Looking for a spot with live jazz for a romantic date or casual outing with friends? Here's a list of bars and small venues in the Seattle area that regularly present live jazz.
This list is all about the listening experience; places that provide a chance to sit back, sip a cocktail and listen intently to a set of tunes from local talent. Many venues are age 21 and over, but not all.
Organized by neighborhood and complete with details on ambiance, food, and cocktail offerings, this list can help you find the best jazz ambiance for your mood and occasion.
Explore the map by region and read the full list below.
Jump to:
- Shoreline
- North Seattle
- Queen Anne
- Downtown Seattle and nearby
- Capitol Hill
- Pioneer Square
- South Seattle
- West Seattle
Shoreline
Aurora Borealis
Situated on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline, Aurora Borealis opened in 2019, bringing more live music – including jazz – to this suburb 20 minutes north of Seattle. Previously the Drift on Inn Roadhouse Casino, the restaurant and event space is now owned by part-time musician Tyler Myers.
Aurora Borealis’ venue, which is downstairs from the street-facing restaurant, is spacious, making it ideal for large ensembles. They frequently host many regional big bands, including high-energy Jazz Police Big Band and Jazz Punishments Big Band — with enough space for dancing. The finals for the Washington Blues Society’s Regional International Blues Challenge will also be held there in July. Shows often ask for a suggested donation.
Website: borealisonaurora.com
Phone: (206) 629-5744
Address: 16708 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133
North City Bistro
Since 2005, North City Bistro has been a go-to spot for live jazz in Shoreline. In November 2022, original owners Ray and Sharon Bloom sold the quaint restaurant and venue to two ex-Canlis chefs, Taylor and Leah Park, who share in the Blooms’ love for jazz and have kept the live performances going. The Parks also ushered in a delightful new menu of shareable plates, entrees, and desserts to complement the music and robust wine offerings that North City Bistro was already known for.
Website: northcitybistro.com
Phone: (206) 365-4447
Address: 1520 NE 177th St, Shoreline, WA 98155
Darrell’s Tavern
Self-described as the spot where “your dad used to drink,” Darrell’s Tavern is a Shoreline mainstay that offers regular live music, including a jazz jam on Sunday at 7 p.m. Just north of N 180th St and Aurora Ave N, the bar offers a classic dive feel, complete with velvet paintings and mid-century décor. They’re big-time lovers of jazz and all other types of music, supporting live local and out-of-town acts “of all flavors” many nights a month.
Website: darrellstavern.com
Phone: (206) 542-6688
Address: 18041 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
North Seattle
Aslan Fremont
Through a partnership with a collective of local jazz musicians called Parallel Jam, Aslan Fremont, a taproom offering food from Local Tide eatery, offers jazz every fourth Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. A core set of musicians show up week to week, but some performers also rotate. Nevan Mitter-Burke, Aslan Brewing Company’s Seattle operations manager, said “it's a great way to support a local business and local musicians while engaging in a fun community building event.” Try some of Aslan’s award-winning organic beers while taking in the free music.
Website: aslanbrewing.com/seattle-fremont
Phone: (206) 338-2332
Address: 401 N 36th St., STE. 102, Seattle, WA 98103
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
This intimate room on Market Street in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood has been supporting local jazz since 2006. Named for club owner Suzanne Weghorst’s grandfather, who was a composer and performer that went by the name "Happy Jack Egan," Egan’s is dedicated to creating a community-driven environment for jazz performance and learning. Even better: Egan’s offers a full menu of eats, including an array of pastries, as well as a wine and cocktails, giving it a supper club feel.
Website: ballardjamhouse.com
Phone: (206) 789-1621
Address: 1707 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
Latona Pub
In North Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood, there’s a quaint, time-honored neighborhood watering hole: Latona Pub. Since 1987, the pub, which serves beer and bites, has put special focus on local brews and local jazz. Dixieland jazzers Boots, Barrie and Murray hosted the Friday jazz nights until about 15 years ago, when bassist and Origin Records artist Phil Sparks took over. Since then, Sparks has brought in a rotating cast of the city’s best musicians to play with him, including trumpeter Thomas Marriott, drummer D'Vonne Lewis, and vibraphonist Susan Pascal. Music starts at 5 p.m.
