Regina Tatum

I hadn't been in years. The place was nice, parking was good. The food was standard. We had the fried catfish, mashed potatoes and veggies. Drinks were good. I had the Bees Knees and it was excellent. One thing I didn't like was that parties if two ate stayed to the very side of the stage with a limited view of the band. The middle and front we were told was for larger parties. That doesn't seem fair, we'd like a good view too. It was my birthday and I was taken there to celebrate. Overall, I've joyed the evening, just couldn't see the band that well.

Maurice Williams

Catalina Jazz Club is a fantastic spot for live music and an all-around good time. The service was excellent — attentive, friendly, and on top of everything without being intrusive. The atmosphere was exactly what you’d hope for from a classic jazz venue: intimate, relaxed, and full of great energy. The only small drawback was the food and cocktails — they were decent but didn’t quite match the level of the performance or service. Still, it’s a great place to spend an evening enjoying top-notch live jazz in a cozy, welcoming setting.

Michael J Herman

I really liked this place. I have been wanting to go for years. The venue is classic. I can see why it is popular and famous The prices are unreasonable Ly inflated. Ten dollars for a soda? The service was quite poor. Tables remained dirty for the entire time we sat watching the show. Sodas and waters were never refilled, and the waiter never asked if we wanted anything additional. The music was top notch and it was easy to find and park.

David Lai

First time here after hearing about this place for years, and now I get why it’s an L.A. jazz institution. I came to see Marcus Miller. It was an incredible show, great acoustics, and the staff inside is top-tier. Super friendly, super organized. Parking is underground off Sunset, about $8, card-only. Low ceilings but manageable. When doors open at 7, expect a line that wraps around the courtyard. Only one guy checks everyone in, so even with pre-bought tickets you’re waiting 15–25 minutes. Inside, the club is clean, classic, and tightly packed. Small tables, no assigned seating, so get there early before you end up behind one of the support pillars. Service is excellent. Sarm, quick, professional. Now the food… and this is where the review drops. There’s a two-drink or entrée minimum per person. We went with dinner, and honestly the portions were shockingly small for the price. The prime rib pasta was maybe five bites total, one of the smallest portions I’ve ever seen for around $35. The surf & turf was just okay, and definitely not worth the $45 price tag. With a glass of wine, our food bill hit about $130, and we left hungry. Price-to-portion ratio is a complete miss here. My advice: eat before you come. Or if you really want to order something, stick with the burger and fries — that actually looked like a decent amount of food. Drinks and desserts seem fine, but the main entrées are not worth it. The music, though? Absolutely fantastic. Marcus Miller killed it, and the sound in this room is outstanding. Crowd skews older and pretty calm, but the show itself was top-notch. So here’s the bottom line: Come for the music, not the food. Legendary venue, great staff, great acoustics, just make sure you walk in already fed.

Danielle O'Connor

I did not walk away a big fan of this venue. The artist was close and the sound was good but the food was so overpriced and mediocre it really dampened my enjoyment. The "roasted" beets were clearly ones marinated and in a jar or can. $8 extra for thinly sliced dry chicken. It was my friends birthday and impossible to get any sort of acknowledgement. Just an overall rip off. Will never go again. Looked like a lot of regulars however maybe they have figured out how to not eat here. There is what breaks down to a $30 pp minimum.

Nisey

For the amount of money I paid you would of thought everything would be top tier but it was terrible. The greet at the door was okay, the hostess that take you to your seat was very nice that's why its even 2 stars. The table next to me has to hunt down the waiter and here I am thinking he's going to come to my table after nope went to another table and never came to mines I had to stop the hostess and asked if the waiter ever was going to come so she took my order based off her memory and got my drink wrong once it came. The portion of food giving for the price does not add up. The waiter keep filling everyone one glass around me but never came and refilled mines when it got low. I only came to see my friend perform and she was amazing, the entertainment was wonderful. But as far as this place goes it just was not a good 1st time experience

+1

c. t.

The entertainment was good. Owner should recognize that the taste if the food affects the enjoyment if the entertainment. The food is overpriced and under seasoned. The mignon was barely warm and the fries cold. We will eat BEFORE we go next time! No one should have to wait over an hour to receive their order!

Chester

“Hungry for More… Literally” Two stars for Catalina Jazz Club, and that’s being generous. Let me set the stage: We bought VIP tickets for a drag show—because nothing pairs better with a night out than a fabulous queen and (what we hoped would be) fabulous food. We arrived at 7:50 PM, 40 minutes early, ready for a night of trash talk, bad wigs, cheap costumes, inappropriate songs, and gastronomy. Instead, we got a masterclass in how not to run a dining establishment. It took 20 minutes for anyone to acknowledge we existed. By the time drinks and appetizers arrived (another 20 minutes later), the show had started. Fine, we thought. Let’s sip and snack while the queen slayed. But then… nothing. No entrées. No waiter. Nada. We sat through the entire show, hungry, confused, and wondering if our main courses had been kidnapped. After the curtain fell, our waiter reappeared—like a magician, but not the good kind—and handed us a bill that included the entrées we never got. When we flagged him down to explain the situation, he looked genuinely baffled, like I’d asked him to explain quantum physics. He muttered an apology, vanished again, and eventually returned with a revised bill. Then he disappeared for good. At this point, the only thing well-done was my patience. We ended up paying at the front just to escape. The only redeeming factor? The performer. The queen was amazing. The service? A royal disaster. Would I come back? Only if Sherry Vine and Jackie Beat were headlining together, and even then, I’d bring snacks in my purse. Come for the show, but eat beforehand—or risk starring in your own tragic comedy of errors.

+3

Kiva

We are college students and we went to go see our favorite musician play. At the door, we were given two vouchers and told that we could get dinner or drinks included in the cover charge (as others have also reviewed) at first we asked for two waters & and they told us we could get two drinks or a dinner so we ordered steak (was not the best steak). We asked a couple times if it was free of charge and even gave them the vouchers. Halfway through the show they place a bill for $128 on our table. We think it’s a mistake and wait patiently to the end of the show. They didn’t card us which was surprising and they brought us wine. The server who served us came up to the end to ask us to pay and we explained that we thought it was free and that he had told us it was free. He had said when we were ordering “you can get anything you want.” He knew from our excitement he was taking advantage of us 100%. When we told him this he immediately threatened to have security come and told us how much they were paying the band ($100,000) as if we were responsible for helping with that charge. We explain that we are UCLA students and had no intention of spending $128 on dinner when originally we had asked for waters. He showed no remorse. He continued to argue demanded our card and declined offering us a discount or exception. Not a good feeling or way to end a great music show. Bummed! Sad to see how many other people had this exact same experience here with the same guy and nothing has been done about it. It’s an embarrassment for the musicians who are playing there that this is going on without them knowing! Nothing to do now but wanted to let yall know.

Shea George

We’re visiting LA with family and had an amazing day until we walked into this jazz bar and met Manuel Santiago, the manager. He completely misled us. At the entrance he clearly said the $40 per person charge would be covered in food and drinks. Based on his words, we ordered accordingly. When the bill came, he suddenly changed his story and charged us almost double, pretending he never said anything. Even the staff admitted we were told the wrong information. It’s shocking how Manuel Santiago openly cheats tourists just to make an extra buck and keep people from leaving an empty bar. Disgusting behaviour. Music was good, but the management ruins the place. Tourists, avoid.