Bennetts Lane Jazz Club

It’s so sad this place only has a few months left. If you love, or even like, jazz, help them go out with a bang and treat yo self to some jazzzzzzzz

Classic. Spent many, many nights at Bennetts Lane bellied up at the bar listening to great jazz and watching concerts in the larger back room too. A cheese platter and a few glasses of wine is just perfect. The location down at the end of an alleyway from which the club gets its name only adds to the appeal. I’ve been to several jazz clubs in the Melbourne area, and this one is by far my favorite. Come to think of it, I’ve been to jazz clubs all over the US (New York, New Orleans, etc) and this is still one of my favorites anywhere.

You know what’s crazy? I was about to start this review with «be warned, Bennetts is really tiny», and then I remembered that there are two rooms, a big one and a little one.
To compare, little Bennetts is about half the size of the ladies at the Forum. It’s got a good stage, though, and the sound is great. Big Bennetts is the size of a scout hall.
It plays wanky jazz. You’re not going to get anything experimental or left-​field here (try Fitzroy for that), instead it’s going to be the top-​notch ensembles jamming out their charts. Cover is often a fair bit, but you’re paying for incredible (and incredibly underpaid) touring artists to eat so be kind.

There are some places and some events that you will remember for the rest of your life and when a bar in the CBD can do that to you, you know it has to be special. My first venture to Bennetts Lane Jazz Bar is something I will remember forever because ladies and gents, this place is truly something incredible.
Considering its size (it’s rather large) Bennetts still manages to be difficult to find, in fact I couldn’t even tell you exactly where it is right now, but once you’re in you will never want to live.
Some of Australia’s biggest jazz and blues acts have played here, so check the website if you are on the lookout for someone in particular. However, I ventured in on a night where a no-​name was playing and I walked out with three of her CD’s and a slight girl crush.
They have a full bar available but limited food (they say they rather focus on the music than food) and it’s understandable — even if you aren’t a fan of jazz, Bennetts Lane will suck you in and you’ll leave with a new found passion for the genre.
There are limited tables available (all with candles of course, which provide the majority of lighting), but also chairs around the bar. Despite it’s size Bennetts still manages to be cosy and intimate.
This is the perfect place to take that special someone — I don’t suggest you come down here for a rowdy night out with the lads — but you can definitely give someone a night they will never forget here at Bennetts.