Let's be honest. You're not really coming here for the food. The service is probably only important when your drink is empty. You're probably here because for some reason Pat Martino will stop here when he's on tour. Or many other artists. Coming from New York, and having had gone to school for music, I appreciate jazz every so often. And I'm impressed by Indy's appreciation for the art too. However, Yelp is not for concert reviews. It's for the restaurant. That being said, I'm going to continue by writing about the things you're not really going here for. The food - what can I say? The menu is not very diverse. There are only about 5 entrees, and 2 of them are a variation of each other. There isn't much else. What I can say is that the dishes they offer are done well. I've been here twice, once by myself, the second time with a group of about 20 for work. The first time I went for the porkchop. The second time I went for the filet. Both times the food was great.
(4)
Beth C.
Hmm... Well... Ahhh... Hmm... My review is based solely on Tuesday's "New Orleans Night" experience. I did not venture inside, though after the boyfriend used the restroom (nice and clean he said!), he said "it is very ritzy in there." Take that as you will. I loved the outdoor deck and patio. Upon arrival, there were no seats on the deck so we opted for the patio. The hostess did come around later and ask if we would like to move to the deck since a table had opened. I found that to be a nice gesture. Music and band were awesome. Sun King reps were there passing out stickers and beads and I did get a free koozie as I ordered a light and delicious Cream Ale. Now then, the menu. The online menu states that they have "inventive vegetarian creations," yet there are only three vegetarian items on the menu: an appetizer, a salad, and the eggplant tower. Disappointing. The menu alone would be a good reason for me not to return to The Jazz Kitchen. As a vegetarian I eat much more than just salads and if you claim to have an inventive menu then for Pete's sake live up to the phrase! In any case, the Strawberry Spinach salad is very good if not a bit pricey. Service was a bit slow but I wasn't in a rush so it didn't bother me much, especially since everyone was very friendly! If I should ever return to The Jazz Kitchen, I would likely just stop off for a beverage and to enjoy the tunes on the deck/patio for a bit.
(3)
Susan L.
Food is excellent! Menu offers a nice variety. Portions are perfect. Price is reasonable. Atmosphere is nice and fits for a casual jazz cafe. A great venue to see your favorite artist. Would definitely visit again!!! Crab cakes and not-so-Cajun shrimp were yummy!!!!
(5)
Anthony S.
The Jazz Kitchen has been somewhat of a tradition for me the last couple of weeks. There's not many places out there quite like it. They really make going out to eat an experience. The menu is unique, the food is delicious and plentiful, the server remembered us from the previous week, she was extremely friendly, and the music is great. On Mondays before 8 they have a really great deal. They have three special entrees for 8 dollars each and there's typically no cover to get in the door. I've only been there on Mondays so I don't know what the rest of the week is like but The Jazz Kitchen is just a great place to hang out. Each time I've been I've had a really enjoyable time. Now just a word of advice... If there is a band playing generally talking should be kept at a minimum or low enough so that it won't be distracting to anyone else there to listen. It's just good manners and respectful to the musicians. However in the back of the restaurant on the other side of the bar there is an area that seems like it'd be good for a conversation. Great place! Go and have fun!!
(5)
spoken k.
I was in attendance last night 30.00 dollar ticket for not quite a hour show Jeff Lober fusion he was good! It's okay for jazz entertainment and 1/2 full 8.00 glass of wine,and maybe an appetizer! I wouldn't eat a full course meal there. I do like the small intimate venue. I like being up close as opposed to a large concert... jazz musicians do as well because most couldn't pack a stadium. You would think after all these years..I've only been here 7 but the JK has been here 20 yrs they would get rid of that smelly old musty carpet! update and upgrade a little. It's amazing what a little paint and ripping up carpet can do! Here's a suggestion get the JK crew to do it and on a budget at home goods! The place is so small it would take a couple weekdays to get it done! it could be done by weekend. I know it cost money but it doesn't have to break the bank! but if it were mine I'd kick it up a notch. Gotta be a fly on the ladies bathroom wall... the tales that are told.
(3)
Curt C.
The Jazz Kitchen is such a great resource -- functioning as local neighborhood jazz club as well as showcase for national touring acts of the highest quality. I love going there on a low-key Monday for their dinner specials taking in a set of low-key, quality local jazz. But I've also seen such amazing acts as John Scofield, The Bad Plus, Tuck and Patti, Ray Brown, Joey DeFrancesco, Cal Collins, Pat Martino, Harry Connick Jr., Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, etc. The food is steady, the staff is incredibly friendly. David Allee the owner is almost always around and chatting with guests. The place is a gem.
(5)
Matt K.
My wife and I held our rehearsal dinner here for our wedding in May 2009. The food was great; we had a buffet. We had the newly renovated private room in the back past the bar. The live music was not a factor for us (which could be good or bad depending on your event). The catering manager was easy to work with and our guests raved about the evening. Consider it for your next event!
(4)
Lindsey S.
I'm a sucker for live music and admission is FREE on Monday nights. I'd definitely recommend The Jazz Kitchen to anyone that appreciates music. The food was good, the atmosphere was great and the entertainment was even better. It was a little loud (obviously), but other than that it was a delightful experience. Can't wait to go back during the holiday season to hear Christmas music on a cold winter evening!
(4)
Todd R.
The food here is fantastic. I got some samples of appetizers (didn't know what they were but they were good) and saw a couple of things that people had ordered (like a fabulous jumbo shrimp Caesar.) The atmosphere is like nothing else in Indianapolis. The drinks are fine, but the actual bar/lounge area is definitely where it's at! It has this whole other laid back cool vibe that you only see on TV here in Indiana. It's out of site location from the stage gives it an intimacy even though this is a pretty good sized jazz club. It seems like this place would be quite a place in New Orleans, but in Indiana this is a Hoosier Renaissance Man's paradise. All you need here is to get some slinky ladies to go along with the scruffy bearded guys and you'll have some "vibin" goin on fo' sho' I will be back and it seems like the prime place for a UYE very soon! Hmmm....
(5)
Kenneth H.
I had a blast at this establishment, way to go ,great people and wonderful service!
(5)
TOMMY o.
No Talking, Turn Cell Phones Off?? Bizarre Rules, is it high school again? i don't want to go that far back in time....i'm glad we sat in the bar without enough tables, we could talk & check our phones, the appetizer sample was good, as was the food, but not really worth the money (plus $10 cover, For What?) plus $1 per person credit card charge BS i Doubt if i'll ever wander back they did make a stiff drink, i needed ONE! the other optional is outside on the deck, you could see the band & hear through a window but also the street & smoke out there as well
(2)
Brad K.
What a great joint. Went down on Tuesday night to see the swing band, which was pretty good. They didn't blow my doors off, but the entire experience -- the people dancing, the 10-piece band -- was definitely worth it. The food was surprisingly good too. We started with the Brie + fruit (definitely do that), then split a pizza (about average) and ended with the brownie explosion (good, but tasted boxed). We never ever saw the cool little lounge area in the back where the bar was (nor did we notice the outdoor seating - although who goes to a jazz bar and sits outside where you can't really hear anything? Dorks, that's who.). This is a keeper place. Oh, and it's pretty casual. Don't feel the need to get snazzy even though it's jazzy. Yeah, I just wrote that. Deal with it.
(4)
Daryl M.
JK can't seem to get it right. I thought their genre was jazz. Every time I come I get a mix of everything else. What's wrong there's not enough jazz musicians in the midwest?
(2)
L. D.
I had a very nice dinner and show at the Jazz Kitchen. I would be a regular here if I lived in Indy. My only compliant is that my mojito was blah ! Dinner on the other hand was great !! Eggplant Tower - grilled eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, goat cheese, caramelized onions, red bell peppers, asparagus, baby spinach, basil pesto & parmesan cheese $16. White Chocolate, Blueberry Bread Pudding with bourbon-infused caramel sauce $5. This was the best bread pudding I have had in a LONG time !!
(4)
Bob H.
Where else are you going to get Carnegie Deli cheesecake flown in from the source?!!! Fantastic red wine reduction sauce w/ raspberries.. we only stopped for a late evening dessert. Very glad we did. Ate on the deck. Good server - freely offered to make a fresh pot of decaf - at $3/cup no wonder but no fault either. All good!
(4)
Brenton A.
Love the jazz kitchen. Too expensive for me normally, but totally worth it for Chow-Down midtown. Theres nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, so I'll just leave it at that.
(5)
Sarah S.
It doesn't take much to turn me off to a bar, but I like this one. While I'm not much of a jazz fan, I do have to say that good acts come through here. It's not entirely limited to jazz, either: I saw a fairly good local salsa band in here one time. The maroon-ish walls and bar gleaming from the back create a sultry ambiance, and there's room to dance up front by the stage. I only had dessert here, but what I had was really good--some of kind of poached-pear-and-ice-cream dish. Mmm. The staff is very friendly here as well. When I was moving over the summer, they let me come and pick up probably 30 empty beer boxes. Sweet! The Jazz Kitchen definitely does things right. Due to some bad experiences in my past, I don't really set foot in many jazz establishments in Indy, but I'll make an exception for this one due to their good food, nice waiters and pleasant atmosphere.
(4)
Yvonne M.
Thursday night- salsa dancing, awesome lively music and for a second I thought I was on vacation. The food was great too. I ordered the Not-so Cajun chicken pasta that which has oven roasted chicken with garlic in it. I can't really tell how it looks like since it's pretty dark in there, but I'm certain it's delicious!
(4)
Mak J.
I have been here twice now so I feel like I can give this place a fair review. I think "yay! I'm a fan" pretty much sums it up, but both times I went I was a teensy bit uncertain at first. The first time I went was with a group of lady friends for dinner during Latin Dance Nights on Thursdays. We made a reservation ahead of time asking to be sat in the bar so as to have conversation without disturbing or being disturbed by the party goers. We were going to be running about fifteen minutes behind, and as a restaurant employee myself, I was sure to call and inform them of this. I received a rude/un-accomodating response that was immediately off-putting, but once we got there I realized they didn't note we wanted to be in the bar and the problem was resolved. Our group split several things including the appetizer sampler and the paella which is half price on Thursdays. I can't remember everything we got because margaritas are also discounted on Thursdays and I had several, but I know those two items were superb. Sitting in the bar was perfect, we were able to enjoy the ambiance of Latin Dance Night but still eat and have comfortable conversation. I went again this last Monday with the old man and his original old woman (his ma) for the $8 meals before 8 pm special. Too be fair, it was like 5 o'clock, but the place was dead. We were apprehensive to say the least, until we heard our options for the special. They were offering fish and chips with a cajun dipping sauce, Brazilian beef in a tomato gravy and roasted potatoes, and breaded chicken breasts with a honey mustard glaze and veggies. I am normally a fish and chips fiend but I had eaten that a day before at O'Charley's with my grandma, so I opted for the Brazillian beef as did the old man, and his ma got the chicken. We were all thoroughly pleased. The portions were considerable (such a deal for $8 - they even gave his mom two chicken breasts) and the bread was also awesome. Plus we were all pleased with their cocktail selection: a mojito for me, a Pinot Grig for her, and an IPA for him - perfect. And the place was full as we were by the time we left.
