Coda makes our list because it’s a jazz club built for true music lovers. The owner is a musician, and it shows in everything from the vinyl collection to the acoustics. 

We especially appreciate that the staff will play any record from their vinyl collection that their customers request. One regular told us he likes to spend his afternoons here, reading and listening to vinyls with a macchiato in hand. 

We dropped by for their jazz night and enjoyed the live music. The atmosphere was relaxed and intimate, with lounge seating that made it easy to settle in. 

The whisky flight, consisting of 3 whiskies from the Islay Region, only made our night better. 

The food is also surprisingly good. Our recommendation is the luxurious lobster salad croissant. The lobster salad was refreshing, while the croissant was buttery and flaky. 

Our only gripe is that the space is on the smaller side. So, for those hoping for a big group night out, it can feel a bit cramped. 

The cafe is all about music, and you can see it throughout the decor

“Cozy cafe especially for music lovers. The cafe is all about music, and you can see it throughout the decor. You can even pick your own vinyl and the staff will play it for you. Atmosphere aside, they also serve good coffee and dessert. We loved the red bean toast, and the coffee was flavourful too. The guitar spoon was a nice touch. Special shoutout to the staff for their kind service, assisting us in moving tables and playing the vinyl that we chose. They also hold music events, would love to come back for that.”

•  M J Google Reviews 

Absolute chill and jazz vibes, perfect for cafe and jazz lovers

“Brilliant. Absolute gem. What a perfect find! Social media tells no lies about this place. Absolute chill and jazz vibes, perfect for cafe and jazz lovers. Staff were kind, warm, gentle, and absolutely added to the experience. Decor is a perfect mix of modern and old to achieve that vibe. Food was surprisingly good given other hip coffee places reputations. They also do jazz nights which are nice.”

• Si Xian Alexander James Goh Google Reviews 

Cheek to Cheek Lounge made our list because of their regular jam sessions, which run most nights: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. What we like is that there’s always someone new on stage bringing under-the-radar grooves. 

Booking a table is straightforward with their online system, though reservations are only available from 1 PM to 7 PM. After 7 PM, we’d recommend getting there early to secure a table. 

We joined a Sunday session and spent the night relaxing to a live saxophonist who led the band through a mix of jazz standards and playful improvisations. His jazz was very soulful, and he even had a few people tapping their feet along at their tables. 

The staff are also genuinely enthusiastic about jazz. We ended up chatting with one server who gave us a couple of new artists to check out. 

The food menu was great too. Both the lobster tagliatelle and the Angus burger won over our group. The pasta was rich and flavorful, while the burger kept us full all night. 

The service was really good and the cocktails were refreshing

“It’s my third time at Cheek to Cheek, and there’s always a really good vibe. I’ve been there for different occasions, and this time it was for happy hour. The service was really good and the cocktails were refreshing. We also had a small bite. Around 7:30, a live band started playing — such a nice touch for a small place like this. It makes the atmosphere feel cozy and a bit exclusive. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, there’s also a really cute dog called Jazzy.”

• Benjamin Teissier Google Reviews 

The vibe is amazing

“passed by this place during the day, went at night and the vibe is amazing. Derek the singer is here every Sunday if I remembered correct. The drink “Day and Night” is good, Sparkling wine is good if don’t know what to choose. For the wine Gérard Bertrand personally I feel it’s lite. Overall the atmosphere and vibe is good for a date night or friend meets”

• ABL Google Reviews 

3. Maggie Choo’s Hong Kong

Services: live music and cocktails 

Location: G/F, Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong

Contact: +85262506000

Business hours:

• Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 6 PM to 2 AM 
• Friday & Saturday – 6 PM to 3 AM 

Website

Consumer Rating: B+ 

Our Rating: B+

Maggie Choo’s won us over with their awesome ambiance and jazz cabaret shows. The jazz club takes decor inspiration from an abandoned bank, complete with vault doors and a bar fashioned to resemble a bank teller’s station. 

They have live jazz daily after 8 PM, but after 10 PM, their mesmerizing two-act cabaret show takes over. It starts off with their classic “Maggie Choo’s Song,” and then leads into engaging performances that the audience can participate in. 

