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Name: Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club
Address: 7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814
Telephone: (240) 330-4500
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.14

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club

7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814

(240) 330-4500
Store is closed

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club Menu

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g

Big Buford® 230g

Bacon Buford® 255g

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g

Checkerburger® 170g

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g

Cheese Double Cheese 190g

Chili Cheeseburger 135g

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g

Double Decker 215g

Rallyburger® 170g

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g

Smokehouse Buford® 265g

Triple Cheeseburger 250g

Healthy Meal suggestions for

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 570, Saturated Fat (ms) : 6, Calories: 280, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 9, Calories: 370, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 1340, Saturated Fat (ms) : 20, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 6 ]

Big Buford® 230g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1090, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 570, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Buford® 255g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1510, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 680, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 1310, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 660, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 490, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 930, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 580, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 35, Sodium (s): 1230, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 630, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 1030, Saturated Fat (ms) : 25, Calories: 740, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 34, Sodium (s): 1360, Saturated Fat (ms) : 28, Calories: 790, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Checkerburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Cheese Double Cheese 190g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1140, Saturated Fat (ms) : 17, Calories: 510, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Chili Cheeseburger 135g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 620, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 760, Saturated Fat (ms) : 14, Calories: 460, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Decker 215g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 720, Saturated Fat (ms) : 13, Calories: 480, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Rallyburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Triple Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 1450, Saturated Fat (ms) : 23, Calories: 690, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Healthy Meal suggestions for CheckersRally

Burgers

Smokehouse Buford® 265g [ Sodium (s): 1610, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 15 ]

Visit below restaurant in Bethesda for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels ( 7107 Democracy Blvd )

Write An Anonymous Review

John M.

I found out about this place from a friend and then booked tickets on Goldstar.com which saved me 60% on last Sunday night's show. We had excellent seats, directly in the front with a wonderful view of the band. The venue was modern and updated, had great seating arrangements and the wait staff was very helpful. There is a public parking garage right behind the venue so parking isn't a hassle, the food is good and they also serve great cocktails well. If your looking to have a good night out and spend a little extra cash, this venue is appropriate for any occasion or relationship. :)
(4)
F J.

Went to a comedy event here on a Friday night. The place has character but is a little odd. There is an external window like you see to purchase tickets to a movie, but after waiting for someone to show up, you realize that ticket purchase is an office next door. Maybe because it was dark, I missed the sign. It was not obvious. The set up is nice for viewing entertainment while dining. There are theater seats in the back but they make you sit for dining service before you can just opt to sit in the back for a drink. They try to fill up that area first. However, the food and drink services were horrible. The venue with it many waiter staff had to pull people from tickets, etc to take orders. Of course that meant they did not know who ordered what. The man next to me had 3 different plates offered to him of food he did not order (he ordered wings). In the end, he never received his food as the show was over. I saw other people whose food never arrived; $9 for 5 portions of a deep fried wings (= 2 1/2 wings) with an exuberant amount of carrots and celery and two side dressing told me they reduced portion of wings and used the other as plate fillers. I guess the silver lining is that it kept me on a diet. I think they ran out. This is a distance for me to drive, so I am not sure it is worth it to give it another try.
(3)
Joan C.

paid $40 to see Rickie Lee Jones last night--service/food/ambience/parking/etc was all good-no major glitches. Bethesda people expect every night out to be perfectly seamless with no hiccups. Stop dreaming Bethesda people. This place has some hiccups yes, but paying $40 to see a brilliant artist like RLJ made them go away. Normally we'd have to schlep to the Birchmere (deep in The Confederacy) but this place is 15mins drive down Wisconsin Ave. What a breeze. I hope this place survives--it deserves to if for no other reason than to inject some "grit" into the prefab antiseptic bubble of Bethesda.
(5)
Bob W.

Spectacular venue, in a fully restored 1930s art deco theater, featuring astounding acoustics. Not a bad seat in the house. You can also order some great food at very reasonable prices. I would easily say this is the Washington metro area's very own Radio City Music Hall. A real treasure. Support the investors who took a real gamble on this place, and take in a show!
(5)
Susan R.

We saw the Peter Fraize Quartet. Our waiter was very helpful in what the kitchen is good at. We had the calamari, watermelon and feta salad, and rosemary gnocchi. The food was good and loved the music. The drinks were expensive though and there is a $15 minimum per person.
(4)
Freda J.

BACKGROUND: I purchased a Living Social deal on May 4th for the Bethesda Supper Club Jazz event for May 19th at 7:30pm. Will call and the doors opened at 5:30pm. The deal consisted of dinner for two which came with a small salad and entree per person. AMBIANCE: The dining area was dimly lit with votives. It was very romantic, laid back and definitely what you'd expect when listening to jazz. There were two floor levels facing the stage, outlining seating and theater rows against the very back wall. On the two floor levels were 4 person tables. We were seated on the second level that looked a little crowded. Fortunately, we were seated near the back at a 2 person table. SERVICE AND FOOD: When I arrived with my boyfriend around 6:15pm, they didn't even have us on the list. No biggie, I had a print out of my deal so the concierge/host seated us. We were seated and given water around 6:30pm and ordered our meals. We waited another 30 minutes for the complimentary small Caesar or House salad that came with no dressing and croutons on mine (after I specifically told the waiter that I cannot eat them). Our waiter brought some dressing out in a very small cup. The dressing was the only good thing about that meal. After eating the paltry salad, the plates were cleared and we waited patiently for our main dishes. The band started playing on time at 7:30pm. We still had no entrÃ©es. We asked our waiter about the wait and he said it was coming. However, 8:15pm rolled around and we still hadn't eaten. We noticed a number of couples that were there before us that hadn't received their entrees and others who came after and were already half way through theirs. There was also one amusing instance where a waitress was walking around for almost 5 minutes trying to find which table two plates belonged to. It seemed as if she asked everyone on the second level. After being unsuccessful, she went back into the kitchen (P.S. it wasn't ours). It had now been two hours since we arrived and we still didn't eat anything but a small salad. Our server never came back to check on us or refill our waters despite our efforts to flag him down. He would just give a nod and keep moving. We even asked a concierge/host (one of the guys in a tan jacket) to find our waiter and he could not. It was at this point that we were fed up, hungry and decided to leave around 8:30pm. So, technically there is no food review because we didn't eat! LIVE PERFORMANCE: This was the saving grace of the place and the ONLY reason I gave my review 2 stars (wish I could do 2.5). The band was amazing! We saw the Ron Kearns Quintet. Each player had his own solo in the beginning and they continued to play many songs. The sound was perfect and very enjoyable. OVERALL: It was a great MUSIC experience that I would like to have again; however, because of the ridiculously poor service I highly doubt that we would ever go back. SUGGESTION: I suggest that if a company offers a Living Social deal, then it should be thoroughly prepared for the possible influx of customers. I believe that they were understaffed, unprepared, and inattentive to customers that paid to be there. There should be no reason anyone should wait 2 hours for a meal AFTER ordering.
(2)
M K.

The entertainment was good, as expected (Lloyd Dobler Effect). However, the food was sub-par (insufficiently-heated food, bone-dry chicken and under-cooked rice); disappointing especially for the prices they charge. We assumed the closer tables were more expensive as we were never asked if we wanted to sit closer. It turns out that is not the case. They should not assume everyone is a regular. The service was mixed. We were immediately attended to when we arrived. However, service dropped off almost immediately even though the place never did have more than half of its seats filled. We never were offered or received water refills and they don't have a drink menu other than the specials menu which essentially list various sugar juices combined with alcohol. When a manager stopped by and we expressed our honest opinion, she didn't seem to know how to respond and never offered to remedy the poor quality of food. Not impressed. Of course, the venue suffers from its history as a theater, meaning you have to travel afar to get to the bathroom, working through the maze of tightly arranged tables. It's a challenge when sober and potentially dangerous when you've had one too many.
(2)
Gary H.

Mixed feelings after our first visit to BB&J to see Maggie Rose on March 8th. First the good: Very easy to get to and convenient parking in the garage next door. Food was good but a little overpriced but more on that next. The not so good: My wife and I arrived early as recommended on their website (arrived around 6PM for the 8PM show) hoping to get a good table close to the stage. We "checked-in" at the hostess table and were given a hand written number (7) and told that was the order in which we arrived and we could wait in the bar area. After ordering a couple of drinks (They were out of soda for a run and coke?) we waited for 25-30 minutes and still no word on seating for dinner. We went up by the hostess and I was asking an assistant and she just said follow her and she seated us at a table for 4 on the second tier of tables near the back. I tried asking about our "ticket number" but was basically ignored and asked if this was our first time there. So what was the point of getting there early to be given a bad table at the back of the room? Our server was so-so. We both ordered the filet mignon and added a house salad to go with the meal. 20 minutes after ordering we have our steaks but no salads. Our server comes by briefly asking how everything is and we let her know that we never got the salads we ordered. She apologized and asked if we still wanted them, which we said yes we did. She did offer to take charge for the salads off but we told her that it wasn't her fault and leave them on the bill. The filet's were very good but again overpriced for what you get. We did get our salads about 5 minutes after letting our server know and the salads were good but served on too small of a plate. We might give BB&J another chance if it's a good performer but at least we know what to expect now.
(2)
Peanut B.

Loved the ambience, decor, and music was outstanding. Great evening out..Now the reason I gave it 2 stars. The food was awful and tasted like it had been microwaved for us. Unfortunately, the spinich salad gave me food poisoning. I so wanted to write up a great review but beware. Drinks, music, dancing great just say NO TO THE FOOD
(2)
Robert A.

Saw the show on Saturday night. The good news is that this crew got the idea right in how best to utilize this space for the intended use, as a live music venue. The sound system is very good and handles music well, at least for an amplified group like I saw last night. I'll be curious to see who they do with acoustic music. Combining a club seating for those dining with theater seating for those who make the wise choice of skipping dinner (more on that in a moment) provides options for the audience. Having a generous bar area with video feed from the stage is also a very nice touch - those who want to have a drink and talk without missing the show have an alternative to annoying the audience in the music room. Now the reasons for three stars. First, the tables on the mezzanine level were jammed together making an uncomfortable fit. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to get perimeter seating so we weren't fighting for a few inches of space as many others were. Given how early we arrived, I was surprised we weren't offered seating on the main floor since I thought it was one price for all. I didn't look to see whether they shared the same fate of crowding as we did. Given how good the sound system is, the sound man kept the levels just under the pain threshold, even when the band switched to an acoustic interlude. You don't have to blow the audience away particularly when they are relatively quiet. So, one star off for that problem. The second issue was the food. Had the gumbo to start. Pretty good, though they wouldn't stay in business in New Orleans for any length of time. The blackened grouper was covered in jambalaya which was a jumbled mess. Undercooked rice, a side of overcooked green beans and a small portion of fish. The Jambalaya overtook the fish resulting in an odd and not very good combination of flavors. Not cheap either considering the cover charge was rather high for the status of the act we saw. Can't assess whether that is true across the calendar, but it sure seems that some of the acts upcoming that will be a draw were more reasonably priced. A second star off for the mediocre food. Overall, I have to say that they are on the right track with the dinner/show concept. They need to make adjustments to the sound, food and crowding. I'll pay more to be in a comfortable room, so don't confuse quantity with quality of experience. And the dining won't last long until they get a better product out of the kitchen. Fix those things and you'll get all five stars from me.
(3)
Monica W.

The ambiance was very nice as well as the layout of the restaurant. Every seat has a great view of the stage. The band that I listened to (Chopteeth) was very good. As far as the food - not so good. I thought I would play it safe by ordering the Fish & Chips. The description said it would be crispy, but my order was soggy and lukewarm. The fish looked like two oversized fish sticks with a lot of batter. It didn't bother sending it back because it took so long for the order to come and I was so hungry. Like other reviewers have stated, you don't come here for the food but to listen to the band. Still this place should step with their food.
(2)
Raquel J.

Enjoyed the music. Food was good. Drinks weak. Portions are small. Waitress sucked. Manager tried but sour taste in mouth now.
(3)
A G.

I went to BBJ for their opening night with Branford Marsalis and what a venue! My wife and I were shown to the bar at the front of the house which had a great seating area to relax and have a cocktail prior to the show. We then got seated at one of the dinner tables close to the stage. The service was prompt and the food was fantastic! It was a busy night for them and they pulled off the dinner perfectly. My filet was cooked to perfection and hot, which is great to experience when the club is full. While we were having dinner, Branford came out and put on a show like no other! The acoustics were amazing and his set list was fantastic! All in all, I would highly recommend BBJ for anyone in the DC metro area. It's one of only a few true jazz clubs in the area, and in my opinion the best.
(5)
James w.

Went here for dinner and the show. Food was at best just OK. Theater was very hot and uncomfortable. Having said those two things we enjoyed the show and would go back but not for food. Its better to eat somewhere else and spend the $15 minimum on a few drinks or a drink and an app or desert.
(3)
Amy B.

My boyfriend and I went here last night for the LivingSocial deal to see Paul Carr and had a great time. We sat in the back of the dining section, so it was a little hard to see, but the sound was good. We also thought the food was very good- bruschetta, house salad, Caesar salad, crabcakes, blackened grouper, and mousse. The grouper might have been a little too salty, and also I didn't realize the sauce would have sausage in it, but everything else was great. The waiter wasn't as attentive as he could have been, but maybe that's normal for a supper club. I don't know that I would pay full price to come back, just because jazz isn't really my thing, but I might come back with another deal.
(4)
Don R.

We returned to the club yesterday (Saturday) with some friends. The food and drink were fine and service excellent but the music was terrible! It was some middle aged and barely talented Rock band. Seriously. This is a group for a sweet sixteen party (and there were a few in the audience). This is a jazz and blues club. WTF?
(2)
Ned R.

Saw chick corea recently. First time going to this club. Thought it was fantastic. Loved the ambiance. Acoustics great. Been going to jazz clubs for 40 years. One of the best. Had the crab cakes. As good as any i have ever had! Yes, i was surprised too! And no, i am not getting paid to write this and have no ties to the place.
(5)
Elie C.

I attended opening night and went again last night to hear the house big band. Music is great, servers are friendly and helpful. Food opening night was disjointed, but that was not an issue on my second visit albeit there were many fewer people. Music volume is still pretty loud, but they advertise themselves as a place to listen to music, not as a place to do a lot of talking. I think dancing here would be great. Highly recommended!
(4)
Joe L.

Saw Soul Crackers on 12/20. Phenom show but not much to recommend about venue. Had trouble getting seated. Drink order took over 45 mins. Food was overpriced. Stick with entertainment of dining but you can't do both.
(1)
Glenn K.

Enjoyed a nice mid week date night dinner and jazz show. Food was solid, service was fine. It's bigger but to me this place is better than Blues Alley for about the same price. I think it would be best for a big band jazz show in order for the sound to fill up the larger venue. Obviously it doesn't have the history or charm of blues alley but it works. Overall we really enjoyed it. Will definitely keep an eye on the schedule and come back sometime.
(4)
Chad S.

Good music, terrible service. From the time we were seated, it took 15 minutes for anyone to speak to us. No water, no drinks, nothing. Once a server finally spoke to us and brought us drinks, we had been seated for 30 minutes. The people who operate this place are very nice and the food was good, once we received it. The music was also very good.
(2)
Diana L.

This venue has just reopened about two months ago and I can't say how excited I am. I saw the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Orchestra play there last night and they were just wonderful. I love the art-deco feel... just being there made me feel nostalgic for an era I never knew. This is a fantastic date spot, but I flew solo last night, chatted with a mom and her daughter next to me and went home with a smile. I also saw families, snazzy looking couples, and adorable older couples, and groups of young professionals. I believe there's understandably a $12 minimum, but that's nothing a cocktail or two won't take care of. I just had drinks... dinner looked a bit on the pricey side but the plates that came out to my right and left all had generous serving sizes. This venue is a perfect excuse to throw on a cute dress, silk-back-vest, or that fedora you've been waiting to debut. Quality fun here ladies and gentleman.
(4)
Bern S.

A great addition to the music scene. Sort of a throwback to the supper clubs of the fifties and sixties. Talented artists perform and the sound is good.
(4)
Jay B.

I was there with a group for the grand re-opening with Branford Marsalis last Friday and had a lovely time. I'm very glad that the venue is open again since it is an historic location in Bethesda (a town without much acknowledgment of its past). I was able to walk from my home so I did not have to worry about parking. The entertainment was obviously top-notch, based on the booking. The audience (both those eating at tables and those in the stadium seating in the rear) clearly enjoyed the performance and was left wanting more. The food was good. I had a walnut-balsamic salad, a chicken entree and cheesecake for dessert. The staff still appeared to be working out some of the service logistics; the food came out slowly and they were unable to accommodate a substitution for a food allergy, though it was a pre-fix menu so I understood. Slower service was not entirely negative, however, since it allowed our table to dine casually over the course of the show. I will definitely go back the next time there is a performance that looks good!
(4)
Matthew W.

I must say this was my first time here. I came to see spryo gyra. The show was AMAZING!! The service on the other hand wasn't. Our server Sandra must have forgotten to ring in our food. It took over a half hour for shrimp scampi and chicken florentine. I'm a professional chef so I know that it doesn't take over 30 minutes to prepare this. Once I brought it to her attention about our food, I saw her go to a computer and type it in. Then went into the kitchen areas. She must of asked for it on the fly. Instead if telling us she forgot she made up a blame on the kitchen. If I return here I WILL NOT ORDER FOOD!!! very displeased
(2)
Frank K.

If it wasn't for the great entertainment tonight, I would have left. If only the kitchen and service was half as good as the music, I would be a much happier camper. Server read me the specials, listing "jumbo lump crab cakes ", to which I asked if they were all lump? "Yes sir". So I opted for their surf and turf, a 6 oz filet and a single crab cake. It came with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Well when it arrived, I had my doubts. The steak was dead on, well prepared and to my specified temperature. The asparagus had been mysteriously transformed into broccoli, and the mashed potatoes still had the marks from the ice cream scoop. Both were good. The crab cake was another thing entirely. Very few lumps, and while it was crab meat, it sure as hell wasn't lump. An all lump crab cake should be just that. All lump crab meat, not a few lumps and the rest, well I'm not sure where it came from on the crab, but it wasn't lump. It may have been at one time... I was so disappointed, I left two thirds of it on the plate. I told my server about my disappointment, and he told me that I was the first person he'd ever had complain about it. He then proceeded to ignore me for the rest of the evening, although he did offer to have the chef come out to talk to me. All I could think was talk to me about what, his crummy crab cake? No offer was made to make it right, nor was I asked if I wanted dessert etc. the bill was $63, I left $80, and offered him the advice that just because a customer isn't happy with a portion of his meal is no reason to ignore them. I was invited to join friends at another table, and their experience was similar. Lackluster food and downright poor service. In the future, I will eat beforehand and just sip on something during the show.
(2)
Dave U.

A new club for those climbing "over the hill". The highlight of this venue was coming to see my all time fav classic band, Pablo Cruise. Yes, these gentlemen were pushing 60's but so was the audience. Food was decent, a bit pricey for what you get but the quality was excellent. Parking was easy, just behind the club. Service was attentive.
(5)
Phyllis B.

I enjoyed my time at Bethesda Jazz and Blues. Great atmosphere nice music as you eat a nice meal. The food was okay nice portion. A bit pricey but sometimes you just have to splurge for a nice night out. I had shrimp scampi and it was tasty. The cocoanut shrimp was a bit bland for my taste. However food + atmosphere = good night out.
(3)
ReviewEd A.

This is an excellent venue. It is beautifully renovated, warm and comfortable. The theatre is small, so all seats are very good to excellent. If you book a table, you can relax with dinner and drinks during the performance. The food was quite good (citrus salad, crab cakes) and the wine selection was fine. The service was quick and good, too. We just saw Eddie Money and it was excellent. Eddie and his band sounded great, not too loud (for a rock band), which was nice. Eddie signed autographs in the lobby after the show and he signed my original, 33 year old 45 rpm single of Shakin' -- what more could you ask! Will definitely return.
(5)
Vicki R.

My first visit to Bethesda Blues and Jazz club was exceptional. There wasn't a wait to get in, they offered free coat check, the hostess was very pleasant, the set up was very nice and the service was A+. Our waiter AJ was very attentive. He checked in on us several times throughout the evening. The manager also made it a point to walk through and speak with patrons to make sure everything was going well. The location is in the heart of Bethesda. Parking is not a problem. The parking garage is located around the corner and is .80 per hour. You just have to be sure to have enough change or you can pay by using your cell phone. The meters shut off at 10pm. The band I went to see was Secret Society. It's definitely one the best bands in the area. They started promptly at 8. The sound was very good. The dance floor stayed pack and the band attracted a very nice crowd. I will definitely be back to this club. I can't comment on the food but the bartender gets a gold star.
(4)
melissa c.

