Blues Alley Georgetown: Jazz Shows, Parking, Metro & Venue Guide

Blues Alley is a jazz supper club tucked down an alley off Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. Founded in 1965, it bills itself as the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club, and Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, and Grover Washington Jr. are among the greats who have played its small stage.

The room is intimate and the rules are a little different from a rock club, so read on for seating, the minimum, parking, and getting there.

Blues Alley Venue Information

• Address: 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW (rear), Washington, DC 20007
• Location: Georgetown, in an alley just south of M Street
• Capacity: About 125
• Hours: Open daily 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Minimum: $15 food or beverage minimum per person, per show

Upcoming Concerts and Tickets at Blues Alley

See upcoming shows on our Blues Alley event listings or browse the full DC Social Guide concert calendar. Most nights feature two sets. Visit the official Blues Alley website for the schedule and tickets.

Who Books Shows at Blues Alley?

Blues Alley books its own calendar of national and international jazz artists. Its nonprofit arm, the Blues Alley Jazz Society, runs youth programs including the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and a summer jazz camp.

Parking at Blues Alley

The club recommends the Georgetown Park garage at 1092 Wisconsin Ave NW, almost directly across the street. Street parking in Georgetown is scarce and heavily enforced, so allow extra time if you plan to look for a spot.

Metro and Rideshare

Georgetown has no Metro station. Foggy Bottom-GWU on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines is the closest, about a 20-minute walk or a short bus or rideshare away. Rideshare drivers can drop you on Wisconsin Avenue at the mouth of the alley.

What to Expect at Blues Alley

Blues Alley sits in an 18th-century brick carriage house, and the candlelit room feels like a jazz club from the 1920s or 1930s. Dinner is served, with a menu of Creole dishes, steak, and seafood. Seating is mostly first come, first served, so arrive early for a good table.

This is a listening room. Keep conversation to a minimum during sets. There is no official dress code, but most people dress business casual.

Blues Alley History

Clarinetist Tommy Gwaltney bought the club in 1965 and ran it as a musician’s room first. Harry Schnipper later took over and eventually bought the building. Blues Alley has stayed in the same Georgetown space ever since, outlasting a fire and the pandemic years.

Blues Alley FAQ

Is there a minimum at Blues Alley?

Yes. There is a $15 food or beverage minimum per person for each show.

Is seating reserved?

Seating is generally first come, first served, with some exceptions.

Is there a dress code?

No official dress code. Business casual is typical.

Where should I park?

The Georgetown Park garage at 1092 Wisconsin Ave NW.

What Metro station is closest?

Foggy Bottom-GWU, about a 20-minute walk.

Also nearby: Hammer Auditorium.

Hours, policies, and parking details can change. Check the official venue website before you go.

Map and Directions

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave NW (rear)
Washington, DC 20007

Get directions · Explore more Washington, DC concert venues