The jazz scene in Rome is still one of the most active in Europe with a lively population of musicians, clubs throughout the city, and the new Casa del Jazz open for the study and enjoyment of this most American music, for which Italians have such a strong propensity.








Alexanderplatz
Rome's premier jazz venue, hosting international names as well as local groups, it's an underground club but pleasant, with checkered cloth-covered tables, a bar and stage. Jazz greats who played here have left their signatures on the walls. Come early for dinner and stay for the show. Reservations advised, as it always fills up.
Via Ostia 9 tel. 06.397 42171 (Prati)

Big Mama
Rome's house of blues, showcasing international acts and Italian blues and jazz stars in an underground venue, which is funky but fun. Be there by ten to be sure you have a table or come early and have dinner. Reservations advised.
Vicolo San Francesco a Ripa, 18 tel.06.581 2551 (Trastevere)

Casa del Jazz
The beautiful Villa Osio and its surrounding 2,500 square-meter park are the site of this center for jazz, which opened in Rome last year. There are practice rooms and a recording studio open to young musicians and professionals, a multi-media library and a book and record store. The auditorium hosts top names in international jazz. The restaurant, decorated in a black and white piano key theme, its walls lined with vintage portraits of jazz greats, serves an excellent supper and a Sunday buffet brunch. Come for dinner or stay after the concert for a drink at the bar. On Sundays, look for the free outdoor concerts on the lawn at noon.
Viale di Porta Ardeatina, 55 tel. 06.489 41208 Restaurant 06.700 8370 (near the Baths of Caracalla)

Charity Café
This comfortable and attractive club with a cocktail bar, wine bar and tea room, hosts jazz jam sessions on Thursday nights after 9:30 pm, jazz ensembles Friday and Saturday, and spins jazz recordings the rest of the week. Happy hour 6-8 pm.
Via Painsperna, 68 tel. 06.478 25881
Open Monday-Saturday 6 pm-2 am (Monti)



Cotton Club
At the Fattoria Restaurant, on the northern edge of town, features big band, jazz orchestras and quintets.
Via Flaminia, 1432 tel. 06.903 80483 (Flaminia)

Fonclea
This restaurant and pub hosts live music most nights, generally jazz and blues, but with excursions into vintage rock, gospel and soul.
Via Crescenzio 82/a , tel 06-6896302 (Prati)

Gregory's Jazz Pub
A meeting place for Rome's musicians, Gregory's is an Irish pub with a jazz club on the second floor. Downstairs Guiness and John Bull are served, along with an astonishing selection of malt whiskeys, and a kitchen serving Irish cuisine. Upstairs Gregory's regulars play everything from be-bop to Cole Porter.
Via Gregoriana 54/d tel. 06.678 6386 Open from 7:30 pm - 3:30 am Closed Monday. (Trident-Via Veneto)'Gusto Wine Bar
The wine bar of this trendy restaurant mega-plex stays open late and offers up live jazz after ten on Thursday nights.
Via della Frezza, 23 tel.06.322 6273 (Piazza del Popolo)Jazz Café
The Jazz Café offers a full range of cocktails and a decent wine list as well as New York-style lunches and dinners of the pizza, steak and burger variety. Live jazz on weekend evenings. At other times, a dj spins easy listening lounge music.
Via Zanardelli, 12 tel. 06.682 10119 Open till 2:30 am. Closed Sunday. (Piazza Navona) Lettere Caffé
More a salon than a café, with book readings, jazz concerts, art exhibits, theater, coffee tea, cabaret, clown shows, film showings, poetry slams, writer’s workshops. Happy hour from six to eight. Brunch on Sunday. Stop by for a light meal or a glass of wine and an appetizer. Vegetarians will appreciate the “letter bag burger.”
Via S. Francesco a Ripa 100-101 tel. 06.583 34379 (Trastevere) The Place
Hosting a roster of mostly Italian artists. The happy hour, daily at seven pm includes a "sound check," previewing the night's entertainment as the artists set up and run through their numbers. Dinner is available at stage side tables, Thursday through Saturday, or you can opt for a drink at the bar any night of the week. Live jazz nightly.
Via Alberico II, 27/29 tel. 06. 683 07137 (near Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican)

ReRé Wine Bar
Stepping through the door of this wine bar is a revelation. You find yourself in another world, decorated in red velvet, roses, leopard skin and gold-framed mirrors. Couches, low tables and chairs are arranged to create cozy areas where groups of friends come in to have a cocktail or a glass of wine and relax. At apertivo time it's always full of stylish people, and late in the evening, the place revs up again as the after dinner crowd takes over. Easily the most stylish place in the area, it's been immensely popular since it opened two years ago. Your handsome young host, Brando, always impeccably dressed, makes his way among the tables, taking care that everyone is having a good time. Buffet lunch beginning at noon, flows into high tea beginning at three, immediately followrd by the happy hour aperitivo buffet which is served from six onwards. Live music Thursdays and Sundays. Sidewalk seating.
Via Flaminia Vecchia, 75 tel. 06.334 0483 (Ponte Milvio)