We are just now leaving this place, I'm going to give it 3 stars for the followings reasons: #1. The food is awful. We had the salmon bite appetizer, a chicken dinner, the Caesar salad, the mushroom risotto, and two desserts (the chocolate lava cake, and a Carmel cheesecake). Ok, the food was truly awful. Here we are at an incredible jazz house in downtown Bethesda. We paid $45 to get through the doors, and $25 plus per meal. I expected an incredible meal and entertainment. The food was bland. The salmon, I kid you not, tasted like in came out of a can. It was even served cold :-( The chicken was awful, according to my husband. And what's sad is that his chicken looked fabulous! My Caesar salad was ok, but the Caesar dressing was sweet, which was really odd. The desserts were ok. The lava cake was extremely sweet, and the Carmel cheesecake crust was so tough it had to be cut with a knife. Now I'm a food junkie and have always had a passion for good eats...I work with incredibly talented chefs and private catering companies throughout the DC area. Food is an art, and it comes from the heart. The food here does not. It is a foul representation of a Jazz restaurant in the heart of Bethesda of all places! I'd expect this food in Oklahoma....or from a retirement home. And I'm really not trying to be so mean, but it's the honest truth. I am floored at just how awful the food was here. #2. The manager had no idea about the yelp coupon I was using. I checked into Yelp and got a coupon for a free appetizer while we were there, and the server and the manager on shift had NO idea what Yelp was, or what the heck the coupon was that I had on my phone!!! Certainly Yelp doesn't create coupons at free will. This is a deal that Yelp makes with the restaurant, which I'm sure is to increase the amount of customers/sales. So not only did the manager give me a deer in the headlights reaction, but he even had me text him a picture of the advertisement on my phone while in the restaurant!! It was odd, rude and embarrassing for both us and for the restaurant. Who the hell does this in a jazz club in the middle of dinner service? Ok, so these were my two pet peeves tonight. But, on the positive side, the band was absolutely incredible, and the ambiance of the restaurant was stunning and just breathtaking! I truly got goosebumps with the amazing vocals and sheer talent from the band! So....The restaurant REALLY needs to step up their game and put some heart and soul into their menu. Get a new menu/head chef. There are hundreds, if not thousands of incredibly talented chefs who would turn the menu around and into something truly incredible! For future customers, my advice is to come just for drinks and maybe an appetizer/dessert. If you end up eating dinner here, steer clear of the salmon appetizer, and bring your own condiments/hot sauce from home to add some flavor to the meal. For the seating, truly any seat in the house will be incredible, regardless if you choose a table or the theater seats.
(3)
Seth K.

Music is great. Food sucks. I have been there twice. The first time my dish was inedible. It was a great show nonetheless because of the talent. Went back again to a sold-out house. It took my friend 2 1/2 hours to get served and by the time she received her steak salad the steak was beef jerky. My dish took over an hour to arrive. It was ok, but it was nothing to get excited about. I was hoping to go there once per week for dinner and enjoy the stage. But, I only go when there's a particular band or performer because I am not eating dinner there again. I hope they get a clue. Would be a shame to lose such a valuable Bethesda venue.
(2)
Marivic L.

Purchasing tickets at the door was a bit confusing for a few of us. We came into the main area to buy tickets, only to be told that the ticket office was outside to the right of the main doors. Not an issue, just odd. Maybe we all didn't pay close enough attention. We were lucky enough to get seated in a front table right near the dance floor. We came to see the VI-Kings and they definitely did not disappoint. I'd previously come to this venue for a Yelp event, so I was happy to stop by again. Loved that people were dancing on the good-sized dance floor throughout the performance. Sound quality was great and it wasn't too loud despite our proximity to the stage. Now to the food. I got the stuffed chicken which had ricotta and spinach inside. The middle section of the chicken was tasty but the ends were so dry that I needed several gulps o' my wine...I mean, water. The accompanying scalloped potatoes were bland and I had to put salt on them. FYI, I rarely add salt to anything, but they needed help. I tried my friend's grouper and it was super tasty but, oddly, really salty since it was blackened. As long as you ate it with the veggies in one bite, it was fab. Also, OMG, trying to hear the server was a struggle because of the music but he did a great job and was entertaining, making a few jokes. And, yeah. Full disclosure. I turned 40 this year and felt super young in the venue -- by many years (decades). There were probably 5 couples who were younger - and I think that may be generous. Just in case you're lucky to still be young as hell and prefer lovely people your age, I figured I should give you fair warning :D
(3)
Gail R.

I have been to this place 3 times, but did an event either with a group of folks or attended a non-concert performance at this venue, so my review is based on those visits. The first time I came here, I made sure to print out my confirmation so that I could show it to the host as you enter the venue. There is a bar ahead of you that serves drinks and it is the length of the room. As the host checks on your ticket purchase or confirmation, you are then directed on your right, to your seats. Since I was with a group on my visits here, I am not sure if you can select your own area to sit - I will try to check that out on my next visit. You sit down and then someone comes by to take your order - both food and drink are served and if memory serves me correct, you have to order something from the menu (and there is a minimum cost). It is best to come here early so that you can sit, eat, drink, chat with friends or even meet new folks - the tables are big and so other folks new to you will be seated with you. Once you are all settled it is easier to enjoy the show. I have seen Phillip "Doc" Martin here along with a group called Sound Connection (a dance area was added in front of the stage when this band performed) and the tickets are fairly cheap. They also have non-concert performances here as well, like The Best of Bethesda Party and that was a lot of fun. This place is in a prime location on a major street - Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. It is within walking distance (about 2.5 blocks) from the Bethesda Metro Station on the red line and there are quite a few garage choices within the vicinity including one on the same block at the venue. Overall the place is well worth checking out.
(3)
Megan P.

It was girls' night out and we chose the sold out show here to see a live band and burlesque performers. This review is mostly in regards to the venue since the performances change regularly. Even though we'd purchased tickets in advance, we were told by the hostess that we have to reserve a table separately. We weren't aware of this, but thankfully they were able to seat us at a table. For those of you who haven't been, there are tables set up and then stadium type seating way in the back. I imagine the back seating only does drinks, no food FYI. Our server was friendly but awkward, and we had a lot of trouble understanding him. We ordered the Grilled Goat Cheese as an appetizer. It's essentially baked potatoes with goat cheese top: simple and really delicious. I had the Beet Salad for my dinner, which was good but very little feta cheese on top...so it was mostly just beets and lettuce. I think there could be a little more pizzaz with this dish like other vegetables or perhaps pistachios or walnuts to add a little crunch. My friends ordered the Strawberry Salad & Vegetable Pasta, and both enjoyed their dishes. We were able to get a bottle of wine to share amongst us for a pretty good deal that they had going on that night. As for the performance, it was pretty entertaining. Not surprisingly, some girls were better than others. During the last hour or so, they changed it around to the girls being 'go go' dancers with all of them on the stage, and inviting guests to dance on the dance floor in front. A lot of people got into it, but it seemed a tad awkward to me. Overall, it was a fun night out and something different to do.
(3)
Kim C.

We were charged a different amount from our ticket. When asking the owner he said we were women and couldn't understand. Whaaaaat!!!
(1)
Matthew W.

I must say this was my first time here. I came to see spryo gyra. The show was AMAZING!! The service on the other hand wasn't. Our server Sandra must have forgotten to ring in our food. It took over a half hour for shrimp scampi and chicken florentine. I'm a professional chef so I know that it doesn't take over 30 minutes to prepare this. Once I brought it to her attention about our food, I saw her go to a computer and type it in. Then went into the kitchen areas. She must of asked for it on the fly. Instead if telling us she forgot she made up a blame on the kitchen. If I return here I WILL NOT ORDER FOOD!!! very displeased
(2)
Vicki R.

My first visit to Bethesda Blues and Jazz club was exceptional. There wasn't a wait to get in, they offered free coat check, the hostess was very pleasant, the set up was very nice and the service was A+. Our waiter AJ was very attentive. He checked in on us several times throughout the evening. The manager also made it a point to walk through and speak with patrons to make sure everything was going well. The location is in the heart of Bethesda. Parking is not a problem. The parking garage is located around the corner and is .80 per hour. You just have to be sure to have enough change or you can pay by using your cell phone. The meters shut off at 10pm. The band I went to see was Secret Society. It's definitely one the best bands in the area. They started promptly at 8. The sound was very good. The dance floor stayed pack and the band attracted a very nice crowd. I will definitely be back to this club. I can't comment on the food but the bartender gets a gold star.
(4)
Marivic L.

Purchasing tickets at the door was a bit confusing for a few of us. We came into the main area to buy tickets, only to be told that the ticket office was outside to the right of the main doors. Not an issue, just odd. Maybe we all didn't pay close enough attention. We were lucky enough to get seated in a front table right near the dance floor. We came to see the VI-Kings and they definitely did not disappoint. I'd previously come to this venue for a Yelp event, so I was happy to stop by again. Loved that people were dancing on the good-sized dance floor throughout the performance. Sound quality was great and it wasn't too loud despite our proximity to the stage. Now to the food. I got the stuffed chicken which had ricotta and spinach inside. The middle section of the chicken was tasty but the ends were so dry that I needed several gulps o' my wine...I mean, water. The accompanying scalloped potatoes were bland and I had to put salt on them. FYI, I rarely add salt to anything, but they needed help. I tried my friend's grouper and it was super tasty but, oddly, really salty since it was blackened. As long as you ate it with the veggies in one bite, it was fab. Also, OMG, trying to hear the server was a struggle because of the music but he did a great job and was entertaining, making a few jokes. And, yeah. Full disclosure. I turned 40 this year and felt super young in the venue -- by many years (decades). There were probably 5 couples who were younger - and I think that may be generous. Just in case you're lucky to still be young as hell and prefer lovely people your age, I figured I should give you fair warning :D
(3)
Anna L.

What a fantastic venue! Walking in you can clearly see the care the owner put into renovating this 1930's art deco theater. You enter into a large lobby that leads to the 40 foot bar with plenty of pub tables and bar seats. There is no view of the stage from the bar, but there was a TV screen broadcasting the players warming up for the show. We were early and this was an unexpected treat while we enjoyed a glass of wine before being seated in the concert hall/dining area. The bar offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 with various drink specials and small plates. The inside of the concert hall is beautiful. There is seating for 300 at the dining tables and an additional 200 theater seats in the back. We were lucky enough to be seated center front of the stage, but I can't imagine there is a bad seat in the house. I felt like I had traveled back in time. Here we were sitting in this intimate, romantic supper hall with white tablecloths and candlelight on each table looking up at a huge stage and looking forward to some great jazz music. We came to see Kyle Eastwood and his band - an amazing group of talented musicians. The sound and acoustics were fantastic. The servers slipped around the tables effortlessly and quietly. There were no distractions from the show at all. After the show, Kyle was kind enough to hang out in the bar and mingle with the guests. He of course also sold CDs, but took the time to chat with each guest, sign the CDs and even take pictures. I almost forgot to mention a wine tasting before the show offered in the bar area by a local Maryland winery, Elk Run. The wines were surprisingly good and were offered as specials by the glass throughout the night. The food - I was honestly not expecting much given the previous reviews on Yelp and even asked the bartender about the food before the show. He told us that they were aware of some less than stellar reviews and had really been working hard to improve the guest experience to include food quality. Kudos to a business that watches consumer opinions and uses them to improve! I wanted something light that night and went with just a small appetizer and salad. The Bethesda's Best Crazy Crab was delicious and had a great presentation - two small crab cakes full of lump crap topped with fried Katafi dough served with a corn relish and remoulade. The small Caesar salad, a plate full of fresh romaine with the perfect amount of a creamy Caesar dressing served with a thin crispy baguette, was one of the better Caesar salads I have had in a while. My husband's filet was perfectly cooked and served with a delicious Dijon reduction. The food was surprisingly good and service was great. Drinks did not go unfilled and plates were cleared timely. Parking is available in the Cheltenham garage in the same building as the venue. From the garage, you can take the elevator to the Whitney Lobby which is directly adjacent to the venue. Parking is free on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. I will definitely return to this wonderful, classy venue when an opportunity arises. With all the shows offered, I am sure we will find something that appeals to us as the variety of the acts is quite good.
(5)
Keith W.

This supper club is AWESOME! Went to see one of my favorite legendary contemporary jazz and jazz fusion groups Spyo Gyra. The place was packed. The ambience of this place is amazing. The acoustics were outstanding. The Spyo Gyra sound is as good as ever and their performance rocked the house. The food and service was excellent! I loved the entire experience.
(5)
Denise G.

Caveat emptor. Let the buyer, investor, artist beware! I was recently scammed by a promoter working at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Rob Meekins aka Rob Meeko aka Meeko Entertainment aka Meeko Records. I entered a contract as an investor with this "promoter" for the Gregory Porter concert in June 2015. The agreement stipulated return on investment after the show of $12,000. However, I only received partial payment of $3,000. Additionally, the promoter indicated that he needed assistance reserving hotel rooms for another event (The Dramatics), June 2015. I agreed to hold rooms for this promoter only. He agreed to settle the bill before checking out. Meeko reserved the rooms, signed an agreement with the DC hotel (presenting himself as affiliated with Bethesda Blues & Jazz), but left the premises early leaving me with the bill of $5,500. Meeko claims he will repay but to-date, there has been no repayment. Rob Meeko is a con artist. He presents himself as a businessman, but he is not. He lies, manipulates and preys on younger women. Caveat emptor. #robmeeko #robmeekins #robmeekopromoter #promoter #bbjc #bethesdablues
(1)
TJ B.

This is an incredible venue and will hopefully continue to bring some great acts to our area. The lighting, the sound, the stage...all awesome. You can walk around to a bar that will make you a great drink quickly and there is also a nice draft beer selection. I see a lot of folks on here slamming it for the food service. I understand that the venue is marketing excellent entertainment AND excellent food, but what are you really coming for? The music, right? If you want a nice dinner, you can go elsewhere for that because you can't really expect 5 star dinner service in a dark room while a band is jamming. So, here is where I sit with it; Be happy someone invested the money to restore a historic theater instead of having the place torn down for condos. Enjoy the great music. Appreciate that the food served is not limited to nachos and chicken tenders. If you want to eat, grab some appetizers (I tried the coconut shrimp and the chicken wings, both great), cocktails and enjoy the show. If you don't want to eat, get a theater seat instead and dine beforehand. There is not a bad seat in the house. It is small enough to be intimate, but large enough to bring in some bigger acts. Go for the music! Hopefully the dinner service and prices balance themselves out to deliver the quality people want at the right price point, but if not...go for the music.
(4)
Gil C.

We live in the neighborhood and thought we'd support this club. We ordered two glasses of wine - my husband a Malbec and I ordered Kendall Jackson Reserve. When we tasted our wines, we knew immediately that they were not the wines we ordered . Instead we were served a really cheap, acidic house wine. If you order wine from this place - taste it and if it not what you ordered, let the management know and have them give you what you ordered. It ruined our evening and we will not be back! End of supporting our neighborhood club!
(1)
maxine s.

Attended Friday nites re-grand opening. While the venue was great, the food stunk. Salad very wet with dressing. I had the crab cakes and they were mush with stringbeans ice cold. Someone else at the table had the gnocchi and couldn't finish it because it wasn't good at all. I also had a taste of the salmon and that too was cold. They need to rethink their menu and get in a great chef.
(1)
Jasmine T.

Sooo...instead of making our usual reservations at a seafood restaurant this year for Mother's Day I decided to treat mom to an evening of gospel along with dinner at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. I made reservations two weeks in advance, and was very glad I had found such a great deal of $40 per person for dinner & a show. Unfortunately, to my dismay - the event was cancelled less than a week before Mother's Day. I was disappointed, truly disappointed due to the timing of the situation - but more upset that I received an automated notice from the ticketing platform the venue uses. The message from support@instantseats.com reads: Unfortunately, the performance by: Mothers' Day with God's House Singers ft. Juanita Sunday, May 11 -- 06:00 PM has been cancelled. A full refund for your tickets has been processed. Thank you for using InstantSeats. Please join us for another performance soon. -Support Staff I double checked my email inbox to see if there was an additional email DIRECTLY from a manager at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club but there was none. So, here I am -- only a few days shy from Mother's Day with no reservations and no apology on behalf of the company for the inconvenience. (Come on, seriously -- at least apologize!) I decided to write them a long email explaining the importance of customer service and customer relations (along with my own dissatisfaction over how the situation was handled.) I received a very tongue-in-check response which included an invitation to attend another event scheduled for that night. No thanks, I'll pass. This should have been done before I complained, not after - but I respect the "effort" the company took to make it right - no matter how forced in nature. Oh, and did I mention no where in the email was an apology? In short, Instaseats is NOT Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. "Support Staff" is not a manager - nor person in authority, and if a customer is having a problem you should let the General Manager address the issue - not the Social Media/Marketing Manager. As the Social Media/ Marketing Manager you should also understand that Instaseats is not your brand and that customers deserve an honest apology for being inconvenienced. I wasn't asking for anything free, simply petitioning your company to provide a better level of customer service. In the future, I hope that if a show is cancelled you will provided an alternative to clients upfront, in order to encourage them to attend another event at your establishment instead of waiting for complaints to take action.
(1)
Norman G.

If you're going for a performance, consider getting there early enough for dinner. The food is pretty good--not sensational--but it's good enough, and along with whatever performer you've come to see, it makes for a nice (fairly expensive) evening out. By all means order one of the creole. dishes. They are the house specialty and the best things on the menu.
(3)
Elliot K.

It took 35 minutes to get a menu and almost an hour to get our drinks... finally from the manager. The table next to us was having an even bigger brew ha ha cause I think some of the food came out way before the others. Why then the 4 stars you may ask? Because it's a great place to see live music and it's right up the street. We've had a lot of good times here and first world problems - like ridiculously slow service and mediocre food - should not get in the way of that. Support this joint and come on down!
(4)
Julie A.

Entertainment- Doors Wide Open was an awesome performance with great versatility. For a mid-week venture, it was worth the small token to attend. For most in our group, this was a venue that we often passed by without notice. It's a nice group couples spot or date night for two. Food/Service- Our group ordered several appetizers, entrees, and drinks. From wings, sweet potato coconut shrimp, ahi tuna, and salad. The menu was short but focused. My only complaint would be with the Caesar salad that I ordered. If I'm going to pay $10 for a bag of romaine, I would like it to be a Caesar salad and not just romaine lettuce with a little Parmesan. They said they were out of croutons and apparently running low on salad dressing. Otherwise, most were of the other dishes were satisfactory. The servers were attentive and helpful and explained to upcoming shows and events. A new hidden spot discovered!
(4)
Dan M.

I was surprised by how much fun we had here. We saw a show by the cover band Spectrum, and they brought great energy to the place. The food was the real shocker. It isn't going to blow you away, but I figured the food would be an afterthought, and it wasn't. The chicken is thick, moist, and flavorful. Nice veggie accompaniment as well. I left full and satisfied. The crowd is diverse, ranging from young couples, families with little kids, and all the way to spunky old-timers. And they were all mingling on the dance floor comfortably. I would come back, for sure. It might not be a great one-stop locale for an exciting night out, but for us, we came as a pre-game to going out elsewhere, and it was perfect for that role.
(4)
Debbie R.

Kudos for what you are trying to do here and for saving the old theater. The atmosphere is lovely. Also props for the nice dance floor. But, oh my, the food is bad. Bad and very expensive. Seems geared to the palate of an 80 year old. The dishes are stuffy and bland, bland, bland. Nothing we got had any flavor and the ingredients were low quality and yet the entrees run in the $25-$30 range. So, while I may return to see a show, I will never order anything to eat here again. While it didn't bother me that much, people should be advised that you will be sharing a table with strangers. So maybe not the best date night destination. Also it definitely serves an older demographic. I'm 45 and there was hardly anyone there that was younger than me or even in my same age group. Also, perhaps the owner would like to know that there's a gentleman probably in his 70s or 80s who was being rather creepy with me and asked me over and over to come to his house at Grosvenor and swim in his pool. He kept dropping the owners name as his friend. This guy has been there both times I've went.
(3)
Dave M.