But our favorite was the second act due to their bold jazz number. We love how themes change every 3 months, so they often feature new acts. 

The cocktails are also inventive, leaning into Asian flavors. “Driven by Her Dreams” (jalapeño tequila and cilantro) became our go-to. 

The one thing we don’t love? It gets noisy fast. So, those who prefer a quiet night might be overwhelmed by the volume and crowd energy.

Came here for the live music shows

“Came here for the live music shows, just as good as I saw on IG reels, the atmosphere was great, the drinks taste fine, the only thing to improve would be the seats cus its really too limited😭 but the service saved this! the staff was very considerate and brought us to empty seats once they were ready”

• Simply Wendy Google Reviews 

Warm hospitality and attentive service

“Stepping into Maggie Choo’s feels like entering a hidden realm of elegance and intrigue. The delicate, fancy decor whispers secrets, inviting you to explore its enchanting corners. DJ Karrma is a true artist, skillfully blending genres with a distinctive flair that brings a unique vibrancy to the dance floor. His engaging presence and thoughtful track selections create an atmosphere that truly energizes the crowd.

The staff, too, deserve special mention. Their warm hospitality and attentive service add to the charm of the venue, ensuring that every moment feels welcoming and special. I left with my spirit lifted and a sense of wonder. Maggie Choo’s, I’ll be back to uncover more of your delightful mysteries!”

• Zuii Lee Google Reviews 

Chez Trente is one of those spots where jazz, art, and community truly intersect. The space doubles as an art gallery, lending the whole night a creative energy. 

One regular told us she brings her sketchbook every Friday just to draw the bands and the crowd.

The jazz itself is the main draw, especially during their open mic nights. When we went, it was a packed house due to a local saxophonist who jumped up for a set. 

We like the open mic vibe because it means people can experience a variety of takes on jazz. 

The craft beer selection is another high point. We spotted labels like Heroes, Coedo, and Black Kite. It’s enough to keep any beer nerd happy. 

The bartender recommended a stout to us, and we admit that we liked the rotating taps just as much as the jazz.

The main downside? It’s surprisingly easy to miss, even though we were following Google Maps. We nearly passed it while driving down Staunton Street. 

Everyone is super cool and chill

“Love this place, the people and the vibes here 🙂 Everyone is super cool and chill. A lot of usuals come here just to jam music during the weekends and the drinks here are super affordable. Occasionally there are art exhibits, gigs and brunches as well. This is like a second home.” 

• Karen Lee, Google Reviews

Great place to listen to open mike jazz sessions

“Great place to listen to open mike jazz sessions from good to great depending on the night. Decent beers at decent prices and eclectic crowd. Respectful ambience which is absolutely the way it should be. Bring your instrument and step right up or grab a beer and find a stool. Smokers can hang out just outside.”

• Brendan McMahon, Google Reviews 

We picked Ned Kelly’s Last Stand because the music never disappoints. The musicians here play all sorts of jazz, from Dixieland jazz and bebop to samba and bossa nova. They sometimes even play funky jazz. 

We also love the energy here. We found ourselves losing track of time and staying till near closing time. One regular told us he’s yet to find a place as lively as Ned Kelly’s. 

The crowd is always up for a good time, and the musicians play like they’re having as much fun as the audience. 

The beer is solid, and the food is alright. We’ve had more filling appetizers elsewhere. 

It also gets really packed here. One woman told us she had to squeeze into another group because she didn’t want to wait an hour for another table.

For those who aren’t fans of crowds, this could be a drawback. For us, though, it was part of the experience. 

It’s the band with it’s guest performers that make a night

“Same crazy fun place as 36 years ago. Visited in 1989 and had my 2nd and 3rd visit this week. (A 4th one is gonna happen….) They serve great bar food, but it’s the band with it’s guest performers that make a night. Normally from 2030 till 0100 (the band) but open till 0200. (Not sure when they open, but it’s early). Thank  you @Francisrthk for you extra performance after a long days work 😉”

• Eric Everwijn Google Reviews 

Go here for some jazz or blues live music

“Go here for some jazz or blues live music. Drinks are overpriced though, expect to pay around 10euro for a drink. Cocktails are cheap, for that money they could at least pour them properly. Music can be good though.”

• Robert Novak Google Reviews