Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

At the end of the «Recommended» reviews is a link to the «Non-​Recommended» reviews. Interestingly, they all have much in common. They reflected my true feelings about this venue, except for the service. I was very satisfied with that. I think it is very odd that they were not included. Perhaps this will end up there as well.

Great venue! Food is a little overpriced, but it is what it is. I saw Victor Wooten and he was phenomenal. Went again to see Roy Hargrove and man was it a disappointment. The rhythm section was great, but Roy and his saxophone player were garbage. I’ve been listening to his albums for years and this was not the same Roy. Dude has no chops anymore, no stage presence, and just seems really sickly. I know he’s been having drug problems for years, but I think he really needs to get some help at this point or just call it quits. It’s really sad because he used to be so great. And I don’t know if his sax player was having an off night or what. Dude needs to learn to take a breath in his solos.

The ONLY SPOT for Jazz in the Seattle Area!!!
I have been to Jazz Alley many, many times over the 11 years that I have lived here and I have never had a bad experience here, from the food, drinks or the venues they always deliver.
First the location is great and easy to get too. There are many restaurants in the area if you choose not to eat here. I find the food usually good to very good and I change it up when I visit from going out before the show to just eating at the venue. Service has been good, I have had to wait a few times for checks or drinks, but then again they are usually very busy and I noticed on my last visit they seemed to hire more folks. Just don’t expect White Glove type of treatment.
Second there really is no bad seat in the house. I have sat all over and really cannot complain about the layout of the place or the acoustics. The bathrooms are in the back center so you don’t have to go out of the way to use the bathroom.
Lastly the prices are fair and many times the musicians hang around to sign autographs or just chat. That is something you can never do at any other concerts. I have been to a few other places and I just really enjoy coming here. The layout is nice, parking is easy and they always have a fantastic selection of artists coming through. Check them out if you are into Jazz, I think you will be happy.

Had not been here in 20 years which was too long. This is one of the last places in Seattle that seems to lock in some of the better jazz performers (we saw Dave Grusin & Lee Ritnour). My suggestion is when you buy your tickets reserve a table for dinner too as you will get better seating.
I knew the performance would be great, what surprised me was the dinner, wow! Some of the best Cajun Catfish I ever had and I am very picky when it comes to seafood. Extremely impressed. All in all this was the best $ 200 I had spent in a long time for what we received. We walked out with big smiles on our faces loving life, it doesn’t get better than that.
Native Diner

The music is always great here, but the food is uneven. We started with the Mediterranean appetizer. Are carrots Mediterranean? Because hummus just slides right off if you use them for dipping and apparently salt is a foreign substance here. None of the prepared items in this appetizer had any distinctive flavor. It was just bland.
I ordered the short ribs which was really pot roast it was hot from the oven but topped with cinnamon apples which was a weird combination with bleu cheese polenta that had no bleu cheese flavor in it. The polenta and green beans were barely warm and I would have sent the whole plate back if the pot roast hadn’t been hot.
The blackened catfish was overly spicy for average taste and also served with lukewarm sides too.
The dessert we shared was a bourbon bread pudding with berry sauce. Well that’s what it said on the menu. A better name for it would have been vanilla bread pudding with flavorless purple sauce — best thing about the dessert were the half strawberries on the side.
For what we paid for the food it should have been a hell of a lot better.
The service here is mediocre. No one asked about the food or checks on patrons. I was left with no refill for my beverage until I specifically asked.
Yes it’s a music club, but we arrived early enough that we were served before the show began and there is no reason that staff can’t check on people.
Sadly this may be the only decent music venue downtown because the building housing Tula’s is slated for demolition. Too bad, the food and service there is 100 times better than Jazz Alley.

I am rating this based on the food and service because they REALLY need to work on it. Not only is the food expensive, but it tastes like it is microwaved and cheap. It took about 30 minutes for us to simply get a drink after sitting down and they finally came after we got our appetizer. The waiter was aware how long we waited and apologized, but the drinks were not taken off of the bill. I guess I would expect them to be in this situation — particularly at a higher priced venue.
All in all the atmosphere and the music is great, but the lack of effort put into the food and slow service really took away from the evening.

I love this cherished old hall of Jazz. I read mixed reviews on the food, I’ve never had anything but wonderful meals here. There’s a solid wine list and I love that you can pick your table on line.
The room is intimate so you’re always close to the amazing string of talent that rolls through here. It’s old school, yeah. Would you really want it any other way?

