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Scullers Jazz Club
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues Restaurants Canadian (New) Jazz & Blues, Canadian (New) [Edit]
Double Tree Hotel400 Soldiers Rd
Boston, MA 02134
Neighbourhood: Allston/Brighton
(617) 562-4111
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cambridge St @ Mass Pike Exit (64)
Cambridge St @ Mass Pike (64)
River St Opp Blackstone St (64, 70, 70A)
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for Scullers Jazz Club
Review Highlights
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"It's such an intimate setting you actually become part of..." In 3 reviews -
"anyway, really cool jazz musicians play at scullers and i..." In 3 reviews -
"The Heath Brothers were rockin as well." In 3 reviews
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34 reviews in English
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Review from bos f.
Somerville, MA
Club is still first-rate. Having given the dining room yet another chance, I would recommend dinner beforehand, elsewhere. Not impressed on any visit when I purchased show & dinner pkg. Dine at your favorite restaurant, and have dessert at the show.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/8/2011
Cool kats check in here. Most of the reviews here on Yelp seem to be from folks who happened to be… Read more »
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10/8/2011
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Review from Michele H.
Somerville, MA
Went to Scullers Jazz Club on a weeknight to see a pretty famous act. It was my first time at a Jazz Club, so I can't compare Scullers to anything else. But, it was a really fun time. The staff were very friendly and helpful. As for the ambiance of the place, the room was packed, but was still comfortable.
As a side note, most of the audience were middle aged and older. My group consisted of some young adolescents who don't listen to jazz music, not to mention non-vocal musicians. But even they enjoyed the experience. We were nodding our heads along and silently playing our air instruments along with the band (which did annoy one guest who was sitting stiffly), but no harm was done. In the end, their experience at Scullers Jazz helped them develop an appreciation for jazz music.
We didn't get the dinner/concert package, so I can't comment on the food. But for great music and a relaxing evening outside of Boston, it was totally worth the price. Validated parking in the hotel for the concert is $10. Not too bad. -
Review from Kristen L.
Boston, MA
Other than the random location, this place is pretty cool. I've seen some great acts here and with the total lack of jazz clubs in the city, Scullers keeps it real.
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Review from Trish F.
Boston, MA
I've heard good music.. in malls, alleyways (passing by.. not innn annn alleyway), classrooms, clubs, subways, theaters, outdoor ampitheaters, in my head, and lo and behold.. I can add "conference-esque rooms in a hotel" to that list.
Oh Scullers. To get into the proper mood, I suggest going as late as possible if you don't mind sitting wherever (as long as you've already purchased tickets). I think just walking into the room and seeing the set up would be a complete turn off. The seats in front of the stage are pretty close together and set up in 2s in front of small round cafe tables. There are also some high top tables/chairs that border the room.
In the end, I actually didn't really mind the close seats because well.. if I were in the pit at a concert the closeness would be the same. At least with Scullers, my legs weren't being knee'd and they didn't feel like they were about to give up at the end of the night. Anyway, music is intimate so get ready to snuggle.
As far as the food goes, I've had both the meatloaf and the po boy crab sliders. I liked the crab ones better. They were both really good and light but order something else if you're looking for some dinner. They were definitely a good complement to the beer that I was drinking.. even though I didn't know what I was drinking.. haha I had ordered one beer but didn't like it.. so I traded it with Shaina G... then when I went to order another.. it was a totally different shade. But, ya know. I'm a beer drinker and it was fine. Plus I didn't want to make a scene during the show and our waiter was totally hustling and working the room in the most suave, efficient way.
When it comes down to it.. if musicians are okay with this venue.. and they come back year after year in all their amazingness.. Scullers must be doing something right. To me, when I'm listening to good music I kind of forget about everything around me.. so conference room or not.. they got the acoustics and musicians to keep me coming back for more.
PS - Sign up for their mailing list. Currently, they're running a "recession" promotion, where they give out free tickets every month! I believe you can get up to 4 tickets per show. Gotta gotta love Scullers. I'm actually writing a letter to the manager when I get home to thank her. I was able to see the Heath Brothers (jazz musicians that have been in the biz for 60 years) for FREE this weekend. WORD. -
Review from Lyndsay B.
