One of the true tests of a city is, in my opinion, great jazz. Along with excellent markets, fabulous architecture, and great food, jazz is a marker of a city I’ll return to again and again.
Luckily, I live in Dallas, where excellent jazz venues abound. Here are my five favorite places to listen to jazz.
Cafe des Artistes – Beautiful little cafe designed after the Brasseries of the La Belle Epoque. Located in One Arts Plaza, it’s right in the middle of the Dallas Arts District. There’s a terrific jazz ensemble lead by Adam Nguyen, that plays every Saturday night, adding to the Parisian ambiance. If smoking were still allowed, I think you just might feel as though you’d stepped into a time machine.
I especially like the bartender here and feel comfortable being on my own. There are always lots of folks stopping by on their way to the theater, opera or symphony.
You can check the website for hours and directions, but there is no information on the performers.
Cafe des Artiste
One Arts Plaza
1722 Routh St. Dallas, Texas
cafedadallas.com
214.217.6888
Chocolate Secrets, located in the Oak Lawn neighborhood, is a cozy little cafe offering wine by the glass or bottle, handmade Belgian chocolates, coffees, and desserts. It’s a romantic spot for a date night, or a small intimate group.
There is live jazz Wednesday through Saturday nights. Saturday is my favorite night, as friends Jason Bucklin and Terry Hankins play jazz guitar. Ask them to play some Beatles tunes for you.
Chocolate Secrets does have a full event calendar on their website, so check it out.
Chocolate Secrets
3926 Oak Lawn
Dallas, Texas
mychocolatesecrets.com
214.252.9801
The Amsterdam Bar is located near Fair Park and has a very casual and young vibe.
There’s a nice outdoor patio, and I hear the beer selection is amazing.
Monday night is jazz night, and you can often find legendary sax player Shelley Carrol there, with other great musicians. Definitely worth stopping in.
The Amsterdam Bar
831 Exposition Ave.
Dallas, Texas
theamsterdambar.com
214.827.3433
Buzzbrews is a tiny coffee shop that is a surprising venue for great jazz.
Sunday nights, you can catch the Rebel Alliance Jazz Ensemble, an 18 piece big band, packed into this unexpected Deep Ellum location. The place is tiny so if you are sound sensitive, you may want to sit in the back or take some ear plugs – you’ll still be able to hear, believe me! This music is fun and energetic – you’ll probably want to dance, and I’m pretty sure if you can find a spot, no one would mind. At the very least, you’ll be bouncing in your seats.
Buzzbrews Kitchen
Deep Ellum
2801 Commerce St.
Dallas, Texas
buzzbrews.com
214.741.2801
The Balcony Club , located above the Lakewood Theater in east Dallas, is a long time favorite, attracting an all ages crowd. On weekends there’s usually a bridal party or two, and always plenty of neighborhood locals. It attracts the famous and the not so famous, but it’s always friendly.
The website posts a calendar, but seriously, just go. It’s one of the coolest venues in Dallas, and they are open seven nights a week. Any night at the Balcony Club is a good night.
The Balcony Club
1825 Abrams (look for the art deco Lakewood Theater marquee)
Dallas, Texas
214.826.8104
thebalconyclub.com
Do you have anything to add? What have I missed? And, if you’re in Dallas, let me know – we can go on a photowalk, and then listen to some jazz!
All materials ©PennySadler 2012-2013. All rights reserved.
Adventures of a Carry-on 
Great slice of Dallas night life! I’ll save the good info to have in one spot look-up….
Paula, thanks and glad you found it helpful!
I’m sad to admit that I’m a Chicagoan who isn’t fond of jazz (and a former clarinet player, to boot!). It’s a shame because Chicago has so many great places with a lot of character that are known as Jazz bars. Especially timely with the release of Great Gatsby, and excellent pictures, Penny.
what fun places!!
Never would’ve thought that Dallas had a thriving jazz scene, but it makes sense. Dallas is a great city!
Never even thought to look into the jazz scene when I visited Dallas last fall, now I’ll know better!
The north Texas area as some of the best schools for musicians anywhere in the country, hence, great music and great jazz. 😉
These look great — especially those sculpted chocolates at Chocolate Secrets. Jazz and chocolates — who can go wrong?
Lots of people seem to feel the same. 🙂