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Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
Category: Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues Jazz & Blues [Edit]
1254, rue MacKayMontreal, QC H3G 2H4
(514) 931-6808
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
12 reviews for Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
12 reviews in English
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Review from Jando S.
1/11/2012 16 photos
Upstairs is Montreal's finest jazz venue and one of the city's local gems. Its a small and intimate, a perfect spot for any date and a fun way to spend an evening sipping on drinks, grabbing a bite, and listening to some of the best live music in the area.
Joel Giberovitch opened this neat little jazz joint nearly 20 years ago, which has gained a notable amount of popularity, especially in the last decade. His inspirations from his past trips to legendary New York jazz are an obvious influence in the makeup of his decor, which include wooden panels, brick walls, a lengthy yet cozy bar, and classy linens draping each table. If that doesn't establish the mood, I don't know what does. Seating is tight of course, but group dining is very possible here; I would highly recommend reservations.
Though it's been touted as a fun lunch spot, I'm more of a fan during their showcase nights which happen every Friday and Saturday. There is usually a cover charge before midnight, which was about $5 last time I checked. Groups of 4 or more are almost guaranteed a wait, but if you don't listen to jazz often, then take it like a champ and wait it out.
If the music isn't worth it (but of course it is), then consider the food and the drinks. Much of the menu is distinctly American, with quite few dishes named after notable states in the South, the birth place of jazz. Another portion of the menu is tapas, which is more bar food (nachos, quesadillas, fries, etc.) than they are classic Spanish small plates. I've enjoyed their food overall, as I've had good results with their pappardelle verona, their New Orleans filet mignon, and their array of tasty burgers. Try any of their martinis or get a wine to be paired with the food.
Then of course there's the music. Live jazz doesn't have to be during Montreal Jazz Festival, it can be had here on a much more casual level. The music has always taken precedence and has been a treat every time. I could probably not even eat anything and just sit to enjoy the performances, which vary from a wide range of local and visiting musicians.
I think very highly of this place and hope it continues to do well. I haven't gone to Montreal as often lately and want Upstairs to keep the drinks flowing and the music going. If only I could write their name upside down (see pics for reference).Listed in: Montreal At Night (MTL)
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Review from Mike B.
7/14/2011
10:54 PM - "gentlemen, there's a $5 cover charge."
"I thought it was free after 11 PM?"
"oh, yeah, but there's six minutes left. if you want to not pay the cover charge, you could just wait outside for a few minutes then come back in."
"sure thing, sugar."
fucking A, Canadians really are a polite people! sweet! and she didn't care that I called her "sugar"...ah, I do love the fact that I work in an office from the 1950s.
anywho, this place is awesome. damned if I can actually name any jazz musicians or songs, but I do enjoy listening to it. plus, 2 of my friends were in our college's jazz band and aren't really the raging type, so they were interested in this place when I mentioned that I found it on Yelp.
it's a small, intimate pub with candlelit tables and very comfortable seating. we just wanted to unwind and have a few more drinks...
...hmm, fairly strong mixed drinks are in the 7-12 bucks range, not bad...
...waitress, another gin and tonic please...
...yeah, fuck it, I'll try a raspberry Lynchburg lemonade, why not...
...and so we end up closing out the place and shaking hands with every performer who played that night. again, damned if I can recall their names but we had a great time. crowd was about split between a college-age crowd and some older people. as it turned out, most of these were performers or at least ended up playing some songs.
not too busy on a Tuesday, so we got our drinks quickly, and also got to, you know, actually hear the musicians playing.
they also have food, but we didn't order any. they also have various teas on hand, so if you REALLY want to relax.
excellent place for a date or just a relaxing night out.Listed in: Bonjour, Montreal
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Review from May N.
10/23/2010 1 photo
I went here for live jazz on the last night of my last Montreal trip. It was early on a Thursday night. Next to the door is a calendar of the month's events and their respective cover charges. Convenient if you're too cheap to pay for an international smartphone plan, too far from your hotel's WiFi, or don't want to suck up your pride to ask. Only the first two apply to me.