We had dinner and saw Spyro Gyra here recently. I had been there before, but never since I started having to use a wheelchair. The pros: it’s a smaller, intimate venue and there really isn’t a bad seat. The sound was quite good and Spyro Gyra was completely on their game that night. The food was decent — not jawdroppingly great, but nowhere near bad either.
The cons: it’s a small, intimate venue … and they pack a lot of tables in there. The table we had wasn’t listed as a «wheelchair friendly» table, and that was mostly accurate. When my girlfriend went to the front desk to check us in and mentioned that she was with someone in a wheelchair, the disdain and disappointment on the hostess’ face was palpable. Really?
I’ve been at worse places for accessibility, though — our table was quite close to the wheelchair entrance, so getting out of the club at show’s end was easy.
Overall, we had a good time and have already secured tickets to go back in September. (A big up for them: the host came up to me before the show started and apologized, saying that they didn’t know I (in a wheelchair) would be there, they weren’t prepared for it, and gave us our first (and only) round of drinks for free. Classy.)

Great music venue. The ambiance is cosy. You step in and the furniture can tell you that this place has hist. It wasn’t built yesterday.
I’ve been there twice and the musian has been worth it both times. I think this has been one of the places that I label as a jewel of Seattle so far.
They have a variety of events and artists showcased. Definitely worth a shot.

We were here for a Roy Hargrove show and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the venue and dinner. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. We chose fairly close seats to the stage and it was lovely. We read up on recommendations on their website prior to coming and we were glad that we followed the recommendation to arrive an hour early before the show started. This gave us time to relax from our flight, get our drinks, apps and choose our dinner.
We started with a Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Caprese salad with hand-​pressed extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil, topped with a balsamic glaze. It was just okay. We also had an app on special; Clams in a White Wine, Butter and Garlic broth. Delish! A basket of bread with three varieties accompanied our meal. I wasn’t particularly crazy about any of the bread.
For dinner I chose Lamb Chops which I believe was a special as well. Swimming in a demi-​glacé, mashed potatoes and seasonal veg, it was so good. The Lamb was cooked perfectly. My husband chose Blackened Rockfish topped with homemade Cajun sauce, accompanied by seasonal vegetables, and red beans and rice with a side of buttermilk cornbread (Wheat Free). He liked it but I thought mine looked better :-)
We were about in the middle of our dinner when the show started. Perfect timing. We ended with coffee, Southern Pecan Pie, and Chocolate Velvet Underground Cake. Yum.
We would definitely go here again. That night we were so anxious to see Roy that we bought tickets for both shows. In hindsight, we would take a risk and hope the second show would not be sold out, as they announced that any could stay for second show if they wanted for free. Meal offerings change so don’t count on any of what I reviewed to be there… current menu is online.

Do you like Great Music along with Super Food, and Service with Class? You have to take an evening and enjoy Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley. I take in shows and dinner several times a year.
Do Not Miss This Place!

The two stars are just for the artists they’re somehow able to pull in. Maybe it’s their obvious bold name, the artists don’t know where else to book in Seattle. But let me tell you, there’s PLENTY of better venues and I wish the great acts that come to jazz alley would give other places a shot.
Jazz alley is over priced, tacky, and is full of terrible seats that will leave half the audience disappointed they bothered to show up only 30 minutes in advance. They reserve specific seats, but only sometimes. They have a student price, but only sometimes. So expect for any big act they will go ahead and cancel student pricing. So much for promoting the art.
They recently remodeled?! Are they referring to the second level that overhangs and obstructs the sound and view for several of the floor level seats? I guess the high ticket prices weren’t enough, they needed to pack more people in, despite what it might do for the experience of many.
I await the day that artists begin trying some of the other Seattle venues and patrons see jazz alley for what it is, a wannabe jazz club, but which actually has no true appreciation for the art, students, or the audience. They so obviously are just trying to squeeze as much profit out of their reputation as it stands.
It’s a truly telling fact that JA is the only Jazz venue in Seattle that does NOT participate in the annual Earshot Jazz festival, a truly remarkable and genuine organization that i look forward to every year. How a place with the word Jazz in their title does not associate with this is beyond me.

