NYC's premier jazz venue has revealed its new season—here’s your guide to visiting
Looking for the best jazz in New York City? Experience all the inspiring jazz performances, delicious food and stunning views at Dizzy’s Club.
Jazz and New York City go together like fine wine and aged cheese, yet finding the perfect spot to enjoy this timeless duo can be challenging. On any night, locals squeeze into crowded clubs, sitting hip-to-hip with fellow music lovers, all craning their necks for a glimpse of the stage. The city’s most famous spots often have lines stretching out the door, while underground venues are just that — hard to find.
But one easy-to-find location stands out from the rest: Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center. Dizzy’s Club is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating jazz music. And unlike the city’s most under-the-radar spots, anyone can attend a show at Dizzy’s and expect to see quality programming, plus perhaps a few surprises, every time.
“Everybody thinks of jazz clubs as going down to a basement,” said Dizzy’s Club general manager Roland Chassagne when I recently stopped by for a tour. “But sometimes they want to sit comfortably, enjoy great food, and listen to good music without feeling like someone's elbow is in their ear.”
That kind of spacious, comfortable jazz experience is what you’ll find at Dizzy’s, which just released its fall calendar of events. Tickets are now available for shows through December 1, so grab them now if you’re planning an autumn trip to New York City. The year 2024 is an exceptional time to visit, as Jazz at Lincoln Center is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Frederick P. Rose Hall. Under the Jazz at Lincoln Center umbrella, the Hall houses Dizzy's Club, the multifunctional Rose Theater and the amphitheater-like Appel Room.
Frederick P. Rose Hall (and therefore Dizzy's) is located on the 5th floor of the Time Warner Center and housed in the same building as The Shops at Columbus Circle. Fear not if you’re worried this might jolt you out of the experience: from the moment the elevator doors open, guests are enveloped in a warm and inviting ambiance that makes the magic of jazz music come alive right away.
“When we first opened, there was some skepticism about whether people would come to a jazz club in a mall-like environment,” said Chassagne. “But the truth is, once visitors arrive, they’re ours.”
Even standing in line outside the club doors feels nostalgic. A black-and-white portrait of the club’s namesake, American trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, hangs on the wall next to a photograph of a Coca-Cola bottle. The club initially opened in 2004 with the name "Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola," thanks to a sponsorship deal with the soft drink. Around 2018, Chassagne says Gillespie's estate granted the club official naming rights.
Stepping inside the club feels like entering the interior of a grand piano, with walls made of bamboo chosen specifically for its ability to produce a warm, golden sound. A team including the famous acoustician Russell Johnson and global architecture firm Walters-Storyk Design Group led the meticulous design. Chassagne says the team was so committed to perfecting the acoustics that Johnson once called a late-night meeting at 3 a.m. to test the sound with a live trumpet. But this attention to detail is part of what makes Dizzy’s Club so special. Today, visitors can enjoy an unparalleled listening experience while floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage create a stunning panorama of the treetops of Central Park.
A lineup for both classic jazz lovers and experimental listeners
Dizzy’s Club offers a lineup that caters to all tastes in jazz, from classic to fusion and Latin jazz. “We started with a focus on classic jazz, but over the years, we’ve broadened our scope to include a wider variety of styles,” said Chassagne. This eclectic approach ensures that every visit to Dizzy’s offers something new and exciting, whether you’re a seasoned jazz aficionado or a first-time listener.
If you’re in town during the weekend, catch a show between Thursday and Saturday. Thursday nights are particularly special, Chassagne says, featuring a late-night jam session where up-and-coming artists gather to practice their craft. “We’ve had some incredible moments during these jam sessions,” Chassagne recalled. “Stevie Wonder once dropped by and performed ‘Overjoyed’ on the piano. It was unbelievable.”
In June 2024, Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center also hosted the Jazztopad Festival, a premier event highlighting some of Poland's most innovative jazz artists. Among the standout performances was the world premiere of “The Solastalgia Suite,” an avant-garde composition created for and performed by the Lutos?awski Quartet and pianist Kris Davis.
Check out Dizzy’s fall 2024 lineup online for more upcoming shows.
Making the most of your visit to Dizzy’s Club
The New York City jazz experience at Dizzy’s Club doesn’t stop with music. The venue also offers a menu of delicious Southern-inspired dishes that perfectly complement the impeccable jazz vibes. The menu features a variety of options, but Chassagne noted that the fried chicken sandwich and burgers are perennial favorites among regulars. “People come specifically for those two items,” he said.
Dizzy's Club offers nightly jazz performances, with shows typically scheduled at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm for the early show and 8:30 pm for the later show. The schedule shifts slightly on Sundays, with performances at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
“The club feels intimate even though it’s spacious,” Chassagne pointed out, making it an ideal spot for both solo visitors and groups.
If you plan to stay in the city, consider booking a room at the nearby Mandarin Oriental. While Dizzy’s once partnered with local hotels for special promotions, Chassagne says these partnerships have been on hold since the pandemic — but it’s worth keeping an eye out for any new deals.
As you prepare to leave, take a moment to walk around and soak in the history found inside Dizzy's Jazz Hall of Fame. Photographs of jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday adorn the walls. Walking through the Jazz Hall of Fame reminds visitors of the rich legacy they’re part of when they step into Dizzy’s.
As Chassagne put it, “Jazz deserves a space that’s elite,” where you can enjoy great music, great food and a great view of the Manhattan skyline. At Dizzy’s, you get all that and more, making it an authentic New York City jazz experience not to be missed.
Megan DeMatteo is an independent journalist, editor and creative writer currently based in New York City. She has written for Dwell, Fodor's Travel, Sherwood News, Marie Claire, Insider and more. Her first trip abroad was to Costa Rica, and she's since studied in Valparaíso, Chile and Dublin, Ireland, where she performed a séance in Oscar Wilde's former dorm room.
