and wonderful intimate environment to enjoy both. Youll have a great time there.

The soloist (Wirtz?) was extraordinarily talented. The ambiance was cozy and relaxing. The talent was wonderful, seeing the synergy between the drummer, bassist, trumpeter, singer, and guitarist. The French onion soup was quite delicious and a soothing choice for a chilly Christmas evening. Cheese, caramelized onions, and beef broth. One of the more memorable Christmas Eves I have had in many years :)

Great Performance by Jazzy Mob super group .Venue is great but they have to work on the menu. Do not buy the chips and salsa. Other than the food needing improvement great venue for musical performances.

One of the best clubs in DC.

Great place, don’t miss an evening out here!

I had not been out for a social in quite some time. But, I am overjoyed with the decision to visit Blues Alley and see Grammy Award winner Poncho Sanchez. I had a wonderful time. The table service was great. Our waiter was friendly, efficient and got it all done without fault.Blues Alley is one of the oldest supper clubs in the DC area.Its small and intimate. The crowd is good for the soul.The music is personal.The evening was memorable.Ill be going again soon.Dress casual chic and comfortable, but decent.Treat yourself, soon!

Amazing concert (Frédéric Yonnet & Band). The acoustic was flawless. The best Jazz club experience in DC so far

Great atmosphere really enjoyed Lisa Fisher first time seeing her live.

Who knew places like this still existed? Phenomenal establishment.

It was great. Its the first time Ive been although its been there forever. Its cozy and every seat is a good seat.

Great atmosphere - top food

Small venue but every seat has a good view of the stage. I saw Chelsey Green and the Green Project and they were awesome. Very talented! As a band they performed well but when she played her violin=black girl magic ! And she can sang. Her craft is genuine. Food was good. I had the pork chop dinner but I wasnt a fan of the red beans and rice. Not enough seasoning/flavor for me. And my server Myesha was nice as well. Very attentive and kind.

Intimate venue. Great place to listen to live jazz, and meet the musicians.

Love this place. Good-vibe staff and good vibe times in this intimate venue showcasing some excellent national jazz and blues performers

Cozy with great service. Lisa Fischer is amazing!

This place is a hidden gem in DC. The food is nothing to write home about, but it is acceptable. But the music and the venue itself are always fantastic. Any night out here is memorable.

Great place for live jazz. Food not so great.

Great venue for jazz. Small but intimate setting.

We were packed like sardines in there. I had to not breathe too hard as my stomach may have touched another patron. That was my last time in Blues Alley

Amazing concert. Lots of feels during the concert.

Its a nice, romantic and intimate setting. Good music!