(4)
Donna D.
The Jazz Kitchen is an Indianapolis favorite for me! I remember enjoying the sultry and sweet sounds of Mary Moss and the deep baritone of Everett Greene for the first time here. Their cuisine rivals the best and the service has always been unobtrusive and quality. Being a lover of swing and big band selections, The Jazz Kitchen has satisfied my itch for great live shows. It is a great place for a date and I hope to enjoy some in the very near future!
(5)
Jennifer L.
Great live jazz acts, great mixed drinks. There's decent food, too, which you'd do best to sample during their "8 before 8" promo on Mondays. Eight dishes for $8. I don't know how to describe their cuisine other than "ethnic"--hummus, Jamaican patties and taquitos de speed all rub shoulders on their appetizer menu. Some pretty good jazz acts pass through this dark, intimate venue. It can get a bit crowded, but it helps that the drinks are usually expertly mixed. I've never tried a better hurricane than the one I was served at The Jazz Kitchen's Mardi Gras party.
(4)
rob k.
Here's the Rub:For the Music Lover of Jazz.....its hit or miss! Not so much the artists BUT the very noisy crowd who parks their tails down and Y-A-P-S non-stop thru out since THEY ARE NOT there to see/hear the music! Too bad people dont know how to pay attention to music and interfere with those who have come to the JK to listen Saw the The Splinter Group a few weeks back.....mebbes a total of 5 folks were there! Well the TRUE music listeners! But the place shut down at 10:30 and so did the music! OUCH! Too bad more emphasis isnt place on the music and MUCH MUCH less on the 'foodie' aspect....taint there other delictable joints around there/or Broad Ripple so ya can bring those 'interesting conversations' out and about there....yep fun things to talk about when there is nothing to say!
(2)
Rod R.
Ladies, if you need to go to the john, expect a loooong wait. This place is not customer friendly. Food is basic stuff at high prices. Owner is clearly basking in the sun of ignorant clients. A typical American ripoff joint. Too bad, because the idea is good. A quality business is more than a good idea, however.
(2)
Rhonda H.
Loved this place!!!! Great food and super jazz group Marlin McKay quintet !!! Butter for your ears !!!
(5)
J A.
Good ambiance and drinks, haven't eaten here in over 12 yrs. I've heard the food has much improved. Latin night us always fun.
(3)
Virginia L.
The high class place for jazz. Very nice venue and set up for dinner and/or dancing - oh and drinking too.
(4)
CN D.
I'm a fan. Good food, great crowd, wonderful music. They host quite a few events here in the city which I think is spectacular. I'm sure they help with the Indy Jazz Fest and they just had a Labor Day free event this weekend which was pretty fantastic (although a bit crowded). Everyone should check it out. I think you would have a hard time finding a reason not to like.
(4)
Ryan H.
Owner Dave Allee has consistently brought incredible jazz acts through this lounge-restaurant combo. One of the only places in Indy where one can catch a true jazz act, especially one that is on the national level (e.g. John Scofield, Charlie Hunter). Wednesday nights regularly offers Rob Dixon, probably the best saxophonist in the city, and certainly one of the most prolific. Each week, he plays during the dinner hours and has special guests joining him regularly. Also in the regular lineup is local, neo-soul favorite, Cynthia Layne, who coincidentally, has Rob Dixon in her regular lineup. The weekends usually features a great show from the national scene, but often times local acts grace the stage for weekends. A great restaurant with a stellar 'ethnic-focused' menu (awesome crab cakes!), and also a really cool bar that invites you to sit and enjoy the music while you sip your cocktail. They have even featured hip hop and other soulful shows outside of the jazz genre over the years, for example, the long-running Thursday night Salsa night. It's best to check their calendar online to see what's coming, and you can even do a drive-by along College Ave to see the marquis to find out what's up for the current week.
(4)
Anne T.
Stopped by for Latin Night while in town for Spring Break. We made dinner reservations before the free dance lesson and to ensure we had a good table for the night. I had the glazed pork chop and my cousin had a burger. Both were prepared well and tastefully presented. My only complaint is that for $16, I expect a pork chop that is at least the size of my palm and trimmed appropriately. The chop I was served met neither of these expectations. The asparagus and mashed potatoes were flavorful and cooked perfectly. The bar makes a mean Mojito and Caipirinha.
(4)
Nikono K.
Great place. Pricey, but worth it. Great mix drinks & awesome dancing!
(4)
Elizabeth F.
As a Broad Ripple resident since, well, birth, I've driven by the Jazz Kitchen for some 30 years -- yet only recently ventured in. I have to admit it -- the place intimidated me. Was it a restaurant? A bar? A concert hall? Is it dressy or casual? Why do I have to pay for a ticket to get in if I want dinner? I'm glad I got over my confusion and gave it a whirl -- this place is an under appreciated gem (at least with those in my age bracket). I went on a second date there over the winter. It was crazily romantic -- listening to live jazz in a dimly lit space at a candlelight table while it snowed outside was almost too perfect to bear. Yes, the Jazz Kitchen is a restaurant. Yes, it's a concert hall for jazz and blues. Yes, it's also a bar. (Oh, and you'll look like you belong whether you're in a fancy dress or jeans and a blouse.) That's the great thing about it; whether you're in the mood to sit down to a full meal, listen to some great music or saddle up to the bar for a beer, you've come to the right place. The date didn't work, but I won't hold that against the Jazz Kitchen -- if this place can't spark romance between a couple, no place can. (Note: This isn't the place to go and chat loudly with friends, treating the live jazz as background music. They expect you to shut up and listen here -- there are even signs on the tables reminding you to be quiet during performances -- which is fine by me. The music is worth your attention.)
(4)
Andy H.
Had an amazing time here! The service was great, the food hit the spot, and Goldie & Exquisitely yours KILLED the performance!
(5)
Jay A.
Ambiance is perfect. Food has always been 4+ stars. Staff is friendly, checking on you frequently. The Music,...some of the best Jazz you'll find in the Midwest. Fareed Haque, Scott Pazera, Frank Locrasto, and Tommy Crane were there while i dined. Amazing group of musicians! If you're near, do yourself a favor and stop at the Kitchen. I had a cajun pasta dish that was great, and North Coast Brewing's Brother Thelonius(a little pricey, but expected for beer of this quality)... If you're a fan of jazz, great food and service, you have found your place.
(5)
Mark W.
Very nice, went on Friday night for a hip hop show of the Mud Kids. Nice crowd, will go back for a jazz show
(3)
Bucky K.
No matter what night of the week, you will always find fantastic jazz here. This is a legendary mainstay of the Indianapolis music scene. They expanded the dining area a few years back and it opened up the space a great deal. We've never had a bad meal here and have always walked out whistlin' a tune.
(4)
Candace B.
Absolutely one of my favorite places to dine in Indy. Classic menu with pastas, burgers, salads, etc. What pulls you in is the ambiance and the live must. Plates range from 10-25 bucks and are always filling. Parking isn't great, so beware. Bartenders are pretty snazzy and make a great Martini. Grab some pals and go!!
Sometimes I feel like an angry vegetarian here on Yelp, and I don't mean to be self-righteous or proselytizing. But it's definitely true that whatever I'm able to eat will color my experience of the rest of the menu, and that's definitely true of the Jazz Kitchen. The Jazz part of this restaurant is absolutely phenomenal. We have too few high-quality live music venues in town where you can regularly count on a solid show. The Jazz Kitchen is on par with Union 50 and a step up from the Chatterbox, in my experience, and I'm always a fan of the performances. They also bring in the variety, with salsa dancing nights, poetry performances, and loads of genres outside of strict jazz, making it a generally good concert venue overall. It's the Kitchen part that I gripe with, especially with the spending minimum most nights. If I have to spend $15 on food, I need to be able to eat something substantial. I saw exactly two options on the menu: a strawberry salad, and an "eggplant tower," which was basically a grilled salad. They are decent enough menu options, but neither of these is exciting enough to keep me coming back around mealtime unless the show is worth $15 on its own. Just one hearty vegetarian entree that I could actually look forward to would be enough to change it up for me on those. Hopefully that's on its way soon.
(3)
Ntianu S.
The Jazz Kitchen is another local gem that I have the pleasure of visiting fairly frequently. The facility itself is nice. The low lights, intimate seating, and vibrant musically themed art work helps create the perfect atmosphere. I appreciate the diversity in shows they offer spotlighting national and local artist as well as truly musically diverse events. Tonight I attended A Tribute to Love w/ Bashiri Asad and Joyce Licorish. Such a wonderful and soulful show! Indy has such incredible artist. Next week I will be there for Old Soul Entertainment's annual J. Dilla party, which is an AMAZING celebration honoring a legendary hip-hop producer. The week after that I hope to check out the Brazilian Carnivale or Mardi Gras celebration! So as you can see the Jazz Kitchen offers an array of events, so everyone is guaranteed to find something to enjoy or new to explore. The food is consistently good. Tonight, I had my favorite appetizer, the Taquitos. The staff is fairly friendly. My only complaint is inconsistency with service. I couldn't imagine how difficult it might be to wait on people during an actual performance, but sometimes the staff is on it or like tonight I guess they were slammed so it took close to 45 minutes just to get our appetizers. Geez Louise! Irregardless, I'm definitely a fan, and I will continue to go back and support this incredible establishment. Do yourself a favor and join the e-mail list and/or go to their website and check out upcoming events. You are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience!
(5)
Stephen F.
Awesome. The ambiance is excellent. They get some of the best jazz musicians in the country to come here. The food is decent but not great. The crab cakes could definitely be better. Their hamburgers are always very good. Sure beats the regular dinner and a movie.
(5)
Jemmie W.