Columbus, OH
I have now been to Sculler's Jazz club twice. Both times I saw great acts at very reasonable prices.
I love the feeling of a good jazz club - cool, dark, crowded. Sculler's is just such a jazz club. Even when the venue is not sold out, the tables and chairs are placed so close together that it feels like it is a sold out show.
The last time I went, I was about 2 inches from the stage and about 6 inches from one of the performers. It was a little too close, but that's kind of what makes this place special. I got to see my favorite band and really experience their music - right next to them.
The most recent weekday show we caught was $22/person. The G&T was $9 and my husband's Smirnoff Ice was $5.75. There is also a bar food menu, but I didn't have a chance to look at it. I would imagine that it's ridiculously expensive.
When we went on a weekend, we got the dinner and concert deal with their fabulous restaurant, and it was a really great experience. Not only do you get a great (prix fixe) meal, but you also get priority seating. I believe it was $60/person, but it varies depending on the day, time and performance.
Oh! And, the driving and the parking! Easiest parking in Boston, EVER! We didn't get lost, make a wrong turn or anything. And, validated parking is only $5. That is hands down the best parking rate we have ever paid in our fair city.
I would go back to Sculler's in a heartbeat. A truly great venue for an intimate performance. -
Review from Tarah H.
Boston, MA
Three stars are for the acts and the acts alone.
Unfortunately, the space felt a bit like a hotel conference room with a stage. Sure it's dark...they turn the lights way down low. Sure it's "intimate" ...there's a bunch of tables packed tightly together. And yes, they built a bar back around the corner. But it still has the bad hotel rug, the bad hotel drapery and even the bad hotel canister lighting on a dimmer. The servers buzzed about trying to keep those in want quenched, but it was hard for them to move about with all the tables. Drinks were a little pricey, but not outlandish (though we only got beer)
I saw The Royal Crown Review here. (don't know who they are? think of the big band that performed in the club in the movie The Mask) They're an amazing act with a ton of energy. My friend and I went to see them wanting to dance. Unfortunately we were left with only the entry walk way. Didn't matter to us, though. The group commands dancing.
Somehow we were the only ones that got up to swing at any point during the show. There were definitely some patrons there to see the Royal Crown. But I got the vibe that some there just wanted to feel cultured because they listen to jazz. I bet they "enjoy" French food and go to the MFA too. And they'll make a point of telling you about it.
Sculler's really does book some amazing acts, so I'm sure I'll be back more than a few times. But for random jazz fixes, I'll keep to an actual jazz club, not a hotel convention room parading as one. -
Review from Ruben B.
Hudson, MA
I've seen Cyrus Chestnut, Hiromi, Aruan Ortiz, Marta Gomez, and some gorgeous lady sing whose name I don't remember. But I do remember each artist has successfully performed phenominally unique shows. The person selecting the Scullers jazz musicians knows most people who love music are sick of what they hear on the radio (88.9FM being the exception). Scullers without exception gets people behind the piano/guitar/horn/bass/drum and they inevitably blast the audience out of the home-cubical cycle and send ears into a lively stratosphere where every sound (clinking coffee cups + wine glasses included) is as fresh as a newborn baby.
I tend to go during the week where new & unheard of musicians play and ticket prices dip to a affordable bargain. -
Review from Suzanne G.
Dunstable, MA
I was checking the Sculler's calendar recently, looking for a couple of performers I've seen at the club...unfortunately neither is booked for the coming months.
But as others have Yelped, this place is a wonderfully intimate club, and indeed, book the dinner and show ticket together to get the best seating.
The food is ok, but considering we'd most likely make the trip in, park, do dinner, then head to Scullers, this dinner-show arrangement is convenient and efficient.
We've seen Ottmar Liebert 2 or 3 times here, and were seated right at the stage. Phenomenal. Same for Richie Havens.
Check the website even if you aren't a huge fan of jazz, because obviously they book other types of acts. -
Review from Terry C.
