The 11 Best Jazz Clubs in Atlanta

From outdoor shows at the State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park to open mike night at Decatur's Eddie's Attic, Atlanta has a venue for live music enthusiasts, regardless of their favorite genre. And with the city hosting Atlanta Jazz Fest, one of the country's largest of its kind, it's no surprise that jazz music thrives here 365 days a year. From gritty dive bars to upscale listening rooms, here are Atlanta's best jazz clubs.

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Northside Tavern

Exterior of Northside tavern in Atlanta

 Stephen Talkovich / Northside Tavern

Address
1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
Phone +1 404-874-8745

Don't let the looks of this tavern—a rare relic of the Westside's gritty, industrial roots—scare you away. This dive bar is home to some of the city's best live blues and jazz music with the likes of Uncle Sugar and the Breeze Kings playing here. While Northside Tavern presents shows seven nights a week, there's no cover charge on weeknights.

02 of 11

Cafe 290

Address
290 Hilderbrand Dr, Atlanta, GA 30328, USA

You might rub elbows with celebrities like Clint Eastwood while tapping your feet to mainstream, contemporary and funk jazz alike at this iconic jazz club in Sandy Springs. Cover ranges from $10-15, and the popular Big Band Nights, held every other Monday, are worth reserving your table in advance.

03 of 11

Elliott Street Deli and Pub

Drum set on a small corner stage with an american flag painting and a covered stop sign that reads "the 51"

Courtesy of Elliott Street Deli & Pub

Address
51 Elliott St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313-1301, USA
Phone +1 404-523-2174

Located in the historic Castleberry Hill neighborhood right near downtown's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this small neighborhood pub hosts music several nights a week on a variety of stages, including the 51Club downstairs, as well as an outdoor stage and a more intimate patio room. Want to stay close the action? Rent one of three rooms upstairs from the venue at the Elliott Street Inn.

04 of 11

Blind Willie's

Address
828 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306-4507, USA
Phone +1 404-873-2583

Known for its award-winning blues shows in the heart of the charming Virginia-Highland neighborhood, this club named for legendary songwriter Blind Willie McTell hosts its fair share of jazz artists, too. Eat pub-food like wings and gumbo while listening to national and internationally renowned artists, with live shows Tuesday through Sunday weekly.

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05 of 11

Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint

jazz mural in Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

 Courtesy of Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

Address
200 Peachtree St L05, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Phone +1 404-230-5853

A throwback club specializing in soulful food and music, Sweet Georgia's has two locations for jazz lovers: the original downtown location in the former Macy's building and at Concourse C at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, so weary travelers can stop in and hear live music without having to venture into the city.

06 of 11

McKinnon's Louisiane

Address
3209 Maple Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30305-2501, USA
Phone +1 404-237-1313

Get a taste of the Big Easy in Atlanta at McKinnon’s Louisiane. Located in the dining and shopping district of Buckhead the city's oldest operating restaurant features live music Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Indulge in a menu of New Orleans favorites like crawfish étouffée and seafood gumbo while you soak in the sounds of soul and jazz.

07 of 11

Venkman's

Interior of Venkman's in Atlanta. There are dozens of four top tables and a medium sized stage with a curtain behind on on the back wall

Emily Butler Photography

Address
740 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA

Who better to curate shows at a restaurant and bar dedicated to live music than the front men of Atlanta's own Yacht Rock Revue? Visit this Old Fourth Ward gem on Tuesdays for "Jazz Jam." The concerts, hosted by Joe Gransden and his house band, are free, but we recommend calling ahead for reservations to guarantee your listening spot.

08 of 11

Lumen Bar at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta

Address
181 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Phone +1 404-659-0400

Belly up to this sleek bar in the downtown Ritz-Carlton, sip on a signature cocktail and share small plates like fried oysters or flatbread while listening to live music, including jazz, Tuesdays through Saturdays, every week.

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09 of 11

Red Light Cafe

Drum set, speakers and electric and acoustic guitar on a small stage

 Courtesy of Red Light Cafe

Address
553-1 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306-3401, USA
Phone +1 404-874-7828

With seating for just over 100 guests, Red Light provides an intimate listening experience across several genres from folk and the blues to jazz and rock. Its proximity to Midtown's Piedmont Park and the Eastside Beltline Trail makes it easily walkable and accessible for visitors and residents alike.

10 of 11

St. James Live!

Address
3220 Butner Rd #240, Atlanta, GA 30331, USA
Phone +1 404-254-3561

Located just a few miles from Atlanta's airport on the city's Southside, this club feels like an intimate concert hall and features local mainstays and national acts like Grammy award-winning keyboardist Phil Davis as well as "Smooth Jazz Sundays" for fans of the genre. The venue also presents a free "jazz on the lawn" series from May through October on the green at the Battery at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

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The Earl

 The Earl

Address
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316-1900, USA
Phone +1 404-522-3950

Come early for the burger and stay late for the music at this East Atlanta Village mainstay. Listed as one of America's 40 Best Music Venues, the Earl hosts concerts ranging from indie acts like The National and Death Cab for Cutie to blues, rock and of course, jazz.

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The 11 Best Jazz Clubs in Atlanta