The Lenox Lounge in Harlem, home to legendary jazz greats Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, continues the tradition weekends with three jazz performances a night. Other popular Harlem haunts include St. Nick's Pub's Monday night jam sessions, Minton's Playhouse, where Charlie Parker was discovered and the neighborhoods' most alternative space, The Shrine, featuring $6 and less happy hour drinks. Find pop singers/songwriters Ashford and Simpson's Jazzy Tuesdays at their restaurant/lounge, The Sugar Bar, over on West 72nd Street. Down at Dizzy's Club Cocoa Cola at Lincoln Center on 60th Street, there's all types of jazz everyday until 11:30 p.m. And, Smoke, on Broadway, features Latin, Afro-Cuban, and world jazz from big names on Friday and Saturday; bar closes at 4 p.m.
Iridium books top-known artists six days a week with the Les Paul Trio featured on Mondays; a gospel jazz group performs on Sundays. West of the theatre district on West 44th sits Birdland (named after Charlie Parker known as Bird to fellow musicians), and home of Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra and Lew Anderson's All American Big Band. Not far on 8th Avenue near 45th, is Charley O's showcasing a Jazz Quintet on Mondays and Tuesdays. While over on Park Avenue at the Kitano Hotel there's always an impressive lineup of piano trios and quintets.
Downtown New York is known for being the most offbeat part of the city. From Greenwich Village to the Lower East Side (LES), this is the place to stumble upon that one unique jazz set. The big boys in town: Jazz Standards on E. 27th with a line up classic jazz to funk. The ever-popular Blue Note in the West Village, host to renown jazz talent daily; offers half-price Mondays. Joe's Pub on Lafayette Street where the Charles Mingus Orchestra performs. The Knitting Factory on Broadway and Church Street, the oldest downtown jazz venue offering the most eclectic lineup. Though small in size, the Zinc Bar presents heavy hitters at its West Village venue. While Small's Jazz Club presents classic soloists and quintets. Not far away is 55 Bar, a local hangout, offering innovative jazz musicians. While reminiscent of the Speak Easy era is The Bar Next Door, for late-night food and music. Further down on Ludlow Street is Torch, with a roundup of jazz singers performing to a dinner crowd. And for a night full of fun, there's the Slipper Room on Orchard Street offering burlesque, drag and jazz.