Wow, what a great venue. Twelve of us went there for The Soul Crackers show. Beautiful venue. Professional management, Good food. Good service. Sure, the service might have been a little slow sometimes, but the place was packed. What do you expect? And besides, you're there to enjoy the evening. So, chill ... have a drink, dance a little, and have fun. The scallops with bacon was delicious. I didn't taste the beet salad but my tablemate said it was good. Pasta with shrimp was temperature hot and tasty. The grouper was fresh. This is a fabulous place. We will be back.
(5)
Lisa And Charlly E.

My boyfriend and I went here Saturday night for a little date night. We bought two tickets to see the Soul Serenaders, What a wonderful night. I didn't know how it was going to play out in the beginning as there seemed to be mass confusion at the check in counter. Three women all running around but not with any method to the madness. Once we were seated inside that all changed. Our server was awesome. The food so delicious. We shared a walnut and bleu cheese salad, coconut shrimp, amazing crab cakes and a dessert of sweet potato beignets that was insanely good. The venue was great. Beautiful art deco. The Soul Serenaders were so talented and they rocked the house. We slow danced a little as they had a dance floor. Wonderful night and venue. Highly recommend this place for date night for 40 and up.
(5)
Lenore S.

I went with a group of friends to see a performance on Sunday, August 31. It was my first time there. I liked the ambiance of the place the show was GREAT!! It was a sold out performance. We were there around 6p.m. and it was a nice crowd there at that time. Seating was first come first served as we were told so we were there early enough to get a spot in the front dining area. But as we were being seated, it wasn't clear where we were sitting because the hostess just walked us to a table and walked away. We were unsure if that were she actually put us. We sat down and hoped no one will tell us to move. The menu was small, the entrees are a bit pricey. My friends who ordered said it was ok. As other people started to arrive I noticed that the waiters were running around kinda frantic and sweating profusely--that wasn't a good look for me, I didn't order any food because the thought of his sweat dripping on my food.... Perhaps they were under staffed. No one was rude, but there seemed to be much confusion who ordered what. A woman who appeared to be of management stepped in to help serve the orders. A couple of times I observed her walking around the dining area confused as to where the food should go. One time I clocked she walked around about 5 min. with plates until my friend at her table waved her down because it looked like their order. This continued a up until the show started. It took a while for drinks and one appetizer to come our table of six and we ordered before it got crowded. What was really odd was that the waiter did not come back before the show was over to close out the bills. We waited 20 min. after the show was over to get our bill...for only 4 drinks! Then my girlfriends bill was incorrect and my other friend didn't get charged enough! So for those reasons, I gave a the venue 2 stars. Management needs to get the waitstaff/serving more organized. Have the dining area table numbered so that there is no confusion who gets what. Especially for sold out shows. One of my favorite groups is performing there in September but two of my friends said they would have to catch them performing somewhere else, it was too much going on and they packed people in, required $10 minimum per person and the service was mediocre.
(2)
Allison R.

I'll be very brief. The club is cute, and the vegan options and drinks were terrible. If you don't want to throw money away, eat before you leave the house. It's very expensive. ~The End~
(1)
Darcy C.

Fantastic venue! Enjoy live jazz and entertainment at its best while dining in a beautiful theater. The sound is great, The location is easy to access with a large parking garage right around the corner. A unique jazz experience in our area. I highly recommend.
(5)
M N.

The food was amazing and atmosphere was wonderful. Very relaxing. The chef William was very professional and personable with patrons. Our waitress Andrea was very attentive and professional. I certainly recommend this venue for couples looking for a wonderful evening out on the town. 5/5 star rating
(5)
Don M.

I went to Bethesda Blues and Jazz for the fifth time on Saturday night. The good-Soul Crackers put on a good show. The bad-the reason I won't be back. I have tried to support a locally owned music venue but enough is enough. After the third visit we decided we would eat dinner elsewhere before the show. The service was incredibly slow and one of the entrees was wrong. It was almost 10 minutes before the right one arrived. This Saturday was the last time for us. We got to our assigned table and didn't see a server for 15 minutes. I decided to go back to the bar myself. I ordered two Manhattans. Luckily I know how to make one. The bartender didn't. When I got back to the table our waters had arrived and drinks had been ordered. When they arrived one was terrible. I saw a woman at the table next to us also send back a drink. I would hope that the owners would go to the Birchmere or the Hamilton to see how things are done right. Good, simple food and drinks. All the servers work as a team at The Hamilton. See one and you can order. What a concept! I think five tries is enough to give them a shot. Sorry!
(1)
Stephen M.

This place is a constant fight between pros and cons, and the other night, the cons won. The best way to view this place is a jazz club that happens, just happens to serve food. It's the same way a bar may happen to serve some food, and, like a bar, the food should not be part of the your decision making. Eat before, and you may be OK, but there's a stiff minimum ($15 / person?) that can put a damper on the evening. The model that they're using does not seem to be working. Either significantly raise the bar on the food or drop it down to just apps. No one wants high prices for average dinner and, believe me, no one will make the same mistake twice. Pros: --Hosts good performers --Lost of seating --Great sound Cons: --Freezing inside --Small, uninspired menu and lots of "we just ran out" deletions = slim pickings (seems like they are still evaluating inventory a few months into it, but this will self-correct) --Outrageously priced wine and desserts (serious mark-up on rot gut bottles--can't get away with that in Bethesda) Like most folks on here, the place has potential but keeps on getting in its own way. Make some small changes (drink specials? larger portions? higher quality food? just apps), and the customers will come back. Doubt I'll be back unless things turn around quickly.
(2)
Empress Miko E.

Nice venue...set up would only go here for entertainment purposes. I recommend having your meal at home...long wait for food and drinks and not worth the wait.
(3)
Ideen S.

What a nice, mostly unknown gem. It is indeed pricey (though we were able to save some coin through a LivingSocial deal), but it is worth it. We arrived, checked-in, and were directed to our dining table (which is up front and near the stage). Our server (Andy) was great; very natural and just the right balance between being there and being away. I had their House Salad and Honey Glazed Salmon; and my girlfriend had their Caesar Salad and Shrimp Scampi. All delicious. And to top it off, we had the Chocolate & Amaretto Mousse for dessert, which was basically orgasmic. And the performance was great, too! I really enjoyed the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Orchestra. I was surprised to hear that management is considering nixing the band. I thought they did an amazing job, and should stick around!
(4)
Muriel H.

I've been here twice. Once for a mothers day jazz and dinner event which was so much fun. I had amazing salmon and she enjoyed her crab cakes. The second time I came here for a friend's mothers birthday party with a large group of people on a night where there was a live band playing jazz, blues, and some funk! It was so much fun and we sat front and center and got a front row seat of the packed dance floor. Everyone was amazing by their dinner and dessert was made special for the birthday girl by the head chef which she shared with the table since it was a massive sculpture of cheesecake, fruit, chocolates and a cakes. I love this spot. It is so elegant yet fun!
(5)
Ab R.

The entertainment was OK, but there were problems with the sound balance. No way to hear the lyrics. The music was muddled and the sound mixing was non existent. The trombone player is probably very good, but who could tell? The food was so-so, like something you might find at a cheap beach restaurant, but a lot more expensive. The fried Calamari tasted like nothing. The seating is really soup nazi-ish. We arrived relatively early so we could get seats facing the stage at one of the dinner tables. The place was pretty empty when we got there, and the hostess showed us to a table for four which she said we would have to share, which was no problem because we're pretty sociable people. When we sat down facing the stage, she said that only one of us could face the stage because somebody else might show up later. I said that's why we got here early, so we could get better seats. Next thing I know the manager is threatening to kick us out. I can't really remember anyone in the restaurant service who was more obnoxious than this person. I hope he eventually finds a career that doesn't require contact with the general public. The management has a wrong concept about who's working for whom. We pay them money, and they serve us, not boss us around. I'd give them a zero star rating, but yelp doesn't allow that.
(1)
Rae M.

The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club is truly a breath of fresh air and a much needed venue for the area. Located in the heart of Bethesda, the building has an old school marquee announcing the upcoming events. Since we attended the second show of the night, we had to wait in a rather lengthy line to enter into the actual performance area. It has a nice size stage where everyone from comedians, dancers, bands and singers come to perform on a weekly basis. The tables closest to the stage are for those that want to order food and the theater style seating in the rear of the room is strictly for entertainment purposes. Either location you decide to sit, you have a clear view of the stage. If I'm not mistaken you can choose which location you would like to sit when purchasing your tickets, which we did online. Parking is available on the street or more conveniently, a parking garage is semi-attached to the venue. On this night, my sisters and I came out to support a childhood friend of my sister's, Joe Clair (Seat Pleasant Stand Up!) with his comic show. We had a fabulous time! I laughed so hard that when I left my throat was hurting. We were a bit disappointed with the menu selections. Sure, it's a nice place to visit, it seems pretty classy and it's nicely decorated, but who wants to eat lamb, steak or beet salad so late in the evening while watching comedians tell jokes? Perhaps they should have different menus for different events that come out. I would have thought the appetizers menu would've been a bit more substantial/dumbed down, like with spinach dip, chicken tenders, fries or something that actually screams appetizers. No such luck though. Due to the lack of selections, we were forced to order the buffalo wings, which were extremely bland. Plus the prices were rather expensive for the amount of food you received. The service was a bit slow and many people complained about the time it took to get their meals and drinks. Thankfully, we didn't experience any of those issues, but with such a large audience and so much going on, one would kind of expect a slight delay. I actually wouldn't mind coming back here to see other performers, but I would definitely eat before I came. Oh wait, that's not going to be possible because each person has to spend a minimum of $10 if you're sitting at the table. Well, I just hope that the menu will improve by the time I actually come back. *crossing fingers*
(4)
Katrina P.

Friends invited me to a performance. Went with an open mind, because most "supper clubs" have bad food and service. To my surprise and delight, the food and especially the service was fantastic. Our server, Melanie, was so attentive and made the overall experience a pleasure. I'm a vegatairian and ordered several veggie items - delicious. The manager came over to our table several times, to make sure all was OK. I can't wait to go back, hopefully sit at Melanie's section and enjoy the show! Highly recommend.
(5)
ReviewEd A.

This is an excellent venue. It is beautifully renovated, warm and comfortable. The theatre is small, so all seats are very good to excellent. If you book a table, you can relax with dinner and drinks during the performance. The food was quite good (citrus salad, crab cakes) and the wine selection was fine. The service was quick and good, too. We just saw Eddie Money and it was excellent. Eddie and his band sounded great, not too loud (for a rock band), which was nice. Eddie signed autographs in the lobby after the show and he signed my original, 33 year old 45 rpm single of Shakin' -- what more could you ask! Will definitely return.
(5)
Phyllis B.

I enjoyed my time at Bethesda Jazz and Blues. Great atmosphere nice music as you eat a nice meal. The food was okay nice portion. A bit pricey but sometimes you just have to splurge for a nice night out. I had shrimp scampi and it was tasty. The cocoanut shrimp was a bit bland for my taste. However food + atmosphere = good night out.
(3)
Frank K.

If it wasn't for the great entertainment tonight, I would have left. If only the kitchen and service was half as good as the music, I would be a much happier camper. Server read me the specials, listing "jumbo lump crab cakes ", to which I asked if they were all lump? "Yes sir". So I opted for their surf and turf, a 6 oz filet and a single crab cake. It came with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Well when it arrived, I had my doubts. The steak was dead on, well prepared and to my specified temperature. The asparagus had been mysteriously transformed into broccoli, and the mashed potatoes still had the marks from the ice cream scoop. Both were good. The crab cake was another thing entirely. Very few lumps, and while it was crab meat, it sure as hell wasn't lump. An all lump crab cake should be just that. All lump crab meat, not a few lumps and the rest, well I'm not sure where it came from on the crab, but it wasn't lump. It may have been at one time... I was so disappointed, I left two thirds of it on the plate. I told my server about my disappointment, and he told me that I was the first person he'd ever had complain about it. He then proceeded to ignore me for the rest of the evening, although he did offer to have the chef come out to talk to me. All I could think was talk to me about what, his crummy crab cake? No offer was made to make it right, nor was I asked if I wanted dessert etc. the bill was $63, I left $80, and offered him the advice that just because a customer isn't happy with a portion of his meal is no reason to ignore them. I was invited to join friends at another table, and their experience was similar. Lackluster food and downright poor service. In the future, I will eat beforehand and just sip on something during the show.
(2)
Dave U.

A new club for those climbing "over the hill". The highlight of this venue was coming to see my all time fav classic band, Pablo Cruise. Yes, these gentlemen were pushing 60's but so was the audience. Food was decent, a bit pricey for what you get but the quality was excellent. Parking was easy, just behind the club. Service was attentive.
(5)
Lyn L.

Thanks to the 'radio' we found out that one of our favorite classic bands was coming to the east coast. This prompted our trip to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Recently renovated and re-opened, the venue is located right on Wisconsin, with public parking just around the corner. Be sure to register your phone with goparknow.com before you get there or bring lots of quarters for the long term parking. Venue- Very 'jazzy' feel to it, low lighting, dark table clothes, and snazzy servers. There's a bar right when you walk in, and they do a weekday happy hour from 4p-7p. Drink prices are half off, can't get any better than rail drinks that use top shelf liquor. Our bartender was the best: so full of information, makes a nice drink, and very accommodating. We loved him, and wish we could have sat at the bar all night. Supper Club Dining- We tried the coconut shrimp at the bar, and it was crispy, huge, and very hot. Definitely worth a try. We checked in using the yelp app, but no one was aware of the free appetizer so they comped our shrimp. Now, that was service. We had a chance to chit chat with the chef, and he was an awesome guy who definitely loved to talk about the food, and good food too! During the show, we had wings, bruschetta, and the hubby had a nice T-bone steak. We also tried the peach cobbler dessert. Prices are a bit high, but hey, the show was worth the dining prices. Service was ok, we rarely saw our server and never really got water glass refills. We imbibed on a few beverages, yikes...pricing around $9 a drink. There's a dance floor, and the vibe is so fun. It's definitely a place worth visiting if you like live music.
(4)
M D.

Show was terrific. Food was just OK, and too expensive. They should offer some burgers and sandwiches, and include some vegan food as an appetizer that isn't a salad. But the stage, show, volume, etc can't be beat. I would pay the entrance fee and get a beer and skip the food.
(3)
Roz J.

This place has a very good layout for sit-down jazz shows-- it has a broad open center space and two levels of table seating. There are no bad sightlines. It's much better than the redo at the Howard theatre which is more oriented for standing shows. Wasn't too impressed with the sound though. It doesn't quite fill the space for acoustic bands. The food is just decent; about on par with cruise ship or OK hotel food. The exception was the crabcakes, which are very good. But who goes to a jazz supper club for the food?
(3)
Linda B.

Saw Dana Fuchs Saturday night and this time complained about the poor sound quality to the owner after trying several managers. We were not the only ones thinking the sound was not only way too loud, but grossly muddled in the mid range. The response was the band itself set the sound level and wouldn't address the complaints. This is my second trip and I'm not coming back. Too pricey to be this disappointing. Granted, Dana Fuchs is not someone I should have seen the first time (way too country for my taste) but its the sound quality that ruins it for me. Sad outcome, though, as lots of money went into this place. I'm sticking with the Hamilton or the Birchmere for large-audience shows. (Dana Fuchs did not have a large audience and she kept noting that most of the audience was her family...)
(1)
Kevin F.

This was my first time here, and I was going to rip it in very un-Yelp Elite fashion, but I have decided to take the High Road, instead. BBJ was obviously a beautiful theatre and now, its a wonderful Beaux Artes-like venue. I saw a wonderful Flamenco guitarist, Hernan Romero there and he was great. Unfortunately, the theatre was not. This is a theatre and not a music venue. The noise from the bar and from every plate, fork, glass, tray and napkin were clearly audible, and distracting. Many people were ungraciously firing up their cell phones and yacking during the performance. Hellllloooooo! This is supposed to be a music venue, not a kindergarten school yard, people! One other thing is the entrees and beverages are outrageously priced. I understand why, but I wish they could put some sort of audio engineer and contractor to work to improve the place to make the high food/drink prices worth it, but as of now, they are not. I ran across the street to the cheese steak place (Philadephia Mikes) for a tasty meal, after being gouged for 2 DRAFT beers at $18!!!! Otherwise, there is major talent at this place, and as long as the music isn't too quiet, it will be a nice place to hear music.
(3)
Kitti T.

Great show. Terrible service. This is our second time here. The waiter never ever came to check on us. We had to actually chase him down. Our bread did not come until the end of our meal. Servers didn't know where to put the food they kept asking if we ordered whatever they were holding. I was really tempted to say YES after the third time. All in all, the service ruined the show. Come prepared.
(1)
cheryl t.

We went for a comedy show for our first experience here. The show was super funny. The space is attractive, every seat is good. The sound was at times too loud. Will bring ear plugs next time. The waiter was one of the rudest people I've ever encountered in a service setting. He would just come and stare and say "do you want something?" We were not sure yet so we said "not yet, thank you." Eventually, my husband asked for a drink and after about 45 minutes of waiting I asked the same waiter about the drink and he said "I'm busy," and walked away! He never brought the drink or refilled water. Unacceptable. It felt like he didn't think the tip from a drink would help him any! Kinda hard to shake this negative experience. If I return, I'll make sure to hydrate ahead of time.
(2)
Mamoon R.

Awesome place and great ambiance - really enjoyed the time - would definitely recommend others - the live band really added to the overall ambiance.
(5)
Meredith S.

Great place for live music and dancing. But food no. Menu is too small and over priced. Wait staff never checked on us had to get the floor manager too. I would rather eat at Tastee Diner across the street and only pay $12 for a meal then here . But I do love the music. If you want to save money do not eat here.
(3)
Shira S.

My rating is for the venue and service we received, not for the act which we saw (just don't think that would be fair). I went with a group of friends to see a burlesque show. We had purchased 8 tickets together and two friends had purchased their tickets individually. According to the website, they seat you as you come and encourage you to get there early so two of us made certain to get there early so we could get a table for ten. Well.....not so much how it works. Smartly, if they notice that a large group purchased tickets, they set aside tables for that group. However, when we told them that we had two others who had purchased their tickets individually, they were unable to add another table on to accommodate the total. After some convincing, they gave us two extra chairs to add as we were willing to squeeze. The venue itself is very cool and I like how they have it set-up with options for both table service and theater seating. Overall, the food was truly "meh" as it tasted like much of it was pre-made and both the chicken and shrimp were overcooked. My friend enjoyed her scallops, but the salad that accompanied was overdressed and wilted. Most of the liquor based drinks were water downed and my dirty martini which I ordered straight up, came out on the rocks and without any flavor of the olive juice. On the bright side, their chocolate martini was delicious and a nice way to end the evening. Sadly, their staff is clearly overworked as the drinks took about 50 minutes to come out (the first round) and the food took over an hour. When we tried to speak to a manager about it, he made a ton of excuses, but never offered an apology. As someone who tended bar in various venues for over ten years, no matter how busy you are, it should never take 50 minutes for a drink. The manager needs to learn to apologize and to hire more staff. This venue has the potential to be really great but they need to get their act together for that to happen. They bring in interesting and diverse entertainment which makes me want to come back, but I will be certain to eat at home and stick to either wine or a chocolate martini.
(2)
Harold L.

I have one simple question for anyone reading this. The bands that are playing here are older than dirt. You can see all of them free at Clyde's in Chevy Chase and many other places, Tommy Lipsom the Soul Cracker, Junior Cline etc. The Nighthawks are so old they are playing in a 20 seat bar Hank Dietle's on the pike. The food is par at best and the food prices are very high to say the least. Where is the blues format? Very much a let down. For the prices and food you can go to the Warner and see real talent for the same price.
(1)
Cat H.

They got it right, this is the best music and dinner venue in the DC area. I just tried it out on Sat and I loved it, I plan to go back often. The ambiance is Art Deco with a spacious and comfortable seating area. The menu is a little creative, the food was very good (recommend the salmon and the crab cakes), and the service was fine. But we were there for the music, and Marcus Johnson was AMAZING! I loved it! I also appreciated that there were no parking hassles - there's an adjacent parking garage, which is free on weekends and has plenty of spaces.
(5)
melissa c.

