The 8 Best Jazz Clubs to Check Out in Miami
Sure, you can expect to hear a ton of Latin music in Miami: everything from salsa to rumba to merengue. Reggaeton fills the streets outside of clubs and bars, and mixed in with blaring rap music and EDM coming from cars with the windows rolled down, driving over the bridge to Miami Beach, Miami is definitely home to a variety of sounds. However, one kind of music you might not expect us to excel at? Jazz. Here are the top eight jazz venues you’ll have to hit while you’re in town.
1. Le Chat Noir
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This hidden gem can be found in downtown Miami, and is the perfect place for a romantic and cozy night of wine, beer, cheese, bread, and other French-inspired eats. Choose your wine and share with friends, or head out for date night. The performance venue offers live jazz in a dimly lit, intimate setting, making it a perfect idea for spending time with your partner.
Le Chat Noir, 2 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130, (305) 377-8899
2. Soyka
Soyka is the perfect mix of romantic, sultry jazz and a laid-back, cozy environment. The restaurant has a menu full of comforting eats, including wood-fired pizzas, meatloaf, braised lamb shank, and lobster ravioli. You can also grab a great drink, like a “From Soya with Love,” which is made with St. Germain, Aperol, Valdo prosecco, and fresh watermelon, or a “Death by Blueberry,” made with Tequila, fresh blueberries, sage, and grapefruit juice. Jazz starts at 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.
3. Lagniappe House
Lagniappe has become a local favorite, and it’s no surprise why. The New Orleans-style wine house offers wines imported from all around the world, as well as a huge selection of beer. It also has a menu of grilled favorites, including skirt steak, BBQ chicken, and roasted veggies, all served with salad and warm toasted bread. If you’re not in the mood for a full-on meal and would like to share some food with a date or some friends, grab a piece of fresh cheese and some meats from the fridge, and the cooks will put together a plate with your selections, toasted bread with jam, and olives for you to enjoy. Nightly music shows can be found here, and jazz takes center stage at 9 p.m. most nights.
4. The Olympia Theater
The Olympia Theater, which dates back to 1926, is a performing arts space in Downtown Miami, and is known for its jazz shows that happen every second Wednesday of the month. Guests are invited to have a drink when doors open at 6 p.m., stay for the jazz that begins at 6:30 p.m., and then enjoy a guided tour of the theater during intermission. The event is free and open to the public, so break out your Sunday’s best and head to the show.
Olympia Theater, 174 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 3313, (305) 374-2444
5. The Corner
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The Corner might not look like much from the outside, but the inside is a warm and welcoming spot with cocktails, small plates to share, and live jazz. Cocktails include “Vieux Carre” made with Bulleit Rye, Hennessy, Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, Creole and Angostura bitters, “Corpse Reviver No. 2” made with Tanqueray Malacca Gin, Cointreau, Lillet, Absinthe, and lemon, and “Beauregard,” made with Titos Vodka, Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette, jasmine, lemon, and lavender bitters. For food, enjoy sandwiches, soups, salads, and small plates like deviled eggs and Argentinian-style empanadas.
6. Churchill’s Pub
This self-proclaimed “sort of English pub,” is typically home to a hipsters and punks alike, and usually spotlights several punk, metal, and hard rock local bands. However, Churchill’s packs up its hardcore image for a softer vibe on Monday nights, when they host a live jazz night. If you’re not a “romantic wine and cheese plate with string lights in the trees,” kinda person, you might want to opt for this jazz night instead, where you can jam to some jazz tunes, have a cheap beer (or two, our four) and shoot some pool with friends or your date.
7. The Globe
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This café and bar hosts Saturday night jazz, and if you’re staying near Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, or West Miami, you won’t have to travel down to the arts district or Downtown Miami for a taste of some great jazz. Located in Coral Gables, this is the perfect place to come and enjoy a French Martini or Old Fashioned, and listen to some Latin jazz music. This is a nice spot to celebrate a birthday or celebration, as part of what makes The Globe special is its lively atmosphere.
The Globe, 377 Alhambra Cir, Coral Gables, FL, 33134, (305) 445-3555
8. Ball & Chain
This infamous lounge and bar on Calle Ocho is home to many live music shows, and Fridays can get really packed. In fact, the whole place is filled with people dancing to Latin beats. But hey, if you’re looking for the place to have a Mojito, Miami Mule, or Cañita cocktail and listen to some jazz performed by a local band playing on the Pineapple Stage out back, then you’ve found your spot. The lounge is very much old-Florida style, and the coolest thing about it is that it’s not strictly a jazz bar. In fact, it’s not strictly anything, and always full of surprises.