What many visitors to the City of Brotherly Love fail to realize is that it has a fairly large jazz scene.  As a testament to this fact, we've compiled a list of Philadelphia's four best clubs and told a little about them in the hopes that you'll check them out during your stay.  

 

Zanzibar Blue
Downstairs at the Bellvue
Broad and Walnut Streets
(215)732-5200

Zanzibar's is well-renowned for having the hottest jazz in town, and for good reason.  Featuring local talent on weekdays and big-time players Saturday and Sunday nights, Zanzibar's does justice to this particular brand of music.  For added fun, don't miss the jazz brunch, offered up each Sunday morning.

 

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
736 through 738 South Broad Street
(215)893-9912

This club is more of a concert venue than a jazz bar, as it is equipped with a two hundred and fifty seat theater.  No blues here, as the entire building was founded with the intention of showcasing jazz in all aspects of the genre.  For a more refined evening, definitely don't overlook the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts.

 

Warmdaddy's
4 through 6 South Front Street and Market Street
(215)627-8400 for reservations
(215)627-2500 for hours

Warmdaddy's is a fixture of Philadelphia's nightlife and offers southern food and fine jazz six nights a week (not on Mondays, unfortunately)  As a restaurant it shines, and as a jazz club it's even better.  We don't know what else to say, really.  Just head over there and see what all the buzz is about.  Very high recommendation.

 

Ortlieb's Jazz House
847 North Third Street
(215)922-1035

Ortlieb's has been around forever, it seems; it's housed in a one hundred-year-old bar, for one.  It's well known throughout the city for its Tuesday night jam sessions, which make a great backdrop for conversation and nodding your head.