We are just now leaving this place, I'm going to give it 3 stars for the followings reasons: #1. The food is awful. We had the salmon bite appetizer, a chicken dinner, the Caesar salad, the mushroom risotto, and two desserts (the chocolate lava cake, and a Carmel cheesecake). Ok, the food was truly awful. Here we are at an incredible jazz house in downtown Bethesda. We paid $45 to get through the doors, and $25 plus per meal. I expected an incredible meal and entertainment. The food was bland. The salmon, I kid you not, tasted like in came out of a can. It was even served cold :-( The chicken was awful, according to my husband. And what's sad is that his chicken looked fabulous! My Caesar salad was ok, but the Caesar dressing was sweet, which was really odd. The desserts were ok. The lava cake was extremely sweet, and the Carmel cheesecake crust was so tough it had to be cut with a knife. Now I'm a food junkie and have always had a passion for good eats...I work with incredibly talented chefs and private catering companies throughout the DC area. Food is an art, and it comes from the heart. The food here does not. It is a foul representation of a Jazz restaurant in the heart of Bethesda of all places! I'd expect this food in Oklahoma....or from a retirement home. And I'm really not trying to be so mean, but it's the honest truth. I am floored at just how awful the food was here. #2. The manager had no idea about the yelp coupon I was using. I checked into Yelp and got a coupon for a free appetizer while we were there, and the server and the manager on shift had NO idea what Yelp was, or what the heck the coupon was that I had on my phone!!! Certainly Yelp doesn't create coupons at free will. This is a deal that Yelp makes with the restaurant, which I'm sure is to increase the amount of customers/sales. So not only did the manager give me a deer in the headlights reaction, but he even had me text him a picture of the advertisement on my phone while in the restaurant!! It was odd, rude and embarrassing for both us and for the restaurant. Who the hell does this in a jazz club in the middle of dinner service? Ok, so these were my two pet peeves tonight. But, on the positive side, the band was absolutely incredible, and the ambiance of the restaurant was stunning and just breathtaking! I truly got goosebumps with the amazing vocals and sheer talent from the band! So....The restaurant REALLY needs to step up their game and put some heart and soul into their menu. Get a new menu/head chef. There are hundreds, if not thousands of incredibly talented chefs who would turn the menu around and into something truly incredible! For future customers, my advice is to come just for drinks and maybe an appetizer/dessert. If you end up eating dinner here, steer clear of the salmon appetizer, and bring your own condiments/hot sauce from home to add some flavor to the meal. For the seating, truly any seat in the house will be incredible, regardless if you choose a table or the theater seats.
(3)
Seth K.

Music is great. Food sucks. I have been there twice. The first time my dish was inedible. It was a great show nonetheless because of the talent. Went back again to a sold-out house. It took my friend 2 1/2 hours to get served and by the time she received her steak salad the steak was beef jerky. My dish took over an hour to arrive. It was ok, but it was nothing to get excited about. I was hoping to go there once per week for dinner and enjoy the stage. But, I only go when there's a particular band or performer because I am not eating dinner there again. I hope they get a clue. Would be a shame to lose such a valuable Bethesda venue.
(2)
Kitti T.

Great show. Terrible service. This is our second time here. The waiter never ever came to check on us. We had to actually chase him down. Our bread did not come until the end of our meal. Servers didn't know where to put the food they kept asking if we ordered whatever they were holding. I was really tempted to say YES after the third time. All in all, the service ruined the show. Come prepared.
(1)
cheryl t.

We went for a comedy show for our first experience here. The show was super funny. The space is attractive, every seat is good. The sound was at times too loud. Will bring ear plugs next time. The waiter was one of the rudest people I've ever encountered in a service setting. He would just come and stare and say "do you want something?" We were not sure yet so we said "not yet, thank you." Eventually, my husband asked for a drink and after about 45 minutes of waiting I asked the same waiter about the drink and he said "I'm busy," and walked away! He never brought the drink or refilled water. Unacceptable. It felt like he didn't think the tip from a drink would help him any! Kinda hard to shake this negative experience. If I return, I'll make sure to hydrate ahead of time.
(2)
Mamoon R.

Awesome place and great ambiance - really enjoyed the time - would definitely recommend others - the live band really added to the overall ambiance.
(5)
Meredith S.

Great place for live music and dancing. But food no. Menu is too small and over priced. Wait staff never checked on us had to get the floor manager too. I would rather eat at Tastee Diner across the street and only pay $12 for a meal then here . But I do love the music. If you want to save money do not eat here.
(3)
Diana L.

This venue has just reopened about two months ago and I can't say how excited I am. I saw the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Orchestra play there last night and they were just wonderful. I love the art-deco feel... just being there made me feel nostalgic for an era I never knew. This is a fantastic date spot, but I flew solo last night, chatted with a mom and her daughter next to me and went home with a smile. I also saw families, snazzy looking couples, and adorable older couples, and groups of young professionals. I believe there's understandably a $12 minimum, but that's nothing a cocktail or two won't take care of. I just had drinks... dinner looked a bit on the pricey side but the plates that came out to my right and left all had generous serving sizes. This venue is a perfect excuse to throw on a cute dress, silk-back-vest, or that fedora you've been waiting to debut. Quality fun here ladies and gentleman.
(4)
Bern S.

A great addition to the music scene. Sort of a throwback to the supper clubs of the fifties and sixties. Talented artists perform and the sound is good.
(4)
Gil C.

We live in the neighborhood and thought we'd support this club. We ordered two glasses of wine - my husband a Malbec and I ordered Kendall Jackson Reserve. When we tasted our wines, we knew immediately that they were not the wines we ordered . Instead we were served a really cheap, acidic house wine. If you order wine from this place - taste it and if it not what you ordered, let the management know and have them give you what you ordered. It ruined our evening and we will not be back! End of supporting our neighborhood club!
(1)
Freda J.

BACKGROUND: I purchased a Living Social deal on May 4th for the Bethesda Supper Club Jazz event for May 19th at 7:30pm. Will call and the doors opened at 5:30pm. The deal consisted of dinner for two which came with a small salad and entree per person. AMBIANCE: The dining area was dimly lit with votives. It was very romantic, laid back and definitely what you'd expect when listening to jazz. There were two floor levels facing the stage, outlining seating and theater rows against the very back wall. On the two floor levels were 4 person tables. We were seated on the second level that looked a little crowded. Fortunately, we were seated near the back at a 2 person table. SERVICE AND FOOD: When I arrived with my boyfriend around 6:15pm, they didn't even have us on the list. No biggie, I had a print out of my deal so the concierge/host seated us. We were seated and given water around 6:30pm and ordered our meals. We waited another 30 minutes for the complimentary small Caesar or House salad that came with no dressing and croutons on mine (after I specifically told the waiter that I cannot eat them). Our waiter brought some dressing out in a very small cup. The dressing was the only good thing about that meal. After eating the paltry salad, the plates were cleared and we waited patiently for our main dishes. The band started playing on time at 7:30pm. We still had no entrÃ©es. We asked our waiter about the wait and he said it was coming. However, 8:15pm rolled around and we still hadn't eaten. We noticed a number of couples that were there before us that hadn't received their entrees and others who came after and were already half way through theirs. There was also one amusing instance where a waitress was walking around for almost 5 minutes trying to find which table two plates belonged to. It seemed as if she asked everyone on the second level. After being unsuccessful, she went back into the kitchen (P.S. it wasn't ours). It had now been two hours since we arrived and we still didn't eat anything but a small salad. Our server never came back to check on us or refill our waters despite our efforts to flag him down. He would just give a nod and keep moving. We even asked a concierge/host (one of the guys in a tan jacket) to find our waiter and he could not. It was at this point that we were fed up, hungry and decided to leave around 8:30pm. So, technically there is no food review because we didn't eat! LIVE PERFORMANCE: This was the saving grace of the place and the ONLY reason I gave my review 2 stars (wish I could do 2.5). The band was amazing! We saw the Ron Kearns Quintet. Each player had his own solo in the beginning and they continued to play many songs. The sound was perfect and very enjoyable. OVERALL: It was a great MUSIC experience that I would like to have again; however, because of the ridiculously poor service I highly doubt that we would ever go back. SUGGESTION: I suggest that if a company offers a Living Social deal, then it should be thoroughly prepared for the possible influx of customers. I believe that they were understaffed, unprepared, and inattentive to customers that paid to be there. There should be no reason anyone should wait 2 hours for a meal AFTER ordering.
(2)
Jay B.

I was there with a group for the grand re-opening with Branford Marsalis last Friday and had a lovely time. I'm very glad that the venue is open again since it is an historic location in Bethesda (a town without much acknowledgment of its past). I was able to walk from my home so I did not have to worry about parking. The entertainment was obviously top-notch, based on the booking. The audience (both those eating at tables and those in the stadium seating in the rear) clearly enjoyed the performance and was left wanting more. The food was good. I had a walnut-balsamic salad, a chicken entree and cheesecake for dessert. The staff still appeared to be working out some of the service logistics; the food came out slowly and they were unable to accommodate a substitution for a food allergy, though it was a pre-fix menu so I understood. Slower service was not entirely negative, however, since it allowed our table to dine casually over the course of the show. I will definitely go back the next time there is a performance that looks good!
(4)
M K.

The entertainment was good, as expected (Lloyd Dobler Effect). However, the food was sub-par (insufficiently-heated food, bone-dry chicken and under-cooked rice); disappointing especially for the prices they charge. We assumed the closer tables were more expensive as we were never asked if we wanted to sit closer. It turns out that is not the case. They should not assume everyone is a regular. The service was mixed. We were immediately attended to when we arrived. However, service dropped off almost immediately even though the place never did have more than half of its seats filled. We never were offered or received water refills and they don't have a drink menu other than the specials menu which essentially list various sugar juices combined with alcohol. When a manager stopped by and we expressed our honest opinion, she didn't seem to know how to respond and never offered to remedy the poor quality of food. Not impressed. Of course, the venue suffers from its history as a theater, meaning you have to travel afar to get to the bathroom, working through the maze of tightly arranged tables. It's a challenge when sober and potentially dangerous when you've had one too many.
(2)
Linda B.

Saw Dana Fuchs Saturday night and this time complained about the poor sound quality to the owner after trying several managers. We were not the only ones thinking the sound was not only way too loud, but grossly muddled in the mid range. The response was the band itself set the sound level and wouldn't address the complaints. This is my second trip and I'm not coming back. Too pricey to be this disappointing. Granted, Dana Fuchs is not someone I should have seen the first time (way too country for my taste) but its the sound quality that ruins it for me. Sad outcome, though, as lots of money went into this place. I'm sticking with the Hamilton or the Birchmere for large-audience shows. (Dana Fuchs did not have a large audience and she kept noting that most of the audience was her family...)
(1)
maxine s.

Attended Friday nites re-grand opening. While the venue was great, the food stunk. Salad very wet with dressing. I had the crab cakes and they were mush with stringbeans ice cold. Someone else at the table had the gnocchi and couldn't finish it because it wasn't good at all. I also had a taste of the salmon and that too was cold. They need to rethink their menu and get in a great chef.
(1)
Harold L.

I have one simple question for anyone reading this. The bands that are playing here are older than dirt. You can see all of them free at Clyde's in Chevy Chase and many other places, Tommy Lipsom the Soul Cracker, Junior Cline etc. The Nighthawks are so old they are playing in a 20 seat bar Hank Dietle's on the pike. The food is par at best and the food prices are very high to say the least. Where is the blues format? Very much a let down. For the prices and food you can go to the Warner and see real talent for the same price.
(1)
Cat H.

They got it right, this is the best music and dinner venue in the DC area. I just tried it out on Sat and I loved it, I plan to go back often. The ambiance is Art Deco with a spacious and comfortable seating area. The menu is a little creative, the food was very good (recommend the salmon and the crab cakes), and the service was fine. But we were there for the music, and Marcus Johnson was AMAZING! I loved it! I also appreciated that there were no parking hassles - there's an adjacent parking garage, which is free on weekends and has plenty of spaces.
(5)
Gary H.

Mixed feelings after our first visit to BB&J to see Maggie Rose on March 8th. First the good: Very easy to get to and convenient parking in the garage next door. Food was good but a little overpriced but more on that next. The not so good: My wife and I arrived early as recommended on their website (arrived around 6PM for the 8PM show) hoping to get a good table close to the stage. We "checked-in" at the hostess table and were given a hand written number (7) and told that was the order in which we arrived and we could wait in the bar area. After ordering a couple of drinks (They were out of soda for a run and coke?) we waited for 25-30 minutes and still no word on seating for dinner. We went up by the hostess and I was asking an assistant and she just said follow her and she seated us at a table for 4 on the second tier of tables near the back. I tried asking about our "ticket number" but was basically ignored and asked if this was our first time there. So what was the point of getting there early to be given a bad table at the back of the room? Our server was so-so. We both ordered the filet mignon and added a house salad to go with the meal. 20 minutes after ordering we have our steaks but no salads. Our server comes by briefly asking how everything is and we let her know that we never got the salads we ordered. She apologized and asked if we still wanted them, which we said yes we did. She did offer to take charge for the salads off but we told her that it wasn't her fault and leave them on the bill. The filet's were very good but again overpriced for what you get. We did get our salads about 5 minutes after letting our server know and the salads were good but served on too small of a plate. We might give BB&J another chance if it's a good performer but at least we know what to expect now.
(2)
Peanut B.

Loved the ambience, decor, and music was outstanding. Great evening out..Now the reason I gave it 2 stars. The food was awful and tasted like it had been microwaved for us. Unfortunately, the spinich salad gave me food poisoning. I so wanted to write up a great review but beware. Drinks, music, dancing great just say NO TO THE FOOD
(2)
Bob W.

Spectacular venue, in a fully restored 1930s art deco theater, featuring astounding acoustics. Not a bad seat in the house. You can also order some great food at very reasonable prices. I would easily say this is the Washington metro area's very own Radio City Music Hall. A real treasure. Support the investors who took a real gamble on this place, and take in a show!
(5)
Susan R.

We saw the Peter Fraize Quartet. Our waiter was very helpful in what the kitchen is good at. We had the calamari, watermelon and feta salad, and rosemary gnocchi. The food was good and loved the music. The drinks were expensive though and there is a $15 minimum per person.
(4)
Robert A.

Saw the show on Saturday night. The good news is that this crew got the idea right in how best to utilize this space for the intended use, as a live music venue. The sound system is very good and handles music well, at least for an amplified group like I saw last night. I'll be curious to see who they do with acoustic music. Combining a club seating for those dining with theater seating for those who make the wise choice of skipping dinner (more on that in a moment) provides options for the audience. Having a generous bar area with video feed from the stage is also a very nice touch - those who want to have a drink and talk without missing the show have an alternative to annoying the audience in the music room. Now the reasons for three stars. First, the tables on the mezzanine level were jammed together making an uncomfortable fit. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to get perimeter seating so we weren't fighting for a few inches of space as many others were. Given how early we arrived, I was surprised we weren't offered seating on the main floor since I thought it was one price for all. I didn't look to see whether they shared the same fate of crowding as we did. Given how good the sound system is, the sound man kept the levels just under the pain threshold, even when the band switched to an acoustic interlude. You don't have to blow the audience away particularly when they are relatively quiet. So, one star off for that problem. The second issue was the food. Had the gumbo to start. Pretty good, though they wouldn't stay in business in New Orleans for any length of time. The blackened grouper was covered in jambalaya which was a jumbled mess. Undercooked rice, a side of overcooked green beans and a small portion of fish. The Jambalaya overtook the fish resulting in an odd and not very good combination of flavors. Not cheap either considering the cover charge was rather high for the status of the act we saw. Can't assess whether that is true across the calendar, but it sure seems that some of the acts upcoming that will be a draw were more reasonably priced. A second star off for the mediocre food. Overall, I have to say that they are on the right track with the dinner/show concept. They need to make adjustments to the sound, food and crowding. I'll pay more to be in a comfortable room, so don't confuse quantity with quality of experience. And the dining won't last long until they get a better product out of the kitchen. Fix those things and you'll get all five stars from me.
(3)
Monica W.

The ambiance was very nice as well as the layout of the restaurant. Every seat has a great view of the stage. The band that I listened to (Chopteeth) was very good. As far as the food - not so good. I thought I would play it safe by ordering the Fish & Chips. The description said it would be crispy, but my order was soggy and lukewarm. The fish looked like two oversized fish sticks with a lot of batter. It didn't bother sending it back because it took so long for the order to come and I was so hungry. Like other reviewers have stated, you don't come here for the food but to listen to the band. Still this place should step with their food.
(2)
Raquel J.

Enjoyed the music. Food was good. Drinks weak. Portions are small. Waitress sucked. Manager tried but sour taste in mouth now.
(3)
A G.

I went to BBJ for their opening night with Branford Marsalis and what a venue! My wife and I were shown to the bar at the front of the house which had a great seating area to relax and have a cocktail prior to the show. We then got seated at one of the dinner tables close to the stage. The service was prompt and the food was fantastic! It was a busy night for them and they pulled off the dinner perfectly. My filet was cooked to perfection and hot, which is great to experience when the club is full. While we were having dinner, Branford came out and put on a show like no other! The acoustics were amazing and his set list was fantastic! All in all, I would highly recommend BBJ for anyone in the DC metro area. It's one of only a few true jazz clubs in the area, and in my opinion the best.
(5)
James w.

Went here for dinner and the show. Food was at best just OK. Theater was very hot and uncomfortable. Having said those two things we enjoyed the show and would go back but not for food. Its better to eat somewhere else and spend the $15 minimum on a few drinks or a drink and an app or desert.
(3)
Amy B.

My boyfriend and I went here last night for the LivingSocial deal to see Paul Carr and had a great time. We sat in the back of the dining section, so it was a little hard to see, but the sound was good. We also thought the food was very good- bruschetta, house salad, Caesar salad, crabcakes, blackened grouper, and mousse. The grouper might have been a little too salty, and also I didn't realize the sauce would have sausage in it, but everything else was great. The waiter wasn't as attentive as he could have been, but maybe that's normal for a supper club. I don't know that I would pay full price to come back, just because jazz isn't really my thing, but I might come back with another deal.
(4)
Don R.

We returned to the club yesterday (Saturday) with some friends. The food and drink were fine and service excellent but the music was terrible! It was some middle aged and barely talented Rock band. Seriously. This is a group for a sweet sixteen party (and there were a few in the audience). This is a jazz and blues club. WTF?
(2)
Ned R.

Saw chick corea recently. First time going to this club. Thought it was fantastic. Loved the ambiance. Acoustics great. Been going to jazz clubs for 40 years. One of the best. Had the crab cakes. As good as any i have ever had! Yes, i was surprised too! And no, i am not getting paid to write this and have no ties to the place.
(5)
Elie C.

I attended opening night and went again last night to hear the house big band. Music is great, servers are friendly and helpful. Food opening night was disjointed, but that was not an issue on my second visit albeit there were many fewer people. Music volume is still pretty loud, but they advertise themselves as a place to listen to music, not as a place to do a lot of talking. I think dancing here would be great. Highly recommended!
(4)
Gail R.

I have been to this place 3 times, but did an event either with a group of folks or attended a non-concert performance at this venue, so my review is based on those visits. The first time I came here, I made sure to print out my confirmation so that I could show it to the host as you enter the venue. There is a bar ahead of you that serves drinks and it is the length of the room. As the host checks on your ticket purchase or confirmation, you are then directed on your right, to your seats. Since I was with a group on my visits here, I am not sure if you can select your own area to sit - I will try to check that out on my next visit. You sit down and then someone comes by to take your order - both food and drink are served and if memory serves me correct, you have to order something from the menu (and there is a minimum cost). It is best to come here early so that you can sit, eat, drink, chat with friends or even meet new folks - the tables are big and so other folks new to you will be seated with you. Once you are all settled it is easier to enjoy the show. I have seen Phillip "Doc" Martin here along with a group called Sound Connection (a dance area was added in front of the stage when this band performed) and the tickets are fairly cheap. They also have non-concert performances here as well, like The Best of Bethesda Party and that was a lot of fun. This place is in a prime location on a major street - Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. It is within walking distance (about 2.5 blocks) from the Bethesda Metro Station on the red line and there are quite a few garage choices within the vicinity including one on the same block at the venue. Overall the place is well worth checking out.
(3)
Denise G.

Caveat emptor. Let the buyer, investor, artist beware! I was recently scammed by a promoter working at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Rob Meekins aka Rob Meeko aka Meeko Entertainment aka Meeko Records. I entered a contract as an investor with this "promoter" for the Gregory Porter concert in June 2015. The agreement stipulated return on investment after the show of $12,000. However, I only received partial payment of $3,000. Additionally, the promoter indicated that he needed assistance reserving hotel rooms for another event (The Dramatics), June 2015. I agreed to hold rooms for this promoter only. He agreed to settle the bill before checking out. Meeko reserved the rooms, signed an agreement with the DC hotel (presenting himself as affiliated with Bethesda Blues & Jazz), but left the premises early leaving me with the bill of $5,500. Meeko claims he will repay but to-date, there has been no repayment. Rob Meeko is a con artist. He presents himself as a businessman, but he is not. He lies, manipulates and preys on younger women. Caveat emptor. #robmeeko #robmeekins #robmeekopromoter #promoter #bbjc #bethesdablues
(1)
Anna L.

