Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill is praised for its intimate, warm atmosphere and the strong live jazz that many consider among Montreal's best. The small venue offers excellent acoustics and sightlines, with the ambience described as cozy, romantic, or electric depending on the night. Reservations are highly recommended because shows fill up, and seating can be tight with a few tables offering less optimal views. Service is frequently described as friendly and attentive, though some visits report slower service during peak times and occasional missteps. The food range is generally good to very good, with several dishes highlighted, but some reviews note inconsistency in temperature or quality and meals arriving not hot enough. The music earns high marks for talent and variety, though some nights feature louder or more vocal sets; choosing the lineup in advance and opting for instrumental sets is advised. Price point is often described as on the higher side for a jazz club, with value tied to the ambience and performances but some feel it can be pricey when dining. Overall, Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill remains a beloved destination for jazz lovers, delivering great music in a cozy venue with caveats about seating, service speed during busy shows, and occasional food inconsistencies.
We've been loyal customers of Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill for years & have always appreciated the atmosphere & quality of performances, which makes this review particularly disappointing to write.
Last evening, we made the effort to drive a significant distance specifically to attend what we believed would be a Cuban jazz performance, based on a previous experience with the same artist. Unfortunately, the music turned out to be a mix of funk & other American jazz styles, which was not what we expected. While it may not have been explicitly advertised, clearer communication about the style of the performance would help avoid this kind of misunderstanding.
More concerning, however, was the overall experience during the show. We were seated very close to the stage in an already tight layout, next to a visibly intoxicated individual (likely under the influence of alcohol &/or drugs) who was disruptive throughout the evening. He repeatedly encroached on our space to the point where we had to physically move our table just to maintain minimal comfort. This behavior was noticeable to others as well.
Although staff appeared aware of the situation, no meaningful action was taken to address it. We did ask if we could be moved, but no alternative seating was offered. Ultimately, the experience was uncomfortable & overshadowed the entire evening.
As a gesture, one of the two tickets was removed from our bill, which we do appreciate. However, given the circumstances - including the long drive, the misleading expectations about the performance, & the lack of intervention regarding a disruptive guest - we feel that a more substantial response would have been appropriate.
It's unfortunate to say, but this will be our last visit. It's a real shame, as this used to be one of our favorite spots in Montreal. We hope management takes these concerns seriously, both in terms of clearer event descriptions & ensuring a safe & comfortable environment for guests.
MY PREVIOUS REVIEW:
We've been to Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill around fifteen times over the years, & it remains one of our favorite spots in Montreal for live music. The atmosphere is always inviting, intimate, warm, & with that unmistakable charm that makes jazz feel alive & close. The lineup is consistently strong, from local talents to seasoned performers, & the sound quality in the room is fantastic.
The beer is good but the selection is not solid, same for food is good, though I'd love to see the menu refreshed from time to time (perhaps every couple of years) just to keep things interesting. The current dishes are well-prepared, but the variety could be a bit broader. Still, the overall experience more than makes up for it: good service, great music, & a cozy setting that never loses its appeal.
Apr 8, 2026
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Fabulous experience here! The music was incredible (an extraordinary local group did a Roy Hargrove retrospective) & the staff super attentive, friendly, & efficient. We had a great evening! I liked going to the later show so we could linger over drinks & talk after the music was done.
The show was amazing but the food & the drinks we're just ok unfortunately. I had the duck & some sangria. The service was very friendly so I might go back & choose something else from the menu!
Les temps changent mais le UPSTAIRS lui est toujours A DATE pour du jazz d'excellence un repas cuisine de haute gamme c'est vraiment la place où aller à Montréal.......
Apr 3, 2026
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Unforgettable evening (10-OCT-2025). Live music, Annika Chambers & Paul Deslauriers were awesome.
UPSTAIRS Jazz Montreal is a new favorite place for me & my wife.
This is an update, yesterday (28-MAR-2026) was Joaquin Nunez & Habana Safari night. Awesome group, awesome music & performance, awesome place, as usual.
The Upstairs jazz bar is a great place to go to be reminded of just how much wonderful talent there is in this crazy world. Always a terrific experience. Highly recommended.
Nous avons passé une très belle soirée, l'ambiance était agréable & la cuisine était excellente mais un seul petit pépin que nous avons eu, les cocktails étaient plutôt ordinaires. On a trouvé que les saveur du cocktail du muscow mule & du gin tonic étaient mal dosé & manquait d'éclat pour la présentation en plus d'avoir attendu 25 minutes pour cela. Dans la somme nous avons adoré notre moment au Upstaires.
Merci 😁
Mar 29, 2026
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Busy, cozy little jazz spot with great cocktails & a romantic, dreamy vibe. Feels like you're on the set of a movie. It was busy when we went so we waited quite awhile for our drinks & food but didn't mind at all because the music was so good
Très bon accueil, les serveurs sont très gentils & serviables.
L'ambiance est à son paroxysme & la musique est envoûtante.
Nous étions 3 & nous reviendrons, c'est sûr !
Mar 8, 2026
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I've never been so disrespected by any staff anywhere.
First, the live band was changed last minute.
Second, the waitresses came to our table & SHUSHED us twice in less than 5 minutes, even though I promise we were not the loudest table. We were also all the way in the back, so there was no way the band was hearing us.
When we complained that we had been shushed twice even though we reduced our volume, the waitress said'If we told you twice it means we're right'. Super super super rude.
I'm a musician, we've never shushed an audience & forced our music on them.
Plus, I ordered a dirty martini that was basically olive juice, absolutely disgusting.
We left after 20 minutes of arriving due to the abnormally mean service. If you want people not to talk, say that at the beginning of the performance, second, be kind while asking for it.
Absolutely never returning.
Really disappointing experience overall. The main act cancelled last minute & was replaced by another band, which already set a different tone for the evening. We arrived on time but our table wasn't ready, so we had to wait about 10-15 minutes.
When we were finally seated, it was all the way in the back near the kitchen/bathroom area where we could barely see the band. While trying to have a normal conversation at our table with instrumental jazz playing, the staff repeatedly told us we were too loud, even though nearby tables were much louder & weren't being addressed.
On top of that, the drinks were disappointing (the martini tasted mostly like olive juice, & the Encore cocktail wasn't good either). Overall, the experience didn't match the expectations for a jazz bar night out.
Ambiente nao é agradável. Funciona com reserva, no entanto, tem hora para sentar e hora para ir embora. Música bem fraca, que eles chamam de show. e, com alto custo. Nao recomendo.
We really enjoyed our evening here. It's a fantastic venue & the live music (Masson Stomp) was excellent, as were the acoustics.
Thanks to a cancellation, we got the'worst' (as per their own floor plan) table in the house at the 7pm show but it was more than fine.
Food was good to very good, I docked a star because my meal wasn't quite hot enough by the time it got to me & the vegetables were slightly undercooked but it was still very tasty. My companion's meal was very good.