My friends and I came here to see Walter Beasley. I've never been to a Jazz Club and Scullers was my first. It was awesome! I had such a great time.
Going into it, i was afraid jazz will be too slow for me. But the music was really relaxing but upbeat.
The seating to the club is very close. We had a larger group so we were seated at a corner on the higher bar tables. The lightning to the club was dark...just the right mood with a tealight candle at each table. The waitress was attentive and friendly. I had a cranberry and vodka @ $12...a bit pricey - but it was at a show. -
Review from Mike D.
Boston, MA
Within the Charles-side Doubletree Hotel in Cambridge, Scullers is a far departure from traditional city street jazz clubs - trading cobblestone sidewalks and cigarette smoke for big red carpet staircases and a terraced purpose built floor plan.
Seating on the far wall offers a nice view of the city, with balanced acoustics even off-center from the stage. -
Review from molly f.
Cambridge, MA
What a night! We were absolutely blown away that this wonderful little jazz club was hidden in the Doubletree hotel in Allston...who knew?! No, the atmosphere may not be the best in the world, but how can you complain when you're sitting that close to such talented musicians in such an intimate setting?! We went for Monty Alexander and were just wowed with his performance...
If you love live jazz you can't pass up the opportunity to visit this Jazz club. Nearly every seat in the house is a good one & the good energy & vibe of the crowd & the venue will have you tapping your toes all night....
we can't wait to visit again!! -
Review from Andy M.
Essex, MA
We went to this place for the first time and won't go back. Why? Because the show lasted all of one hour. The act was pretty good -- and I would have gladly paid more for more music -- but the bottom line is the show was over by 9:15, at which point we were trapped in a remote hotel with nothing to do...so we had to pretty much start all over again and drive into Boston to another club.
The target demo for this place is clearly an "older" crowd hitting the restaurant for the early bird special and then getting in a quick concert before heading off to bed for the 11 o'clock news. If you want to groove into the wee hours (and isn't that the point of a jazz club?), Scullers is a massive disappointment. -
Review from Sogol G.
I have been there twice and both time I enjoyed my time. The musicians were great performers. The atmosphere is great and set up is good too. Drink is a little over price, which is expected for these kind of locations, e.g. long island ice tea is $11!!!!!
Service during the performance was not too good. We were not able to find our server to order more drinks. Not sure how it is other times.
But, I will go there again -
Review from mike G.
Spyro Gyra Saturday June 6, 2009 - 5 STAR JAZZ
intimate club venue + great acousticsListed in: Cambridge-Metro Boston, Pop Culture-ing
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Review from Matthew D.
Tewksbury, MA
We came to sculler's to try something different. Never been to a jazz bar or a jazz concert before. The price for tickets were reasonable considering that the music was great. We paid about $30 and some change for the tickets, and it was well worth it.
They offer valet parking or garaged parking which costs $10 when validated. The garage was a good size but we were hardly able to find a spot in the garage. Also, due to the insane amount of snow we received in the past month they had nowhere to put the snow on the top floor of the garage. So about 20 spots or more were lost to that. If that garage ends up full then go park elsewhere and get a cab to get you there.
Scullers is located on the second floor inside of the double tree hotel. Once you get inside the tickets you purchased reserve you a table inside. A host/hostess will navigate you through the room which is packed with tables and chairs with little room left for a walkway. The room filled up to capacity the night we were there, which while packed didn't feel as though we were cramped in there. It did make it difficult for the servers to keep on top of all the guests though. We waited 30 minutes for a server that never arrived, instead we went to the bar where the service was prompt. After ordering the drinks a server came up and said it is more of a service bar and if we returned to our seats they would serve us. I told her the next round we would wait and showed her where our table was. But, she never showed for the next round. Aside from that, which isn't even much to gripe about the place is a fun time.
So to sum it up simply. Parking is ok, music was great, service left something to be desired. But it could have just been an off night for the servers.
Wouldn't stop me from going again. Its a nice place for a date night. -
Review from Alena D.
Allston, MA
Loud obvious plug:: Hiromi's Sonic Bloom!
