Club Bonafide

Small but great venue for a show. We saw the group covering the Buena Vista Social Club. It was amazing. Unfortunately, the show was supposed to start at 7:30, but due to previous shows running late we had to stand for an hour Waiting to be seated. Show started at 7:55 which is fine. What I didnt like was the fact that they had us get in line. We were the 2nd group there. And as people came in they stood wherever, even in front of the line . So when they let us in it was a mad dash to get seats . We did fine. But there were people who had decided to stay from the previous show and a group that had missed the previous show, so came to the 7:30 show and once seated there were people standing in the back. It didnt seem like there was enough space or that the amount of people is regulated. Kind of a mess. But otherwise enjoyed it and we will be Coming back.

You come to Bonafide for the love of live music. The place is a small music theater (cabaret type) with good acoustics. As in most cabarets in NYC, the food is not good, but thats fair; music is what matters in these places. They have good shows not limited to jazz, but it all depends on the show you get. In general the quality is good.

Visited here for a gig by Ai Kuwabara and Akira Yamada. Excellent bar and the venue is small but cozy. The audio tuning in the venue stands out so no matter where you sit, the performance will sound at its best.

Small, intimate space. Enjoyed the service, drinks, and most definitely the music. Margot Sergent is worth seeking out.

Saw great band songs from Buena Vista social club be aware very small food pricey what there is of it and walk up 3-4 flights stairs

Quite pricey. Food is ok. Venue itself is quaint and lovely. Love the live music. Emilie Surtees’s show was fantastic.

Nice, quaint speak easy. Light snack with an enjoyable show. This place requires a two drink minimum.

New york experience in a nutshell.Small place, tightly arranged tables, amazing cocktails and i understand why they take time to arrive. Marvelous show all in a speakeasy setting. Loved it. Took a star because The food quality to price ratio has room for improving.

Loved the Buena Vista event. It does get super crowded though, its a very tight and small venue. Hope they expand. The appetizers and drinks are a bit pricey but nice spot for a good low key jazz show.

It is a great venue to see live music. I got there late for a show last week and they let us stay for the next show and gave us free tickets to any show. I really appreciated that because Im from out of town so I would be leaving soon. So the day before I left I got to see the Whitney Houston tribute show and it was amazing. I had a wonderful time and when I come back to New York I will definitely catch a show here.

There was a pretty good sized crowd there, but we all managed to find a nice cozy spot at the end of the bar. I was really craving one of the mojitos that fellow google were raving about, but alas, they seemed to have run out (not sure how you run out of mojitos, but whatever).

Not so great. Went with my husband for a Friday evening performance of French Jazz that was supposed to start at 8. When I called to confirm the reservation they said I absolutely needed to be there by 7:30. We arrived on time and proceeded to wait around for 40 minutes standing up in a small room with about 50 or 60 other people. When we were finally shown to our seats, I swear to God its a fire hazard! The tables and people are crammed in with no space to move anywhere. Additionally, we ordered drinks immediately after sitting down and 45 minutes later they still had not arrived, nor had the 8:00 performance begun. We left at 8:45 having nothing to drink nor eat nor any of the music we had come for. We ended up having to go to completely different venue. Unfortunately, with so many other excellent jazz clubs in the city, this one is not worth returning to.

We enjoyed a wonderful performance this evening -- a beautiful talented Flamenco dancer/ singer, backed by drums, guitar, and piano (all very accomplished musicians). We had tasty light plates and drinks during the performance. It was a delightful evening.

Is all of New York full of hidden amazing venues on their second floors? This place makes me wonder....a small and intimate performance space where your never more than 15 ft away from performers or the stage, Club Bonafide is a hidden gem on the UES. Sure the food is bad, (lower than diner quality, shame) and the drinks are just okay, but the performers are usually so good it doesnt matter. The place is dark and has great ambiance with brick accents. If I had one complaint its that the small space makes it so that you cant really linger after a show. The club follows the comedy performance model with multiple shows and a two drink minimum, and is worth checking out if you like live music.

