Where to See Live Jazz in LA
Where to See Live Jazz in LA
There’s more to Los Angeles than the silver screen, it also boasts a world-class music scene. Here’s where to find doo-wopping, toe-tapping jazz bars in and around LA.
Hidden inside an old storage room is not where you’d expect to find the unofficial pioneer of the SoCal cocktail scene, but nonetheless here is The Varnish, tucked away behind Cole's restaurant in DTLA. Award-winning cocktails like the Palma Fizz – a refreshing blend of vodka, lime juice, ginger syrup, rose water and soda – somehow sit comfortably alongside the city’s best garlic fries. Dim-lit, woody environs provide an atmospheric setting for its live jazz lineup, running from Sunday to Wednesday night.
The food can be so-so, but the queen of the jazz scene, Catalina Bar & Grill, undoubtedly attracts the starriest world-class lineup in town, plus emerging local talents for good measure. The space is intimate so book ahead or arrive early, and be prepared for a two-drink minimum charge in addition to admission.
It should come as no great surprise that the acoustics and artist lineup take top billing at Grammy-winning trumpeter Herb Alpert’s jazz supper club, Vibrato Grill Jazz. But that’s not to say the food doesn’t match up: Vibrato only plates up the finest in contemporary American (think, osso buco, yellowtail sashimi). Be sure to book ahead for one of two seatings, six nights of the week. On your way up to Mulholland Drive, swing by the Hollywood Bowl overlook for glittery views of LA.
Jazz greats from Duke Ellington to George Gershwin have graced the stage of historic Royce Hall, UCLA's campus landmark. This twin-towered brick and tile monument, in the Lombard Romanesque style, is worth the schlep for its architecture alone, but the grand 1,800-seat theatre, with recently revamped acoustics, is also host to a roster of jazz names, including Chick Corea in October, Aaron Neville in November, and drummer Jack DeJohnette, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and bassist Matthew Garrison in December.
Loved La La Land? Then you’ll no doubt recognise The Lighthouse Cafe, a vintage red-brick jive joint, just off Hermosa Beach and Pier. Classic diner fare, complete with no-frills presentation, is served until 1am, drinks are refreshingly well priced, and the jazz offering is diverse, with performances every day of the week. No surprises that the jazzy weekend brunch gets particularly packed out.
Catalina Jazz Club / 6725 W Sunset Blvd / Hollywood / +1 323 466 2210 / shows at 8.30pm & 10.30pm Mon-Sat, 7.30pm & 9.30pm Sun; dinner from 7pm Mon-Sat, 6pm Sun / catalinajazzclub.com
The Varnish / 118 E 6th St / Downtown / +1 213 265 7089 / 7pm-2am daily / live jazz: 9pm Sun-Wed / 213hospitality.com
Vibrato Grill Jazz / 2930 Beverly Glen Cir / Beverly Crest / +1 310 474 9400 / 5-10pm Tue-Thu & Sun, 5-11pm Fri-Sat / vibratogrilljazz.com
Royce Hall / 10745 Dickson Ct / UCLA / +1 310 825 2101 / roycehall.org
The Lighthouse Cafe / 30 Pier Ave / Hermosa Beach / +1 310 376 9833 / 5pm-2am Mon-Fri, rel="noopener noreferrer" 11am-2am Sat-Sun / thelighthousecafe.net