Holy crap, that was some of the best jazz I have ever seen. That woman is an animal. This tiny little asian girl with the talent to fill up Sculler's with an enormous sound and presence.
On to the venue: the decor is ...odd. Red ballroom style, maybe trying to be like an old jazz club of yore, but more awkward. When filled, it's a cozy spot to lounge in and watch some great performers. If it had been more empty I can imagine the environment to be a bit of a turn off. Has cocktails, but they're not great.
However, now my justification for five stars. Sculler's may not have the best packaging, but it feels like a favorite bookstore, or winery, or brewery that you trust and love. It may not be something you've tried before, but if they tell you it'll be good, that's recommendation enough. You may not have heard of the talent, but Sculler's assures you that they're worth hearing. Reason enough for me. -
Review from Shaina P.
Saw a great performance with my trusty Trish F. Had a few beers at a reasonable price (for being in a hotel) and taste. The location is out there, but the music makes up for it. I shared Trish's food, which was quite tasty. I like both slider versions very much. Very flavorful and easy to eat in tight quarters.
The show was only an hour and a half (the main performance), but I could have listened to the General going nutso on the piano for days. I'm sure his hands were tired. The Heath Brothers were rockin as well. So cute! Believe it or not, Scullers also brought me back to the days when I was at jazz camp (NOT band camp, way cooler...). The musicians who mentored us were out of this world and one of them is now a member of Bela Fleck.
Anyway, the amazing music that I heard at Scullers revived my interest in jazz and motivation to actually seek out great music in the area. Thank you, Scullers!
Oh! By the way, the doorman gave me a warm cookie while I waited for a cab. I declined to sit in a comfy chair/sofa (there were MANY) because I would have definitely fallen asleep there. *coo* -
Review from Charlotte W.
Brookline, MA
Wow! I can't believe I had never been to Sculler's until last night.. this place is terrific! Went with friends to see The Heath Brothers, and there were people of all ages - 20 to 80's - on dates, with friends/family, and a few people who looked like businessmen stuck at the hotel over the weekend.
Great drinks, great waiter (Carlos?) and $5 parking in the garage with validation. I can't wait to go back. Oh, we only had drinks, but some people around us ordered food (full menu) and it seemed to come out quickly. -
Review from Melissa P.
Boston, MA
The music here is fabulous! They have great talent, great acoustics.. but I give it 3 stars for the 'club' itself.
I want to give it more than 3 stars - especially since I go quite often - but I just wish there were some improvements!
First, $10 parking is a little much. Sculler is not T accessible, and having to drive there; I wish parking was cheaper! (especially since the garage is a nightmare when shows end.. crazy, chaotic drivers in a crammed garage.
Secondly, the club recently started an assigned seating policy. If you buy tickets with friends - make sure you do it IN THE SAME transaction. Asking the manager politely to be seated with your friend will not get you anywhere. In fact, our conversation the manager who refused to move our friend dampened our night.
And last.. the drinks are a little pricey. $7.25 for a beer and $12 for a mixed drink? While my drink was delicious.. it wish it were less expensive! -
Review from Diane H.
Harvard, MA
Loved it. This is a wonderfully intimate little jazz club in the Doubletree Hotel right by the Charles. We went to Diane Schuur's performance last night and the setting was perfect (and so was she!). It was easy getting there, even on a Friday night (trust me, there are ways to make the drive easy if you know your way around the city). There is an attached garage that made it easy to park under a roof and avoid getting rained on. The service was impeccable, from the concierge providing directions, to the on call ticket master at the club entrance, to the hostess, usher, servers and front desk. Talk about ultra professional handoffs! It was a great way to relax after an intense and busy week. Note that the weekend shows are on one hour sets, usually at 8pm and 10pm, so one can plan another event before or after the show. What a gem!
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Review from Dachary C.
