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So, I've been telling my wife for a while now that I'd love to open a jazz club in Columbus. I'm sure this has been attempted before, and am curious if anyone here has historical insight on why past attempts failed. I have some strong opinions of my own as to what would work, and what wouldn't, but I appreciate any input from local jazz lovers out there. Thanks.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Nightlife
Jazz bar in Columbus?
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groundrules
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501 had a good run. I'm not sure how finances played into the decision, but the story I heard was that the owners just wanted to move to Florida.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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JedThorp wrote >>
So, I've been telling my wife for a while now that I'd love to open a jazz club in Columbus. I'm sure this has been attempted before, and am curious if anyone here has historical insight on why past attempts failed. I have some strong opinions of my own as to what would work, and what wouldn't, but I appreciate any input from local jazz lovers out there. Thanks.There was the one on Long. I think the consensus was lack of promotion.
Posted 2 years ago # -
VicVillage Guy
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I could be wrong but isnt that new bar on Front in the Brewery Dist kind of jazz oriented? I think its called After Five or something?
Posted 2 years ago # -
lilbit
GV
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There was also Barrister Hall. I heard some rumors about the owner's ... habits, shall we say. But these were rumors. I have no idea if personal problems had any role in the business closing.
One of the complaints I heard about 501 was that the music sets started too late in the evening. Older customers are happy to spend good money on food and alcohol, but don't want to wait until 10pm or later to see an act.
Have you been to the Vonn Jazz lounge? I have not made it to either Vonn club yet, and I haven't heard much about how they're doing.
Posted 2 years ago # -
abstract_plane
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One of the pleasant surprises of moving to Columbus and German Village was when i discovered Barrister Hall. It had great atmosphere and excellent music...Sorta felt like I was transported to the 40's and a place that Parker or Coltraine could have played in..There was also this great band that used to play - believe they were called James Gaiters Movement...I wish this place still existed...Cbus definately needs a jazz club..
Posted 2 years ago # -
XLD
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
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lifeontwowheels wrote >>
There was the one on Long. I think the consensus was lack of promotion.You mean James' Club 88 Piano Bar? I never went because I got the impression it was cocktail jazz. My jazz bar wish list:
- Bebop focused (think davis, coltrane, monk etc.), not swing, big band, cocktail
- Short north (i.e. within walking distance from where I live; this establishment would therefore have to move if I do)
- good drinks, cigars, lack of other diversions would be pluses. The Village Vanguard workers actually tell people to pipe down if they start talking (not advocating that here)I wonder if a lack of performing talent is the problem. I know there is some, and probably much I'm not familiar with, but you would have to concentrate it to this bar. There aren't a ton of jazz lovers, and there are even less who would seek out mediocre jazz. That's one reason why location is important to me.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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i'm going to dissagree with XLD, and state that a mix of styles would be the best way to go. Some nights I'm in a blues mood, some nights beebop, sometimes down and dirty funk, and some nights I need a big-ass band (one of my favorite albums right now is from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band).
There's a lot of talent here in town and a lot of out of town talent who can come in and play. you need a good performance space, but also a good bar where people can just chill and enjoy being at a bar without feeling like they're at a full on concert. I'm thinkin' tiered tables.
Also, talk to the folks at the Dolphin Lounge. They have the only open mic jazz scene in town (that I know of) and it's all the way out in Gahanna. Something like that near the acctual school of music might just turn out to be a pretty awesome draw on off nights.
also... NO TVs. NONE. PERIOD.
just my 2c
Posted 2 years ago # -
Schoolboy
Columbus
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barrister hall was great
loved that place
however, half off their revenue was derived from cigar sales
had i known that the smoking ban would have taken out my favorite venue of all time, i would have never voted for itstill, smoking and jazz goes together
without smoking a lot of jazz goers won't come outPosted 2 years ago # -
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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Core_Models
Columbus
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Yeah, remember, I believe Barrister's was even opened as originally a scotch and cigar bar concept, it definitely would have suffered form the smoking ban based on the clientele I was familiar with.
Loved it though, absolutely no doubt. Probably the bar I miss more than any other in Columbus.
Posted 2 years ago # -
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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The first jazz club that hires Fritz the Night Owl as a consultant wins my adoration.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Just a shameless self promotion for my neck of the woods...
Zanzibar originally opened last year as a coffee shop, but has entered into full-on "MoJoe Lounge" territory with the addition of their bar, and they regularly feature live music (typically jazz):
Might be worth checking out if anyone is interested. I think they normally do live music on Fri & Sun nights around 6-9pm, but you might want to call first to confirm. (They don't stay open until 2am).
Posted 2 years ago # -
XLD
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
i'm going to dissagree with XLD, and state that a mix of styles would be the best way to go. Some nights I'm in a blues mood, some nights beebop, sometimes down and dirty funk, and some nights I need a big-ass band (one of my favorite albums right now is from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band).Two points I'll clarify: 1)It may well be better for the business to mix styles to draw as many people as possible. It just wouldn't be my personal ideal club. and (2) I was thinking of the blues and down & dirty funk you mention as falling under the bebop umbrella (rightly or wrongly, I'm no expert on the terminology). I wanted to distinguish broadly between gut-wrenching, improvisational (be it hard blowing or slow ballad) jazz and swing/dancing jazz or lady-laying-on-a-piano jazz or smoooooooooth jazz.
However, I'm not entirely sure if diversifying across all the flavors of jazz is best. I selfishly would like to be able to randomly stumble in and have some idea of what to expect.
Posted 2 years ago # -
d2thawhitey
Linden
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I'm a big fan of Dick's Den. Cheap drinks, a dive bar with character and I've heard some of the best jazz I'll hear in Columbus there. Trust me, had the music been only mediocre, I would not have gone back. But the jazz was hot and I returned as often as I was able. (Less now than then, unfortunately). Aside from the music, I think the quality of Dick's that I admire the most is the utter disregard for anything pretentious. I felt like I had uncovered a diamond in the rough. In my humble opinion, spend less effort on the decorations & acoutrements, and more on making great jazz sound great.
Posted 2 years ago # -
racheltb
clintonville
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I loved K2U, a former restaurant that featured jazz many nights of the week in the current Burgundy Room space. Food was good which is always a draw for me. Also, the table arrangement allowed for guests to sit closer to the band if they wanted to groove or further away to hear eachother.
You might also want to consult with Becky of Firehouse Jazz/Columbus Music Hall. Everytime I went to her events they were well attended and she is well connected with musicians.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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Anybody remember what that jazz place was on Vine Street that closed a year or two ago?
Posted 2 years ago # -
lilbit
GV
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Barrister Hall was the spot to be back in the day. Pharez Whitted had his group play. The Afro-Rican Ensemble also had a weekly slot. I miss it.
abstract_plane wrote >>
One of the pleasant surprises of moving to Columbus and German Village was when i discovered Barrister Hall. It had great atmosphere and excellent music...Sorta felt like I was transported to the 40's and a place that Parker or Coltraine could have played in..There was also this great band that used to play - believe they were called James Gaiters Movement...I wish this place still existed...Cbus definately needs a jazz club..Posted 2 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Analogue Kid wrote >>
Anybody remember what that jazz place was on Vine Street that closed a year or two ago?I assume you're referring to the aforementioned 5:01 Jazz Bar? It was at the corner of Park & Spruce, a block north of Vine. It's currently Park Street Tavern.
Posted 2 years ago #
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