The live music is great and the ambiance is beyond reproach. What is surprising is that the food is actually pretty good as well. I expected the food to be garbage because, for some/many events, there is a spending minimum. So if there's a spending minimum, some places serve turd sandwiches with extra ketchup to mask the flavor. Not The Jazz Kitchen.
(4)
Jennifer S.
3/20/15 10pm set w/ Alex Bugnon What a show what a show!!! I can't say how much I love the vibe of the Jazz kitchen, especially during the last show....It's just my favorite place in Indy because they ALWAYS bring in great acts!!
(5)
Allison F.
1/2 priced paella on Thursdays...it lasted for days. Can't wait to come back and try the pork chop!
This was my first time here and it was for the ICON/club part of the night. I was 30 minutes early so I got to see the end of the jazz portion. Seemed like great music that I probably would have enjoyed for a whole show. The setup is great, plenty of seats and not crowded. The drinks were average, typical bar drink with not as much liquor as you want or need. All the staff was great, very friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely come back here for another event.
(4)
Gelone B.
The patio is open and the margaritas are flowing and celebrations of the Jazz Kitchen's 21st Birthday and David Dreyer's Birthday!
(5)
Emily S.
Went Jazz Kitchen for thursday Latin night. I missed the free lessons at 8:30 because I overestimated my parallel parking ability and parked several blocks away. I had one of the best times I've ever had at any club. Patrons, staff, DJ, space, environment were all A+. I wish the Latin nights were offered on a Friday or Saturday occasionally so I could stay later! I'll definitely be back for Latin night and to check out one of the Jazz performances. The drink prices were typical for a club I felt. I had three well drinks and a bottle of water and it came to $17 before tip.
(5)
Jay F.
Was there for Cole Porter night. It was a friendly crowd and fun event. The talent was mixed, with the early singers much weaker than the two great closing divas. From purely a fun musical night, I would still give it 5 stars overall. The issue was the food and food service. The latter was shambles and unbearably slow, while the food quality was, shall we say, uneven. Would I go back? Yes, but I would eat beforehand elsewhere.
(4)
Dara F.
I decided to stop here after an event & have dinner since I am sans kids today. I'm having crabcakes!!!!! There are two pianists playing right now & I am LOVING it!!!
(5)
Jillian B.
came to the jazz kitchen for Latin night and chow down midtown. the food was delicious. the free lessons were very helpful. the ambiance was romantic, and service was great. excellent place for a date night
(4)
Rick G.
Good food, good service, and a nice mix of entertainment....it's not ALWAYS jazz. (But it usually is). I love the atmosphere. Personally, I think the food is a little pricey, BUT....they do have world class entertainment, so that makes up for it. If we're looking for a little classier night out, this is the place.
(4)
Steve E.
Stumbled across this place on the internet while planning a short trip to Indianapolis. Looked like a neat place to try. The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra was playing on 3/18. WOW!!!! Those guys are GOOD!! Had an absolutely great time. Service from Jasmine was good. She was very attentive. Food was quite tasty and served in what seemed to be an appropriate time frame. If we get back to Indianapolis we will definitely be retuning!
(4)
Patrick T.
This place gets 3 stars for supporting jazz. The food is decent. Drinks are pretty good. Overall it's expensive, but I guess you're paying to seem classy. The shows are no talking which I understand, but the music isn't always amazing. I definitely wouldn't pay cover to see some of the bands they feature...
(3)
Megan O.
It was a tasty experience, even if I don't think I'll be a regular. I was mainly here for the food and not the music, so I give four stars for tastiness and atmosphere. My boyfriend and I ended up here last night after realizing that the wait for Twenty Tap would be 50 minutes - Jazz Kitchen sat us right away! We chose to sit at the bar, and it was fun to watch the drinks being made. The bar has a good beer selection and a wide range of drinks. I liked the rolls and butter that come to each table, even if the roll was a bit cold in the middle. We ordered the not-so-cajun pasta and the and the lemon chicken pasta. Both were delicious, and I am excited to recreate the lemon chicken pasta at home. I asked for my not-so-cajun pasta to be spicy, and the cooks made it happen! From what I can tell, Monday is the only night you don't need to pay a cover.
(4)
Rosetta D.
Excellent food and atmosphere this place is definitely for a mature crowd and truly enjoyed.
(4)
Ed M.
Had never heard of the Jazz Kitchen until I saw that Davina and the Vagabonds were scheduled to play there August 22, 2014. The restaurant states "NOLA meets Midwest." Having been to the Big Easy many times we know what to expect from authentic New Orleans cuisine. I must say that we were pleasantly surprised. I had the Satchmo's Etoufee which has chicken and andouille sausage with the right variety of spices. I have to rate it a five. The other party had the crescent city crab cakes and rated it a five as well. We both had the creme brulee which was also perfect. The food was excellent, no doubt about it. They had some selections of local beers including our favorite, IPA. The entertainment was top notch and the facility is set up well for the listening pleasure of the audience. The staff were courteous and helpful without being around too much. In short an excellent evening was had at the Jazz Kitchen. We would highly recommend it.
(5)
Melissa V.
Can't go wrong when you see a show/performance here. I had previously been here in the summer to see a bluegrass trio outside. Their sangria is amazing! I think it's only available in the summer...smart. Recently, I had dinner here. The sound quality inside is great. The food is pretty good, too. I enjoyed their baked brie appetizer, though nothing phenomenal. The salad that came afterwards was decent; I was lucky to find ingredients other than the lettuce (I maybe saw a small cucumber slice). I ordered the walnut encrusted salmon, solid choice, and a good portion. Try their mashed sweet potatoes if you have the chance.
(4)
Holly G.
The Jazz Kitchen is one of my favorite spots in town for world class entertainment, food,and atmosphere. I have been here for public concerts and private parties over the years and have always been super impressed with the quality service provided by the staff, clean facilities, and stellar food and drink. I would take a small, intimate show here over a mega venue any day of the week!
Great place to hear locally-based (and national) jazz musicians really knock it out of the park! Small, intimate setting really lets the music be the main focus, as it should be. Food is ok but overpriced. If you like jazz, you HAVE to check this place out. If you don't like jazz, you are missing out!
(4)
Tony J.
Had dinner here last Friday. Being first timers and it was V-day, so we decided to just go with their fixed price 4-course offering plus a champagne toast. Started with the fruit plate with baked brie pastry. Personally not a fan of cheese/fruit plate, but the wife enjoyed it and she thought the baked brie pastry was very nice and creamy. Next came the salad and corn crab chowder, I thought the chowder was quite tasty with good chunks of crab meat. For the entree, I got me the pork chop while the wife got the stuffed chicken breast. Though both dishes seem to have the same creamy topping, both were pretty good and the dirty rice and mash sweet potatoes that came with the dishes were excellent. For dessert, we decided to try the banana foster. It wasn't bad, but still quite disappointing since there seem to be too much banana and very little ice cream, plus not sure if it sat out too long prior to serving but the ice cream is all melted. Service was good and food portion was pretty big. The price seem a bit steep per person that evening, but it was a special day plus with great live music throughout the meal, I guess its OK. Also looking at their regular menu, the prices seem reasonable. Good food, great music, and good service, definitely will be back some other time to try out the dishes from the regular menu.
(4)
Suzie T.
Great place, incredible Jazz, and OK food. The little jazz fest Sept 21st had a great day weather wise and a good turn out. We were only on the outside venue but I'm sure inside was great as always. -nothing shabby here when it comes to the music! Yats was available for eats and of course there's about half dozen others close by if JK doesn't fit your taste. It's really nice for us to have such a great little casual top notch place to hear professional music here in Indy! Carmel can have their extremely high priced tickets at The Palladium!
(5)
Bobby N.
It's Jazz and the Jazz has a kitchen. We saw Rebirth Brass Band here. The venue is small so arrive early for a good table. The dinner menu is fine. It is a mix of American and Cajun. My companion ordered the Black and Blues Salad (cute name) and the flat iron steak was great with a wonderful seasoning. I went cajun with etouffee. It was ok, the flavor was good but the chicken was added as an afterthought and sort of laid on top. It was tasteless. Oh how nice if it would have been heated with the etoufee. Craft beers on the menu are great. We did not try the wine. The band was terrific and the sound system adequate considering the small space. Towards the end of the show they clear a few tables and there is a terrific dance floor. We will definitely go back. And I recommend a visit for you....especially if you like the headliner.
(4)
Lorand M.
Classy place...superb talent....terrific room. Food is above par and unexpectedly good for what is essentially a music room. Gracious and capable staff, good drinks, decent beer and wine selection. Among the best places to take a charming and lovely young lady...almost guaranteeing a invigorating desert afterwards :) Definitely check out the deck and outdoor music when in season !
(4)
Kinsey C.
Pros: Live music (!!!), excellent menu, great location Cons: Slow service I have been to the Jazz Kitchen a couple times, and I'm a fan. I went most recently for a Monday night jam session, and I loved it. They happened to be featuring their Chow Down Midtown menu at $30 for 2. Their food was delicious and the portions were generous. Compared to other local business participating in CDM, I have to say Jazz Kitchen got it right. We arrived around 6:45 with no reservations and were told it wasn't a problem. Now, if I was coming here on a weekend or on a special occasion I'd make sure to have reservations. This place filled up pretty quickly around 7. We were shown to a table on the side of the restaurant that was pretty great until music started and a wall blocked us from seeing the whole band. I would have liked seating where I could see everyone, but I wanted to enjoy my date more than the music so it wasn't too bad. It took about 10 minutes for a server to come to our table once we were seated. We placed our orders and our salads were out pretty quickly. In between our salad and bread, we waited quite a while for our appetizer, main dishes and a very long time for dessert and water refills. I get that it was busy, but our wait seemed a bit excessive. However, it was nice to enjoy the music and just chat so slow service at the Jazz Kitchen comes with perks! We started with the shrimp cocktail appetizer. My date raved about it. Next we ordered the Not-So-Cajun chicken (chicken, mushroom sauce and sauteed veggies over a bed of find past) and the honey bourbon pork chop with veggies and rice. Dessert was a brownie sundae. Food was EXCELLENT! We both had leftovers and got to-go boxes (Styrofoam: bad Jazz Kitchen!) to enjoy our food the next day. All in all: Ambiance is great, food is delicious but the service is kind of slow. Be prepared to spend a while enjoying the music and your company!
(4)
Rich H.
