What happened to the jazz bars in Boston?

Submitted by reddaj t3_10olqjw in boston

I thought that the South End would be a reliable spot but seems to be overtaken by all the college kids, seems more like frat houses than a spot for older crowds to feel comfy. Last night I tried to check out Wally's and then moved on to Beehive thinking it would appeal to me more but was mistaken, not like how it used to be or maybe its the time of year?

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spedmunki t1_j6fjo7q wrote

I mean, Wally’s is basically on the NEU campus and has always been popular with students.

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Shemsuni t1_j6ft24x wrote

Wally’s has a tiny footprint. A hassle to get in. Hassle to order a drink. Hassle to find a seat. God bless them though.

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reddaj OP t1_j6flyrb wrote

Wally's wasnt too much of a shocker plus its a tiny space. The bartender there was really rude, I think band was in the intermission when I walked in around 8 pm and I asked him what time they play. He vaguely answers 5 as if its next day at 5 am or something that they will begin playing. I think he meant they have been playing since 5 pm but don't know why he couldn't have just answered with yes they are playing but in intermission currently 🤦‍♂️

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Chippopotanuse t1_j6gpule wrote

“What happened to jazz bars in Boston?”

Oh, you like jazz? Cool.

But also

“What does ‘five’ mean when a band isn’t playing? Why couldn’t he hand me the program for the evening or explain to me that it was ‘intermission’???”

You probably interpreted the bartender as rude because you aren’t the aficionado of jazz bars you think you are.

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Shemsuni t1_j6ft9pt wrote

It’s not just you bro. The guy is a douche.

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yacht_boy t1_j6fosif wrote

Scullers.

Mad monkfish.

Oak bar on certain nights.

Lilypad.

Darryls corner.

There are others but that will get you started. Unfortunately the pandemic and just changing times have led to the closure of some of the other great spots we used to have.

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GregzillaKillah t1_j6gq2ct wrote

Speaking of Scullers though, do they even do any shows anymore? I haven’t heard of any big names coming around there since March 2020.

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yacht_boy t1_j6gs2hb wrote

The website says they have a few shows coming up but it doesn't seem like the same quantity they used to have.

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marshmallowhug t1_j6ihdpc wrote

A couple more are expected to open in the next year or so!

I'm up on Somerville, pretty close to the Mad Monkfish (which is great!) but I've honestly been enjoying going out to the Porch for blues more recently, since I really enjoy the casual bar feel (and the whiskey). Also, the porch has space for dancing, which is a rarity in this area.

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SomeHomeOwner t1_j6ijvwi wrote

Regatta bar still doing jazz?

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Extreme_Secretary156 t1_j6fogx7 wrote

Go go the bebop on Saturday nights for their open jazz jam sessions. It’s right around the corner from berklee and all the kids are unbelievably talented

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Shemsuni t1_j6fsg5y wrote

Property prices have murdered such soulful places. Sad.

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Competitive_Bat4000 t1_j6fjed2 wrote

Those darn kids, I bet they won’t stay off your lawn either.

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slimeyamerican t1_j6g33p6 wrote

Used to love Wally’s pre-Covid. Now I can’t make time for the hassle, but I’m glad it’s still there

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Syjefroi t1_j6ik5px wrote

There are some good answers here, I'll also add Aeronaut which can have jazz acts here and there. Also the swing dance scene is starting to recover and while unfortunately some of the old stalwart bands of the scene have packed it in, there is a new generation of really excellent young musicians getting involved and helping to put Boston back on the map.

Lastly, some jazz has moved into smaller less dedicated spaces (including house shows), so it can be harder to get to where the players are. Your best bet is: next time you see a jazz show you like, ask the band leader or especially any side player you like where they are playing soon, and you'll get some great intel. Half of the time they'll say something you can barely google or sounds made up like "The Art Dungeon, in the basement of Papa Gino's" or whatever. Then you'll start to get a sense of where you can see shows and get closer to players and the music they're making. Go to Lilypad and triple the suggested Venmo minimum at the door and make someone's night, they'll tell you what they're most excited about coming up and now you've got a killer spot in your pocket from a musician who has the best energy you could ever hope for. Shit, like a quarter of folks playing around town are still in school so maybe you'll even get a "you should come to my senior recital at the shitty little stage in the old Berklee building on a Wednesday at 2pm" and it will be one of the best shows you've seen in your entire life.

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phlukeri t1_j6gz9ur wrote

Mad Monkfish. All the way.

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fakecrimesleep t1_j6j1rhk wrote

Boston doesn’t give af about any live music venues that aren’t live nation/aeg owned. If rock can barely survive, jazz is on the guillotine too

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sadgringopapi t1_j6jkfdk wrote

Why have art when we can have a Capital One Lounge?

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Throwaway1238gg t1_j6ht6fl wrote

This is coming - https://www.boston.com/culture/arts/2022/12/30/jazz-urbane-cafe-plans-for-2023-opening-in-roxbury/

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sendep7 t1_j6jzaxf wrote

more like what happened to the bars in boston. city is so boring now, its all housing no one can afford.

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Stronkowski t1_j6iga2w wrote

I assume the answer is something like "the 60s".

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