Why We Love Jazz Alley in Seattle

Bar, nightclub, concert and dinner venue–Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is a Seattle institution. If you love jazz music, it’s truly a can’t-miss stop on your tour of the city. Luckily, if you’ve booked a city-view suite at the Pan Pacific, you’re just four blocks away from all of the action. Here are a few good reasons to visit Jazz Alley.

Founder John Dimitriou opened Jazz Alley in 1979, armed with a background in bartending and booking killer bands. Under the tutelage of famous New York music agent Jack Whittemore, Dimitriou came to recognize and commission world class talent like Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Carter, Oscar Peterson, and even Harry Connick, Jr.

Local artist John Michael Gray has raved, “(It’s) the best place to see jazz in Seattle. There’s not a bad seat in the house. The sound is always great. The production is great. And there’s always really good people coming through.”

Grammy and Emmy nominated trumpeter Greg Adams and his band, East Bay Soul, are coming to Jazz Alley on July 2 and 3 to celebrate the release of their new album, CONVERSATION! Expect incredible energy and a perfect balance of funk, jazz, R&B and soul.

While music is the main draw, dinner will wow you, too. Dimitriou’s offers Northwest cuisine driven by a belief in fresh, local, and organic. Try their ahi poke, and NW Cioppino–fresh Dungeness crab legs, prawns, Manila clams and seasonal fish cooked in a broth of white wine, tomato, fennel, red potatoes and Old Bay Spice.

Planning a visit to Seattle? Learn more about our hotel here, so that you can experience Seattle for yourself!