Where You Can Hear Jazz in Southland

The following is an arbitrary, alphabetical listing of some of the town’s better jazz spots. Check Sunday Calendar listings for weekly bookings. As musicians’ schedules sometimes change at the last minute, it’s always advisable to call ahead. Unusual starting times are listed in parentheses.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Alfonse’s (10057 Riverside Drive, North Hollywood, (818) 761-3511). Italian cuisine and mainstream jazz are this convivial room’s specialty. Musicians like to gather here. No cover, music from 9 p.m. (Thursday-Friday, 4:30 p.m.).

Alleycat Bistro (3865 Overland Ave., Culver City, (213) 204-3660). Hidden in a shopping center, this room jumps six nights a week with a variety of sounds. Diversified menu. Cover varies, 9 p.m (Sunday, 11:30 a.m.).

At My Place (1026 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (213) 451-8596). Mostly contemporary electric jazz in this spacious room, but there’s the occasional acoustic all-star ensemble. Cover varies, as do start times.

Baked Potato (3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, North Hollywood, (818) 980-1615). Hear loud jazz/rock and eat football-size potatoes. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Beef ‘n’ Barrel (8920 Tampa Ave., Northridge, (818) 885-1055). Dixieland on Sundays. No cover, 7 p.m.

Biltmore Hotel (515 S. Olive St., (213) 624-1011). Happy-hour jazz with name stars and a tasty free buffet in the Grand Avenue Bar. No cover, 5 p.m.

Birdland West (105 W. Broadway, Long Beach, (213) 436-9341). This upstairs room is home to first-rate acoustic mainstream bands, with the now-and-then jazz/fusion attraction. Cover varies, 9 p.m. (Sunday, noon, 6 p.m.).

Blue Note Cafe (11941 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 760-3348). Another tiny room given over mainly to guitarists. Zesty snack menu available. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Bon Appetit (1061 Broxton Ave., Westwood, (213) 208-3830). Contemporary bands amidst a decidely continental cafe atmosphere. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Catalina’s Bar and Grill (1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 466-2210). Top out-of-towners and solid locals make up the jazz menu, plus there’s succulent continental chow. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Cat and the Fiddle (6530 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 468-3800). Jazz on Sunday on this English pub’s attractive patio, weather permitting--otherwise, it’s indoors. Spruced-up pub menu. No cover, 5 p.m.

Cinegrill (Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 466-7000). The renovated hotel’s main music room has been given over chiefly to singers--some jazz-styled, some of a cabaret nature. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Coffee Emporium (4345 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey, (213) 823-4446). This upscale coffee house has a variety of jazz-based entertainment on weekends. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Comeback Inn (1633 W. Washington Blvd., Venice, (213) 396-7255). Jazz, often with a contemporary or Brazilian/Latin tinge, in a health-conscious atmosphere. Vegetarian cuisine. Cover varies, 9 p.m. (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.).

Concerts by the Sea (100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach, (213) 379-4998). This under-the-wharf-walk room has fold-down, theater-type seats and mainly contemporary jazz entertainment. Cover varies, 8:15 p.m.

Dixie Manor Restaurant (242 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (213) 858-7427). Dixieland reigns here. Cover varies, 8:30 p.m., (Sunday, 4:30 p.m.).

Donte’s (4269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (213) 877-8347). This ages-old jazz haunt serves up not-bad food and a perky array of mainstream, and occasionally, contemporary jazz. Another musician’s hangout. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Jax (339 N. Brand Ave., Glendale, (818) 500-1604). A noisy singles joint with mainstream jazz as background for the chatterers. No cover, 9 p.m. (Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 6 p.m.).

Lawry’s California Center (570 W. Avenue 26, (213) 224-6850). A variety of jazz outdoors in a lovely patio setting. Cover varies, music Saturday (2 p.m.), Sunday (1 p.m.) and Tuesday (6 p.m.).

Le Bouvier’s Beverly Hills Saloon (9390 Santa Monica Blvd., (213) 273-7155). Mainstream jazz comes to Beverly Hills. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Le Cafe (The Room Upstairs, 14633 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 986-2662). Many of the town’s best contemporary bands work this cozy upstairs room. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Linda’s (6715 Melrose Ave., (213) 934-6199). A large, rambling room with an unusual Continental menu and owner Linda Keegan singing a few tunes, backed by various pianists and bassists, each night. No cover, 7 p.m.

Loa (3321 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (213) 829-1067). Name jazz entertainment on tap along with carefully prepared Nouveau Japanese/French/California cuisine. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Manhattan Jazz (304 12th St., Manhattan Beach, (213) 546-4777). The South Bay’s newest room has variety, both on the menu and on the bandstand. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Marla’s Memory Lane (2323 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., (213) 294-8430). This big mid-town room’s been spiffed up, and so has the dinner card. Cover varies, 9:30 p.m.

Miami Bar and Spice Restaurant (13515 Washington Blvd., Venice, (213) 306-7978). This Westside room is strictly a Latin/jazz affair. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Money Tree (10149 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, (818) 766-8348). A room for singers and loud talkers. No cover, 9 p.m.

Monteleone’s West (19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 996-0662). More singers, less talk and Italian cuisine. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Nucleus Nuance (7267 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (213) 939-8666). Chic decor, chic clientele, continental cuisine and a good sampling of mainstream, Latin and pop-oriented jazz artists. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Overland Cafe (3601 Overland Ave., (213) 559-9999). This westside eatery goes with mainly contemporary jazz on weekend nights. No cover, 9 p.m.

Palace Court (1735 N. Vine St., (213) 462-8135). In this corner above the noted rock room, jazz holds forth on weekends. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Perino’s Oak Room Bar (4101 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 487-0000). The famed bistro adds a small singer/piano room to its lists of entrees. No cover, 8 p.m.

Samba y Saudade (112 W. 9th St., Downtown, (213) 623-4587). This new and tastefully decked-out room features the music and cuisine of Brazil. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Sausalito South (3280 Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach, (213) 546-4507). The contemporary side of jazz is showcased at this South Bay club. No cover, 9 p.m. (Sunday, 6 p.m.).

Silver Screen Club (Hollywood Live Entertainment Pavilions, 6840 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (213) 461-6222). This spacious room opened recently. Cover varies, 8 p.m.

Stateroom Lounge (Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (213) 394-3731). Dixie sounds on Sunday, 3 p.m.

Vine St. Bar & Grill (1610 N. Vine St., (213) 463-4375). The dining room, where Northern Italian cuisine is offered, seats only 80 so you know you can see the performers from anywhere. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

ORANGE COUNTY and SOUTH

Bella Via (2591 U.S. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, (619) 942-1108). Name jazz stars are heard six nights a week in this room that overlooks the ocean. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, (714) 496-8927). This club drops in a class jazz act along with its mainly pop and rock schedule. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Court of St. James (14041 Beach Blvd., Westminster, (714) 893-7974. Jazz on weekends. Cover varies, 9 p.m.

Studio Cafe (100 S. Main St., Balboa Peninsula, (714) 675-7760). The Pacific Ocean is right next door to this cheerful club, which offers mainstream and contemporary jazz. No cover, 9 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.).

Studio Cafe (3201 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, (714) 675-7575). The above’s sister club, with a similar musical presentation. No cover, 9 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday, 9 p.m.).