The Jazz Kitchen. The name says it all. Check out their website and see what's going on. If you're a music buff and you have a soft spot for jazz...this is your place. The venue is small enough so that every seat is a great seat. Cocktails are well made and well priced but the surprise for me was the food. I honestly didn't expect much from food served at a jazz kitchen. Let me tell you just how WRONG I was. The food does not take a back seat to the music at this place. The portion size is plentiful, the food exceptionally fresh and the flavors are out of this world. I honestly can't emphasize how great this place is. I will be back for more!
(5)
Mar C.
This is a pretty happening place! Thanks to Brittany L. for inviting me out for Jazz Kitchen's latin night (back in April). The place was packed when I got there, and the dancing hadn't even started yet! I headed for the bar that's near the back of the area and got a standard vodka cranberry. Price was just right and the bartenders were very friendly. At 9:30 all the dancers gathered on the marvelous hardwood floor in the center of the dining room and we started a beginner salsa lesson. Afterwards, the DJ put on a great mix of latin music to dance to, as well as some standard club music. As the night wore on, I noticed more and more people coming in! I learned a few new moves and had a wonderful time here.
(5)
Stacy J.
Let's be frank... you are coming here for the band, the patio, the ambiance... if it were for the food, the drinks or the service you probably wouldn't come... just saying... SO, based on that, the review is a 3 (based on the music alone it would be a 5!!!). Went for the highly advertised (multiple emails sent to me) Shrimp boil on Tuesdays in August on the patio... AND I EXPECTED A TRUE SHIMP BOIL - mound of buffet style shrimp and potatoes and sausage and corn-on-the-cob... not so much... it was a medium-ish size serving of a shrimp boil (little disappointed here!!) though VERY tasty!!!!!! Service was a bit slow - didn't come to us for a good 5 minutes... good thing we had a nice band to listen to! And then was MIA when it came time to wrap it up and pay. Over all... not to impressed with the restaurant. Thought the patio and the band are EXCELLENT!!!
(3)
Tiffany H.
Good service. Great tasting food and a fantastic atmosphere.
(4)
Josh R.
Go to the Jazz Kitchen to here a good variety of great jazz music. I had a shrimp boil special when rebirth brass band was in town. It was a good meal with a good portion of food. On a previous trip I had the Paella, which i thought was good but not great. Overall I feel the cost of the food is just a bit pricey especially since you usually have to buy a ticket as well. Perhaps I'm just a cheap jazzer.
(4)
Divya V.
Neat place.... it can get REALLY LOUD! Good mojito's! We did not go there for dinner so can't talk about the food. Although the dessert menu looks yummy!
(4)
Sharee M.
Home. Sweet. Jazz Home. You have to love a place that has maintained they're great taste, style, and music since you last had a chance to visit. I did not expect anything less. But the drinks are still tasty and strong, food still yummy, desserts still good. I was a little sad my fav dessert was no longer offered, but all things come to an end. But what has not ended is the great music and sound of live jazz here. Hubby and I got made our way to a 9pm show, which was great. The band was just getting started with their second set. Hearing Rob Dixon and Cynthia Lane reminded me of my youthful undergrad years....how I miss their sound weekly in my life. Kenny Phelps still knows how to make the drum sing like no other. I caught all these great talents in one night. I never worry about the cover being too high. Come to the Chi for the highest cover you will ever find for good and quality live jazz. So think about the these elements when you're jamming' at JK's world class and world known location before you comment. I will pay $20 cover ( the most I've ever paid at JK) for many stars in one place in Indy anyday than $25 to $35 around the nation....but let me get off this soapbox. Nothing has really changed at JK and that's what I like to know. I want that familiar feeling of great wine running through your veins as quality live jazz takes over your other senses. Jazz Kitchen, I miss you. Steve, I wish you would consider opening a location in Chicago.
(5)
Rebecca M.
The Jazz Kitchen has style. This is an understated jazz institution in Indy. The Jazz Kitchen is where I learned about Jazz, and understood its importance in America, and grew to love it. Every show is worth the ticket; and the food has never disappointed me. They catered my wedding, in fact, and I continue to hear that the food was 'the best food ever at a wedding'! The Jazz Kitchen is just one of only a tiny smattering of jazz clubs in the area. You need to give it a try! It's free on Mondays. The deck is open all summer long, and provides some of the best people-watching in Indy. And the bar is the place to be seen on the weekends, where some of Indy's unsung musical heroes and up-and-comers gather to swap stories of legends! Plus, step out of your comfort zone on Thursday nights for Indy's original (I think?) Salsa Night! High-energy salsa dancing, with a lesson earlier in the evening, will have you out on the dance floor amidst the best dancers you've ever seen -- I've even cha-cha'd with one of Dance Kaleidoscope's stars!
(5)
Elizabeth M.
My best friend's brother is a bartender at the Jazz Kitchen, so I have to admit I've only been there for the drinks but never a show. Apparently the live jazz is fantastic, although I'm not a huge fan. That said, the atmosphere is great for a date or an evening on the patio. This isn't the type of place you want to pop in for a beer on the spur of the moment but more of a destination planned in advance; it appears customers stay for the duration of the evening and probably ring up a sizable tab. The Jazz Kitchen seems to have a lot of rules, so don't bring your rowdy friends.
(3)
Regina O.
This is the first place I have been since I recently moved to Indy. It was Latin night, and since I'm Latin, I was very pleased!! Lori, the bar mgr, is great too!!! This will be a regular place for me.,
(5)
Logan M.
I was having trouble finding a place to take company out of town -- I enjoy very genuine and sometimes very pricey Indianapolis restaurants. My company, however, was not in the mood for anything special; Pasta was requested. So after trying Yats and sadly walking out because they only serve food over rice, we went next door to Jazz Kitchen. Didn't care to pay for the 10$ cover to see the band so the hostess sat us in the very back behind the bar. Not a problem. We were there to eat and chat a bit. The place was packed and this alerted me we would probably wait a long time for some things. Drinks came quickly and we ordered shortly after. Then nothing for quite a long time.. maybe 20 minutes and then we received a plate of bread. but before we could even slice into it our food arrived. Service was accomodating and polite but disoriented. Our server, cory, was a cool guy. I received a BBQ chicken cobb salad and my sister ordered the Not-so-cajun Chicken which she liked. I was told by my buddy who works in the kitchen it's a very simple dish but pleasing nonetheless. My salad was less so... there has got to be a better sauce than BBQ for a cajun cobb salad. BBQ and romaine lettuce do not taste that great. The tomatoes were also sliced WAY too thick. There's got to be some QC from the kitchen-manager..
(3)
Leslie H.
Salsa nights on Thursdays is oh so fun!!!! They have instructors who will help you get your groove on. The place is very chill and the people running it are very nice.
(4)
Shuinn C.
Visited the Jazz Kitchen during a weekend visit to indianapolis from chicago. We saw Marlin McKay do a tribute to Donald Byrd and he (along the rest of the band) were fantastic. Paid $12 cover per person, then there is a $15 minimum for food/drink per person and this was on a saturday for the 730PM showing so thats not too bad, given the quality of the show and the excellent service. We were running late so they kindly accommodated our reservation despite being 20 minutes late. The servers were very friendly and prompt. We had the Chicken and Andouille Sausage Etouffee as well as the Strawberry Spinach Salad. The etoufee was a LOT of food, but a bit too salty for our liking, but it did go well with the salad to balance things out. For being a Music first place, the food was still pretty good. As for the band, they were great and we had a wonderful time. Definitely worth a trip if you are a fan of jazz in a bit of a more upscale setting than some of the other dive bars.
(5)
Lauren W.
I have always wanted to try the Jazz Kitchen and finally went last night. I knew it would be a good night when I heard the first sweet sounds of "Summertime" followed by "At Last." The food was great, too! We had Jamaican patties for an appetizer, followed by the crab cakes (entree) and etouffe, all of which were fantastic! After the cover, drinks and food, we ended up spending $100. Honestly not bad for a two course meal, 2 red bull vodka's, 1 jack and coke, 1 beer and awesome entertainment. I'll be going back again soon! FYI -- once the music starts, it's loud, so talking is kept to a minimum.
(5)
Tony I.
Good music and a nice venue. Food was great as well.
(4)
Erik F.
I was at the Jazz Kitchen to watch the Leisure Kings. They were outstanding. We had the Jamaican patties for an appetizer along with the Not so Cajun chicken as the main course. The food was very good and the prices seemed good for what they served us. The service could have been better as we and a couple of tables around us would run out of drinks and the waiter could not be found anywhere. The other frustrating part of the evening was having to listen to the conversations between the hostess and the manager. I think they should have stepped into the entrance way and discussed the restaurant's business affairs in order to not disturb their customers. Oh well, that is not enough of a reason to prevent me from going back to the Jazz Kitchen. Enjoy!
(4)
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Address :5377 N College Ave
Indianapolis, IN, 46220
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Chris C.
Let's be honest. You're not really coming here for the food. The service is probably only important when your drink is empty. You're probably here because for some reason Pat Martino will stop here when he's on tour. Or many other artists. Coming from New York, and having had gone to school for music, I appreciate jazz every so often. And I'm impressed by Indy's appreciation for the art too. However, Yelp is not for concert reviews. It's for the restaurant. That being said, I'm going to continue by writing about the things you're not really going here for. The food - what can I say? The menu is not very diverse. There are only about 5 entrees, and 2 of them are a variation of each other. There isn't much else. What I can say is that the dishes they offer are done well. I've been here twice, once by myself, the second time with a group of about 20 for work. The first time I went for the porkchop. The second time I went for the filet. Both times the food was great.
(4)Beth C.
Hmm... Well... Ahhh... Hmm... My review is based solely on Tuesday's "New Orleans Night" experience. I did not venture inside, though after the boyfriend used the restroom (nice and clean he said!), he said "it is very ritzy in there." Take that as you will. I loved the outdoor deck and patio. Upon arrival, there were no seats on the deck so we opted for the patio. The hostess did come around later and ask if we would like to move to the deck since a table had opened. I found that to be a nice gesture. Music and band were awesome. Sun King reps were there passing out stickers and beads and I did get a free koozie as I ordered a light and delicious Cream Ale. Now then, the menu. The online menu states that they have "inventive vegetarian creations," yet there are only three vegetarian items on the menu: an appetizer, a salad, and the eggplant tower. Disappointing. The menu alone would be a good reason for me not to return to The Jazz Kitchen. As a vegetarian I eat much more than just salads and if you claim to have an inventive menu then for Pete's sake live up to the phrase! In any case, the Strawberry Spinach salad is very good if not a bit pricey. Service was a bit slow but I wasn't in a rush so it didn't bother me much, especially since everyone was very friendly! If I should ever return to The Jazz Kitchen, I would likely just stop off for a beverage and to enjoy the tunes on the deck/patio for a bit.