You do not come to Jazz Alley for the food. You come for the music and ambience. BUT– I have been here about ½ dozen times over the last 2 years and I have never had anything better than mediocre food or service. For the price– it’s really sad that I wait for 30 minutes for cold fish. And a weak drink. If they remember to deliver it. Although at least on one visit the waitress seemed genuinely apologetic. I think the kitchen is poorly managed.
That being said, I repeat, you don’t come for the food. Pick a band you love, order the olive plate and prepare to wait. Enjoy the music.

Great place to see a live show! Atmosphere is pretty intimate so most seats have a pretty good view. The service is a bit slow, but that’s standard and what you should expect with live performance services. The pricing for food and drinks are a bit high, but with parking included and a night out in Seattle, it kind of evens out to what you’d expect (as long as you’re not trying to get rip roaring drunk). We went to see the Senate on their second night in town and it was an awesome show! I’ve been here a couple times before and I’m sure I’ll be back again soon! Cheers!

The Wife and I hadn’t been to Jazz Alley since their latest remodel and I must say, it looks stunning! The last time we were there the stage was oddly stuck in the corner but now it is front and center, perfect for catching AWB for the holidays.
Besides an awesome show, we took advantage of the kitchen offerings and other than being a tad on the pricey side I must say that our meal was pretty tasty. We shared a starter of Fried Calamari and it was done perfectly. Nice and tender with a wonderful garlic/​lemon aioli. My entrée were the broiled Lamb Chops which the kitchen gladly substituted Mashed Potatoes instead of roasted red taters. The Wife had the Polenta Cake and pronounced it perfect. For the life of me I can’t remember what dessert was but I do recollect that it was chocolate and perfect.
Considering how many folks they have to serve all at once, our server did a very good job.
My only real complaints, besides being a bit expensive, are that it is very dark and difficult to read the menu, and that the tables and chairs are very, very close together but I understand it is a numbers game.
Seattle is very lucky to have Jazz Alley for A-​list musical acts. I plan to make it back very soon.

How I heard of this place: Some years ago, a friend of mine wanted to see one of his favorite jazz musicians and needed a concert-​companion. I, of course, accepted the invitation! And have never turned down an invitation to Jazz Alley since. This experience, enjoying the music and lyrics of Roy Hargrove and his quintet, was no exception to the rule that Jazz Alley always come through… and exceeds your standard of music, atmosphere and food.
Type of cuisine: «Our menu features Northwest cuisine, and we strive to support local organic farmers, fishermen, and food producers. We use non-​GMO ingredients as much as possible. We are also keenly aware of dietary restrictions and food allergies, and therefore have included vegetarian, gluten-​free, and non-​dairy items on our menu.
Though cocktail reservations are gratefully accepted, we do make every effort to give preferential seating to our dinner customers. If you choose to dine with us, we recommend that you plan on arriving an hour to an hour and a half before show time. Though we are happy to serve you at the time of show, our customers generally agree that an earlier arrival ensures that their attention can be better directed toward the music.
Reservations are recommended for both dinner and cocktails.»
Ambiance: «Jazz Alley is a fixture of the Seattle live music and dining scene, family owned and operated since 1979.» The intimate setting of this small club keeps patrons not more than fifty feet from any on-​stage performer. Elegant and spacious with an air of intimacy and cozy comfort, Jazz Alley truly is the premier among jazz outlets in the world.
What I ordered: To start, the four of us — long-​time and brand-​new Roy Hargrove fans — shared the Mediterranean Meze ($ 13): a trio of tzatziki, artichoke spread, and hummus served with slices of warm pita and mandolin-​sliced vegetables. Between the two couples, we also ordered two of the Side of Wilted Greens ($ 5.50) sautéed in olive oil, lemon and garlic, with cherry tomatoes. Having perused the menu prior to our arrival, and upon the glowing recommendation of our server, I selected the Seafood Gumbo ($ 28.50) for dinner. A deep plate of assorted seafood, including bay shrimp, calamari, clams, Andouille sausage and okra, topped with a wild rice pilaf dome and a side of buttermilk cornbread. My husband and one of our Brazilian companions selected the Omaha Natural New York Steak ($ 34 each): an herb-​rubbed 10oz steak grilled, served with brandied green peppercorn sauce, fried onion rings, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The fourth in our party, the second Brazilian and fellow jazz-​lover, enjoyed the hearty (also recommended by our server) Rigatoni Bolognese ($ 26.50): simmered beef and pork with onions, carrots and italian seasonings tossed in a rich red house sauce, topped with freshly grated Parmesan.
On a return visit, Sunday, 24 August 2014: Back for a stunningly beautiful performance by Jane Monheit with a collection of Judy Garland’s songs, we were pleased to indulge tastebuds once again with Blackened Rockfish ($ 28.50) topped with a house-​made Cajun sauce, accompanied by seasonal vegetables, red beans and rice with a side of buttermilk cornbread, and Broiled Lamb Chops ($ 36.50) cut from the rack, marinated in herbs and spices, served with a trio of roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
What I loved: The steak. My husband always knows what to order! The artichoke spread, too, peaked the interest of the two women… as we nearly licked the serving dish clean.
Why I loved it: Not only is every seat a prime one, the ability to see the wrinkles on the faces of the performers, the sweat dripping down their brows and the amused smiles shared between musicians makes for a truly memorable and enjoyable evening out. That, combined with the friendly and respectful staff, the mood created by the candlelit-​seeming space and stage focused spotlights on the talent and stylings of some of the most recognized and respected jazz musicians the world has ever known, not to mention the abundance of local and organic food available to order makes for the perfect evening out.
Cost: High ($ 23.50 — $ 34 per dinner entrée)

