There are many places to listen to influential jazz musicians in New York; for me, Smoke is high on the list. It has very good acoustics, people pay attention and the sight lines are terrific. I think musicians appreciate this because Smoke attracts the best, and that is what makes a for a great jazz club: the idea that the great players want to play there.
The renovated room is theatrical, well lit, and comfortable. The kitchen is open seven nights a week from 17:30-22:00. The food is good: short ribs served with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes are rich and soulful, like the music.
I appreciate that concept of quality control, from what you hear to what you eat. And, other club goers are respectful, the third component of a great club. Calm ambience, low level of clatter, quiet conversation prior to the show. I find ambient sound in many music joints, no matter what city, to be way out of control.
There’s a Sunday jazz brunch from 11:00 - 16:00; different ambience, different reason for being there.
For an experience straight out of an Edward Hopper painting, consider going late, when you can’t sleep, rainy night, walking the streets of New York early in the morning, checking out the act in Smoke’s room by squinting through the rain spattered windows---it’s open until 03:00.
At 106th Street on the west side of Broadway, just a few blocks north of the 103rd Street station on the 1 Train (Red). Easy to find, across from Mama's Too.
Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
"The Old Print Shop" in New York is my hands-down, hands-on museum/gallery of choice. I love mid-twentieth century 'industrial' or 'city' art...
by
"Sea & Sea " in NYC is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand, busy with customers from near and far...
by
"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...
by
"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'
by
"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...
by
"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...
by
"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...
by
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
by
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
by
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
by
Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
by
There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
by
308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 308 Insider Tips