(3)Susan L.
Food is excellent! Menu offers a nice variety. Portions are perfect. Price is reasonable. Atmosphere is nice and fits for a casual jazz cafe. A great venue to see your favorite artist. Would definitely visit again!!! Crab cakes and not-so-Cajun shrimp were yummy!!!!
(5)Anthony S.
The Jazz Kitchen has been somewhat of a tradition for me the last couple of weeks. There's not many places out there quite like it. They really make going out to eat an experience. The menu is unique, the food is delicious and plentiful, the server remembered us from the previous week, she was extremely friendly, and the music is great. On Mondays before 8 they have a really great deal. They have three special entrees for 8 dollars each and there's typically no cover to get in the door. I've only been there on Mondays so I don't know what the rest of the week is like but The Jazz Kitchen is just a great place to hang out. Each time I've been I've had a really enjoyable time. Now just a word of advice... If there is a band playing generally talking should be kept at a minimum or low enough so that it won't be distracting to anyone else there to listen. It's just good manners and respectful to the musicians. However in the back of the restaurant on the other side of the bar there is an area that seems like it'd be good for a conversation. Great place! Go and have fun!!
(5)spoken k.
I was in attendance last night 30.00 dollar ticket for not quite a hour show Jeff Lober fusion he was good! It's okay for jazz entertainment and 1/2 full 8.00 glass of wine,and maybe an appetizer! I wouldn't eat a full course meal there. I do like the small intimate venue. I like being up close as opposed to a large concert... jazz musicians do as well because most couldn't pack a stadium. You would think after all these years..I've only been here 7 but the JK has been here 20 yrs they would get rid of that smelly old musty carpet! update and upgrade a little. It's amazing what a little paint and ripping up carpet can do! Here's a suggestion get the JK crew to do it and on a budget at home goods! The place is so small it would take a couple weekdays to get it done! it could be done by weekend. I know it cost money but it doesn't have to break the bank! but if it were mine I'd kick it up a notch. Gotta be a fly on the ladies bathroom wall... the tales that are told.
(3)Curt C.
The Jazz Kitchen is such a great resource -- functioning as local neighborhood jazz club as well as showcase for national touring acts of the highest quality. I love going there on a low-key Monday for their dinner specials taking in a set of low-key, quality local jazz. But I've also seen such amazing acts as John Scofield, The Bad Plus, Tuck and Patti, Ray Brown, Joey DeFrancesco, Cal Collins, Pat Martino, Harry Connick Jr., Charlie Hunter, Kurt Elling, etc. The food is steady, the staff is incredibly friendly. David Allee the owner is almost always around and chatting with guests. The place is a gem.
(5)Matt K.
My wife and I held our rehearsal dinner here for our wedding in May 2009. The food was great; we had a buffet. We had the newly renovated private room in the back past the bar. The live music was not a factor for us (which could be good or bad depending on your event). The catering manager was easy to work with and our guests raved about the evening. Consider it for your next event!
(4)Lindsey S.
I'm a sucker for live music and admission is FREE on Monday nights. I'd definitely recommend The Jazz Kitchen to anyone that appreciates music. The food was good, the atmosphere was great and the entertainment was even better. It was a little loud (obviously), but other than that it was a delightful experience. Can't wait to go back during the holiday season to hear Christmas music on a cold winter evening!
(4)Todd R.
The food here is fantastic. I got some samples of appetizers (didn't know what they were but they were good) and saw a couple of things that people had ordered (like a fabulous jumbo shrimp Caesar.) The atmosphere is like nothing else in Indianapolis. The drinks are fine, but the actual bar/lounge area is definitely where it's at! It has this whole other laid back cool vibe that you only see on TV here in Indiana. It's out of site location from the stage gives it an intimacy even though this is a pretty good sized jazz club. It seems like this place would be quite a place in New Orleans, but in Indiana this is a Hoosier Renaissance Man's paradise. All you need here is to get some slinky ladies to go along with the scruffy bearded guys and you'll have some "vibin" goin on fo' sho' I will be back and it seems like the prime place for a UYE very soon! Hmmm....
(5)Kenneth H.
I had a blast at this establishment, way to go ,great people and wonderful service!
(5)TOMMY o.
No Talking, Turn Cell Phones Off?? Bizarre Rules, is it high school again? i don't want to go that far back in time....i'm glad we sat in the bar without enough tables, we could talk & check our phones, the appetizer sample was good, as was the food, but not really worth the money (plus $10 cover, For What?) plus $1 per person credit card charge BS i Doubt if i'll ever wander back they did make a stiff drink, i needed ONE! the other optional is outside on the deck, you could see the band & hear through a window but also the street & smoke out there as well
(2)Brad K.
What a great joint. Went down on Tuesday night to see the swing band, which was pretty good. They didn't blow my doors off, but the entire experience -- the people dancing, the 10-piece band -- was definitely worth it. The food was surprisingly good too. We started with the Brie + fruit (definitely do that), then split a pizza (about average) and ended with the brownie explosion (good, but tasted boxed). We never ever saw the cool little lounge area in the back where the bar was (nor did we notice the outdoor seating - although who goes to a jazz bar and sits outside where you can't really hear anything? Dorks, that's who.). This is a keeper place. Oh, and it's pretty casual. Don't feel the need to get snazzy even though it's jazzy. Yeah, I just wrote that. Deal with it.
(4)Daryl M.
JK can't seem to get it right. I thought their genre was jazz. Every time I come I get a mix of everything else. What's wrong there's not enough jazz musicians in the midwest?
(2)L. D.
I had a very nice dinner and show at the Jazz Kitchen. I would be a regular here if I lived in Indy. My only compliant is that my mojito was blah ! Dinner on the other hand was great !! Eggplant Tower - grilled eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, goat cheese, caramelized onions, red bell peppers, asparagus, baby spinach, basil pesto & parmesan cheese $16. White Chocolate, Blueberry Bread Pudding with bourbon-infused caramel sauce $5. This was the best bread pudding I have had in a LONG time !!
(4)Bob H.
Where else are you going to get Carnegie Deli cheesecake flown in from the source?!!! Fantastic red wine reduction sauce w/ raspberries.. we only stopped for a late evening dessert. Very glad we did. Ate on the deck. Good server - freely offered to make a fresh pot of decaf - at $3/cup no wonder but no fault either. All good!
(4)Brenton A.
Love the jazz kitchen. Too expensive for me normally, but totally worth it for Chow-Down midtown. Theres nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, so I'll just leave it at that.
(5)Sarah S.
It doesn't take much to turn me off to a bar, but I like this one. While I'm not much of a jazz fan, I do have to say that good acts come through here. It's not entirely limited to jazz, either: I saw a fairly good local salsa band in here one time. The maroon-ish walls and bar gleaming from the back create a sultry ambiance, and there's room to dance up front by the stage. I only had dessert here, but what I had was really good--some of kind of poached-pear-and-ice-cream dish. Mmm. The staff is very friendly here as well. When I was moving over the summer, they let me come and pick up probably 30 empty beer boxes. Sweet! The Jazz Kitchen definitely does things right. Due to some bad experiences in my past, I don't really set foot in many jazz establishments in Indy, but I'll make an exception for this one due to their good food, nice waiters and pleasant atmosphere.
(4)Yvonne M.
Thursday night- salsa dancing, awesome lively music and for a second I thought I was on vacation. The food was great too. I ordered the Not-so Cajun chicken pasta that which has oven roasted chicken with garlic in it. I can't really tell how it looks like since it's pretty dark in there, but I'm certain it's delicious!
(4)Mak J.
I have been here twice now so I feel like I can give this place a fair review. I think "yay! I'm a fan" pretty much sums it up, but both times I went I was a teensy bit uncertain at first. The first time I went was with a group of lady friends for dinner during Latin Dance Nights on Thursdays. We made a reservation ahead of time asking to be sat in the bar so as to have conversation without disturbing or being disturbed by the party goers. We were going to be running about fifteen minutes behind, and as a restaurant employee myself, I was sure to call and inform them of this. I received a rude/un-accomodating response that was immediately off-putting, but once we got there I realized they didn't note we wanted to be in the bar and the problem was resolved. Our group split several things including the appetizer sampler and the paella which is half price on Thursdays. I can't remember everything we got because margaritas are also discounted on Thursdays and I had several, but I know those two items were superb. Sitting in the bar was perfect, we were able to enjoy the ambiance of Latin Dance Night but still eat and have comfortable conversation. I went again this last Monday with the old man and his original old woman (his ma) for the $8 meals before 8 pm special. Too be fair, it was like 5 o'clock, but the place was dead. We were apprehensive to say the least, until we heard our options for the special. They were offering fish and chips with a cajun dipping sauce, Brazilian beef in a tomato gravy and roasted potatoes, and breaded chicken breasts with a honey mustard glaze and veggies. I am normally a fish and chips fiend but I had eaten that a day before at O'Charley's with my grandma, so I opted for the Brazillian beef as did the old man, and his ma got the chicken. We were all thoroughly pleased. The portions were considerable (such a deal for $8 - they even gave his mom two chicken breasts) and the bread was also awesome. Plus we were all pleased with their cocktail selection: a mojito for me, a Pinot Grig for her, and an IPA for him - perfect. And the place was full as we were by the time we left.
(4)Donna D.
The Jazz Kitchen is an Indianapolis favorite for me! I remember enjoying the sultry and sweet sounds of Mary Moss and the deep baritone of Everett Greene for the first time here. Their cuisine rivals the best and the service has always been unobtrusive and quality. Being a lover of swing and big band selections, The Jazz Kitchen has satisfied my itch for great live shows. It is a great place for a date and I hope to enjoy some in the very near future!
(5)Jennifer L.
Great live jazz acts, great mixed drinks. There's decent food, too, which you'd do best to sample during their "8 before 8" promo on Mondays. Eight dishes for $8. I don't know how to describe their cuisine other than "ethnic"--hummus, Jamaican patties and taquitos de speed all rub shoulders on their appetizer menu. Some pretty good jazz acts pass through this dark, intimate venue. It can get a bit crowded, but it helps that the drinks are usually expertly mixed. I've never tried a better hurricane than the one I was served at The Jazz Kitchen's Mardi Gras party.
