Venue Image

Hours

Mon.-Sun. 6PM-12:30AM

Cross Street

M Street

Parking

Limited street parking

Pricing

Show admissions vary

City's Best

Blues Alley   

1069 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-337-4141
www.bluesalley.com

Rating: 4 out of 5  (12 Ratings)   Read Reviews (12)    Rate and Write a Review
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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

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

12 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
By Colejag on 08/10/2009
user image
Review rating 4 out of 5
By Iluvlutha on 05/18/2008
samtps
Review rating 5 out of 5
Phillip Randolph
By samtps on 01/15/2005
please book again DR John or Leon Russell 011505
raberry99
Review rating 4 out of 5
RABERRY99's Review
By raberry99 on 04/13/2002
You 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.
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