What a fantastic venue! Walking in you can clearly see the care the owner put into renovating this 1930's art deco theater. You enter into a large lobby that leads to the 40 foot bar with plenty of pub tables and bar seats. There is no view of the stage from the bar, but there was a TV screen broadcasting the players warming up for the show. We were early and this was an unexpected treat while we enjoyed a glass of wine before being seated in the concert hall/dining area. The bar offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 with various drink specials and small plates. The inside of the concert hall is beautiful. There is seating for 300 at the dining tables and an additional 200 theater seats in the back. We were lucky enough to be seated center front of the stage, but I can't imagine there is a bad seat in the house. I felt like I had traveled back in time. Here we were sitting in this intimate, romantic supper hall with white tablecloths and candlelight on each table looking up at a huge stage and looking forward to some great jazz music. We came to see Kyle Eastwood and his band - an amazing group of talented musicians. The sound and acoustics were fantastic. The servers slipped around the tables effortlessly and quietly. There were no distractions from the show at all. After the show, Kyle was kind enough to hang out in the bar and mingle with the guests. He of course also sold CDs, but took the time to chat with each guest, sign the CDs and even take pictures. I almost forgot to mention a wine tasting before the show offered in the bar area by a local Maryland winery, Elk Run. The wines were surprisingly good and were offered as specials by the glass throughout the night. The food - I was honestly not expecting much given the previous reviews on Yelp and even asked the bartender about the food before the show. He told us that they were aware of some less than stellar reviews and had really been working hard to improve the guest experience to include food quality. Kudos to a business that watches consumer opinions and uses them to improve! I wanted something light that night and went with just a small appetizer and salad. The Bethesda's Best Crazy Crab was delicious and had a great presentation - two small crab cakes full of lump crap topped with fried Katafi dough served with a corn relish and remoulade. The small Caesar salad, a plate full of fresh romaine with the perfect amount of a creamy Caesar dressing served with a thin crispy baguette, was one of the better Caesar salads I have had in a while. My husband's filet was perfectly cooked and served with a delicious Dijon reduction. The food was surprisingly good and service was great. Drinks did not go unfilled and plates were cleared timely. Parking is available in the Cheltenham garage in the same building as the venue. From the garage, you can take the elevator to the Whitney Lobby which is directly adjacent to the venue. Parking is free on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. I will definitely return to this wonderful, classy venue when an opportunity arises. With all the shows offered, I am sure we will find something that appeals to us as the variety of the acts is quite good.
(5)
Keith W.

This supper club is AWESOME! Went to see one of my favorite legendary contemporary jazz and jazz fusion groups Spyo Gyra. The place was packed. The ambience of this place is amazing. The acoustics were outstanding. The Spyo Gyra sound is as good as ever and their performance rocked the house. The food and service was excellent! I loved the entire experience.
(5)
Megan P.

It was girls' night out and we chose the sold out show here to see a live band and burlesque performers. This review is mostly in regards to the venue since the performances change regularly. Even though we'd purchased tickets in advance, we were told by the hostess that we have to reserve a table separately. We weren't aware of this, but thankfully they were able to seat us at a table. For those of you who haven't been, there are tables set up and then stadium type seating way in the back. I imagine the back seating only does drinks, no food FYI. Our server was friendly but awkward, and we had a lot of trouble understanding him. We ordered the Grilled Goat Cheese as an appetizer. It's essentially baked potatoes with goat cheese top: simple and really delicious. I had the Beet Salad for my dinner, which was good but very little feta cheese on top...so it was mostly just beets and lettuce. I think there could be a little more pizzaz with this dish like other vegetables or perhaps pistachios or walnuts to add a little crunch. My friends ordered the Strawberry Salad & Vegetable Pasta, and both enjoyed their dishes. We were able to get a bottle of wine to share amongst us for a pretty good deal that they had going on that night. As for the performance, it was pretty entertaining. Not surprisingly, some girls were better than others. During the last hour or so, they changed it around to the girls being 'go go' dancers with all of them on the stage, and inviting guests to dance on the dance floor in front. A lot of people got into it, but it seemed a tad awkward to me. Overall, it was a fun night out and something different to do.
(3)
Kim C.

We were charged a different amount from our ticket. When asking the owner he said we were women and couldn't understand. Whaaaaat!!!
(1)
TJ B.

This is an incredible venue and will hopefully continue to bring some great acts to our area. The lighting, the sound, the stage...all awesome. You can walk around to a bar that will make you a great drink quickly and there is also a nice draft beer selection. I see a lot of folks on here slamming it for the food service. I understand that the venue is marketing excellent entertainment AND excellent food, but what are you really coming for? The music, right? If you want a nice dinner, you can go elsewhere for that because you can't really expect 5 star dinner service in a dark room while a band is jamming. So, here is where I sit with it; Be happy someone invested the money to restore a historic theater instead of having the place torn down for condos. Enjoy the great music. Appreciate that the food served is not limited to nachos and chicken tenders. If you want to eat, grab some appetizers (I tried the coconut shrimp and the chicken wings, both great), cocktails and enjoy the show. If you don't want to eat, get a theater seat instead and dine beforehand. There is not a bad seat in the house. It is small enough to be intimate, but large enough to bring in some bigger acts. Go for the music! Hopefully the dinner service and prices balance themselves out to deliver the quality people want at the right price point, but if not...go for the music.
(4)
M N.

The food was amazing and atmosphere was wonderful. Very relaxing. The chef William was very professional and personable with patrons. Our waitress Andrea was very attentive and professional. I certainly recommend this venue for couples looking for a wonderful evening out on the town. 5/5 star rating
(5)
Norman G.

If you're going for a performance, consider getting there early enough for dinner. The food is pretty good--not sensational--but it's good enough, and along with whatever performer you've come to see, it makes for a nice (fairly expensive) evening out. By all means order one of the creole. dishes. They are the house specialty and the best things on the menu.
(3)
Kevin F.

This was my first time here, and I was going to rip it in very un-Yelp Elite fashion, but I have decided to take the High Road, instead. BBJ was obviously a beautiful theatre and now, its a wonderful Beaux Artes-like venue. I saw a wonderful Flamenco guitarist, Hernan Romero there and he was great. Unfortunately, the theatre was not. This is a theatre and not a music venue. The noise from the bar and from every plate, fork, glass, tray and napkin were clearly audible, and distracting. Many people were ungraciously firing up their cell phones and yacking during the performance. Hellllloooooo! This is supposed to be a music venue, not a kindergarten school yard, people! One other thing is the entrees and beverages are outrageously priced. I understand why, but I wish they could put some sort of audio engineer and contractor to work to improve the place to make the high food/drink prices worth it, but as of now, they are not. I ran across the street to the cheese steak place (Philadephia Mikes) for a tasty meal, after being gouged for 2 DRAFT beers at $18!!!! Otherwise, there is major talent at this place, and as long as the music isn't too quiet, it will be a nice place to hear music.
(3)
Shira S.

My rating is for the venue and service we received, not for the act which we saw (just don't think that would be fair). I went with a group of friends to see a burlesque show. We had purchased 8 tickets together and two friends had purchased their tickets individually. According to the website, they seat you as you come and encourage you to get there early so two of us made certain to get there early so we could get a table for ten. Well.....not so much how it works. Smartly, if they notice that a large group purchased tickets, they set aside tables for that group. However, when we told them that we had two others who had purchased their tickets individually, they were unable to add another table on to accommodate the total. After some convincing, they gave us two extra chairs to add as we were willing to squeeze. The venue itself is very cool and I like how they have it set-up with options for both table service and theater seating. Overall, the food was truly "meh" as it tasted like much of it was pre-made and both the chicken and shrimp were overcooked. My friend enjoyed her scallops, but the salad that accompanied was overdressed and wilted. Most of the liquor based drinks were water downed and my dirty martini which I ordered straight up, came out on the rocks and without any flavor of the olive juice. On the bright side, their chocolate martini was delicious and a nice way to end the evening. Sadly, their staff is clearly overworked as the drinks took about 50 minutes to come out (the first round) and the food took over an hour. When we tried to speak to a manager about it, he made a ton of excuses, but never offered an apology. As someone who tended bar in various venues for over ten years, no matter how busy you are, it should never take 50 minutes for a drink. The manager needs to learn to apologize and to hire more staff. This venue has the potential to be really great but they need to get their act together for that to happen. They bring in interesting and diverse entertainment which makes me want to come back, but I will be certain to eat at home and stick to either wine or a chocolate martini.
(2)
Elliot K.

It took 35 minutes to get a menu and almost an hour to get our drinks... finally from the manager. The table next to us was having an even bigger brew ha ha cause I think some of the food came out way before the others. Why then the 4 stars you may ask? Because it's a great place to see live music and it's right up the street. We've had a lot of good times here and first world problems - like ridiculously slow service and mediocre food - should not get in the way of that. Support this joint and come on down!
(4)
Ideen S.

What a nice, mostly unknown gem. It is indeed pricey (though we were able to save some coin through a LivingSocial deal), but it is worth it. We arrived, checked-in, and were directed to our dining table (which is up front and near the stage). Our server (Andy) was great; very natural and just the right balance between being there and being away. I had their House Salad and Honey Glazed Salmon; and my girlfriend had their Caesar Salad and Shrimp Scampi. All delicious. And to top it off, we had the Chocolate & Amaretto Mousse for dessert, which was basically orgasmic. And the performance was great, too! I really enjoyed the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Orchestra. I was surprised to hear that management is considering nixing the band. I thought they did an amazing job, and should stick around!
(4)
Jasmine T.

Sooo...instead of making our usual reservations at a seafood restaurant this year for Mother's Day I decided to treat mom to an evening of gospel along with dinner at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. I made reservations two weeks in advance, and was very glad I had found such a great deal of $40 per person for dinner & a show. Unfortunately, to my dismay - the event was cancelled less than a week before Mother's Day. I was disappointed, truly disappointed due to the timing of the situation - but more upset that I received an automated notice from the ticketing platform the venue uses. The message from support@instantseats.com reads: Unfortunately, the performance by: Mothers' Day with God's House Singers ft. Juanita Sunday, May 11 -- 06:00 PM has been cancelled. A full refund for your tickets has been processed. Thank you for using InstantSeats. Please join us for another performance soon. -Support Staff I double checked my email inbox to see if there was an additional email DIRECTLY from a manager at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club but there was none. So, here I am -- only a few days shy from Mother's Day with no reservations and no apology on behalf of the company for the inconvenience. (Come on, seriously -- at least apologize!) I decided to write them a long email explaining the importance of customer service and customer relations (along with my own dissatisfaction over how the situation was handled.) I received a very tongue-in-check response which included an invitation to attend another event scheduled for that night. No thanks, I'll pass. This should have been done before I complained, not after - but I respect the "effort" the company took to make it right - no matter how forced in nature. Oh, and did I mention no where in the email was an apology? In short, Instaseats is NOT Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. "Support Staff" is not a manager - nor person in authority, and if a customer is having a problem you should let the General Manager address the issue - not the Social Media/Marketing Manager. As the Social Media/ Marketing Manager you should also understand that Instaseats is not your brand and that customers deserve an honest apology for being inconvenienced. I wasn't asking for anything free, simply petitioning your company to provide a better level of customer service. In the future, I hope that if a show is cancelled you will provided an alternative to clients upfront, in order to encourage them to attend another event at your establishment instead of waiting for complaints to take action.
(1)
Julie A.

Entertainment- Doors Wide Open was an awesome performance with great versatility. For a mid-week venture, it was worth the small token to attend. For most in our group, this was a venue that we often passed by without notice. It's a nice group couples spot or date night for two. Food/Service- Our group ordered several appetizers, entrees, and drinks. From wings, sweet potato coconut shrimp, ahi tuna, and salad. The menu was short but focused. My only complaint would be with the Caesar salad that I ordered. If I'm going to pay $10 for a bag of romaine, I would like it to be a Caesar salad and not just romaine lettuce with a little Parmesan. They said they were out of croutons and apparently running low on salad dressing. Otherwise, most were of the other dishes were satisfactory. The servers were attentive and helpful and explained to upcoming shows and events. A new hidden spot discovered!
(4)
Dan M.

I was surprised by how much fun we had here. We saw a show by the cover band Spectrum, and they brought great energy to the place. The food was the real shocker. It isn't going to blow you away, but I figured the food would be an afterthought, and it wasn't. The chicken is thick, moist, and flavorful. Nice veggie accompaniment as well. I left full and satisfied. The crowd is diverse, ranging from young couples, families with little kids, and all the way to spunky old-timers. And they were all mingling on the dance floor comfortably. I would come back, for sure. It might not be a great one-stop locale for an exciting night out, but for us, we came as a pre-game to going out elsewhere, and it was perfect for that role.
(4)
Debbie R.

Kudos for what you are trying to do here and for saving the old theater. The atmosphere is lovely. Also props for the nice dance floor. But, oh my, the food is bad. Bad and very expensive. Seems geared to the palate of an 80 year old. The dishes are stuffy and bland, bland, bland. Nothing we got had any flavor and the ingredients were low quality and yet the entrees run in the $25-$30 range. So, while I may return to see a show, I will never order anything to eat here again. While it didn't bother me that much, people should be advised that you will be sharing a table with strangers. So maybe not the best date night destination. Also it definitely serves an older demographic. I'm 45 and there was hardly anyone there that was younger than me or even in my same age group. Also, perhaps the owner would like to know that there's a gentleman probably in his 70s or 80s who was being rather creepy with me and asked me over and over to come to his house at Grosvenor and swim in his pool. He kept dropping the owners name as his friend. This guy has been there both times I've went.
(3)
Dave M.

Wow, what a great venue. Twelve of us went there for The Soul Crackers show. Beautiful venue. Professional management, Good food. Good service. Sure, the service might have been a little slow sometimes, but the place was packed. What do you expect? And besides, you're there to enjoy the evening. So, chill ... have a drink, dance a little, and have fun. The scallops with bacon was delicious. I didn't taste the beet salad but my tablemate said it was good. Pasta with shrimp was temperature hot and tasty. The grouper was fresh. This is a fabulous place. We will be back.
(5)
Lenore S.

I went with a group of friends to see a performance on Sunday, August 31. It was my first time there. I liked the ambiance of the place the show was GREAT!! It was a sold out performance. We were there around 6p.m. and it was a nice crowd there at that time. Seating was first come first served as we were told so we were there early enough to get a spot in the front dining area. But as we were being seated, it wasn't clear where we were sitting because the hostess just walked us to a table and walked away. We were unsure if that were she actually put us. We sat down and hoped no one will tell us to move. The menu was small, the entrees are a bit pricey. My friends who ordered said it was ok. As other people started to arrive I noticed that the waiters were running around kinda frantic and sweating profusely--that wasn't a good look for me, I didn't order any food because the thought of his sweat dripping on my food.... Perhaps they were under staffed. No one was rude, but there seemed to be much confusion who ordered what. A woman who appeared to be of management stepped in to help serve the orders. A couple of times I observed her walking around the dining area confused as to where the food should go. One time I clocked she walked around about 5 min. with plates until my friend at her table waved her down because it looked like their order. This continued a up until the show started. It took a while for drinks and one appetizer to come our table of six and we ordered before it got crowded. What was really odd was that the waiter did not come back before the show was over to close out the bills. We waited 20 min. after the show was over to get our bill...for only 4 drinks! Then my girlfriends bill was incorrect and my other friend didn't get charged enough! So for those reasons, I gave a the venue 2 stars. Management needs to get the waitstaff/serving more organized. Have the dining area table numbered so that there is no confusion who gets what. Especially for sold out shows. One of my favorite groups is performing there in September but two of my friends said they would have to catch them performing somewhere else, it was too much going on and they packed people in, required $10 minimum per person and the service was mediocre.
(2)
Allison R.

I'll be very brief. The club is cute, and the vegan options and drinks were terrible. If you don't want to throw money away, eat before you leave the house. It's very expensive. ~The End~
(1)
Darcy C.

Fantastic venue! Enjoy live jazz and entertainment at its best while dining in a beautiful theater. The sound is great, The location is easy to access with a large parking garage right around the corner. A unique jazz experience in our area. I highly recommend.
(5)
Rae M.

The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club is truly a breath of fresh air and a much needed venue for the area. Located in the heart of Bethesda, the building has an old school marquee announcing the upcoming events. Since we attended the second show of the night, we had to wait in a rather lengthy line to enter into the actual performance area. It has a nice size stage where everyone from comedians, dancers, bands and singers come to perform on a weekly basis. The tables closest to the stage are for those that want to order food and the theater style seating in the rear of the room is strictly for entertainment purposes. Either location you decide to sit, you have a clear view of the stage. If I'm not mistaken you can choose which location you would like to sit when purchasing your tickets, which we did online. Parking is available on the street or more conveniently, a parking garage is semi-attached to the venue. On this night, my sisters and I came out to support a childhood friend of my sister's, Joe Clair (Seat Pleasant Stand Up!) with his comic show. We had a fabulous time! I laughed so hard that when I left my throat was hurting. We were a bit disappointed with the menu selections. Sure, it's a nice place to visit, it seems pretty classy and it's nicely decorated, but who wants to eat lamb, steak or beet salad so late in the evening while watching comedians tell jokes? Perhaps they should have different menus for different events that come out. I would have thought the appetizers menu would've been a bit more substantial/dumbed down, like with spinach dip, chicken tenders, fries or something that actually screams appetizers. No such luck though. Due to the lack of selections, we were forced to order the buffalo wings, which were extremely bland. Plus the prices were rather expensive for the amount of food you received. The service was a bit slow and many people complained about the time it took to get their meals and drinks. Thankfully, we didn't experience any of those issues, but with such a large audience and so much going on, one would kind of expect a slight delay. I actually wouldn't mind coming back here to see other performers, but I would definitely eat before I came. Oh wait, that's not going to be possible because each person has to spend a minimum of $10 if you're sitting at the table. Well, I just hope that the menu will improve by the time I actually come back. *crossing fingers*
(4)
Katrina P.

Friends invited me to a performance. Went with an open mind, because most "supper clubs" have bad food and service. To my surprise and delight, the food and especially the service was fantastic. Our server, Melanie, was so attentive and made the overall experience a pleasure. I'm a vegatairian and ordered several veggie items - delicious. The manager came over to our table several times, to make sure all was OK. I can't wait to go back, hopefully sit at Melanie's section and enjoy the show! Highly recommend.
(5)
Lisa And Charlly E.

My boyfriend and I went here Saturday night for a little date night. We bought two tickets to see the Soul Serenaders, What a wonderful night. I didn't know how it was going to play out in the beginning as there seemed to be mass confusion at the check in counter. Three women all running around but not with any method to the madness. Once we were seated inside that all changed. Our server was awesome. The food so delicious. We shared a walnut and bleu cheese salad, coconut shrimp, amazing crab cakes and a dessert of sweet potato beignets that was insanely good. The venue was great. Beautiful art deco. The Soul Serenaders were so talented and they rocked the house. We slow danced a little as they had a dance floor. Wonderful night and venue. Highly recommend this place for date night for 40 and up.
(5)
Don M.

I went to Bethesda Blues and Jazz for the fifth time on Saturday night. The good-Soul Crackers put on a good show. The bad-the reason I won't be back. I have tried to support a locally owned music venue but enough is enough. After the third visit we decided we would eat dinner elsewhere before the show. The service was incredibly slow and one of the entrees was wrong. It was almost 10 minutes before the right one arrived. This Saturday was the last time for us. We got to our assigned table and didn't see a server for 15 minutes. I decided to go back to the bar myself. I ordered two Manhattans. Luckily I know how to make one. The bartender didn't. When I got back to the table our waters had arrived and drinks had been ordered. When they arrived one was terrible. I saw a woman at the table next to us also send back a drink. I would hope that the owners would go to the Birchmere or the Hamilton to see how things are done right. Good, simple food and drinks. All the servers work as a team at The Hamilton. See one and you can order. What a concept! I think five tries is enough to give them a shot. Sorry!
(1)
Stephen M.