Website: latonapub.com
Phone: (206) 525-2238
Address: 6423 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Sea Monster Lounge
Located on the main drag of the Wallingford neighborhood, the Sea Monster Lounge offers funk, soul, and jazz music seven nights a week and often goes late. With a low-key stage, quirky, oceanic décor, and lots of nooks and crannies to nestle into, this bar and venue is a great place to take a date or hang out with friends and listen to live music. There’s also a small but solid menu, and an array of distinctive and apropos cocktails, including the “Soul Tonic” and “Funk Fashion.”
Website: seamonsterlounge.com
Phone: (206) 355-4247
Address: 2202 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Queen Anne
The Traveling Goat
The Traveling Goat opened in 2021 in Lower Queen Anne and regularly hosts live music, including jazz. Past performers include the Jeremy Shaskus Trio and the Golden Earrings Duo, performing traditional jazz from the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s. Walking distance from Climate Pledge Arena and Seattle Center, The Traveling Goat offers a varied menu of distinctive cocktails, Asian Fusion cuisine tapas, and a welcoming, neighborhood feel.
Website: travelinggoatseattle.com
Phone: (206) 420-1052
Address: 621 1/2 Queen Anne Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
Downtown Seattle and nearby
ArtLove Salon
The downtown Seattle zero-commission art gallery, ArtLove Salon, is about more than fine art. With a focus on community, they also offer free workshops and events. Every Wednesday, ArtLove Salon does a “Salon Social,” which they describe as an “open gathering” where “art, music and community meet.” Jazz is often the featured music at these weekly Salon Socials.
While Salon Socials often feature a jazz jam session, a rotating trio led by drummer D’Vonne Lewis takes the stage every first Wednesday of the month. Music occurs from 4-7 p.m. Typically, refreshments are provided and shows are free with RSVP on their website.
Website: artlovesalon.org
Address: 110 Union Street, 5th Floor Seattle, WA 98101
The Cove
At this waterside bar and bottle shop in Seattle’s South Lake Union, live jazz is becoming a staple. Since opening in 2025 along the updated Lake Union Piers, The Cove has specialized in local wine and beer and a menu of seasonal small plates, and more recently, they’ve added regular live music.
Several times a month this summer, The Cove will host drummer Nate Wuethrich and his trio from 6-8 p.m. on the picturesque patio, which boasts a view of Lake Union. If you plan to attend, be sure to keep tabs on the schedule — while most of the jazz nights are on Tuesdays, a few land on Monday evenings. The Cove also plans to keep regular live jazz going into fall and winter.
Website: thecoveseattle.com
Phone: (206) 333-4413
Address: 901 Fairview Ave N, Suite C100, Seattle, WA 98109
Hotel Sorrento
The beautiful, landmarked hotel in First Hill, first opened in 1909 and has hosted jazz since its inception. Today, live jazz is regularly offered at their Italian restaurant, STELLA. and The Fireside Room.
This summer, Hotel Sorrento is also putting on “Jazz in Bloom," a 12-part Sunday evening jazz series in the hotel’s gardens. Until Aug. 30, sip one of the hotel’s signature cocktails under the outdoor string lights and catch a variety of regional jazz musicians, like saxophonist Kate Olson, vocalist Adriana Giordano, and drummer and vibraphonist Brian Kirk. Admission is $25 per party, with seating first come, first served. It’s wise to make reservations ahead of time on their website if you want to snag a table.
Website: hotelsorrento.com
Phone: (206) 622-6400
Address: 900 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104
Il Bistro
Italian restaurant Il Bistro is another establishment that’s ideal for a jazz outing. Since 2017, Jacob Zimmerman 3 has played there weekly and even released a 2020 record as a result of the regular gig. Zimmerman, who specializes in pre-1950 swing and jazz music, still plays every Thursday from 8:30-11:30 p.m. On Wednesdays at the same time, catch jazz guitarist Cole Schuster with his group. Music at Il Bistro is free, but grabbing a drink and some food is highly recommended. Regulars recommend their flaming Spanish coffee and the chicken parmesan.
