Village Vanguard

Doesn't Recommend

eviona

Joined 6 years ago

Abusive receptionist. I am a concierge and just called V.V. on behalf of some guests from Europe and am shocked at how bizarre and rude the person who answered the phone was. I make reservations and inquiries at every imaginable type of NYC establishment on a daily basis and have never been treated so badly in my life. I am still in shock. The gentleman who answered the phone cut me off several times, yelled at me when I asked if the guests needed to purchase tickets like instructed on the V.V. website, and when I was giving the receptionist the reservation name I was asked to repeat it several times (no big deal, and I certainly didn't mind doing so at the time) but was then was yelled at again when I mentioned he had left out 2 letters of the guest's last name. I am only thankful I made the call, and not the accented elderly European couple as I can only imagine how nasty he would of been to them. Tourism drives the NYC economy and if this had been my first impression of a city, I would never return again. The man on the phone was so unnecessarily aggressive, I can't help but wonder if it is driven by some sort of dementia or mental illness. I am literally flabbergasted.

Doesn't Recommend

Dilek

Joined 3 years ago

Bad Manager. We had a very bad experience last night due to manager. I hope the owner is able to read all these reviews and take an action, otherwise similar to all other small business they may not able to survive too long.

Doesn't Recommend

Irmak

Joined 3 years ago

Extremely Rude!. This Saturday March 6th was my mother's and aunt's birthday so I reserved a table at the village vanguard for 6 people. Everyone in my family loves jazz and we have been to many shows in the city before and never had any problems. The waitress came to take our orders once the lights were off and the show started. Instead of shouting her order outloud my mom leaned over to my aunt's ear to tell her that she wants a sparkling water. All of a sudden the manager appeared and tapped our table with two hands scolding us that we are "talking during the show". We tried to tell him that we were trying to give orders but he got more and more aggressive and decided to kick us out. We were still trying to explain the situation despite his behavior but he told us that he can't deal with "peasant stuff". It is a really big shame because he both ruined our night for no reason and missed out on at least 5 other guests waiting at the door (they left once they heard the story). So just be aware you might need a plastic tape to cover your lips before you go in. And I also suggest you don't look the manager in the eye because he might get pissed.

Doesn't Recommend

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

Barman to sack. Village vanguard

Doesn't Recommend

legenese

Joined 4 years ago

The barman is noisy and unrespectful. We came all the way from France to hear Amat Cohen Quartet and half the sound was covered by crushing ice and shaking glasses from the bar that looks like a dirty back kitchen. While the audience silently listens to great artists, the barman ruins the spirit of the music. Either he should be fired because he despises the music or drinks should only be served before or after the concert. Truly shocking.

Doesn't Recommend

ajf125

Joined 5 years ago

Good music, bad experience. I've been to vanguard twice, and the jazz is great. The host however, is very rude and it turned into a horrible experience for me this evening. While I was waiting for my party at my table and the place was already filling up the host kicked me off my table and offered a few random seats on the back. When I protested he raised his voice at me. When I jokingly said "thank you for your wonderful hospitality" he suggested that he will call the bouncers to kick me out of the place if I said another word to him. I felt like a first-graded being disciplined by the school principal, despite the fact that I paid $35. I would have left instantly had my party not been my girlfriend and her parents whom I was meeting for the first time that night. It was a degrading and embarrassing experience for me.

Doesn't Recommend

joedanielsnyc

Joined 5 years ago

Horrible Experience - Talking Throughout. Went to see Terrell Stafford late August '08, and there were two guys talking throughout the show. Quite a disturbance to us and several surrounding couples.

So, after the first set, the two motor mouths met in back with Mr. Stafford. Were they Village Vanguard management? who knows, but they seemed more like groupies or wannabes.

All others in the audience (probably tourists) had far better manners than these two.

What a shame to have such a wonderful music spoiled by constant blabbering.

Terrell Stafford Sir, if the talking fan boys were yours, please leave them at home.

joedanielsnyc@gmail

Recommends

nonogarou

Joined 6 years ago

Always a good time. I'm not a jazz fan but I've been there almost each time I came to NYC. And I certainly will next time too

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This intimate basement-cum-jazz shrine deserves to be designated an historical landmark--after all, it's been open since 1935.. Down a steep staircase, the 123-person capacity interior is small, warm and very red: A red-carpeted stage, draped in red velvet, is softly illuminated by stage lights. The room gets crowded when filled to capacity (which is often). The Vanguard's natural acoustic wonder is augmented by a sound system installed by RDA (which did the Metropolitan Opera). Optimum listening is at the seat next to the drums, or by founder Max Gordon's old favorite spot under the "new man/new woman" mural. The sound is so exquisite that more than 100 live recordings now bear the moniker "Live at the Village Vanguard."

Recommends

maureenuw

Joined 7 years ago

Best jazz club in the City, hands down. Others just can't compare - the Vanguard is still the best place to hear jazz. Even though it's crowded, the drinks are small, and the cover has gone up, I still recommend it for all jazz lovers out there.