(4)rob k.
Here's the Rub:For the Music Lover of Jazz.....its hit or miss! Not so much the artists BUT the very noisy crowd who parks their tails down and Y-A-P-S non-stop thru out since THEY ARE NOT there to see/hear the music! Too bad people dont know how to pay attention to music and interfere with those who have come to the JK to listen Saw the The Splinter Group a few weeks back.....mebbes a total of 5 folks were there! Well the TRUE music listeners! But the place shut down at 10:30 and so did the music! OUCH! Too bad more emphasis isnt place on the music and MUCH MUCH less on the 'foodie' aspect....taint there other delictable joints around there/or Broad Ripple so ya can bring those 'interesting conversations' out and about there....yep fun things to talk about when there is nothing to say!
(2)Rod R.
Ladies, if you need to go to the john, expect a loooong wait. This place is not customer friendly. Food is basic stuff at high prices. Owner is clearly basking in the sun of ignorant clients. A typical American ripoff joint. Too bad, because the idea is good. A quality business is more than a good idea, however.
(2)Rhonda H.
Loved this place!!!! Great food and super jazz group Marlin McKay quintet !!! Butter for your ears !!!
(5)J A.
Good ambiance and drinks, haven't eaten here in over 12 yrs. I've heard the food has much improved. Latin night us always fun.
(3)Virginia L.
The high class place for jazz. Very nice venue and set up for dinner and/or dancing - oh and drinking too.
(4)CN D.
I'm a fan. Good food, great crowd, wonderful music. They host quite a few events here in the city which I think is spectacular. I'm sure they help with the Indy Jazz Fest and they just had a Labor Day free event this weekend which was pretty fantastic (although a bit crowded). Everyone should check it out. I think you would have a hard time finding a reason not to like.
(4)Ryan H.
Owner Dave Allee has consistently brought incredible jazz acts through this lounge-restaurant combo. One of the only places in Indy where one can catch a true jazz act, especially one that is on the national level (e.g. John Scofield, Charlie Hunter). Wednesday nights regularly offers Rob Dixon, probably the best saxophonist in the city, and certainly one of the most prolific. Each week, he plays during the dinner hours and has special guests joining him regularly. Also in the regular lineup is local, neo-soul favorite, Cynthia Layne, who coincidentally, has Rob Dixon in her regular lineup. The weekends usually features a great show from the national scene, but often times local acts grace the stage for weekends. A great restaurant with a stellar 'ethnic-focused' menu (awesome crab cakes!), and also a really cool bar that invites you to sit and enjoy the music while you sip your cocktail. They have even featured hip hop and other soulful shows outside of the jazz genre over the years, for example, the long-running Thursday night Salsa night. It's best to check their calendar online to see what's coming, and you can even do a drive-by along College Ave to see the marquis to find out what's up for the current week.
(4)Anne T.
Stopped by for Latin Night while in town for Spring Break. We made dinner reservations before the free dance lesson and to ensure we had a good table for the night. I had the glazed pork chop and my cousin had a burger. Both were prepared well and tastefully presented. My only complaint is that for $16, I expect a pork chop that is at least the size of my palm and trimmed appropriately. The chop I was served met neither of these expectations. The asparagus and mashed potatoes were flavorful and cooked perfectly. The bar makes a mean Mojito and Caipirinha.
(4)Nikono K.
Great place. Pricey, but worth it. Great mix drinks & awesome dancing!
(4)Elizabeth F.
As a Broad Ripple resident since, well, birth, I've driven by the Jazz Kitchen for some 30 years -- yet only recently ventured in. I have to admit it -- the place intimidated me. Was it a restaurant? A bar? A concert hall? Is it dressy or casual? Why do I have to pay for a ticket to get in if I want dinner? I'm glad I got over my confusion and gave it a whirl -- this place is an under appreciated gem (at least with those in my age bracket). I went on a second date there over the winter. It was crazily romantic -- listening to live jazz in a dimly lit space at a candlelight table while it snowed outside was almost too perfect to bear. Yes, the Jazz Kitchen is a restaurant. Yes, it's a concert hall for jazz and blues. Yes, it's also a bar. (Oh, and you'll look like you belong whether you're in a fancy dress or jeans and a blouse.) That's the great thing about it; whether you're in the mood to sit down to a full meal, listen to some great music or saddle up to the bar for a beer, you've come to the right place. The date didn't work, but I won't hold that against the Jazz Kitchen -- if this place can't spark romance between a couple, no place can. (Note: This isn't the place to go and chat loudly with friends, treating the live jazz as background music. They expect you to shut up and listen here -- there are even signs on the tables reminding you to be quiet during performances -- which is fine by me. The music is worth your attention.)
(4)Andy H.
Had an amazing time here! The service was great, the food hit the spot, and Goldie & Exquisitely yours KILLED the performance!
(5)Jay A.
Ambiance is perfect. Food has always been 4+ stars. Staff is friendly, checking on you frequently. The Music,...some of the best Jazz you'll find in the Midwest. Fareed Haque, Scott Pazera, Frank Locrasto, and Tommy Crane were there while i dined. Amazing group of musicians! If you're near, do yourself a favor and stop at the Kitchen. I had a cajun pasta dish that was great, and North Coast Brewing's Brother Thelonius(a little pricey, but expected for beer of this quality)... If you're a fan of jazz, great food and service, you have found your place.
(5)Mark W.
Very nice, went on Friday night for a hip hop show of the Mud Kids. Nice crowd, will go back for a jazz show
(3)Bucky K.
No matter what night of the week, you will always find fantastic jazz here. This is a legendary mainstay of the Indianapolis music scene. They expanded the dining area a few years back and it opened up the space a great deal. We've never had a bad meal here and have always walked out whistlin' a tune.
(4)Candace B.
Absolutely one of my favorite places to dine in Indy. Classic menu with pastas, burgers, salads, etc. What pulls you in is the ambiance and the live must. Plates range from 10-25 bucks and are always filling. Parking isn't great, so beware. Bartenders are pretty snazzy and make a great Martini. Grab some pals and go!!
(5)Amanda P.
This review is for the food only; otherwise, a local establishment that embraces one of the only American art forms that is, unfortunately, so often under appreciated deserves five stars from me. Since I live near Broad Ripple, I go to the area to eat quite frequently, and I have had a few dining experiences that just irk me because of the overpriced lackluster food, which I feel is IN THE NAME OF BROAD RIPPLE. Come on, don't take advantage of us like that: This is not what we're about. With places like Three Sisters, Poccadio, Sinking Ship and countless other restaurants that actually offer creative, often local and fresh tasty eats at affordable prices, you have no excuse. I ordered the Eggplant Tower, which was pretty tasty (One of the only vegetarian entrées). Visualize: A gorgeous early evening as a couple casually sits outside on 54th and College Ave. enjoying the scenery and energy of the chaotic intersection as vintage bikes breeze by and an occasional rider leaves a lingering scent of patchouli in the air as they head home with fresh veggies filling their basket, locals walking their dogs, groups of patrons in casual, trendy summer attire across the street laughing and enjoying a pub's brew and food, the occasional skateboarder, and friendly passersby with dread locks and tats all adding to the wonderfully laidback and eclectic vibe of Broad Ripple and out walks my waiter with my $17 Leaning Tower of Pisa of veggies like I'm at the Ritz- Carlton The portion size was almost that of an appetizer and for this price, come on. Again, it was pretty good but not the freshest of veggies, and it had a moat of hard melted, crispy cheese around the base, which is not fresh. My partner had an angel hair pasta dish, and again, it was okay. The pasta leaned towards sticky, and though it did offer tasty bursts of sundried tomatoes, which appealed to the eyes and taste buds, the dish lacked in color in that it was only white and red: It was okay but bland. For me, I appreciate it when the food is relevant and reflects the vibe and energy of its location, but the tower tried too hard and we know Broad Ripple isn't about that; so again, come on TJK, your performances are so on point, and I want to take you seriously, but please get your food and prices in line with your location. Performances: Great! Go! Food: Subpar, irrelevant, dated and overpriced
(3)Ronak S.
Sometimes I feel like an angry vegetarian here on Yelp, and I don't mean to be self-righteous or proselytizing. But it's definitely true that whatever I'm able to eat will color my experience of the rest of the menu, and that's definitely true of the Jazz Kitchen. The Jazz part of this restaurant is absolutely phenomenal. We have too few high-quality live music venues in town where you can regularly count on a solid show. The Jazz Kitchen is on par with Union 50 and a step up from the Chatterbox, in my experience, and I'm always a fan of the performances. They also bring in the variety, with salsa dancing nights, poetry performances, and loads of genres outside of strict jazz, making it a generally good concert venue overall. It's the Kitchen part that I gripe with, especially with the spending minimum most nights. If I have to spend $15 on food, I need to be able to eat something substantial. I saw exactly two options on the menu: a strawberry salad, and an "eggplant tower," which was basically a grilled salad. They are decent enough menu options, but neither of these is exciting enough to keep me coming back around mealtime unless the show is worth $15 on its own. Just one hearty vegetarian entree that I could actually look forward to would be enough to change it up for me on those. Hopefully that's on its way soon.
(3)Ntianu S.
The Jazz Kitchen is another local gem that I have the pleasure of visiting fairly frequently. The facility itself is nice. The low lights, intimate seating, and vibrant musically themed art work helps create the perfect atmosphere. I appreciate the diversity in shows they offer spotlighting national and local artist as well as truly musically diverse events. Tonight I attended A Tribute to Love w/ Bashiri Asad and Joyce Licorish. Such a wonderful and soulful show! Indy has such incredible artist. Next week I will be there for Old Soul Entertainment's annual J. Dilla party, which is an AMAZING celebration honoring a legendary hip-hop producer. The week after that I hope to check out the Brazilian Carnivale or Mardi Gras celebration! So as you can see the Jazz Kitchen offers an array of events, so everyone is guaranteed to find something to enjoy or new to explore. The food is consistently good. Tonight, I had my favorite appetizer, the Taquitos. The staff is fairly friendly. My only complaint is inconsistency with service. I couldn't imagine how difficult it might be to wait on people during an actual performance, but sometimes the staff is on it or like tonight I guess they were slammed so it took close to 45 minutes just to get our appetizers. Geez Louise! Irregardless, I'm definitely a fan, and I will continue to go back and support this incredible establishment. Do yourself a favor and join the e-mail list and/or go to their website and check out upcoming events. You are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience!
