Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill

The reviews of this club are all over the place, some are unfairly critical. It’s a lovely and intimate place to enjoy live jazz music. Intimate means it’s small and crowded, that’s why they offer multiple seatings. It’s a really great way to enjoy the music! The food was delicious, but with it being small and crowded, of course service may seem slow. To avoid that, come early and eat prior to the music so you can relax with an after dinner drink while listening to some of the best live jazz in town.

First time checking out Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on a late Sunday night. There's up to 3 sets with cover ranging from free to $15.00. The inside is intimate, dimly lit with a mix of seat options. Checked out a 10pm show (free cover) that featured a quartet but the show was only 35 min. Ordered a Belle Gueule blonde ($5.00) and Sauvignon blanc ($10.00). 3.5 stars.

Had a wonderful evening with an amazing CD launch. The vibe is always great … typical jazz room…and love the listening room rules. My only less than positive comment would be that there there were approximately three too many patrons sitting at the bar. We usually sit at the bar when we go to music and restaurant venues and this night it was actually too tightly packed where you had difficulty raising your elbows to cut your food. The food was however excellent once it reached our mouths.

Great venue for an intimate jazz experience. Food was good (had salmon and it was excellent, others in party had burger, steak and quesadilla which they said were ok) and service was better than expected after reading mixed reviews about service. Biggest issue was very talkative table next to us which took away from the experience. We would have liked to see servers address the talking as it escalated until the end of the show and that was even after someone in our party asked them to be quiet. Overall a fun experience and will definitely recommend to others.

Was here just briefly. The music was awesome and they interacted with the audience continuously. Unfortunately, my wife had the flu so we left early. That said, it had a great atmosphere and the food we had was quite tasty. Would definitely recommend if you're a jazz fan

Cozy place with a lot of character. Brick walls, candlelight, a grand piano by the window - everything sets the mood just right. The music is good, the staff is kind, and it's just a nice spot to relax.. We only had one evening in Montreal - and we’re glad we spent it in this jazz bar.

We’ve been to Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill around fifteen times over the years, and it remains one of our favorite spots in Montreal for live music. The atmosphere is always inviting, intimate, warm, and with that unmistakable charm that makes jazz feel alive and close. The lineup is consistently strong, from local talents to seasoned performers, and the sound quality in the room is fantastic. The beer is good but the selection is not solid, same for food is good, though I’d love to see the menu refreshed from time to time (perhaps every couple of years) just to keep things interesting. The current dishes are well-prepared, but the variety could be a bit broader. Still, the overall experience more than makes up for it: good service, great music, and a cozy setting that never loses its appeal.

Make sure to make a reservation for an hour before the show is meant to start so you have time to order and eat your food (we got there for 06:30pm for a 7:30pm jazz show on Wednesday night). The seating is very close and cozy and you are able to chat before the show starts but won't be able to (and shouldn't!) once the show starts. The jazz was up close and personal and VERY GOOD! If you are looking for a cozy and authentic night of jazz in Montreal you won't be disappointed with Upstairs. The food was really amazing! It is VERY reasonably priced, a fairly large serving, and surprisingly fancy! Like I said the place is very cozy so the serving staff are side stepping quite gracefully between the tables, and never stop moving, but expect a bit of a wait for your food if it is a full house.