Empire State Jazz Cafe

I've been wanting to come here for some time after following via IG for a while. I'm so glad I decided to come out. Located in a strip mall, there is ample parking. So if parking gives you anxiety/worries, be relieved. The spot is a cozy intimate space. Dimly lit tables create a nice ambiance. Feels like the BlueNote in NY. Just not as tight! The sign says "Live Music, Great Food. They ain't lying either. Them Jerk Lamb Chops were so tasty. Cleared my plate I was blessed to partake in musical delight from RedLoc Music (Check them out!) Customer service was top tier, immaculate! Everyone that I cameIn contact with was so very helpful and attentive. I didn't get many pictures/video, too busy watching the show! I really enjoyed myself. Oh and did I mention, they are Black owned Thank you Empire State Jazz Cafe for setting off the birthday festivities!

Walk-ins are welcome. It cost $25. The band started performing at 8 pm so it wasn't worth coming at 7 pm as we did. There wasn't a bartender until probably 2 hours later. Otherwise you pick what's there and tell the guy how to make it. They didn't have a drink menu either.FOOD:It took forever for food to come out. Some folks got their plate before us when they came 30-40 minutes after we ordered. For instance, there was a lady who ordered and received her plate 5 minutes before we did but she arrived 15 minutes ago. Wtf?!!! So it appears that they have no order in which they bring out food. There also seemed to be only 1 waiter handling everyone, which was about 16 people.I ordered Bourbon St Blackened Salmon, which was $35. It came with crawfish and shrimp in a sauce on top, which the menu didn't say so. There were some bits that were a little bit too salty. But at least it wasn't dry at all due to the sauce. Very good flavor overall. For sides, I got mac and cheese and cajun green beans. Enjoyed the mac and cheese but the green beans wasn't what I expected. It had a sweet rather than savory taste. I was expecting it to be 'fresh' green beans and not canned.They gave us bottled water in the beginning but there was no mention of if it's included in the cover charge.Ratings:Bourbon St Blackened Salmon = 4/5Mac and cheese = 5/5Cajun green beans = 2/5 Overall, the band was decent. 2 guitarists, a keyboardist, a drummer, and 2 vocalists. The female vocalist had a very good voice. They wanted the crowd to participate but no one really did. They sang some familiar songs. Half the crowd left after they took a break. One thing to note is they charge a 18% gratuity, which was not mentioned on the menu or told to us beforehand.

To start of the musician was great! The service was terrible. The bartender was unprofessional with an attitude and should be fired. He doesn't know how to make drinks. I returned my drink and ordered another one and never recieved it. The server was sweet and stressed out due to a new system she stated. Overall terrible experience and I won't return! Date night Flop

My husband brought me after church and what a beautiful Sunday afternoon date. Drinks were AH-mazing! Ambiance was perfect. Food--SOO GOOD! Low key and great vibes. We will be back soon!#Oxtailswerethebomb

All Smooth Jazz Lovers this is the One of the Best Jazz Cafe/Bar/ Fine Dining/Club in Houston, hands down. Great Food! Great Drinks! Great Entertainment!!!!Go Check it out for yourself.

The music is great. The service is nonexistent. We were seated an hour before ordering drinks and food. At the time we were seated there were only other tables. Once we ordere, the drinks cam, but the food was never sent to the kitchen. And an hour and a half later, the waitress comes back, with an attitude, asking if we received our second round of drinks that we didn't order. Then she comes back to verify that we still wanted the food. We canceled the food order and enjoyed the music. Do not come hungry.

Loved the intimate setting it's not a big place so you don't have to be worried about it being overcrowded this one my second time going. We went for Valentines dinner the live music was really nice the dinner consisted of an appetizer, entree's, and dessert.Oh complimentary cocktails I had the seafood gumbo which was delicious 8/10 I had the salmon for my entree 8/10 and desert was bread pudding. The music was great definitely going back.

I have been a follower of contemporary Jazz since the 70s and I recently relocated to the Houston area and I came across this establishment and now I'm a frequent patron. The acts they book are top notch and I have not had a bad experience thus far. The establishment is perfect for an intimate night out. It's not too big and every seat in the house is perfect. To top the experience off, they also, serve food and the dishes they prepare are always on point especially, their Gumbo. The waitstaff is timely and they do their best to make sure each patron needs are met. Each month I find at least one act that I must see. Finally, the price of admission is a steal compared to these acts that are playing at the larger venues. If you looking for an intimate live concert where you can actually interact with the musicians, this is the spot.

If my recent visit is indicative of how this place operates; you should seriously avoid it at all costs. I wasted close to $400 for tickets and food & beverage for a party of four and it was one of the biggest rip-offs of my entire life.The band that played on the night I visited was wonderful and I enjoyed their set very much... but this review is for the Empire State Jazz Cafe establishment, which was a complete and utter disaster.Forget "supper club" -- most of the items on the menu were unavailable when we arrived one hour before showtime. And in the end, 3 of our 4 entrees never showed up at all.Our waiter apologized the first time he made his rounds, but then he avoided us for close to an HOUR until we finally succeeded in flagging him down. "It's crazy back there [in the kitchen] tonight!" was the closest we got to an apology before he said that he'd go check on our food. Five minutes later, we watched him put on his coat and walk right out of the building. Not kidding.The one entree that did arrive was a generic, tasteless lump of fried food served on a plain white plate. I expected a lot more for the ~$30 price point.We at least got one round of drinks before our waiter bailed, though the Manhattan that I had was watered down by ice and clearly used Fireball whisky. Nobody wants their Manhattan to taste like drinking a pack of Big Red chewing gum. Yuck.The band was clearly very talented but the same could not be said for the guy running the sound board. The lead guitarist kept giving him signals, gesturing to his monitor, talking to him between songs, and it still took four or five songs (and a LOT of squealing feedback) before he finally got it dialed in.We could not wait to get out of there, but we were of course delayed because the second waiter had to adjust the bill to remove the items that never arrived. He was not at all surprised by the situation, and he also made ZERO attempt to apologize. He just grunted in acknowledgement as he fiddled with the tablet. I paid for what little we did receive but the mandatory 18% gratuity was insulting.People of Houston: go elsewhere for your jazz and your supper. You deserve better than this.

The first time i tried to get in here we came too late and they were booked solid. So for father day my ol lady knows i like live bands and music. She booked us a table here and when i tell you i enjoyed the vibes, music, drink and food. It's an understatement. The waitress and staff all were nice to us. I will be back to enjoy this experience again. I would like to say thank you to the staff band and establishment for everything. Keep being great and producing quality and not just worried about quantity..