(5)Stephen F.
Awesome. The ambiance is excellent. They get some of the best jazz musicians in the country to come here. The food is decent but not great. The crab cakes could definitely be better. Their hamburgers are always very good. Sure beats the regular dinner and a movie.
(5)Jemmie W.
The live music is great and the ambiance is beyond reproach. What is surprising is that the food is actually pretty good as well. I expected the food to be garbage because, for some/many events, there is a spending minimum. So if there's a spending minimum, some places serve turd sandwiches with extra ketchup to mask the flavor. Not The Jazz Kitchen.
(4)Jennifer S.
3/20/15 10pm set w/ Alex Bugnon What a show what a show!!! I can't say how much I love the vibe of the Jazz kitchen, especially during the last show....It's just my favorite place in Indy because they ALWAYS bring in great acts!!
(5)Allison F.
1/2 priced paella on Thursdays...it lasted for days. Can't wait to come back and try the pork chop!
(4)Whitnie E.
We came here on a Wednesday night for the Larry Carlton show. This was my first visit and honestly I did not know what to expect. Overall, it a fun experience. Every table was seated, and our server Corey did an excellent job keeping everyone happy. We started off perusing the drink menu. While the wine menu was small, we were able to find something that everyone could agree on. I noticed that they offered Hendricks' Gin (my fave!) but at a steep price of $10/drink. I ended up ordering the flat iron steak, which was quite good. It had a nice marinade on it and was cooked well (although it was served sliced--not my favorite). The one odd thing I have to say about it was that it had an ancho chile marinade, was served with pico de gallo and a smoky cream sauce, but was also drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It seemed out of place on the plate. It was served with a side of roasted potatoes which were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The dessert menu looked quite good and I would have liked to try the creme brûlée if I wasn't so full! Overall, a nice date night with some wonderful music. Service was great and I would go back again.
(3)Ketta R.
This was my first time here and it was for the ICON/club part of the night. I was 30 minutes early so I got to see the end of the jazz portion. Seemed like great music that I probably would have enjoyed for a whole show. The setup is great, plenty of seats and not crowded. The drinks were average, typical bar drink with not as much liquor as you want or need. All the staff was great, very friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely come back here for another event.
(4)Gelone B.
The patio is open and the margaritas are flowing and celebrations of the Jazz Kitchen's 21st Birthday and David Dreyer's Birthday!
(5)Emily S.
Went Jazz Kitchen for thursday Latin night. I missed the free lessons at 8:30 because I overestimated my parallel parking ability and parked several blocks away. I had one of the best times I've ever had at any club. Patrons, staff, DJ, space, environment were all A+. I wish the Latin nights were offered on a Friday or Saturday occasionally so I could stay later! I'll definitely be back for Latin night and to check out one of the Jazz performances. The drink prices were typical for a club I felt. I had three well drinks and a bottle of water and it came to $17 before tip.
(5)Jay F.
Was there for Cole Porter night. It was a friendly crowd and fun event. The talent was mixed, with the early singers much weaker than the two great closing divas. From purely a fun musical night, I would still give it 5 stars overall. The issue was the food and food service. The latter was shambles and unbearably slow, while the food quality was, shall we say, uneven. Would I go back? Yes, but I would eat beforehand elsewhere.
(4)Dara F.
I decided to stop here after an event & have dinner since I am sans kids today. I'm having crabcakes!!!!! There are two pianists playing right now & I am LOVING it!!!
(5)Jillian B.
came to the jazz kitchen for Latin night and chow down midtown. the food was delicious. the free lessons were very helpful. the ambiance was romantic, and service was great. excellent place for a date night
(4)Rick G.
Good food, good service, and a nice mix of entertainment....it's not ALWAYS jazz. (But it usually is). I love the atmosphere. Personally, I think the food is a little pricey, BUT....they do have world class entertainment, so that makes up for it. If we're looking for a little classier night out, this is the place.
(4)Steve E.
Stumbled across this place on the internet while planning a short trip to Indianapolis. Looked like a neat place to try. The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra was playing on 3/18. WOW!!!! Those guys are GOOD!! Had an absolutely great time. Service from Jasmine was good. She was very attentive. Food was quite tasty and served in what seemed to be an appropriate time frame. If we get back to Indianapolis we will definitely be retuning!
(4)Patrick T.
This place gets 3 stars for supporting jazz. The food is decent. Drinks are pretty good. Overall it's expensive, but I guess you're paying to seem classy. The shows are no talking which I understand, but the music isn't always amazing. I definitely wouldn't pay cover to see some of the bands they feature...
(3)Megan O.
It was a tasty experience, even if I don't think I'll be a regular. I was mainly here for the food and not the music, so I give four stars for tastiness and atmosphere. My boyfriend and I ended up here last night after realizing that the wait for Twenty Tap would be 50 minutes - Jazz Kitchen sat us right away! We chose to sit at the bar, and it was fun to watch the drinks being made. The bar has a good beer selection and a wide range of drinks. I liked the rolls and butter that come to each table, even if the roll was a bit cold in the middle. We ordered the not-so-cajun pasta and the and the lemon chicken pasta. Both were delicious, and I am excited to recreate the lemon chicken pasta at home. I asked for my not-so-cajun pasta to be spicy, and the cooks made it happen! From what I can tell, Monday is the only night you don't need to pay a cover.
(4)Rosetta D.
Excellent food and atmosphere this place is definitely for a mature crowd and truly enjoyed.
(4)Ed M.
Had never heard of the Jazz Kitchen until I saw that Davina and the Vagabonds were scheduled to play there August 22, 2014. The restaurant states "NOLA meets Midwest." Having been to the Big Easy many times we know what to expect from authentic New Orleans cuisine. I must say that we were pleasantly surprised. I had the Satchmo's Etoufee which has chicken and andouille sausage with the right variety of spices. I have to rate it a five. The other party had the crescent city crab cakes and rated it a five as well. We both had the creme brulee which was also perfect. The food was excellent, no doubt about it. They had some selections of local beers including our favorite, IPA. The entertainment was top notch and the facility is set up well for the listening pleasure of the audience. The staff were courteous and helpful without being around too much. In short an excellent evening was had at the Jazz Kitchen. We would highly recommend it.
(5)Melissa V.
Can't go wrong when you see a show/performance here. I had previously been here in the summer to see a bluegrass trio outside. Their sangria is amazing! I think it's only available in the summer...smart. Recently, I had dinner here. The sound quality inside is great. The food is pretty good, too. I enjoyed their baked brie appetizer, though nothing phenomenal. The salad that came afterwards was decent; I was lucky to find ingredients other than the lettuce (I maybe saw a small cucumber slice). I ordered the walnut encrusted salmon, solid choice, and a good portion. Try their mashed sweet potatoes if you have the chance.
(4)Holly G.
The Jazz Kitchen is one of my favorite spots in town for world class entertainment, food,and atmosphere. I have been here for public concerts and private parties over the years and have always been super impressed with the quality service provided by the staff, clean facilities, and stellar food and drink. I would take a small, intimate show here over a mega venue any day of the week!
(4)Ian B.
Best jazz in the city and some of the best creole food in the city as well. They have 8 before 8 entrées on Monday, Jazz on the patio on Tuesdays, and Latin dancing on Thursdays. If your ever in the mood for great live music, great food and great service and love awesome atmosphere you'll love the Jazz Kitchen. Its been a staple for nearly 20 years and has been rated in the top 100 jazz clubs in the world!! if you havent been go!! and you'll want to go back..
(5)C Y.
Great place to hear locally-based (and national) jazz musicians really knock it out of the park! Small, intimate setting really lets the music be the main focus, as it should be. Food is ok but overpriced. If you like jazz, you HAVE to check this place out. If you don't like jazz, you are missing out!
(4)Tony J.
Had dinner here last Friday. Being first timers and it was V-day, so we decided to just go with their fixed price 4-course offering plus a champagne toast. Started with the fruit plate with baked brie pastry. Personally not a fan of cheese/fruit plate, but the wife enjoyed it and she thought the baked brie pastry was very nice and creamy. Next came the salad and corn crab chowder, I thought the chowder was quite tasty with good chunks of crab meat. For the entree, I got me the pork chop while the wife got the stuffed chicken breast. Though both dishes seem to have the same creamy topping, both were pretty good and the dirty rice and mash sweet potatoes that came with the dishes were excellent. For dessert, we decided to try the banana foster. It wasn't bad, but still quite disappointing since there seem to be too much banana and very little ice cream, plus not sure if it sat out too long prior to serving but the ice cream is all melted. Service was good and food portion was pretty big. The price seem a bit steep per person that evening, but it was a special day plus with great live music throughout the meal, I guess its OK. Also looking at their regular menu, the prices seem reasonable. Good food, great music, and good service, definitely will be back some other time to try out the dishes from the regular menu.
(4)Suzie T.
Great place, incredible Jazz, and OK food. The little jazz fest Sept 21st had a great day weather wise and a good turn out. We were only on the outside venue but I'm sure inside was great as always. -nothing shabby here when it comes to the music! Yats was available for eats and of course there's about half dozen others close by if JK doesn't fit your taste. It's really nice for us to have such a great little casual top notch place to hear professional music here in Indy! Carmel can have their extremely high priced tickets at The Palladium!
(5)Bobby N.
It's Jazz and the Jazz has a kitchen. We saw Rebirth Brass Band here. The venue is small so arrive early for a good table. The dinner menu is fine. It is a mix of American and Cajun. My companion ordered the Black and Blues Salad (cute name) and the flat iron steak was great with a wonderful seasoning. I went cajun with etouffee. It was ok, the flavor was good but the chicken was added as an afterthought and sort of laid on top. It was tasteless. Oh how nice if it would have been heated with the etoufee. Craft beers on the menu are great. We did not try the wine. The band was terrific and the sound system adequate considering the small space. Towards the end of the show they clear a few tables and there is a terrific dance floor. We will definitely go back. And I recommend a visit for you....especially if you like the headliner.
(4)Lorand M.
Classy place...superb talent....terrific room. Food is above par and unexpectedly good for what is essentially a music room. Gracious and capable staff, good drinks, decent beer and wine selection. Among the best places to take a charming and lovely young lady...almost guaranteeing a invigorating desert afterwards :) Definitely check out the deck and outdoor music when in season !
(4)Kinsey C.