They don't have happy hour specials. ("Everything here is special!") After my work in Africa, I learned it never hurts to ask. Even in a joint this cool.
I had a "sangria rouge" that I assumed would be a red wine sangria, but it was more orange and weak. The Guinness my partner had seemed much better. Everyone around us received complementary bread/butter except us. Our food was good/average - my Tijuana hamburger was well done and had sour cream and guac. My partner's tofu burger was delicious. Both burgers came with a green salad - again, love the salads in Montreal - and fries. Portion sizes perfect, not too much food.
We had the restaurant's tiramisu which was average. Then we enjoyed the night's act, The Kandinsky Effect. The leader and saxophonist was from California so we understood him completely. Cover charge $6 each added to our bill. It was good stuff, even if half the audience as the place filled up seemed to be friends of the band.
Overall, a great, intimate place to hear jazz. There seemed to be performances almost every night. Covers vary. Accept credit cards. And the place is actually located downstairs at almost basement level, hence the logo of the resto-jazz-club is upside down. Oh the irony. Stars for the jazz; don't expect much from the food or drinks. -
Review from John Z.
6/22/2010
I'm so glad that I visited Upstairs. The vibe is laid back, the service is friendly and helpeful, the food and beverages are reasonable priced, and the live jazz entertainment is terrific. The pianist that was playing the night I visited is an accomplished festival jazz player in the Northeast area.
I'd recommend that you visit Upstairs and enjoy a great night out in Montreal. -
Review from Chance X.
QC
11/27/2008
I loved this intimate place. It is small and UPSTAIRS writes upside down because it is actually in a basement! :-) Very stylish and great jazz., not the kind so out of tune & u can't bear.
Drinks are delicious here too and cheap! I had the entertainer - a recommandation from a handsome waiter, very well made for only $7.5! My friend had something colada which is also very tasty. One note thought, there is a 5 dollar per person charge to sit down. -
Review from Mauricio B.
4/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent Jazz club. Cozy atmosphere with traditional jazz club feel. I listened to KRAKATOA, and they were spectacular.
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Review from Dave L.
9/17/2008 1 photo
All that jazz!
Other places do jazz once in a while. But these folks do it all year 'round. Aw yea. Great venue and friendly bar staff. Don't know much about the food, but their drinks and desserts are solid. But really, you come for the jazz.
Tips: Check out the website for the latest performance information and singer/musician biography. -
Review from Zack S.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2009
Went here with my dad on a Friday Night.
I recommend a reservation and plan to stay for the night.
We were there from 7:30 till 11:30. It was fantastic.
Small. Cozy. Good service. Good Food. Great set up for Jazz.
I had the Steak Frits. It wasn't a unbelievable steak, but a steak you would expect from a place like this.
It's a good venue for friends who like jazz, a date, family to enjoy a night out.
Do it up if you love Jazz and Food in a lovely setting.
OH, and no talking aloud when the band plays! Fantastic! -
Review from Amber M.
3/24/2009
Overall, the best sound setup for jazz in the city.
The food leaves something (dinner somewhere else) to be desired, the drinks are tiny and the covers are high.
But - I've seen consistently good music here. Either the owner is an avid jazz fan or just knows what talent is and books it.
Other jazz clubs in Montreal keep a tight leash on their rotation so you end up seeing the same acts again and again. Upstairs Jazz keeps a good mix of Canadian and international musicians in an unpredictible line-up. This fact alone keeps me coming back to find my seat at the bar for at least two sets, sometimes all three. -
Review from Magnus M.
Saint-Laurent, QC
1/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food is fantastic, though choice is limited. Service is ok. The main attraction, music, is incredible.
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Review from Sumit C.
1/12/2009
Nice chill bar with a good vibe. Casual atmosphere, and reasonable prices. $3 cover is very reasonable too! The bar next door seemed pretty crowded too!
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Review from David B.
4/6/2010
Cool spot but parking is hard to find on weekends so plan to get there early.