Cambridge, MA
This place is officially my favorite jazz venue. It's fabulous! It's a rather small and intimate room, so you're close to your neighbors, but with a good show, you should be enjoying yourself enough that you don't care. The food and drinks are on the expensive side, but very good. Definitely check the website for tickets before you go, because they *do* sell out. If you're by yourself, chances are good that you can get into a sold out show (I did!) but as a couple or larger group, you're unlikely to be able to get in unless you've pre-ordered tickets. Cab fare from Central Square was $10 with a tip. Tickets, cab fare (or parking) and food and drinks can add up fast, but going to Scullers will be a night to remember. It's a great night out.
Listed in: Dating in the City
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Review from Susan J.
Boston, MA
While it is an intimate, romantic venue for jazz music, it is also an expensive cab ride for those of us dependent on the T (the Doubletree Hotel is not T-friendly). However, it was worth the trip to hear New York Voices in such a classy environment.
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Review from L K.
Boston, MA
room acoustics and intimacy with the performers is as good as it gets. the acts are world class.
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Review from Plank D.
What a fantastic club. This is almost too much of a visceral jazz club experience to be believed. It's such an intimate setting you actually become part of the performance. The place is so comfortable and laid back. Small sets of tables and chairs fill the place and yet it never feels crowded. The musicians play on a tiny stage that slightly thrusts out into the audience. When I was there, a grand piano filled the stage and Leny Andrade worked her magic on the mic. It was truly a great show. Servers come around throughout the show and refresh your drinks but are never intrusive. The music is second to none and truly provides a unique experience.
The only drawback I can think of is the distance from Boston. There is no real transit that runs out to the Doubletree Inn in which the club is located. Still, taxi fare isn't that much and it is well worth the trek out to this place if you are in town. -
Review from adam b.
Jamaica Plain, MA
My girlfriend and I went out to Scullers on a date recently. I booked us dinner reservations in the "Green Room" and got tickets to see a show at 10pm on a Saturday night.
I feel it is appropriate for me to split my review in half between dinner at the Green Room and the show in the Jazz Club.
Green Room - the 3 course prixe fix dinner stunk and was served by a pretty incompetent waitstaff. A meal for 2 with one cocktail each cost around $150. For that type of $$, the meal should be awesome. Each of our entrees looked and tasted like a Lean Cuisine on steroids. The salad was old and greens were wilted. The clam chowder tasted homemade but was served cool. Desert was nothing special and the cocktails were blah. Don't waste your money eating dinner at the Green Room. It was a nice idea to arrange dinner and show at the same location but it was far from worth it.
The Jazz Club - Its a small room and they really pack the patrons in. To put it nicely, its cozy. The band was fantastic and room had a great sound. The drinks were overpriced and on the blah side.
The overall experience was OK. I'll probably check out other jazz clubs before going back to Scullers. -
Review from Hannah L.
super cute/intimate jazz venue in boston. just saw mose allison (he's so adorable in old age). i was definitely the youngest person there.
regardless, the intimate setting was really great (very 1950 jazz club feeling) and the mixed drinks were decent. plus, parking is only $5 if you get your card stamped.
since we got our cheap-o tickets on goldstar, we sat in the back corner with the other goldstar people, which was really funny. when we walked in, the other ppl at the table asked us if we bought the tickets on goldstar too.
the sound system was really nice, and no seat was a bad seat...wow it was so random that it's plopped in the doubletree hotel!
one thing i will comment on is that the drink waitress spoke very loudly and laughed a lot to people in the club. for someone who works in a jazz club, she should know better than to be loud the whole time. i couldn't believe it. was she for real? she was very distracting and i wanted to tell her to shut up while mose was playing...who does that? in any jazz club i've been in, the waitstaff had huge respect for the people watching and the musicians playing.
anyway, really cool jazz musicians play at scullers and i recommend it for a fun date or fun thing to do. its cute low lights and little circle tables make you feel super classy and cultured, and i really enjoyed myself. -
Review from David Y.
Nice relaxed atmosphere with a nice view of the Charles River. Sculler's is a classy little venue that features some big jazz musicians. Not the best jazz club I've been to but the best in Boston. I was there to see Eliane Elias and it turned out be a nice albeit quick show. The club is located on the second floor of the Doubletree Hotel off of Soldier Field Rd, which can be a little tricky to get to. Parking inside the hotel was ample but costs $10 after hotel validation. Drinks were a bit expensive so I'd probably recommend going to a bar first and then hitting this place up for a late show. There were plenty of tables and seats without being too cramped. Service seemed good. All in all, a nice comfortable place to center an evening out around.