A delightfully quaint music venue. Purchased our Diane Schurr tickets online and was able to make dinner reservations and select our table. Lucky for us, we got the best seat in the house! Tix were $ 70 for 2 people and the dinner came to $ 120 with 20% tip. This included wine and cocktails. Garage parking 1 block off site was included. I was pleasantly impressed by the meal. Kid friendly establishment for the well-​behaved Jazz enthusiasts. My 5-​year-​old was expecting Betty Carter to make an appearance but Diane Schurr did not disappoint.

Absolutely awesome.
To watch someone sing while you dine on your food was great.
I’m not going to grade much on the food as I did go with the special and the special was just not cooked right. The steak was god aweful.
I did enjoy the appetizer and entertainment though.
I would have loved for the seats to be rearranged after dinner as my position was awkward right up next to the stage looking up nostrils.
I liked the experience and I do recommend you go at least once in your life.

I came here back in January to see Amel Larrieux. If you don’t know who that is but you remember the female singer from Grove Theory, that’s Amel Larrieux! I had been wanting to see her for years and missed her the last time she was in town. I’ve always been a fan since the Grove Theory days to her solo career. She put on a great show and brought back «Tell Me» as her finishing song. Love her!
Jazz Alley itself was pretty cool. For some reason I thought it was a bigger venue but I was wrong. You sit pretty close to your neighbor’s) and can listen in on their conversations. You better hope your neighbor doesn’t have a big head because that can cause problems of blocking your view. I thankfully didn’t have that problem but the neighbors to my right were struggling. Better them than us. Lights are dimmed down a bit to give you that intimate feeling.
Our table ordered the Calamari, Blackened Rockfish and the Mediterranean Lamb Curry. All 3 dishes were pretty good. Nothing to write something over the top about but they were good and very filling. We had 2 cocktails and ended up ordering a bottle of wine. Meals and drinks aren’t cheap so keep that in mind but I like to think that my table paid for some good entertainment.
I’ll be back in June to catch Afro Cuban All-​Stars.

Intimate setting, live jazz music, dinner by candlelight, a bottle of wine, and a handsome date. Nothing epitomizes a romantic Seattle date venue like Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.
We arrived and were immediately seated at a cozy table directly behind the piano player. Our request for the table to be moved to a slightly more advantageous view was quickly accommodated. While waiting for the show to begin, we ordered a bottle of wine and as an appetizer, our waiter suggested the Mediterranean Meze — tzatziki, artichoke spread, hummus served with pita.
During the show, my date enjoyed the Alaskan Ling Cod covered with a buttery sauce and shrimp, served with roasted potatoes, carrots and broccolini. For my entrée, I chose the Blackened Rockfish with shrimp creole sauce, accompanied by wilted greens, red beans and rice as well as cornbread. The fish was fabulously tender and the sauce is paired perfectly with this dish, the cornbread brought it all together.
For dessert, we shared the triple chocolate cake, absolutely decadent. With each and every luscious bite, I enjoyed the moist chocolate richness, a delicate chocolate frosting and a crisp, surprisingly thick chocolate glaze. Devine.
The show was fantastic, Amel Larrieux performed and her daughter, Sky joined her as a session player. Check the calendar to see the lineup, each artist only plays a few days.
Had the sound system been flawless, this venue would receive five stars. The issues, during what was otherwise a spellbinding show, were distracting.