The Artists’ Quarter

The Artist’s Quarter closed on January 1^st, 2014 and all of the Twin Cities residents should be in mourning.
It seems like the most magical music-​related places to me have been underground (MJQ in Atlanta, Honey in NE, and the Artist’s Quarter in St. Paul). It was a place where you could show up basically any night of the week and be ENTERTAINED. All caps.
Mostly I went there for their spoken word poetry shows (which have since relocated to Camp Bar since’s AQ’s closing) but I would also come here whenever I wanted to just zone out and sit and listen to whatever was playing there that day.
If these walls could talk, they would not only tell stories, they’d sing songs, play music and speak to the legend that is (not was) the Artist’s Quarter.

The Artists’ Quarter is going to be missed by so many. I sincerely hope someone buys the location and name and opens it up again soon.
This is a small venue in the basement of the Hamm building. It has a dark and intimate atmosphere that just screams jazz club. AQ features some great local musicians but often brings out surprise greats who have talent for a national stage. When there is a cover charge, it’s usually very reasonable ($ 10 for hours of jazz?) and you’re going to get hours of jazz for that price. What a bargain!
This is not a high frills locale. They don’t serve food, there isn’t a significant selection of wine, and it can take a really long time for your drink order to arrive on busy nights. But the music. The music can keep you mesmerized and you won’t be focused on what the club lacks. If you’re prepared, you can even bring food into the club to enjoy during the show and the owner is totally okay with that. Wine and cheese plate? Perfect pairing with the melodic sounds of that saxophone on stage.
It’s been a great run Artists’ Quarter. Please come back someday.

This is the greatest little jazz venue in the Twin Cities. The shows are quality and the atmosphere is perfect for letting go of one’s mind and entering into the world of double time. Perfect!

Great place.
Secret jewel well hidden.

Very cool place. Just wandered in there after finding it on Unilocal!First time in a jazz bar was a cool experience. Music and staff were both very good. Only got 3 stars because no food.

The Artists’ Quarter was one of my first experiences in Downtown St. Paul. I have always been fearful of the parking situation in the city across the way but a friend’s suggestion brought me to the free jazz and open mic night on a Monday. Free parking on the street after 4:30!
The venue is down the stairs when you enter the building. The club is dark, clean, and simply decorated. A great atmosphere for some jazz. The performers were great and I enjoyed the laid back and friendly atmosphere. The bartender was attentive but not bothersome. I used to play jazz so this was a nice Monday night wind down session with great conversation with a friend. We stayed for a bit of the open mic night (2 drink min) but had to start heading back home. They do not serve food at the bar but there are plenty of places close by for that so it wasn’t missed. I would definitely come back.

great location. a few friends and i stopped here to check out a show and it was great!!! this place is a nice dark friendly place. make sure you bring cash if there is a cover. most of the time the ATM upstairs in the great waters are does not work.

Wow! This is what I envisioned what a jazz club should be, subterranean, dark, inexpensive, friendly and true to form real jazz .like in the movies! Nice Atmosphere, A must place to visit for jazz lovers. Highly recommend.

Tuesday’s night before 9 is free. The ambiance is awesome and the music is great. People are friendly.

The real deal. My favorite jazz club. I moved away a few years ago but still try to stop in whenever I am in town. Mostly local musicians, though a few big names stop in now and then. The music and musicianship is fantastic.

The real deal. A dark room with a warm and friendly vibe and solid jazz — low cover charges. No cover for 7:00 PM shows on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays. This legendary jazz club has a world-​wide reputation and almost no one here knows where it is.
No food except for Tacos on Tuesdays..

If you’re a jazz fan and like live music, visit the AQ. A jazz club owned and run by musicians, the Artist’s Quarter showcases a wealth of Twin City artists and a few from places as far away as Seattle and New York. Located in a dark basement of the old Hamm building in St. Paul, it has the look and feel of a 30’s speak-​easy. It’s dark, the chairs are rickety, and all they have is a bar, no food. You can order take-​out from a number of local eateries. Dan, the bartender, keeps copies of their menus and will call your order in if he’s not too busy. Davis, at the door, collects your cover charge which on weekends typically runs $ 10 – 20. If you’re lucky, you’ll be waited on by Jennifer who’s been with the AQ for years. On our last visit we listened to Brian Grivna, a local sax player, who once toured with Buddy Rich. The quartette featured Chris Bates on bass, Bryan Nichols, piano and club manager Kenny Horst on drums. Grivna is a great sax player but we took special note of Chris Bates. He’s a bassist who loves his gig. The guy is smiling and grooving with the other musicians throughout the set. His fingers can be so fast that he sometimes defies the laws of physics. He wears no ring, ladies, but from the way he hugs that standup bass, I’d say he’s married to it and happily at that! We always enjoy a night at the Artist’s Quarter. I hope you’ll try it and have as good a time as we do.

Cory Wong. Tuesday evenings. What a great combination! This is one of Saint Paul’s best secrets. I always find parking, usually street-​parking to be a challenge.

Great atmosphere in this place, friendly staff, and the jazz is fantastic. One of those places you walk by a million times and never check it out, but needs to be seen by more folks out there. High quality live jazz music is wonderful.

This is a great place to unwind after a long day. You get a chance to hear great jazz! I was here to listen to the Tuesday Night band during my stay in MN. They were amazing! They have so much passion for their music. Their facial reactions show it all. They feel the music when they play! Very talented group of people.
The space is great, lots of room to move. It’s not pretentious which I like. It would be great if they offered food but they compensate that with their BYOF (bring your own food) policy.
It’s definitely an underground spot. It’s a great place to take a date. cheap cover too!
I will be back if I am ever in town.

I’ve only been there once. .. . seems like a good place to listen to some jazz.

This is one of my top choices for a date night. It’s dark, the music is sexy, and if you sit at the bar, the service is outstanding. (I’ve only ever sat at the bar, so I don’t know how the waitstaff is.) I don’t know much about jazz, but I feel at home here.

Dark and underground, just like any good jazz club should be!
Great drinks, great jazz.
Even a great place for people who are afraid of going to a jazz club.
I have always felt welcome here.
To ease into it, go on a Monday night (no cover) and listen to some open mic.