Sun-drenched beach days may be over for the season, but longer nights mean more time for live music and cocktails by crackling fires. If jazz is what you’re looking for, there are plenty of options across Cape Cod for intimate evenings with solo vocalists, roaring big bands and caffeinated jazz brunches.
If you want to experience an equally impressive atmosphere to complement live music and fine dining, you’ll find it at the Belfry Inn & Bistro in Sandwich. The bistro, located within a masterfully converted church boasting stained glass and exposed beams, heats up Wednesday nights once a month with its wine and jazz series from 6 to 9 pm. Enjoy the music paired with dinner or small bites from an elegant yet hearty menu that ranges from duck confit and sous vide venison to roasted squash and salmon.
A hit with locals and resort guests alike, folks flock to the Grand Cru Wine Bar at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis on Friday and Saturday nights for innovative jazz and a regionally-focused dinner menu. Grand Cru offers an extensive global wine list by the glass and classic cocktails to keep the weekends lively on cold New England nights. Stop by for a rotating list of jazz bands including The Bart Weisman Jazz Group, pianist Mike Garvan and other favorite Massachusetts entertainers. The music starts at 8 pm.
Want to cure the Monday blues this fall? Drop by the Roadhouse Cafe in Hyannis for live music in the warm and inviting lounge. Get comfy in an overstuffed leather bar stool near the fireplace and relax to the beats of the house jazz ensemble every Monday evening in season, or to piano music on weekends year-round at the piano bar. The restaurant also boasts a full menu and impressive wine and drink menu that will certainly power you through the most challenging day of the week. The Roadhouse has been a staple on the local jazz scene for years - owner Dave Colombo's father, the late Lou Colombo, was a renowned jazz musician and famed trumpeter who performed often at the restaurant.
We think it’s impossible to sit still while listening to the big band jazz sounds of Stage Door Canteen, but you can judge for yourself. The lively band, featuring a 12-piece horn section and vocalists puts on a high energy show in Falmouth one Thursday night a month at Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub. So grab a bite from this classic Irish influenced bar menu, pour yourself a pint, pull up a stool and dance along (even if just in your seats) to the infectious beats.
If you’d like to escape to the 1950s era Left Bank of Paris without the jet lag, head over to the white linen-style Sunday jazz brunch at Bleu in Mashpee from 11:30 am-4 pm. The bands change weekly, as does the French-inspired menu, which includes bistro classics like escargot, oysters, duck confit crepes and locally-caught fish. There’s also an extensive wine list, and of course, no brunch is complete without a mimosa.
Winter weekends on the Cape were made for cozying up with friends and great music, and that’s what you’ll find at the Harvest Gallery Wine Bar in Dennis. The intimate atmosphere and live music throughout the week (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) is complimented by a carefully curated wine selection, lighter dinner menu featuring small bites, charcuterie, salads, and sandwiches, and house made desserts. There’s a rotating lineup of jazz ensembles, including Wicked Trio with Bert Jackson.
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