Pros: Live music (!!!), excellent menu, great location Cons: Slow service I have been to the Jazz Kitchen a couple times, and I'm a fan. I went most recently for a Monday night jam session, and I loved it. They happened to be featuring their Chow Down Midtown menu at $30 for 2. Their food was delicious and the portions were generous. Compared to other local business participating in CDM, I have to say Jazz Kitchen got it right. We arrived around 6:45 with no reservations and were told it wasn't a problem. Now, if I was coming here on a weekend or on a special occasion I'd make sure to have reservations. This place filled up pretty quickly around 7. We were shown to a table on the side of the restaurant that was pretty great until music started and a wall blocked us from seeing the whole band. I would have liked seating where I could see everyone, but I wanted to enjoy my date more than the music so it wasn't too bad. It took about 10 minutes for a server to come to our table once we were seated. We placed our orders and our salads were out pretty quickly. In between our salad and bread, we waited quite a while for our appetizer, main dishes and a very long time for dessert and water refills. I get that it was busy, but our wait seemed a bit excessive. However, it was nice to enjoy the music and just chat so slow service at the Jazz Kitchen comes with perks! We started with the shrimp cocktail appetizer. My date raved about it. Next we ordered the Not-So-Cajun chicken (chicken, mushroom sauce and sauteed veggies over a bed of find past) and the honey bourbon pork chop with veggies and rice. Dessert was a brownie sundae. Food was EXCELLENT! We both had leftovers and got to-go boxes (Styrofoam: bad Jazz Kitchen!) to enjoy our food the next day. All in all: Ambiance is great, food is delicious but the service is kind of slow. Be prepared to spend a while enjoying the music and your company!
(4)Rich H.
The Jazz Kitchen. The name says it all. Check out their website and see what's going on. If you're a music buff and you have a soft spot for jazz...this is your place. The venue is small enough so that every seat is a great seat. Cocktails are well made and well priced but the surprise for me was the food. I honestly didn't expect much from food served at a jazz kitchen. Let me tell you just how WRONG I was. The food does not take a back seat to the music at this place. The portion size is plentiful, the food exceptionally fresh and the flavors are out of this world. I honestly can't emphasize how great this place is. I will be back for more!
(5)Mar C.
This is a pretty happening place! Thanks to Brittany L. for inviting me out for Jazz Kitchen's latin night (back in April). The place was packed when I got there, and the dancing hadn't even started yet! I headed for the bar that's near the back of the area and got a standard vodka cranberry. Price was just right and the bartenders were very friendly. At 9:30 all the dancers gathered on the marvelous hardwood floor in the center of the dining room and we started a beginner salsa lesson. Afterwards, the DJ put on a great mix of latin music to dance to, as well as some standard club music. As the night wore on, I noticed more and more people coming in! I learned a few new moves and had a wonderful time here.
(5)Stacy J.
Let's be frank... you are coming here for the band, the patio, the ambiance... if it were for the food, the drinks or the service you probably wouldn't come... just saying... SO, based on that, the review is a 3 (based on the music alone it would be a 5!!!). Went for the highly advertised (multiple emails sent to me) Shrimp boil on Tuesdays in August on the patio... AND I EXPECTED A TRUE SHIMP BOIL - mound of buffet style shrimp and potatoes and sausage and corn-on-the-cob... not so much... it was a medium-ish size serving of a shrimp boil (little disappointed here!!) though VERY tasty!!!!!! Service was a bit slow - didn't come to us for a good 5 minutes... good thing we had a nice band to listen to! And then was MIA when it came time to wrap it up and pay. Over all... not to impressed with the restaurant. Thought the patio and the band are EXCELLENT!!!
(3)Tiffany H.
Good service. Great tasting food and a fantastic atmosphere.
(4)Josh R.
Go to the Jazz Kitchen to here a good variety of great jazz music. I had a shrimp boil special when rebirth brass band was in town. It was a good meal with a good portion of food. On a previous trip I had the Paella, which i thought was good but not great. Overall I feel the cost of the food is just a bit pricey especially since you usually have to buy a ticket as well. Perhaps I'm just a cheap jazzer.
(4)Divya V.
Neat place.... it can get REALLY LOUD! Good mojito's! We did not go there for dinner so can't talk about the food. Although the dessert menu looks yummy!
(4)Sharee M.
Home. Sweet. Jazz Home. You have to love a place that has maintained they're great taste, style, and music since you last had a chance to visit. I did not expect anything less. But the drinks are still tasty and strong, food still yummy, desserts still good. I was a little sad my fav dessert was no longer offered, but all things come to an end. But what has not ended is the great music and sound of live jazz here. Hubby and I got made our way to a 9pm show, which was great. The band was just getting started with their second set. Hearing Rob Dixon and Cynthia Lane reminded me of my youthful undergrad years....how I miss their sound weekly in my life. Kenny Phelps still knows how to make the drum sing like no other. I caught all these great talents in one night. I never worry about the cover being too high. Come to the Chi for the highest cover you will ever find for good and quality live jazz. So think about the these elements when you're jamming' at JK's world class and world known location before you comment. I will pay $20 cover ( the most I've ever paid at JK) for many stars in one place in Indy anyday than $25 to $35 around the nation....but let me get off this soapbox. Nothing has really changed at JK and that's what I like to know. I want that familiar feeling of great wine running through your veins as quality live jazz takes over your other senses. Jazz Kitchen, I miss you. Steve, I wish you would consider opening a location in Chicago.
(5)Rebecca M.
The Jazz Kitchen has style. This is an understated jazz institution in Indy. The Jazz Kitchen is where I learned about Jazz, and understood its importance in America, and grew to love it. Every show is worth the ticket; and the food has never disappointed me. They catered my wedding, in fact, and I continue to hear that the food was 'the best food ever at a wedding'! The Jazz Kitchen is just one of only a tiny smattering of jazz clubs in the area. You need to give it a try! It's free on Mondays. The deck is open all summer long, and provides some of the best people-watching in Indy. And the bar is the place to be seen on the weekends, where some of Indy's unsung musical heroes and up-and-comers gather to swap stories of legends! Plus, step out of your comfort zone on Thursday nights for Indy's original (I think?) Salsa Night! High-energy salsa dancing, with a lesson earlier in the evening, will have you out on the dance floor amidst the best dancers you've ever seen -- I've even cha-cha'd with one of Dance Kaleidoscope's stars!
(5)Elizabeth M.
My best friend's brother is a bartender at the Jazz Kitchen, so I have to admit I've only been there for the drinks but never a show. Apparently the live jazz is fantastic, although I'm not a huge fan. That said, the atmosphere is great for a date or an evening on the patio. This isn't the type of place you want to pop in for a beer on the spur of the moment but more of a destination planned in advance; it appears customers stay for the duration of the evening and probably ring up a sizable tab. The Jazz Kitchen seems to have a lot of rules, so don't bring your rowdy friends.
(3)Regina O.
This is the first place I have been since I recently moved to Indy. It was Latin night, and since I'm Latin, I was very pleased!! Lori, the bar mgr, is great too!!! This will be a regular place for me.,
(5)Logan M.
I was having trouble finding a place to take company out of town -- I enjoy very genuine and sometimes very pricey Indianapolis restaurants. My company, however, was not in the mood for anything special; Pasta was requested. So after trying Yats and sadly walking out because they only serve food over rice, we went next door to Jazz Kitchen. Didn't care to pay for the 10$ cover to see the band so the hostess sat us in the very back behind the bar. Not a problem. We were there to eat and chat a bit. The place was packed and this alerted me we would probably wait a long time for some things. Drinks came quickly and we ordered shortly after. Then nothing for quite a long time.. maybe 20 minutes and then we received a plate of bread. but before we could even slice into it our food arrived. Service was accomodating and polite but disoriented. Our server, cory, was a cool guy. I received a BBQ chicken cobb salad and my sister ordered the Not-so-cajun Chicken which she liked. I was told by my buddy who works in the kitchen it's a very simple dish but pleasing nonetheless. My salad was less so... there has got to be a better sauce than BBQ for a cajun cobb salad. BBQ and romaine lettuce do not taste that great. The tomatoes were also sliced WAY too thick. There's got to be some QC from the kitchen-manager..
(3)Leslie H.
Salsa nights on Thursdays is oh so fun!!!! They have instructors who will help you get your groove on. The place is very chill and the people running it are very nice.
(4)Shuinn C.
Visited the Jazz Kitchen during a weekend visit to indianapolis from chicago. We saw Marlin McKay do a tribute to Donald Byrd and he (along the rest of the band) were fantastic. Paid $12 cover per person, then there is a $15 minimum for food/drink per person and this was on a saturday for the 730PM showing so thats not too bad, given the quality of the show and the excellent service. We were running late so they kindly accommodated our reservation despite being 20 minutes late. The servers were very friendly and prompt. We had the Chicken and Andouille Sausage Etouffee as well as the Strawberry Spinach Salad. The etoufee was a LOT of food, but a bit too salty for our liking, but it did go well with the salad to balance things out. For being a Music first place, the food was still pretty good. As for the band, they were great and we had a wonderful time. Definitely worth a trip if you are a fan of jazz in a bit of a more upscale setting than some of the other dive bars.
(5)Lauren W.
I have always wanted to try the Jazz Kitchen and finally went last night. I knew it would be a good night when I heard the first sweet sounds of "Summertime" followed by "At Last." The food was great, too! We had Jamaican patties for an appetizer, followed by the crab cakes (entree) and etouffe, all of which were fantastic! After the cover, drinks and food, we ended up spending $100. Honestly not bad for a two course meal, 2 red bull vodka's, 1 jack and coke, 1 beer and awesome entertainment. I'll be going back again soon! FYI -- once the music starts, it's loud, so talking is kept to a minimum.
(5)Tony I.
Good music and a nice venue. Food was great as well.
(4)Erik F.
I was at the Jazz Kitchen to watch the Leisure Kings. They were outstanding. We had the Jamaican patties for an appetizer along with the Not so Cajun chicken as the main course. The food was very good and the prices seemed good for what they served us. The service could have been better as we and a couple of tables around us would run out of drinks and the waiter could not be found anywhere. The other frustrating part of the evening was having to listen to the conversations between the hostess and the manager. I think they should have stepped into the entrance way and discussed the restaurant's business affairs in order to not disturb their customers. Oh well, that is not enough of a reason to prevent me from going back to the Jazz Kitchen. Enjoy!
(4)