Nice has a reputation for jazz; every July it plays host to the international Jazz Festival. It also has a lively selection of clubs and bars where jazz lovers can hear some great music in smaller confines and on a more regular basis. Some have cover charges, while others have locals jamming until the small hours. Whatever your taste, here’s our selection of the best places to find jazz in town.
The Shapko bar offers up jazz, soul and funk on a nightly basis. Happy Hour starts at 7pm for two hours, then there is usually a jazz group, which plays until midnight. At that point, people arrive for a jam session until closing time. It’s lively and has a lot of energy. Best of all there’s no cover charge!
Opening hours: Every night, 6pm to 2.30am
5 Rue Rossetti, Nice +33 (0)6 15 10 02 52
The B SPOT plays host to live jazz bands in Nice | © rob zand/Flickr
This venue plays jazz, blues and soul music on most evenings (except Mondays and Tuesdays). Happy Hour runs from when it opens at 7pm, until the music starts at 9.30pm, which then goes on until midnight but there’s normally a jam session afterwards until the early hours. The venue is airy and it also serves food (tapas and dinner) – book a table to get a good seat. Prices vary (it’s not always cheap), except for the Sunday jam sessions, which are free.
Opening hours: Wed – Sun, 7pm till late. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Portrait of jazz legend Thelonious Monk| © NCMallory/Flickr
This is a local favourite. The owner Manu is a jazz fan and crams bands into his tiny venue by the railway station. It’s a little rough and ready in its decor and fixtures, but people spill out onto the streets in the summer and the drinks are inexpensive. On Wednesday nights he runs poetry readings and other artistic events.
Opening hours: Saturday nights from 7pm to 10pm for an evening ‘L’apéro Jazz’.
22 rue D’Angleterre, Nice + 33(0)4 93 87 91 55
This is a little place near the Old Port, that plays a lot of blues and rock. It’s small and friendly, with live music at the weekends. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for details, as the programme changes constantly.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 3pm to 12.30am. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
15 rue Auguste Gal, Nice +33 (0)9 52 62 86 60
The Jam bar is worth a mention for their occasional jazz nights. Each night has a different theme (improv, humour or jazz and funk) so check out Facebook for the programme. There is a cover charge at the weekend but it’s not very expensive and it’s pretty central.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm to midnight. Sunday, (6pm to midnight). Closed Mondays.
10 Rue du Commandant Raffali Nice +33 (0)4 82 53 29 29