Website: ilbistro.net
Phone: (206) 682-3049
Address: 93A Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Oxbow Bakery
Since 2023, Oxbow Bakery owner Kit Schumann and local trumpeter and educator Ray Larsen have teamed up to consistently present jazz at the bakery. Initially, Oxbow’s "Jazz Happy Hour” from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., was only on Fridays, but they recently added Saturdays, too. In June, Schumann also started up “more mellow” solo and duo live jazz on Thursdays at Fremont’s Sea Wolf Bakery, another bakery he runs with his brother, Jesse Schumann. Upcoming shows at Oxbow include trombonist Naomi Moon Siegel with pianist Wayne Horvitz; Larsen with bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Ted Poor; and much more.
Website: oxbowmontlake.com
Phone: (206) 322-6617
Address: 2307 24th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
The Pink Door
Wanderers in Post Alley often happily stumble upon this local gem, The Pink Door, an Italian American restaurant that offers regular jazz performances several nights a week. Founded in 1981, The Pink Door is aptly named: Its door is a pale pink inspired by tiling in the iconic Duomo in Florence, Italy. Upon entering, you find a warm, and richly decorated and candlelit space, with a small corner stage. It’s a room made for celebrating romantic occasions to the tune of live swing, Brazilian, or contemporary jazz.
Website: thepinkdoor.net
Phone: (206) 443-3241
Address: 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
Provisions
Jon Robinson, the owner of Provisions, a craft cocktail bar and restaurant in Belltown, has the goal of bringing more free live music to the neighborhood. He also wants to expose more people to jazz (which tracks, as he's related to one of KNKX's resident jazz experts Carol Handley).
For just over two years, Provisions has hosted live jazz on Wednesday nights from 8 to 11 p.m. The D’Vonne Lewis Trio performs jazz covers of iconic hip-hop hits, with the goal of bringing more young people into the jazz fold. The no-charge event is even named “Eclectic Relaxation,” in a clever nod to the Tribe Called Quest song “Electric Relaxation.”
While you’re grooving along, try some of the favorites off their menu: crab beignets, cajun shrimp, and their happy hour wagyu steak frites.
Website: provisionsbar.com
Address: 2137 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Zig Zag Café
The Zig Zag Café, a cozy bar and restaurant located along the Pike Street Hillclimb near Pike Place Market, has hosted jazz off and on since 1999. They currently present jazz on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights from 8-10:30 p.m. Take in the vibey space and craft cocktails while listening to local jazz from bands led by saxophonist Hans Teuber, saxophonist Jacob Zimmerman, and accordionist Josh Hou.
Website: zigzagseattle.com
Phone: (206) 625-1146
Address: 1501 Western Ave Ste 202, Seattle, WA 98101
Capitol Hill
Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar
This funky art bar and events space in Capitol Hill, first opened as an art gallery in 2007 and added its bar in 2008. Vermillion was previously home to the Seattle Jazz Fellowship (now in Pioneer Square) and continues to host live music, including jazz groups, a few times a month. The room, which has a modern-industrial feel, is split into a front space for rotating art exhibits and a snug, brick-exposed back bar where music is presented.
Website: vermillionseattle.com
Phone: (206) 709-9797
Address: 1508 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Pioneer Square
84 Yesler
Tucked in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, 84 Yesler is a contemporary seafood and New American restaurant that centers creative, internationally-influenced cuisine. Participating in and elevating Pioneer Square’s arts and music culture is also important to the restaurant, prompting them to present a free admission “Jazz Night” once every couple of months. Regular announcements about their live music schedule, which is frequently updated, can be found on their Instagram and website.
Website: 84-yesler.com
Phone: (206) 624-1111
Address: 84 Yesler Wy, Seattle, WA 98104
Owl N' Thistle Irish Pub
This unassuming pub near Seattle ferry terminal is known for their long-running Tuesday night jam session, which has groomed generations of local players and even attracted notable touring musicians. But, they also feature curated bands and soloists of various styles at other times during the week. While you're taking in the music and the bar's vintage feel, grab a Guinness or some fish and chips. Head's up; they're closed on Wednesdays.
Website: owlnthistle.com
Phone: (206) 621-7777
Address: 808 Post Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle Jazz Fellowship
In 2021, jazz trumpeter Thomas Marriott founded Seattle Jazz Fellowship as a home for local jazz. In 2025, after a couple of temporary venues, the Fellowship moved into an inviting permanent location, with exposed brick, ample seating and red velvet curtains. The Fellowship now hosts live jazz nearly every night of the week, with beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages available. Shows are all-ages and all seats are first come, first serve with a suggested donation.
