Blues Alleysimilar businesses >
1069 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007
Fax: 202-337-7946
(12 Ratings)
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Find this business under: Restaurants-Barbecue, Restaurants, Night Clubs
- Credit Cards Accepted: American Express, Cash, Diners Club, MasterCard, Travelers Check, Visa
Blues Alley is Washington's legendary venue for live jazz -- not blues, as the name suggests. For the past four decades, this Georgetown supper club has been the premier local stop for jazz artists like the late, great Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis (both recorded live albums here), Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson and Nancy Wilson. The atmosphere is intimate, dark and smoky, with exposed brick walls and only about 40 small, round candlelit tables. Make sure to purchase tickets early, as shows tend to sell out. Because of the marquee value of the acts booked here, be prepared for pretty hefty ticket prices.
The crowd is decidedly mixed -- Japanese tourists share the space with hard-core, middle-aged African-American jazz fans and young professional couples. The food is expensive, but good, especially if you like New Orleans Creole cooking. Catch dinner, drinks and an early or late show seven nights a week. Show times are typically 7PM and 10PM, with lighter fare available at the late show. Occasionally there's even a late-late show at midnight on Saturdays. -- Teresa Gionis
12 Ratings and Reviews
Colejag - 08/10/2009- Iluvlutha - 05/18/2008
Phillip Randolph
samtps - 01/15/2005
please book again DR John or Leon Russell 011505
Add CommentRABERRY99's Review
raberry99 - 04/13/2002You really enter through an alley! Have been wanting to go there for many years and finally got there in 2001, not once but twice. The first time for Walter Beasley, the second time for Marcus Johnson. Both were great shows. The only reason I do not give it five stars is because it can get a little close(but then again you have a decent view from anywhere in the room unless you end up behind a pillar). They really pack you in and it is not a very large venue. Also parking can be somewhat of a problem(Georgetown)Do not spend a lot of time on the main drag. At the bottom of the hill to the right there is a parking garage. At the bottom . Other than that no complaints. The food and drinks are very good and the staff is very professional, including the door personnel. But as a lover of music I really appreciate the fact, that unlike some other venues throughout this country, they let you know up front to kept your conversation to a minimum as to not disturb the listening pleasure of others. Show, dinner and drinks for four was about three hundred dollars with tip. Hey Glynnpetti, I think smoking was allowed,but if so, I do not recall the smoke being overbearing, so they must have a decent exhaust system.
Glynnpetti's Review
glynnpetti - 03/17/2002Have always wanted to go and have never been...can someone give me the lowdown on the smoke situation? Sad to say, I'm relative of a jazz legend and haven't been there yet.
barnzy's Review
bbbarnes - 01/21/2000what can i say great atmosphere, great food and the mike stern show was fantastic, my wife didn,t like jazz, but i talked her into going with me, she loved it, she cant wait to come back again!
imantiall - 02/18/2000