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Review from M. Deloris D.
Arlington, MA
I love Sculler's for it's intimacy and certainly NOT for it's cocktails. Whoever is responsible for securing the talent here is doing their job exceptionally well, in my opinion, on the other hand, whoever is in charge of making sure the barstaff know how to make cocktails that don't involve vodka and cranberry juice exclusively is slipping up. My recommendation for cocktails is that you order something simple, like a shot of bourbon (I'm only kind of kidding). At any rate, this place isn't the most T accessible but it is only a short walk from a 70/70A bus stop and a bit of a walk from Central Square but not an unbearable distance. I prefer to walk and spend the $7-11 I'd spend on a cab on my shot of bourbon.
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Review from Armine N.
I've been to Scullers many times over the years and seen numerous eclectic performers. The atmosphere is fantastic (as far as I'm concerned, it is unrivaled and far superior to that of the Regattabar). The club is dark, small and intimate, allowing for the type of experience any jazz lover looks for. The prices for the show are fairly reasonable considering the amazing acts the club brings but the drinks are pricey and not always well made. If you want to get a front row seat at the show, you are going to want to book the dinner/show package. The dinner is mediocre and overpriced (for what it is), but well worth it if you are interested in getting that front row seat. Definitely check out the lineup before you go (http://www.scullersjaz...)
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Review from Tom v.
Cambridge, MA
The place to go to for top notch jazz in town. Sure, the decor is indifferent and the food mediocre, but Scullers traditionally has, and still does attract the best of the best. A partial list of people I've seen there: Eartha Kitt, Shirley Horn, Linda Eder, Oleta Adams, Teri Thornton, Angie Bofill, Joe Sample & Lalah Hathaway....... the list goes on and on. You simply don't see artists like these elsewhere in town.
The venue is so small that often as not, you get to hobnob with the performers and meet them. I introduced my brother and sister in law to the music of Oleta Adams by bringing them here, and we sat right next to her very sweet and nice husband/drummer, who chatted and joked with us at various points in the performance with Oleta watching, smiling from behind her keyboard across the stage. You simply don't get that kind of experience in big venues.
A couple of other things. Everything is by advance reservation and purchase. You are best off at tables near the stage. During larger events, avoid the back room extension if you can -- thick structural columns between the two rooms do a grand job of obscuring much of the stage. The whole venue is smokeless... a nice touch. Food, even simple finger food is expensive and not in any way distinctive.
Enjoy..... the music is great, and the view of the river adds a romantic, cosmopolitan touch. -
Review from J ..
Weymouth, MA
Sculler's is a great place for a show! Being one of the lesser-known jazz venues in Boston, it's intimate, never over crowded, and a great night out. However, the location is pretty inconvenient (inside the Doubletree Hotel). I hear they've recently added valet parking, but otherwise you park in the hotel's garage (don't forget to get your ticket validated!). Shows offer a wide array of jazz types. Check out the upcoming lineup at http://www.scullersjaz.... Tickets can get pricey, but no worse than any other music venue, and you'll probably enjoy this place a lot more. They serve drinks, appetizers and desserts at the tables in the club, and you can also get a 'package deal' on having dinner in the hotel restaurant prior to your show (this also gets you preferred seating in the club). For bigger acts, they'll play more than one night and typically do 2 shows a night. Sets aren't long, but they're fun. The intimate atmosphere also allows for fans to hang out with the musicians between and after the sets.
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Review from scott b.
Newton, MA
please keep in mind that i only gave it three stars because of the music - if there wasnt any live band playing there it would be a negative rating - i mean it is what it is - go there for the music
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Review from Molly D.
Cambridge, MA
Intimate. Wonderful. Relaxing.
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Review from Mon T.
Boston, MA
wonderful place to go for live jazz music!!! how can you miss that if you live around Boston area!!!!
