A Night of NYC Jazz: Three Clubs, One Evening

New York is still the jazz capital of the world. You can see 15 world-class jazz musicians in one night for under $100 if you plan it right.

**6:00 PM — Happy Hour at Smalls Jazz Club (West Village).** Smalls has no drink minimum for the early evening sets (5:30-7:30 PM) and the cover is $20. It's a basement room with maybe 50 seats and the cream of young NYC jazz musicians playing. Sit at the bar if the tables are full.

**8:00 PM — Dinner break.** Walk a few blocks to Morandi or Corner Bistro for a quick, affordable bite. You want to be back on the street by 9:30.

**10:00 PM — Village Vanguard (7th Ave & 11th St).** The legendary Coltrane club. $40 cover + one drink minimum, second set at 10:30. Reserve in advance on their website; the 10:30 show is easier to get than the 8:30. This is the big one — 90 minutes of elite jazz in a room that matters.

**Midnight — Bar LunÀtico or Zinc Bar for a late set.** Zinc Bar on West 3rd has late shows running until 3 AM on weekends. Free to get in; drinks are cheap. Bar LunÀtico in Bed-Stuy is a longer subway ride but has the best late-night jam sessions in Brooklyn.

**Alternative: Dizzy's Club at Lincoln Center.** If you want a fancier vibe, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Lincoln Center has full dinner service and a wall of windows looking out over Columbus Circle. The late sets (11 PM) are often killer. Cover $35-50.

**Tips:** - Cash helps at all jazz clubs; cards accepted but cash is faster. - Arrive 20-30 minutes before set time for good seats. - Small talk during solos is a major etiquette violation — save your conversation for between songs. - Tip the bartenders; the musicians are watching.