Harlem Juke Joint Tour

This Harlem jazz tour offers an insider, small-group experience designed for travelers who want something far beyond a standard sightseeing tour. With more than 25 years of experience and top rankings on TripAdvisor for New York nightlife, Big Apple Jazz brings you deep into Harlem’s underground clubs and hidden speakeasies for an evening filled with exceptional live music and rich cultural storytelling. Led by an expert guide who is part of the uptown jazz scene, each tour is carefully customized to feature the best musicians and venues performing that night. No two evenings are ever the same, reflecting the improvisational spirit of jazz itself. Along the way, you will hear stories connected to legendary landmarks such as the Cotton Club, Savoy Ballroom, Minton’s Playhouse, the Apollo Theater, and many more that shaped Harlem’s musical legacy.

The tour runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and begins at Silvana Café on West 116th Street, with admission fees and transportation between venues included. Guests typically enjoy live performances at at least two clubs per night, showcasing both Harlem legends and exciting new talents, and there are opportunities to interact, join a jam session, celebrate a special occasion, or simply relax and enjoy the music. Food and drinks are not included but are available for purchase at the venues, and guests are encouraged to bring cash for tipping musicians, the guide, and servers. Open to all ages and suitable for both dedicated jazz lovers and curious newcomers, this experience places you at the heart of Harlem’s vibrant nightlife, surrounded by the sounds and stories of a tradition shaped by icons such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, and Miles Davis.