Website: seattlejazzfellowship.org
Address: 103 S. Main St. Seattle, WA, 98104
Underbelly
Every Tuesday from 9-11 p.m., Underbelly, a cozy, wainscoted basement bar in Pioneer Square, hosts no-cover live jazz. The family-owned and operated space prioritizes hosting new and up-and-coming local musicians and artists, including Brazilian folk singers and goth DJ’s. During jazz nights, rising trombonist Sam Harris leads a band of up-and-comers including bassist Noah Graham, keys player Noah Brown, and drummer Luca Cartner.
“When we opened this bar in 2019 we always felt like it should be full of music and jazz,” said Underbelly owner Rachel Wilcox. “It suits the vibe we were working towards. With red lights and it being an underground space, jazz was the natural choice.”
Website: underbellyofseattle.com
Address: 119 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
South Seattle
The Royal Room
A go-to for live music and events in Columbia City since 2011, The Royal Room was founded by musician and composer Wayne Horvitz and venue proprietors Tia Matthies and Steve Freeborn. With the goal of creating a functional and inviting place to host music, including jazz and improvised music, The Royal Room offers a large stage, grand piano, and superb acoustics. In 2024, Reese Tanimura took over ownership of the venue. She’s beefed up the menu and sustained the eclectic music programming. Jazz, jazz-adjacent, or blues artists typically appear several nights a week.
Website: theroyalroomseattle.com
Phone: (206) 906-9920
Address: 5000 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Tim's Tavern
Once a mainstay of North Seattle's music scene, Tim's Tavern reopened in White Center in April 2023. Owners Matt O'Toole and Mason Reed revived the music vibe and expanded the food offerings, including numerous vegan and gluten-free options. Tim's Tavern hosts live music every day they are open, as many as six nights a week. They book all kinds of music. The tavern’s recent jazz performances featured New Orleans-style jazz pianist and vocalist Monty Banks and saxophonist Sidney Hauser. Tim's Tavern is also dog-friendly, and all ages until 10 p.m.
Website: timslivemusic.com
Phone: (206) 588-2452
Address: 9655 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
West Seattle
The Alley
With a nondescript entrance behind a Vietnamese restaurant in West Seattle, The Alley calls itself "the best kept secret." The space embraces a speakeasy vibe with art deco details, a classic jazz pairing. Catch the Triangular Jazztet on Sundays from 8 - 10 p.m. and the Westside Jazz trio, led by Triangular Jazztet's drummer, on Mondays at the same time. Musicians take a small break each evening, creating a natural transition for patrons to come and go. The Alley offers its full menu of small bites during live music and a regular bartender reports Manhattans and French 75s are the cocktails of choice.
Website: thealleyws.com
Phone: (206) 937-1110
Address: 4509 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116
C&P Coffee
If Latin jazz is your thing, stop into West Seattle’s C&P Coffee on Saturday morning for “Marco de Carvalho and Friends.” This weekly event, led by Brazilian guitarist de Carvalho, turns this cozy West Seattle coffee shop into an intimate Rio de Janeiro music café, or barzinho, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Along with the sensitive guitar stylings of de Carvalho, expect appearances from other talented Seattle musicians, including saxophonist Hans Teuber and percussionist Jeff Busch.
Website: candpcoffee.com
Phone: (206) 933 - 3125
Address: 5612 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98136
How we created this list
In 2023, we put together a list of some of the best small venues — like bars, restaurants, cafes and galleries — in the Seattle area that regularly present live jazz. After noticing a blossoming of bars and restaurants in the area with consistent live jazz, we recently set out to update it.
This update, which features 25 regional restaurants and bars in the Seattle area that regularly present live jazz, is more than twice as long as the original. It's also far from exhaustive.
There are also larger, ticketed venues with jazz headliners like Dmitriou's Jazz Alley and The Triple Door; or spots with weekly jazz jam sessions for professional and hobbyist musicians, if that’s your thing.
What did we miss?
Let us know about other spots that fit this list (small and intimate places with regular jazz) by emailing outreach@knkx.org.
Cara Kuhlman and Abe Beeson contributed to this article.