This place is a constant fight between pros and cons, and the other night, the cons won. The best way to view this place is a jazz club that happens, just happens to serve food. It's the same way a bar may happen to serve some food, and, like a bar, the food should not be part of the your decision making. Eat before, and you may be OK, but there's a stiff minimum ($15 / person?) that can put a damper on the evening. The model that they're using does not seem to be working. Either significantly raise the bar on the food or drop it down to just apps. No one wants high prices for average dinner and, believe me, no one will make the same mistake twice. Pros: --Hosts good performers --Lost of seating --Great sound Cons: --Freezing inside --Small, uninspired menu and lots of "we just ran out" deletions = slim pickings (seems like they are still evaluating inventory a few months into it, but this will self-correct) --Outrageously priced wine and desserts (serious mark-up on rot gut bottles--can't get away with that in Bethesda) Like most folks on here, the place has potential but keeps on getting in its own way. Make some small changes (drink specials? larger portions? higher quality food? just apps), and the customers will come back. Doubt I'll be back unless things turn around quickly.
(2)
Empress Miko E.

Nice venue...set up would only go here for entertainment purposes. I recommend having your meal at home...long wait for food and drinks and not worth the wait.
(3)
Muriel H.

I've been here twice. Once for a mothers day jazz and dinner event which was so much fun. I had amazing salmon and she enjoyed her crab cakes. The second time I came here for a friend's mothers birthday party with a large group of people on a night where there was a live band playing jazz, blues, and some funk! It was so much fun and we sat front and center and got a front row seat of the packed dance floor. Everyone was amazing by their dinner and dessert was made special for the birthday girl by the head chef which she shared with the table since it was a massive sculpture of cheesecake, fruit, chocolates and a cakes. I love this spot. It is so elegant yet fun!
(5)
Ab R.

The entertainment was OK, but there were problems with the sound balance. No way to hear the lyrics. The music was muddled and the sound mixing was non existent. The trombone player is probably very good, but who could tell? The food was so-so, like something you might find at a cheap beach restaurant, but a lot more expensive. The fried Calamari tasted like nothing. The seating is really soup nazi-ish. We arrived relatively early so we could get seats facing the stage at one of the dinner tables. The place was pretty empty when we got there, and the hostess showed us to a table for four which she said we would have to share, which was no problem because we're pretty sociable people. When we sat down facing the stage, she said that only one of us could face the stage because somebody else might show up later. I said that's why we got here early, so we could get better seats. Next thing I know the manager is threatening to kick us out. I can't really remember anyone in the restaurant service who was more obnoxious than this person. I hope he eventually finds a career that doesn't require contact with the general public. The management has a wrong concept about who's working for whom. We pay them money, and they serve us, not boss us around. I'd give them a zero star rating, but yelp doesn't allow that.
(1)
John M.

I found out about this place from a friend and then booked tickets on Goldstar.com which saved me 60% on last Sunday night's show. We had excellent seats, directly in the front with a wonderful view of the band. The venue was modern and updated, had great seating arrangements and the wait staff was very helpful. There is a public parking garage right behind the venue so parking isn't a hassle, the food is good and they also serve great cocktails well. If your looking to have a good night out and spend a little extra cash, this venue is appropriate for any occasion or relationship. :)
(4)
Glenn K.

Enjoyed a nice mid week date night dinner and jazz show. Food was solid, service was fine. It's bigger but to me this place is better than Blues Alley for about the same price. I think it would be best for a big band jazz show in order for the sound to fill up the larger venue. Obviously it doesn't have the history or charm of blues alley but it works. Overall we really enjoyed it. Will definitely keep an eye on the schedule and come back sometime.
(4)
F J.

Went to a comedy event here on a Friday night. The place has character but is a little odd. There is an external window like you see to purchase tickets to a movie, but after waiting for someone to show up, you realize that ticket purchase is an office next door. Maybe because it was dark, I missed the sign. It was not obvious. The set up is nice for viewing entertainment while dining. There are theater seats in the back but they make you sit for dining service before you can just opt to sit in the back for a drink. They try to fill up that area first. However, the food and drink services were horrible. The venue with it many waiter staff had to pull people from tickets, etc to take orders. Of course that meant they did not know who ordered what. The man next to me had 3 different plates offered to him of food he did not order (he ordered wings). In the end, he never received his food as the show was over. I saw other people whose food never arrived; $9 for 5 portions of a deep fried wings (= 2 1/2 wings) with an exuberant amount of carrots and celery and two side dressing told me they reduced portion of wings and used the other as plate fillers. I guess the silver lining is that it kept me on a diet. I think they ran out. This is a distance for me to drive, so I am not sure it is worth it to give it another try.
(3)
Joan C.

paid $40 to see Rickie Lee Jones last night--service/food/ambience/parking/etc was all good-no major glitches. Bethesda people expect every night out to be perfectly seamless with no hiccups. Stop dreaming Bethesda people. This place has some hiccups yes, but paying $40 to see a brilliant artist like RLJ made them go away. Normally we'd have to schlep to the Birchmere (deep in The Confederacy) but this place is 15mins drive down Wisconsin Ave. What a breeze. I hope this place survives--it deserves to if for no other reason than to inject some "grit" into the prefab antiseptic bubble of Bethesda.
(5)
Joe L.

Saw Soul Crackers on 12/20. Phenom show but not much to recommend about venue. Had trouble getting seated. Drink order took over 45 mins. Food was overpriced. Stick with entertainment of dining but you can't do both.
(1)
Roz J.

This place has a very good layout for sit-down jazz shows-- it has a broad open center space and two levels of table seating. There are no bad sightlines. It's much better than the redo at the Howard theatre which is more oriented for standing shows. Wasn't too impressed with the sound though. It doesn't quite fill the space for acoustic bands. The food is just decent; about on par with cruise ship or OK hotel food. The exception was the crabcakes, which are very good. But who goes to a jazz supper club for the food?
(3)
Norman G.

If you're going for a performance, consider getting there early enough for dinner. The food is pretty good--not sensational--but it's good enough, and along with whatever performer you've come to see, it makes for a nice (fairly expensive) evening out. By all means order one of the creole. dishes. They are the house specialty and the best things on the menu.
(3)
Jasmine T.

Sooo...instead of making our usual reservations at a seafood restaurant this year for Mother's Day I decided to treat mom to an evening of gospel along with dinner at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. I made reservations two weeks in advance, and was very glad I had found such a great deal of $40 per person for dinner & a show. Unfortunately, to my dismay - the event was cancelled less than a week before Mother's Day. I was disappointed, truly disappointed due to the timing of the situation - but more upset that I received an automated notice from the ticketing platform the venue uses. The message from support@instantseats.com reads: Unfortunately, the performance by: Mothers' Day with God's House Singers ft. Juanita Sunday, May 11 -- 06:00 PM has been cancelled. A full refund for your tickets has been processed. Thank you for using InstantSeats. Please join us for another performance soon. -Support Staff I double checked my email inbox to see if there was an additional email DIRECTLY from a manager at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club but there was none. So, here I am -- only a few days shy from Mother's Day with no reservations and no apology on behalf of the company for the inconvenience. (Come on, seriously -- at least apologize!) I decided to write them a long email explaining the importance of customer service and customer relations (along with my own dissatisfaction over how the situation was handled.) I received a very tongue-in-check response which included an invitation to attend another event scheduled for that night. No thanks, I'll pass. This should have been done before I complained, not after - but I respect the "effort" the company took to make it right - no matter how forced in nature. Oh, and did I mention no where in the email was an apology? In short, Instaseats is NOT Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. "Support Staff" is not a manager - nor person in authority, and if a customer is having a problem you should let the General Manager address the issue - not the Social Media/Marketing Manager. As the Social Media/ Marketing Manager you should also understand that Instaseats is not your brand and that customers deserve an honest apology for being inconvenienced. I wasn't asking for anything free, simply petitioning your company to provide a better level of customer service. In the future, I hope that if a show is cancelled you will provided an alternative to clients upfront, in order to encourage them to attend another event at your establishment instead of waiting for complaints to take action.
(1)
Elliot K.

It took 35 minutes to get a menu and almost an hour to get our drinks... finally from the manager. The table next to us was having an even bigger brew ha ha cause I think some of the food came out way before the others. Why then the 4 stars you may ask? Because it's a great place to see live music and it's right up the street. We've had a lot of good times here and first world problems - like ridiculously slow service and mediocre food - should not get in the way of that. Support this joint and come on down!
(4)
Ideen S.

What a nice, mostly unknown gem. It is indeed pricey (though we were able to save some coin through a LivingSocial deal), but it is worth it. We arrived, checked-in, and were directed to our dining table (which is up front and near the stage). Our server (Andy) was great; very natural and just the right balance between being there and being away. I had their House Salad and Honey Glazed Salmon; and my girlfriend had their Caesar Salad and Shrimp Scampi. All delicious. And to top it off, we had the Chocolate & Amaretto Mousse for dessert, which was basically orgasmic. And the performance was great, too! I really enjoyed the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Orchestra. I was surprised to hear that management is considering nixing the band. I thought they did an amazing job, and should stick around!
(4)
Gail R.

I have been to this place 3 times, but did an event either with a group of folks or attended a non-concert performance at this venue, so my review is based on those visits. The first time I came here, I made sure to print out my confirmation so that I could show it to the host as you enter the venue. There is a bar ahead of you that serves drinks and it is the length of the room. As the host checks on your ticket purchase or confirmation, you are then directed on your right, to your seats. Since I was with a group on my visits here, I am not sure if you can select your own area to sit - I will try to check that out on my next visit. You sit down and then someone comes by to take your order - both food and drink are served and if memory serves me correct, you have to order something from the menu (and there is a minimum cost). It is best to come here early so that you can sit, eat, drink, chat with friends or even meet new folks - the tables are big and so other folks new to you will be seated with you. Once you are all settled it is easier to enjoy the show. I have seen Phillip "Doc" Martin here along with a group called Sound Connection (a dance area was added in front of the stage when this band performed) and the tickets are fairly cheap. They also have non-concert performances here as well, like The Best of Bethesda Party and that was a lot of fun. This place is in a prime location on a major street - Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda. It is within walking distance (about 2.5 blocks) from the Bethesda Metro Station on the red line and there are quite a few garage choices within the vicinity including one on the same block at the venue. Overall the place is well worth checking out.
(3)
Megan P.

It was girls' night out and we chose the sold out show here to see a live band and burlesque performers. This review is mostly in regards to the venue since the performances change regularly. Even though we'd purchased tickets in advance, we were told by the hostess that we have to reserve a table separately. We weren't aware of this, but thankfully they were able to seat us at a table. For those of you who haven't been, there are tables set up and then stadium type seating way in the back. I imagine the back seating only does drinks, no food FYI. Our server was friendly but awkward, and we had a lot of trouble understanding him. We ordered the Grilled Goat Cheese as an appetizer. It's essentially baked potatoes with goat cheese top: simple and really delicious. I had the Beet Salad for my dinner, which was good but very little feta cheese on top...so it was mostly just beets and lettuce. I think there could be a little more pizzaz with this dish like other vegetables or perhaps pistachios or walnuts to add a little crunch. My friends ordered the Strawberry Salad & Vegetable Pasta, and both enjoyed their dishes. We were able to get a bottle of wine to share amongst us for a pretty good deal that they had going on that night. As for the performance, it was pretty entertaining. Not surprisingly, some girls were better than others. During the last hour or so, they changed it around to the girls being 'go go' dancers with all of them on the stage, and inviting guests to dance on the dance floor in front. A lot of people got into it, but it seemed a tad awkward to me. Overall, it was a fun night out and something different to do.
(3)
Kim C.

We were charged a different amount from our ticket. When asking the owner he said we were women and couldn't understand. Whaaaaat!!!
(1)
Denise G.

Caveat emptor. Let the buyer, investor, artist beware! I was recently scammed by a promoter working at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Rob Meekins aka Rob Meeko aka Meeko Entertainment aka Meeko Records. I entered a contract as an investor with this "promoter" for the Gregory Porter concert in June 2015. The agreement stipulated return on investment after the show of $12,000. However, I only received partial payment of $3,000. Additionally, the promoter indicated that he needed assistance reserving hotel rooms for another event (The Dramatics), June 2015. I agreed to hold rooms for this promoter only. He agreed to settle the bill before checking out. Meeko reserved the rooms, signed an agreement with the DC hotel (presenting himself as affiliated with Bethesda Blues & Jazz), but left the premises early leaving me with the bill of $5,500. Meeko claims he will repay but to-date, there has been no repayment. Rob Meeko is a con artist. He presents himself as a businessman, but he is not. He lies, manipulates and preys on younger women. Caveat emptor. #robmeeko #robmeekins #robmeekopromoter #promoter #bbjc #bethesdablues
(1)
TJ B.

This is an incredible venue and will hopefully continue to bring some great acts to our area. The lighting, the sound, the stage...all awesome. You can walk around to a bar that will make you a great drink quickly and there is also a nice draft beer selection. I see a lot of folks on here slamming it for the food service. I understand that the venue is marketing excellent entertainment AND excellent food, but what are you really coming for? The music, right? If you want a nice dinner, you can go elsewhere for that because you can't really expect 5 star dinner service in a dark room while a band is jamming. So, here is where I sit with it; Be happy someone invested the money to restore a historic theater instead of having the place torn down for condos. Enjoy the great music. Appreciate that the food served is not limited to nachos and chicken tenders. If you want to eat, grab some appetizers (I tried the coconut shrimp and the chicken wings, both great), cocktails and enjoy the show. If you don't want to eat, get a theater seat instead and dine beforehand. There is not a bad seat in the house. It is small enough to be intimate, but large enough to bring in some bigger acts. Go for the music! Hopefully the dinner service and prices balance themselves out to deliver the quality people want at the right price point, but if not...go for the music.
(4)
Susan R.

We saw the Peter Fraize Quartet. Our waiter was very helpful in what the kitchen is good at. We had the calamari, watermelon and feta salad, and rosemary gnocchi. The food was good and loved the music. The drinks were expensive though and there is a $15 minimum per person.
(4)
Kevin F.

This was my first time here, and I was going to rip it in very un-Yelp Elite fashion, but I have decided to take the High Road, instead. BBJ was obviously a beautiful theatre and now, its a wonderful Beaux Artes-like venue. I saw a wonderful Flamenco guitarist, Hernan Romero there and he was great. Unfortunately, the theatre was not. This is a theatre and not a music venue. The noise from the bar and from every plate, fork, glass, tray and napkin were clearly audible, and distracting. Many people were ungraciously firing up their cell phones and yacking during the performance. Hellllloooooo! This is supposed to be a music venue, not a kindergarten school yard, people! One other thing is the entrees and beverages are outrageously priced. I understand why, but I wish they could put some sort of audio engineer and contractor to work to improve the place to make the high food/drink prices worth it, but as of now, they are not. I ran across the street to the cheese steak place (Philadephia Mikes) for a tasty meal, after being gouged for 2 DRAFT beers at $18!!!! Otherwise, there is major talent at this place, and as long as the music isn't too quiet, it will be a nice place to hear music.
(3)
Kitti T.

Great show. Terrible service. This is our second time here. The waiter never ever came to check on us. We had to actually chase him down. Our bread did not come until the end of our meal. Servers didn't know where to put the food they kept asking if we ordered whatever they were holding. I was really tempted to say YES after the third time. All in all, the service ruined the show. Come prepared.
(1)
cheryl t.

We went for a comedy show for our first experience here. The show was super funny. The space is attractive, every seat is good. The sound was at times too loud. Will bring ear plugs next time. The waiter was one of the rudest people I've ever encountered in a service setting. He would just come and stare and say "do you want something?" We were not sure yet so we said "not yet, thank you." Eventually, my husband asked for a drink and after about 45 minutes of waiting I asked the same waiter about the drink and he said "I'm busy," and walked away! He never brought the drink or refilled water. Unacceptable. It felt like he didn't think the tip from a drink would help him any! Kinda hard to shake this negative experience. If I return, I'll make sure to hydrate ahead of time.
(2)
Mamoon R.

Awesome place and great ambiance - really enjoyed the time - would definitely recommend others - the live band really added to the overall ambiance.
(5)
Meredith S.

Great place for live music and dancing. But food no. Menu is too small and over priced. Wait staff never checked on us had to get the floor manager too. I would rather eat at Tastee Diner across the street and only pay $12 for a meal then here . But I do love the music. If you want to save money do not eat here.
(3)
Anna L.

What a fantastic venue! Walking in you can clearly see the care the owner put into renovating this 1930's art deco theater. You enter into a large lobby that leads to the 40 foot bar with plenty of pub tables and bar seats. There is no view of the stage from the bar, but there was a TV screen broadcasting the players warming up for the show. We were early and this was an unexpected treat while we enjoyed a glass of wine before being seated in the concert hall/dining area. The bar offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 with various drink specials and small plates. The inside of the concert hall is beautiful. There is seating for 300 at the dining tables and an additional 200 theater seats in the back. We were lucky enough to be seated center front of the stage, but I can't imagine there is a bad seat in the house. I felt like I had traveled back in time. Here we were sitting in this intimate, romantic supper hall with white tablecloths and candlelight on each table looking up at a huge stage and looking forward to some great jazz music. We came to see Kyle Eastwood and his band - an amazing group of talented musicians. The sound and acoustics were fantastic. The servers slipped around the tables effortlessly and quietly. There were no distractions from the show at all. After the show, Kyle was kind enough to hang out in the bar and mingle with the guests. He of course also sold CDs, but took the time to chat with each guest, sign the CDs and even take pictures. I almost forgot to mention a wine tasting before the show offered in the bar area by a local Maryland winery, Elk Run. The wines were surprisingly good and were offered as specials by the glass throughout the night. The food - I was honestly not expecting much given the previous reviews on Yelp and even asked the bartender about the food before the show. He told us that they were aware of some less than stellar reviews and had really been working hard to improve the guest experience to include food quality. Kudos to a business that watches consumer opinions and uses them to improve! I wanted something light that night and went with just a small appetizer and salad. The Bethesda's Best Crazy Crab was delicious and had a great presentation - two small crab cakes full of lump crap topped with fried Katafi dough served with a corn relish and remoulade. The small Caesar salad, a plate full of fresh romaine with the perfect amount of a creamy Caesar dressing served with a thin crispy baguette, was one of the better Caesar salads I have had in a while. My husband's filet was perfectly cooked and served with a delicious Dijon reduction. The food was surprisingly good and service was great. Drinks did not go unfilled and plates were cleared timely. Parking is available in the Cheltenham garage in the same building as the venue. From the garage, you can take the elevator to the Whitney Lobby which is directly adjacent to the venue. Parking is free on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. I will definitely return to this wonderful, classy venue when an opportunity arises. With all the shows offered, I am sure we will find something that appeals to us as the variety of the acts is quite good.
(5)
Keith W.

This supper club is AWESOME! Went to see one of my favorite legendary contemporary jazz and jazz fusion groups Spyo Gyra. The place was packed. The ambience of this place is amazing. The acoustics were outstanding. The Spyo Gyra sound is as good as ever and their performance rocked the house. The food and service was excellent! I loved the entire experience.
(5)
Shira S.

My rating is for the venue and service we received, not for the act which we saw (just don't think that would be fair). I went with a group of friends to see a burlesque show. We had purchased 8 tickets together and two friends had purchased their tickets individually. According to the website, they seat you as you come and encourage you to get there early so two of us made certain to get there early so we could get a table for ten. Well.....not so much how it works. Smartly, if they notice that a large group purchased tickets, they set aside tables for that group. However, when we told them that we had two others who had purchased their tickets individually, they were unable to add another table on to accommodate the total. After some convincing, they gave us two extra chairs to add as we were willing to squeeze. The venue itself is very cool and I like how they have it set-up with options for both table service and theater seating. Overall, the food was truly "meh" as it tasted like much of it was pre-made and both the chicken and shrimp were overcooked. My friend enjoyed her scallops, but the salad that accompanied was overdressed and wilted. Most of the liquor based drinks were water downed and my dirty martini which I ordered straight up, came out on the rocks and without any flavor of the olive juice. On the bright side, their chocolate martini was delicious and a nice way to end the evening. Sadly, their staff is clearly overworked as the drinks took about 50 minutes to come out (the first round) and the food took over an hour. When we tried to speak to a manager about it, he made a ton of excuses, but never offered an apology. As someone who tended bar in various venues for over ten years, no matter how busy you are, it should never take 50 minutes for a drink. The manager needs to learn to apologize and to hire more staff. This venue has the potential to be really great but they need to get their act together for that to happen. They bring in interesting and diverse entertainment which makes me want to come back, but I will be certain to eat at home and stick to either wine or a chocolate martini.
(2)
Chad S.

Good music, terrible service. From the time we were seated, it took 15 minutes for anyone to speak to us. No water, no drinks, nothing. Once a server finally spoke to us and brought us drinks, we had been seated for 30 minutes. The people who operate this place are very nice and the food was good, once we received it. The music was also very good.
(2)
Roz J.

