(212) 255-4037
178 7th Ave S
New York,
NY
10014
40.736
-74.0016
Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown
Last updated 4.01.09
Category:
Nightclubs, Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
Cash
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Bar & Club Special Features:
What People Are Saying About Village Vanguard
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
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…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Buy tickets online if you're planning to use a credit card; the club is cash-only.
- Save Money:
- The cover charge is $30 Sun-Thu and $35 Fri-Sat; each charge includes $10 for drinks. On some special weeks, the cover is $35 all week.
- Save Money:
- The cover charge is usually around $25, in addition to a $10 minimum on drinks.
- The Extras:
- You'll hear classy jazz by legends like Tommy Flanagan, Lou Donaldson and Cecil Taylor, as well as young lions like James Carter, Brad Mehldau and Roy Hargrove.
| drinks | 66.66999816894531% positive |
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|---|---|---|
| overall | 100.0% positive |
|
| service | 0.0% positive |
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| value | 100.0% positive |
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| wait time | 100.0% positive |
|
Bad Manager
by Dilek at Citysearch
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.
- Pros: ???
- Cons: Bad Manager
Extremely Rude!
by Irmak at Citysearch
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.
The barman is noisy and unrespectful
by legenese at Citysearch
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.
- Pros: Great music, select audience
- Cons: High level of noise coming from the bar
Good music, bad experience
by ajf125 at Citysearch
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.
The Details on Village Vanguard
Place Categories:
- horrible experience
- best place
- great jazz
- great music
- big drink
- best jazz club
- excellent low lighting
- loves everyone
- really big shame
- dirty back kitchen
- very rude host
- huge newbie
- great artists
- wonderful hospitality
- huge jazz fan
- famous faces
- awesome surprisingly intimate

