Hardbopjazz Posted July 15 Report Share Posted July 15 The story the jazz club Smoke in NYC. https://www.westsiderag.com/2024/07/13/theres-a-world-class-jazz-club-in-your-backyard-an-interview-with-the-owner-of-smoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted July 16 Report Share Posted July 16 (edited) It is a great club to catch a show but since the renovation, it has gotten very expensive. Post-renovation, they've re-dubbed themselves as a "supper club" and they require each patron to order an entree. A cheeseburger is one of their cheaper entrees at $32. This entree requirement is even in effect for the 9:00 shows, which really doesn't work for me. I can't eat that late at night or I don't sleep well. BTW, I looked into going to one of those Branford Marsalis shows but the tickets are $125/person. So if I wanted to bring my wife for a set, I am looking at ~$400 for one set. That's just too much. But, to be honest, as expensive as Smoke has become, I live near an even more expensive Jazz club in Portsmouth, NH - Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club. Maybe expensive Jazz clubs is a new thing? Edited July 16 by Kevin Bresnahan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted July 16 Report Share Posted July 16 I guess those outrageous prices are needed to cover the rent and the musician fees. If the family home in CT were still ours, I still wouldn't be going to Smoke, I don't think. Funny that he mentions the West End Gate ... I guess he moved there in the brief time that it existed. Of course, it was the West End for 20+ years before that, The Uptown Home For Swing run by Phil Schaap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted July 16 Report Share Posted July 16 53 minutes ago, Kevin Bresnahan said: BTW, I looked into going to one of those Branford Marsalis shows but the tickets are $125/person. So if I wanted to bring my wife for a set, I am looking at ~$400 for one set. That's just too much. Yikes - that is steep. Having said that, I am unfamiliar with US club prices these days. I've just advance booked a 2025 3-day weekend festival at £135, which must make it a bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub Modal Posted July 16 Report Share Posted July 16 2 hours ago, Kevin Bresnahan said: I looked into going to one of those Branford Marsalis shows but the tickets are $125/person. So if I wanted to bring my wife for a set, I am looking at ~$400 for one set. Wow. No way could I go for that either. Sorry Branford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Dryden Posted July 17 Report Share Posted July 17 Smoke is not a big club, even with the renovations. I’m sure Branford Marsalis doesn’t discount his fee much, though that is far more than I would pay to see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 I was there a few months ago and like the above comments noted it’s small which is good for the listener but expensive for the food. You’re better off eating elsewhere and then spending the money at Smoke on drinks and what not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 What not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 9 hours ago, Brad said: I was there a few months ago and like the above comments noted it’s small which is good for the listener but expensive for the food. You’re better off eating elsewhere and then spending the money at Smoke on drinks and what not. In effect paying twice for dinner, if you eat elsewhere and are obligated to buy an entree during the set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 9 hours ago, Brad said: I was there a few months ago and like the above comments noted it’s small which is good for the listener but expensive for the food. You’re better off eating elsewhere and then spending the money at Smoke on drinks and what not. I used to do that when I went to Smoke but since they became a "Supper Club", you have to buy an entree at the 7:00 or 9:00 sets. Apparently, some artists do a 10:30 set that doesn't require the purchase of an entree but Branford Marsalis isn't doing a 10:30 set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 It was my understanding, perhaps erroneous, that you just had to spend a certain amount in food and drink. The person seated opposite me was spare in what he purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 In some places, "what not" was obtained through the bartender or other staff, cash only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnymax Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 13 minutes ago, JSngry said: In some places, "what not" was obtained through the bartender or other staff, cash only. I'd put that in my pipe and smoke it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 Or up your nose with a ... Never mind🙂↕️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted July 20 Report Share Posted July 20 8 hours ago, Brad said: It was my understanding, perhaps erroneous, that you just had to spend a certain amount in food and drink. The person seated opposite me was spare in what he purchased. When you go to check out, you have to check a box agreeing to this... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I agree to the following policy DINNER POLICY: I understand that all 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. shows at Smoke are dinner shows. Dinner shows require a minimum purchase of at least one entree per person, which will be billed to me at the end of the performance. Each ticket is valid for one show only. All attendees must exit promptly upon the conclusion of the music set. I acknowledge that the minimum purchase during 10:30 p.m. sets is $20 per person. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted August 21 Author Report Share Posted August 21 This club is very expensive. A Cheeseburger is $32, but it doesn’t come with fries, that’s extra. If you want to order fries it’s an additional $12. The person at the table next to ordered fries with meal. If there’s 12 to 15 fires that’s a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted August 21 Report Share Posted August 21 I used to work a blues/dance gig that had a dude named Bobo who would hook you up with the biggest, fattest, juiciest cheeseburger (fully dressed) in the history of the world for a five dollar bill. Straight off the flattop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 The set was only 50 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 I hope they feed the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soulpope Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 7 hours ago, Hardbopjazz said: This club is very expensive. A Cheeseburger is $32, but it doesn’t come with fries, that’s extra. If you want to order fries it’s an additional $12. The person at the table next to ordered fries with meal. If there’s 12 to 15 fires that’s a lot. Prohibitive prices to say the least .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Dryden Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 I haven’t been to Smoke since the renovation, but their seating capacity can’t be anywhere near what some other clubs have, like Dizzy’s, or had, like the Jazz Standard or Zinno. The sight lines are far better than the uncomfortable, narrow layout of the Blue Note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gheorghe Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 13 hours ago, Hardbopjazz said: This club is very expensive. A Cheeseburger is $32, but it doesn’t come with fries, that’s extra. If you want to order fries it’s an additional $12. The person at the table next to ordered fries with meal. If there’s 12 to 15 fires that’s a lot. Is it a must you have to eat ? And if yes, do they have also vegan food, because if I´d ever go to NY I don´t want to eat Steaks or Barbecue or Cheeseburger, just greens and salad. Let´s say I would try Collard Greens and Black Eyed Peas if that is just vegetable, but not for meat. I have the same problems here in Viena sometimes. There is a club they only have sausage or toast (which is with ham or with cheese) and if I play there I always have to order from around the corner from a restaurant where they have vegan....., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 https://smokejazz.com/food-menu/ No vegetarian main courses it seems but you will find ways to spend your money without buying meat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.D. Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 (edited) 51 minutes ago, Niko said: https://smokejazz.com/food-menu/ No vegetarian main courses it seems but you will find ways to spend your money without buying meat The mushroom ragout and Provencal ratatouille are labeled as "VG=vegetarian" and look vegetarian to me. Of course there are salads. [I'm vegetarian.] Plus some fish dishes. Vegans might have problems because the only 2 vegan options are appetisers: a salad and focaccia. Perhaps the kitchen could be requested to "hold the cheese" on some items. No bargains, and it depends on the portion size, but the rest of the menu doesn't look as absurd as the $32 burger. Perhaps that price is due to it using Wagyu beef? Also depends on the quality of the food. $30ish entrees are probably not unusual in decent Manhattan restaurants. The printed menu looks a little pretentious, so maybe Smoke tout their culinary prowess. Not that I'll be there anytime soon... Edited August 22 by T.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kh1958 Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 There are six Vegan or Vegetarian items on the menu (marked with a V or VG). The food is actually pretty good. I've been there three times and really enjoyed the music (Ben Allison, Billy Harper, and Charles McPherson). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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