This place has a very good layout for sit-down jazz shows-- it has a broad open center space and two levels of table seating. There are no bad sightlines. It's much better than the redo at the Howard theatre which is more oriented for standing shows. Wasn't too impressed with the sound though. It doesn't quite fill the space for acoustic bands. The food is just decent; about on par with cruise ship or OK hotel food. The exception was the crabcakes, which are very good. But who goes to a jazz supper club for the food?
(3)
Rae M.

The Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club is truly a breath of fresh air and a much needed venue for the area. Located in the heart of Bethesda, the building has an old school marquee announcing the upcoming events. Since we attended the second show of the night, we had to wait in a rather lengthy line to enter into the actual performance area. It has a nice size stage where everyone from comedians, dancers, bands and singers come to perform on a weekly basis. The tables closest to the stage are for those that want to order food and the theater style seating in the rear of the room is strictly for entertainment purposes. Either location you decide to sit, you have a clear view of the stage. If I'm not mistaken you can choose which location you would like to sit when purchasing your tickets, which we did online. Parking is available on the street or more conveniently, a parking garage is semi-attached to the venue. On this night, my sisters and I came out to support a childhood friend of my sister's, Joe Clair (Seat Pleasant Stand Up!) with his comic show. We had a fabulous time! I laughed so hard that when I left my throat was hurting. We were a bit disappointed with the menu selections. Sure, it's a nice place to visit, it seems pretty classy and it's nicely decorated, but who wants to eat lamb, steak or beet salad so late in the evening while watching comedians tell jokes? Perhaps they should have different menus for different events that come out. I would have thought the appetizers menu would've been a bit more substantial/dumbed down, like with spinach dip, chicken tenders, fries or something that actually screams appetizers. No such luck though. Due to the lack of selections, we were forced to order the buffalo wings, which were extremely bland. Plus the prices were rather expensive for the amount of food you received. The service was a bit slow and many people complained about the time it took to get their meals and drinks. Thankfully, we didn't experience any of those issues, but with such a large audience and so much going on, one would kind of expect a slight delay. I actually wouldn't mind coming back here to see other performers, but I would definitely eat before I came. Oh wait, that's not going to be possible because each person has to spend a minimum of $10 if you're sitting at the table. Well, I just hope that the menu will improve by the time I actually come back. *crossing fingers*
(4)
Katrina P.

Friends invited me to a performance. Went with an open mind, because most "supper clubs" have bad food and service. To my surprise and delight, the food and especially the service was fantastic. Our server, Melanie, was so attentive and made the overall experience a pleasure. I'm a vegatairian and ordered several veggie items - delicious. The manager came over to our table several times, to make sure all was OK. I can't wait to go back, hopefully sit at Melanie's section and enjoy the show! Highly recommend.
(5)
M N.

The food was amazing and atmosphere was wonderful. Very relaxing. The chef William was very professional and personable with patrons. Our waitress Andrea was very attentive and professional. I certainly recommend this venue for couples looking for a wonderful evening out on the town. 5/5 star rating
(5)
Julie A.

Entertainment- Doors Wide Open was an awesome performance with great versatility. For a mid-week venture, it was worth the small token to attend. For most in our group, this was a venue that we often passed by without notice. It's a nice group couples spot or date night for two. Food/Service- Our group ordered several appetizers, entrees, and drinks. From wings, sweet potato coconut shrimp, ahi tuna, and salad. The menu was short but focused. My only complaint would be with the Caesar salad that I ordered. If I'm going to pay $10 for a bag of romaine, I would like it to be a Caesar salad and not just romaine lettuce with a little Parmesan. They said they were out of croutons and apparently running low on salad dressing. Otherwise, most were of the other dishes were satisfactory. The servers were attentive and helpful and explained to upcoming shows and events. A new hidden spot discovered!
(4)
Dan M.

I was surprised by how much fun we had here. We saw a show by the cover band Spectrum, and they brought great energy to the place. The food was the real shocker. It isn't going to blow you away, but I figured the food would be an afterthought, and it wasn't. The chicken is thick, moist, and flavorful. Nice veggie accompaniment as well. I left full and satisfied. The crowd is diverse, ranging from young couples, families with little kids, and all the way to spunky old-timers. And they were all mingling on the dance floor comfortably. I would come back, for sure. It might not be a great one-stop locale for an exciting night out, but for us, we came as a pre-game to going out elsewhere, and it was perfect for that role.
(4)
Bob W.

Spectacular venue, in a fully restored 1930s art deco theater, featuring astounding acoustics. Not a bad seat in the house. You can also order some great food at very reasonable prices. I would easily say this is the Washington metro area's very own Radio City Music Hall. A real treasure. Support the investors who took a real gamble on this place, and take in a show!
(5)
Freda J.

BACKGROUND: I purchased a Living Social deal on May 4th for the Bethesda Supper Club Jazz event for May 19th at 7:30pm. Will call and the doors opened at 5:30pm. The deal consisted of dinner for two which came with a small salad and entree per person. AMBIANCE: The dining area was dimly lit with votives. It was very romantic, laid back and definitely what you'd expect when listening to jazz. There were two floor levels facing the stage, outlining seating and theater rows against the very back wall. On the two floor levels were 4 person tables. We were seated on the second level that looked a little crowded. Fortunately, we were seated near the back at a 2 person table. SERVICE AND FOOD: When I arrived with my boyfriend around 6:15pm, they didn't even have us on the list. No biggie, I had a print out of my deal so the concierge/host seated us. We were seated and given water around 6:30pm and ordered our meals. We waited another 30 minutes for the complimentary small Caesar or House salad that came with no dressing and croutons on mine (after I specifically told the waiter that I cannot eat them). Our waiter brought some dressing out in a very small cup. The dressing was the only good thing about that meal. After eating the paltry salad, the plates were cleared and we waited patiently for our main dishes. The band started playing on time at 7:30pm. We still had no entrÃ©es. We asked our waiter about the wait and he said it was coming. However, 8:15pm rolled around and we still hadn't eaten. We noticed a number of couples that were there before us that hadn't received their entrees and others who came after and were already half way through theirs. There was also one amusing instance where a waitress was walking around for almost 5 minutes trying to find which table two plates belonged to. It seemed as if she asked everyone on the second level. After being unsuccessful, she went back into the kitchen (P.S. it wasn't ours). It had now been two hours since we arrived and we still didn't eat anything but a small salad. Our server never came back to check on us or refill our waters despite our efforts to flag him down. He would just give a nod and keep moving. We even asked a concierge/host (one of the guys in a tan jacket) to find our waiter and he could not. It was at this point that we were fed up, hungry and decided to leave around 8:30pm. So, technically there is no food review because we didn't eat! LIVE PERFORMANCE: This was the saving grace of the place and the ONLY reason I gave my review 2 stars (wish I could do 2.5). The band was amazing! We saw the Ron Kearns Quintet. Each player had his own solo in the beginning and they continued to play many songs. The sound was perfect and very enjoyable. OVERALL: It was a great MUSIC experience that I would like to have again; however, because of the ridiculously poor service I highly doubt that we would ever go back. SUGGESTION: I suggest that if a company offers a Living Social deal, then it should be thoroughly prepared for the possible influx of customers. I believe that they were understaffed, unprepared, and inattentive to customers that paid to be there. There should be no reason anyone should wait 2 hours for a meal AFTER ordering.
(2)
Linda B.

Saw Dana Fuchs Saturday night and this time complained about the poor sound quality to the owner after trying several managers. We were not the only ones thinking the sound was not only way too loud, but grossly muddled in the mid range. The response was the band itself set the sound level and wouldn't address the complaints. This is my second trip and I'm not coming back. Too pricey to be this disappointing. Granted, Dana Fuchs is not someone I should have seen the first time (way too country for my taste) but its the sound quality that ruins it for me. Sad outcome, though, as lots of money went into this place. I'm sticking with the Hamilton or the Birchmere for large-audience shows. (Dana Fuchs did not have a large audience and she kept noting that most of the audience was her family...)
(1)
Harold L.

I have one simple question for anyone reading this. The bands that are playing here are older than dirt. You can see all of them free at Clyde's in Chevy Chase and many other places, Tommy Lipsom the Soul Cracker, Junior Cline etc. The Nighthawks are so old they are playing in a 20 seat bar Hank Dietle's on the pike. The food is par at best and the food prices are very high to say the least. Where is the blues format? Very much a let down. For the prices and food you can go to the Warner and see real talent for the same price.
(1)
Amy B.

My boyfriend and I went here last night for the LivingSocial deal to see Paul Carr and had a great time. We sat in the back of the dining section, so it was a little hard to see, but the sound was good. We also thought the food was very good- bruschetta, house salad, Caesar salad, crabcakes, blackened grouper, and mousse. The grouper might have been a little too salty, and also I didn't realize the sauce would have sausage in it, but everything else was great. The waiter wasn't as attentive as he could have been, but maybe that's normal for a supper club. I don't know that I would pay full price to come back, just because jazz isn't really my thing, but I might come back with another deal.
(4)
Don R.

We returned to the club yesterday (Saturday) with some friends. The food and drink were fine and service excellent but the music was terrible! It was some middle aged and barely talented Rock band. Seriously. This is a group for a sweet sixteen party (and there were a few in the audience). This is a jazz and blues club. WTF?
(2)
M K.

The entertainment was good, as expected (Lloyd Dobler Effect). However, the food was sub-par (insufficiently-heated food, bone-dry chicken and under-cooked rice); disappointing especially for the prices they charge. We assumed the closer tables were more expensive as we were never asked if we wanted to sit closer. It turns out that is not the case. They should not assume everyone is a regular. The service was mixed. We were immediately attended to when we arrived. However, service dropped off almost immediately even though the place never did have more than half of its seats filled. We never were offered or received water refills and they don't have a drink menu other than the specials menu which essentially list various sugar juices combined with alcohol. When a manager stopped by and we expressed our honest opinion, she didn't seem to know how to respond and never offered to remedy the poor quality of food. Not impressed. Of course, the venue suffers from its history as a theater, meaning you have to travel afar to get to the bathroom, working through the maze of tightly arranged tables. It's a challenge when sober and potentially dangerous when you've had one too many.
(2)
Gil C.

We live in the neighborhood and thought we'd support this club. We ordered two glasses of wine - my husband a Malbec and I ordered Kendall Jackson Reserve. When we tasted our wines, we knew immediately that they were not the wines we ordered . Instead we were served a really cheap, acidic house wine. If you order wine from this place - taste it and if it not what you ordered, let the management know and have them give you what you ordered. It ruined our evening and we will not be back! End of supporting our neighborhood club!
(1)
maxine s.

Attended Friday nites re-grand opening. While the venue was great, the food stunk. Salad very wet with dressing. I had the crab cakes and they were mush with stringbeans ice cold. Someone else at the table had the gnocchi and couldn't finish it because it wasn't good at all. I also had a taste of the salmon and that too was cold. They need to rethink their menu and get in a great chef.
(1)
Cat H.

They got it right, this is the best music and dinner venue in the DC area. I just tried it out on Sat and I loved it, I plan to go back often. The ambiance is Art Deco with a spacious and comfortable seating area. The menu is a little creative, the food was very good (recommend the salmon and the crab cakes), and the service was fine. But we were there for the music, and Marcus Johnson was AMAZING! I loved it! I also appreciated that there were no parking hassles - there's an adjacent parking garage, which is free on weekends and has plenty of spaces.
(5)
Gary H.

Mixed feelings after our first visit to BB&J to see Maggie Rose on March 8th. First the good: Very easy to get to and convenient parking in the garage next door. Food was good but a little overpriced but more on that next. The not so good: My wife and I arrived early as recommended on their website (arrived around 6PM for the 8PM show) hoping to get a good table close to the stage. We "checked-in" at the hostess table and were given a hand written number (7) and told that was the order in which we arrived and we could wait in the bar area. After ordering a couple of drinks (They were out of soda for a run and coke?) we waited for 25-30 minutes and still no word on seating for dinner. We went up by the hostess and I was asking an assistant and she just said follow her and she seated us at a table for 4 on the second tier of tables near the back. I tried asking about our "ticket number" but was basically ignored and asked if this was our first time there. So what was the point of getting there early to be given a bad table at the back of the room? Our server was so-so. We both ordered the filet mignon and added a house salad to go with the meal. 20 minutes after ordering we have our steaks but no salads. Our server comes by briefly asking how everything is and we let her know that we never got the salads we ordered. She apologized and asked if we still wanted them, which we said yes we did. She did offer to take charge for the salads off but we told her that it wasn't her fault and leave them on the bill. The filet's were very good but again overpriced for what you get. We did get our salads about 5 minutes after letting our server know and the salads were good but served on too small of a plate. We might give BB&J another chance if it's a good performer but at least we know what to expect now.
(2)
Peanut B.

Loved the ambience, decor, and music was outstanding. Great evening out..Now the reason I gave it 2 stars. The food was awful and tasted like it had been microwaved for us. Unfortunately, the spinich salad gave me food poisoning. I so wanted to write up a great review but beware. Drinks, music, dancing great just say NO TO THE FOOD
(2)
Robert A.

Saw the show on Saturday night. The good news is that this crew got the idea right in how best to utilize this space for the intended use, as a live music venue. The sound system is very good and handles music well, at least for an amplified group like I saw last night. I'll be curious to see who they do with acoustic music. Combining a club seating for those dining with theater seating for those who make the wise choice of skipping dinner (more on that in a moment) provides options for the audience. Having a generous bar area with video feed from the stage is also a very nice touch - those who want to have a drink and talk without missing the show have an alternative to annoying the audience in the music room. Now the reasons for three stars. First, the tables on the mezzanine level were jammed together making an uncomfortable fit. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to get perimeter seating so we weren't fighting for a few inches of space as many others were. Given how early we arrived, I was surprised we weren't offered seating on the main floor since I thought it was one price for all. I didn't look to see whether they shared the same fate of crowding as we did. Given how good the sound system is, the sound man kept the levels just under the pain threshold, even when the band switched to an acoustic interlude. You don't have to blow the audience away particularly when they are relatively quiet. So, one star off for that problem. The second issue was the food. Had the gumbo to start. Pretty good, though they wouldn't stay in business in New Orleans for any length of time. The blackened grouper was covered in jambalaya which was a jumbled mess. Undercooked rice, a side of overcooked green beans and a small portion of fish. The Jambalaya overtook the fish resulting in an odd and not very good combination of flavors. Not cheap either considering the cover charge was rather high for the status of the act we saw. Can't assess whether that is true across the calendar, but it sure seems that some of the acts upcoming that will be a draw were more reasonably priced. A second star off for the mediocre food. Overall, I have to say that they are on the right track with the dinner/show concept. They need to make adjustments to the sound, food and crowding. I'll pay more to be in a comfortable room, so don't confuse quantity with quality of experience. And the dining won't last long until they get a better product out of the kitchen. Fix those things and you'll get all five stars from me.
(3)
James w.

Went here for dinner and the show. Food was at best just OK. Theater was very hot and uncomfortable. Having said those two things we enjoyed the show and would go back but not for food. Its better to eat somewhere else and spend the $15 minimum on a few drinks or a drink and an app or desert.
(3)
Lyn L.

Thanks to the 'radio' we found out that one of our favorite classic bands was coming to the east coast. This prompted our trip to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Recently renovated and re-opened, the venue is located right on Wisconsin, with public parking just around the corner. Be sure to register your phone with goparknow.com before you get there or bring lots of quarters for the long term parking. Venue- Very 'jazzy' feel to it, low lighting, dark table clothes, and snazzy servers. There's a bar right when you walk in, and they do a weekday happy hour from 4p-7p. Drink prices are half off, can't get any better than rail drinks that use top shelf liquor. Our bartender was the best: so full of information, makes a nice drink, and very accommodating. We loved him, and wish we could have sat at the bar all night. Supper Club Dining- We tried the coconut shrimp at the bar, and it was crispy, huge, and very hot. Definitely worth a try. We checked in using the yelp app, but no one was aware of the free appetizer so they comped our shrimp. Now, that was service. We had a chance to chit chat with the chef, and he was an awesome guy who definitely loved to talk about the food, and good food too! During the show, we had wings, bruschetta, and the hubby had a nice T-bone steak. We also tried the peach cobbler dessert. Prices are a bit high, but hey, the show was worth the dining prices. Service was ok, we rarely saw our server and never really got water glass refills. We imbibed on a few beverages, yikes...pricing around $9 a drink. There's a dance floor, and the vibe is so fun. It's definitely a place worth visiting if you like live music.
(4)
M D.

Show was terrific. Food was just OK, and too expensive. They should offer some burgers and sandwiches, and include some vegan food as an appetizer that isn't a salad. But the stage, show, volume, etc can't be beat. I would pay the entrance fee and get a beer and skip the food.
(3)
Lenore S.

I went with a group of friends to see a performance on Sunday, August 31. It was my first time there. I liked the ambiance of the place the show was GREAT!! It was a sold out performance. We were there around 6p.m. and it was a nice crowd there at that time. Seating was first come first served as we were told so we were there early enough to get a spot in the front dining area. But as we were being seated, it wasn't clear where we were sitting because the hostess just walked us to a table and walked away. We were unsure if that were she actually put us. We sat down and hoped no one will tell us to move. The menu was small, the entrees are a bit pricey. My friends who ordered said it was ok. As other people started to arrive I noticed that the waiters were running around kinda frantic and sweating profusely--that wasn't a good look for me, I didn't order any food because the thought of his sweat dripping on my food.... Perhaps they were under staffed. No one was rude, but there seemed to be much confusion who ordered what. A woman who appeared to be of management stepped in to help serve the orders. A couple of times I observed her walking around the dining area confused as to where the food should go. One time I clocked she walked around about 5 min. with plates until my friend at her table waved her down because it looked like their order. This continued a up until the show started. It took a while for drinks and one appetizer to come our table of six and we ordered before it got crowded. What was really odd was that the waiter did not come back before the show was over to close out the bills. We waited 20 min. after the show was over to get our bill...for only 4 drinks! Then my girlfriends bill was incorrect and my other friend didn't get charged enough! So for those reasons, I gave a the venue 2 stars. Management needs to get the waitstaff/serving more organized. Have the dining area table numbered so that there is no confusion who gets what. Especially for sold out shows. One of my favorite groups is performing there in September but two of my friends said they would have to catch them performing somewhere else, it was too much going on and they packed people in, required $10 minimum per person and the service was mediocre.
(2)
Allison R.

I'll be very brief. The club is cute, and the vegan options and drinks were terrible. If you don't want to throw money away, eat before you leave the house. It's very expensive. ~The End~
(1)
Darcy C.

Fantastic venue! Enjoy live jazz and entertainment at its best while dining in a beautiful theater. The sound is great, The location is easy to access with a large parking garage right around the corner. A unique jazz experience in our area. I highly recommend.
(5)
Muriel H.

I've been here twice. Once for a mothers day jazz and dinner event which was so much fun. I had amazing salmon and she enjoyed her crab cakes. The second time I came here for a friend's mothers birthday party with a large group of people on a night where there was a live band playing jazz, blues, and some funk! It was so much fun and we sat front and center and got a front row seat of the packed dance floor. Everyone was amazing by their dinner and dessert was made special for the birthday girl by the head chef which she shared with the table since it was a massive sculpture of cheesecake, fruit, chocolates and a cakes. I love this spot. It is so elegant yet fun!
(5)
Debbie R.

Kudos for what you are trying to do here and for saving the old theater. The atmosphere is lovely. Also props for the nice dance floor. But, oh my, the food is bad. Bad and very expensive. Seems geared to the palate of an 80 year old. The dishes are stuffy and bland, bland, bland. Nothing we got had any flavor and the ingredients were low quality and yet the entrees run in the $25-$30 range. So, while I may return to see a show, I will never order anything to eat here again. While it didn't bother me that much, people should be advised that you will be sharing a table with strangers. So maybe not the best date night destination. Also it definitely serves an older demographic. I'm 45 and there was hardly anyone there that was younger than me or even in my same age group. Also, perhaps the owner would like to know that there's a gentleman probably in his 70s or 80s who was being rather creepy with me and asked me over and over to come to his house at Grosvenor and swim in his pool. He kept dropping the owners name as his friend. This guy has been there both times I've went.
(3)
Dave M.

Wow, what a great venue. Twelve of us went there for The Soul Crackers show. Beautiful venue. Professional management, Good food. Good service. Sure, the service might have been a little slow sometimes, but the place was packed. What do you expect? And besides, you're there to enjoy the evening. So, chill ... have a drink, dance a little, and have fun. The scallops with bacon was delicious. I didn't taste the beet salad but my tablemate said it was good. Pasta with shrimp was temperature hot and tasty. The grouper was fresh. This is a fabulous place. We will be back.
(5)
Lisa And Charlly E.

My boyfriend and I went here Saturday night for a little date night. We bought two tickets to see the Soul Serenaders, What a wonderful night. I didn't know how it was going to play out in the beginning as there seemed to be mass confusion at the check in counter. Three women all running around but not with any method to the madness. Once we were seated inside that all changed. Our server was awesome. The food so delicious. We shared a walnut and bleu cheese salad, coconut shrimp, amazing crab cakes and a dessert of sweet potato beignets that was insanely good. The venue was great. Beautiful art deco. The Soul Serenaders were so talented and they rocked the house. We slow danced a little as they had a dance floor. Wonderful night and venue. Highly recommend this place for date night for 40 and up.
(5)
Don M.

I went to Bethesda Blues and Jazz for the fifth time on Saturday night. The good-Soul Crackers put on a good show. The bad-the reason I won't be back. I have tried to support a locally owned music venue but enough is enough. After the third visit we decided we would eat dinner elsewhere before the show. The service was incredibly slow and one of the entrees was wrong. It was almost 10 minutes before the right one arrived. This Saturday was the last time for us. We got to our assigned table and didn't see a server for 15 minutes. I decided to go back to the bar myself. I ordered two Manhattans. Luckily I know how to make one. The bartender didn't. When I got back to the table our waters had arrived and drinks had been ordered. When they arrived one was terrible. I saw a woman at the table next to us also send back a drink. I would hope that the owners would go to the Birchmere or the Hamilton to see how things are done right. Good, simple food and drinks. All the servers work as a team at The Hamilton. See one and you can order. What a concept! I think five tries is enough to give them a shot. Sorry!
(1)
Stephen M.

This place is a constant fight between pros and cons, and the other night, the cons won. The best way to view this place is a jazz club that happens, just happens to serve food. It's the same way a bar may happen to serve some food, and, like a bar, the food should not be part of the your decision making. Eat before, and you may be OK, but there's a stiff minimum ($15 / person?) that can put a damper on the evening. The model that they're using does not seem to be working. Either significantly raise the bar on the food or drop it down to just apps. No one wants high prices for average dinner and, believe me, no one will make the same mistake twice. Pros: --Hosts good performers --Lost of seating --Great sound Cons: --Freezing inside --Small, uninspired menu and lots of "we just ran out" deletions = slim pickings (seems like they are still evaluating inventory a few months into it, but this will self-correct) --Outrageously priced wine and desserts (serious mark-up on rot gut bottles--can't get away with that in Bethesda) Like most folks on here, the place has potential but keeps on getting in its own way. Make some small changes (drink specials? larger portions? higher quality food? just apps), and the customers will come back. Doubt I'll be back unless things turn around quickly.
(2)
Empress Miko E.

Nice venue...set up would only go here for entertainment purposes. I recommend having your meal at home...long wait for food and drinks and not worth the wait.
(3)
Elie C.

I attended opening night and went again last night to hear the house big band. Music is great, servers are friendly and helpful. Food opening night was disjointed, but that was not an issue on my second visit albeit there were many fewer people. Music volume is still pretty loud, but they advertise themselves as a place to listen to music, not as a place to do a lot of talking. I think dancing here would be great. Highly recommended!
(4)
Monica W.

The ambiance was very nice as well as the layout of the restaurant. Every seat has a great view of the stage. The band that I listened to (Chopteeth) was very good. As far as the food - not so good. I thought I would play it safe by ordering the Fish & Chips. The description said it would be crispy, but my order was soggy and lukewarm. The fish looked like two oversized fish sticks with a lot of batter. It didn't bother sending it back because it took so long for the order to come and I was so hungry. Like other reviewers have stated, you don't come here for the food but to listen to the band. Still this place should step with their food.
(2)
Raquel J.

Enjoyed the music. Food was good. Drinks weak. Portions are small. Waitress sucked. Manager tried but sour taste in mouth now.
(3)
A G.

I went to BBJ for their opening night with Branford Marsalis and what a venue! My wife and I were shown to the bar at the front of the house which had a great seating area to relax and have a cocktail prior to the show. We then got seated at one of the dinner tables close to the stage. The service was prompt and the food was fantastic! It was a busy night for them and they pulled off the dinner perfectly. My filet was cooked to perfection and hot, which is great to experience when the club is full. While we were having dinner, Branford came out and put on a show like no other! The acoustics were amazing and his set list was fantastic! All in all, I would highly recommend BBJ for anyone in the DC metro area. It's one of only a few true jazz clubs in the area, and in my opinion the best.
(5)
Ned R.

Saw chick corea recently. First time going to this club. Thought it was fantastic. Loved the ambiance. Acoustics great. Been going to jazz clubs for 40 years. One of the best. Had the crab cakes. As good as any i have ever had! Yes, i was surprised too! And no, i am not getting paid to write this and have no ties to the place.
(5)
Ab R.

The entertainment was OK, but there were problems with the sound balance. No way to hear the lyrics. The music was muddled and the sound mixing was non existent. The trombone player is probably very good, but who could tell? The food was so-so, like something you might find at a cheap beach restaurant, but a lot more expensive. The fried Calamari tasted like nothing. The seating is really soup nazi-ish. We arrived relatively early so we could get seats facing the stage at one of the dinner tables. The place was pretty empty when we got there, and the hostess showed us to a table for four which she said we would have to share, which was no problem because we're pretty sociable people. When we sat down facing the stage, she said that only one of us could face the stage because somebody else might show up later. I said that's why we got here early, so we could get better seats. Next thing I know the manager is threatening to kick us out. I can't really remember anyone in the restaurant service who was more obnoxious than this person. I hope he eventually finds a career that doesn't require contact with the general public. The management has a wrong concept about who's working for whom. We pay them money, and they serve us, not boss us around. I'd give them a zero star rating, but yelp doesn't allow that.
(1)
John M.

I found out about this place from a friend and then booked tickets on Goldstar.com which saved me 60% on last Sunday night's show. We had excellent seats, directly in the front with a wonderful view of the band. The venue was modern and updated, had great seating arrangements and the wait staff was very helpful. There is a public parking garage right behind the venue so parking isn't a hassle, the food is good and they also serve great cocktails well. If your looking to have a good night out and spend a little extra cash, this venue is appropriate for any occasion or relationship. :)
(4)
Glenn K.

Enjoyed a nice mid week date night dinner and jazz show. Food was solid, service was fine. It's bigger but to me this place is better than Blues Alley for about the same price. I think it would be best for a big band jazz show in order for the sound to fill up the larger venue. Obviously it doesn't have the history or charm of blues alley but it works. Overall we really enjoyed it. Will definitely keep an eye on the schedule and come back sometime.
(4)
F J.

Went to a comedy event here on a Friday night. The place has character but is a little odd. There is an external window like you see to purchase tickets to a movie, but after waiting for someone to show up, you realize that ticket purchase is an office next door. Maybe because it was dark, I missed the sign. It was not obvious. The set up is nice for viewing entertainment while dining. There are theater seats in the back but they make you sit for dining service before you can just opt to sit in the back for a drink. They try to fill up that area first. However, the food and drink services were horrible. The venue with it many waiter staff had to pull people from tickets, etc to take orders. Of course that meant they did not know who ordered what. The man next to me had 3 different plates offered to him of food he did not order (he ordered wings). In the end, he never received his food as the show was over. I saw other people whose food never arrived; $9 for 5 portions of a deep fried wings (= 2 1/2 wings) with an exuberant amount of carrots and celery and two side dressing told me they reduced portion of wings and used the other as plate fillers. I guess the silver lining is that it kept me on a diet. I think they ran out. This is a distance for me to drive, so I am not sure it is worth it to give it another try.
(3)
Joan C.

paid $40 to see Rickie Lee Jones last night--service/food/ambience/parking/etc was all good-no major glitches. Bethesda people expect every night out to be perfectly seamless with no hiccups. Stop dreaming Bethesda people. This place has some hiccups yes, but paying $40 to see a brilliant artist like RLJ made them go away. Normally we'd have to schlep to the Birchmere (deep in The Confederacy) but this place is 15mins drive down Wisconsin Ave. What a breeze. I hope this place survives--it deserves to if for no other reason than to inject some "grit" into the prefab antiseptic bubble of Bethesda.
(5)
Joe L.

Saw Soul Crackers on 12/20. Phenom show but not much to recommend about venue. Had trouble getting seated. Drink order took over 45 mins. Food was overpriced. Stick with entertainment of dining but you can't do both.
(1)
Diana L.

This venue has just reopened about two months ago and I can't say how excited I am. I saw the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Orchestra play there last night and they were just wonderful. I love the art-deco feel... just being there made me feel nostalgic for an era I never knew. This is a fantastic date spot, but I flew solo last night, chatted with a mom and her daughter next to me and went home with a smile. I also saw families, snazzy looking couples, and adorable older couples, and groups of young professionals. I believe there's understandably a $12 minimum, but that's nothing a cocktail or two won't take care of. I just had drinks... dinner looked a bit on the pricey side but the plates that came out to my right and left all had generous serving sizes. This venue is a perfect excuse to throw on a cute dress, silk-back-vest, or that fedora you've been waiting to debut. Quality fun here ladies and gentleman.
(4)
Bern S.

A great addition to the music scene. Sort of a throwback to the supper clubs of the fifties and sixties. Talented artists perform and the sound is good.
(4)
Jay B.

I was there with a group for the grand re-opening with Branford Marsalis last Friday and had a lovely time. I'm very glad that the venue is open again since it is an historic location in Bethesda (a town without much acknowledgment of its past). I was able to walk from my home so I did not have to worry about parking. The entertainment was obviously top-notch, based on the booking. The audience (both those eating at tables and those in the stadium seating in the rear) clearly enjoyed the performance and was left wanting more. The food was good. I had a walnut-balsamic salad, a chicken entree and cheesecake for dessert. The staff still appeared to be working out some of the service logistics; the food came out slowly and they were unable to accommodate a substitution for a food allergy, though it was a pre-fix menu so I understood. Slower service was not entirely negative, however, since it allowed our table to dine casually over the course of the show. I will definitely go back the next time there is a performance that looks good!
(4)
ReviewEd A.

This is an excellent venue. It is beautifully renovated, warm and comfortable. The theatre is small, so all seats are very good to excellent. If you book a table, you can relax with dinner and drinks during the performance. The food was quite good (citrus salad, crab cakes) and the wine selection was fine. The service was quick and good, too. We just saw Eddie Money and it was excellent. Eddie and his band sounded great, not too loud (for a rock band), which was nice. Eddie signed autographs in the lobby after the show and he signed my original, 33 year old 45 rpm single of Shakin' -- what more could you ask! Will definitely return.
(5)
Phyllis B.

I enjoyed my time at Bethesda Jazz and Blues. Great atmosphere nice music as you eat a nice meal. The food was okay nice portion. A bit pricey but sometimes you just have to splurge for a nice night out. I had shrimp scampi and it was tasty. The cocoanut shrimp was a bit bland for my taste. However food + atmosphere = good night out.
(3)
Matthew W.

I must say this was my first time here. I came to see spryo gyra. The show was AMAZING!! The service on the other hand wasn't. Our server Sandra must have forgotten to ring in our food. It took over a half hour for shrimp scampi and chicken florentine. I'm a professional chef so I know that it doesn't take over 30 minutes to prepare this. Once I brought it to her attention about our food, I saw her go to a computer and type it in. Then went into the kitchen areas. She must of asked for it on the fly. Instead if telling us she forgot she made up a blame on the kitchen. If I return here I WILL NOT ORDER FOOD!!! very displeased
(2)
melissa c.

We are just now leaving this place, I'm going to give it 3 stars for the followings reasons: #1. The food is awful. We had the salmon bite appetizer, a chicken dinner, the Caesar salad, the mushroom risotto, and two desserts (the chocolate lava cake, and a Carmel cheesecake). Ok, the food was truly awful. Here we are at an incredible jazz house in downtown Bethesda. We paid $45 to get through the doors, and $25 plus per meal. I expected an incredible meal and entertainment. The food was bland. The salmon, I kid you not, tasted like in came out of a can. It was even served cold :-( The chicken was awful, according to my husband. And what's sad is that his chicken looked fabulous! My Caesar salad was ok, but the Caesar dressing was sweet, which was really odd. The desserts were ok. The lava cake was extremely sweet, and the Carmel cheesecake crust was so tough it had to be cut with a knife. Now I'm a food junkie and have always had a passion for good eats...I work with incredibly talented chefs and private catering companies throughout the DC area. Food is an art, and it comes from the heart. The food here does not. It is a foul representation of a Jazz restaurant in the heart of Bethesda of all places! I'd expect this food in Oklahoma....or from a retirement home. And I'm really not trying to be so mean, but it's the honest truth. I am floored at just how awful the food was here. #2. The manager had no idea about the yelp coupon I was using. I checked into Yelp and got a coupon for a free appetizer while we were there, and the server and the manager on shift had NO idea what Yelp was, or what the heck the coupon was that I had on my phone!!! Certainly Yelp doesn't create coupons at free will. This is a deal that Yelp makes with the restaurant, which I'm sure is to increase the amount of customers/sales. So not only did the manager give me a deer in the headlights reaction, but he even had me text him a picture of the advertisement on my phone while in the restaurant!! It was odd, rude and embarrassing for both us and for the restaurant. Who the hell does this in a jazz club in the middle of dinner service? Ok, so these were my two pet peeves tonight. But, on the positive side, the band was absolutely incredible, and the ambiance of the restaurant was stunning and just breathtaking! I truly got goosebumps with the amazing vocals and sheer talent from the band! So....The restaurant REALLY needs to step up their game and put some heart and soul into their menu. Get a new menu/head chef. There are hundreds, if not thousands of incredibly talented chefs who would turn the menu around and into something truly incredible! For future customers, my advice is to come just for drinks and maybe an appetizer/dessert. If you end up eating dinner here, steer clear of the salmon appetizer, and bring your own condiments/hot sauce from home to add some flavor to the meal. For the seating, truly any seat in the house will be incredible, regardless if you choose a table or the theater seats.
(3)
Seth K.

Music is great. Food sucks. I have been there twice. The first time my dish was inedible. It was a great show nonetheless because of the talent. Went back again to a sold-out house. It took my friend 2 1/2 hours to get served and by the time she received her steak salad the steak was beef jerky. My dish took over an hour to arrive. It was ok, but it was nothing to get excited about. I was hoping to go there once per week for dinner and enjoy the stage. But, I only go when there's a particular band or performer because I am not eating dinner there again. I hope they get a clue. Would be a shame to lose such a valuable Bethesda venue.
(2)
Vicki R.

My first visit to Bethesda Blues and Jazz club was exceptional. There wasn't a wait to get in, they offered free coat check, the hostess was very pleasant, the set up was very nice and the service was A+. Our waiter AJ was very attentive. He checked in on us several times throughout the evening. The manager also made it a point to walk through and speak with patrons to make sure everything was going well. The location is in the heart of Bethesda. Parking is not a problem. The parking garage is located around the corner and is .80 per hour. You just have to be sure to have enough change or you can pay by using your cell phone. The meters shut off at 10pm. The band I went to see was Secret Society. It's definitely one the best bands in the area. They started promptly at 8. The sound was very good. The dance floor stayed pack and the band attracted a very nice crowd. I will definitely be back to this club. I can't comment on the food but the bartender gets a gold star.
(4)
Marivic L.

Purchasing tickets at the door was a bit confusing for a few of us. We came into the main area to buy tickets, only to be told that the ticket office was outside to the right of the main doors. Not an issue, just odd. Maybe we all didn't pay close enough attention. We were lucky enough to get seated in a front table right near the dance floor. We came to see the VI-Kings and they definitely did not disappoint. I'd previously come to this venue for a Yelp event, so I was happy to stop by again. Loved that people were dancing on the good-sized dance floor throughout the performance. Sound quality was great and it wasn't too loud despite our proximity to the stage. Now to the food. I got the stuffed chicken which had ricotta and spinach inside. The middle section of the chicken was tasty but the ends were so dry that I needed several gulps o' my wine...I mean, water. The accompanying scalloped potatoes were bland and I had to put salt on them. FYI, I rarely add salt to anything, but they needed help. I tried my friend's grouper and it was super tasty but, oddly, really salty since it was blackened. As long as you ate it with the veggies in one bite, it was fab. Also, OMG, trying to hear the server was a struggle because of the music but he did a great job and was entertaining, making a few jokes. And, yeah. Full disclosure. I turned 40 this year and felt super young in the venue -- by many years (decades). There were probably 5 couples who were younger - and I think that may be generous. Just in case you're lucky to still be young as hell and prefer lovely people your age, I figured I should give you fair warning :D
(3)
Frank K.

If it wasn't for the great entertainment tonight, I would have left. If only the kitchen and service was half as good as the music, I would be a much happier camper. Server read me the specials, listing "jumbo lump crab cakes ", to which I asked if they were all lump? "Yes sir". So I opted for their surf and turf, a 6 oz filet and a single crab cake. It came with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Well when it arrived, I had my doubts. The steak was dead on, well prepared and to my specified temperature. The asparagus had been mysteriously transformed into broccoli, and the mashed potatoes still had the marks from the ice cream scoop. Both were good. The crab cake was another thing entirely. Very few lumps, and while it was crab meat, it sure as hell wasn't lump. An all lump crab cake should be just that. All lump crab meat, not a few lumps and the rest, well I'm not sure where it came from on the crab, but it wasn't lump. It may have been at one time... I was so disappointed, I left two thirds of it on the plate. I told my server about my disappointment, and he told me that I was the first person he'd ever had complain about it. He then proceeded to ignore me for the rest of the evening, although he did offer to have the chef come out to talk to me. All I could think was talk to me about what, his crummy crab cake? No offer was made to make it right, nor was I asked if I wanted dessert etc. the bill was $63, I left $80, and offered him the advice that just because a customer isn't happy with a portion of his meal is no reason to ignore them. I was invited to join friends at another table, and their experience was similar. Lackluster food and downright poor service. In the future, I will eat beforehand and just sip on something during the show.
(2)
Dave U.

A new club for those climbing "over the hill". The highlight of this venue was coming to see my all time fav classic band, Pablo Cruise. Yes, these gentlemen were pushing 60's but so was the audience. Food was decent, a bit pricey for what you get but the quality was excellent. Parking was easy, just behind the club. Service was attentive.
(5)
Lyn L.

Thanks to the 'radio' we found out that one of our favorite classic bands was coming to the east coast. This prompted our trip to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. Recently renovated and re-opened, the venue is located right on Wisconsin, with public parking just around the corner. Be sure to register your phone with goparknow.com before you get there or bring lots of quarters for the long term parking. Venue- Very 'jazzy' feel to it, low lighting, dark table clothes, and snazzy servers. There's a bar right when you walk in, and they do a weekday happy hour from 4p-7p. Drink prices are half off, can't get any better than rail drinks that use top shelf liquor. Our bartender was the best: so full of information, makes a nice drink, and very accommodating. We loved him, and wish we could have sat at the bar all night. Supper Club Dining- We tried the coconut shrimp at the bar, and it was crispy, huge, and very hot. Definitely worth a try. We checked in using the yelp app, but no one was aware of the free appetizer so they comped our shrimp. Now, that was service. We had a chance to chit chat with the chef, and he was an awesome guy who definitely loved to talk about the food, and good food too! During the show, we had wings, bruschetta, and the hubby had a nice T-bone steak. We also tried the peach cobbler dessert. Prices are a bit high, but hey, the show was worth the dining prices. Service was ok, we rarely saw our server and never really got water glass refills. We imbibed on a few beverages, yikes...pricing around $9 a drink. There's a dance floor, and the vibe is so fun. It's definitely a place worth visiting if you like live music.
(4)
M D.

Show was terrific. Food was just OK, and too expensive. They should offer some burgers and sandwiches, and include some vegan food as an appetizer that isn't a salad. But the stage, show, volume, etc can't be beat. I would pay the entrance fee and get a beer and skip the food.
(3)
Chad S.

Good music, terrible service. From the time we were seated, it took 15 minutes for anyone to speak to us. No water, no drinks, nothing. Once a server finally spoke to us and brought us drinks, we had been seated for 30 minutes. The people who operate this place are very nice and the food was good, once we received it. The music was also very good.
(2)

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Address : 7719 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD, 20814
Phone (240) 330-4500
Website https://www.bethesdabluesjazz.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 1:00pm

Specialities

Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Sat
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes

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Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club

7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club Menu

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