Very impressive when it comes to having an astute atmosphere. Great date place. Live performance with band which was excellent!However the waitress was a bit snappy. Pricy but I would love for a date to bring me back.

Aug 16th, 8pm show. Advertised as an ensemble got a two piece. False advertising, dishonest.This is not a review of the space or the performers, it is a review of management in the hope they address this, and dont misrepresent and disappoint others.The space is great, although I wish the AC was quieter. Some really great talent booked here, and Richard Bona himself is one of the true all time greats, if you are ever lucky enough to see him play here, highly recommended.

Been there over 10 times. Always have a great tine with my wife. One tine the show we wanted to see was cancelled and we were gave .a signed business card for two free tickets and we saw the show that was there for free.

Upon reaching the third floor of an unassuming entryway of Club Bonafide you will step out of a VERY TINY elevator (3 people maximum), and find yourself in a room with red walls, with a NYC 1950’s vibe. The dark and vibrant lighting decorates the stage, and though space is limited, it is a very cozy dim lit venue.I was there for a Flamenco inspired show and was very pleased with the artist and venue.Well, unless you decide to order a drink or even a water then your satisfaction will start to get lower and lower. Surprisingly enough they seem to have only one (very frustrated) waiter walking around trying to take orders and deliver drinks at same time. He kept repeating, to anyone who would check on their drink status after 15mins “I am doing my best but clearly that isn’t enough for you…”Then there was the DJ channeling the “grumpy cat”, that guy couldn’t look any more bored. I added some pictures to prove my point. I left almost feeling sorry for his miseryOk, back to the service…. We waited no joke over 20mins to receive our drinks that we ordered upon arrival and our waters right before receiving the check.Anyway, very cute venue with a good selection of shows. I will definitely go back (just with no service expectations)I will have to take a star because of the extra slow service and for that poor sad DJ sitting there looking like he is in pain.

Horrendous service. Came early to reserve seating (must be on-site to reserve) for a double birthday. Managers and staff refused to remove the four opportunists who not only ignored the reserved sign but also refused to move. Bad business making the performers wait + catering to a four-top vs. a combined party of 15 that included elders. Save your money and skip the flies and empty menu. This joint aint got no class. *the performers were fabulous*

My buddy and I went for their Whitney Houston tribute. It was a fun night. Drinks weren’t bad. Staff was nice. Would love to check out other events here.

Intimate, evoking memories of 50s nightclubs where patrons sat cheek to jowl and enjoyed high quality music. The crowd is friendly and the music is eclectic. It can change nightly to represent a different genre from French bistro to New Orleans blues. The price is right and East Midtown is very accessible.

Great place for music. Nice intimate venue.Waitress asks too often (during the show) if we want something.Show was too short (barely an hour). Nevertheless, it was amazing.

Overpriced, worst wine I have had in years, it took 1hr 10 minutes to bring the food !!!, asked us to pay for food and drinks we did not have (then apologized and offered a free drink). Overall chaos, very low quality, show was a B- at best.

Very reminiscent of old time jazz clubs. Entertainment was killer. The small intimate clubbmade for great acoustics. Decor perhaps could use a freshening up. Definitely enjoyed my Malbec with the cheese board. Not cheap but its Manhattan.

Perfect spot for a laid back Sunday afternoon music with a glass of wine.

This is an intimate jazz club with excellent entertainment. With a full bar and nice small plate menu, it is easy to meet the two item per person minimum.

I went here once to see a friends band. You have to take an elevator or stairs to the third floor. Theres a limited snack menu and drinks are slightly overpriced. The sound is great- you can hear everything clearly in both rooms

Coal oven pizza was great. Small, cozy stage area, excellent service! Have to navigate a few flights of stairs, but nothing too impossible.

We nrt to set french heart jazz band. Very good time. Had a bottle of rose, very nice. Cost is rekative... manageable cheese board was good as well.

I cant give place that charges $7 for tap water any more than 1 star. Music was fine, but not great. Avoid if you can. Or just dont get water.

Place might have been great at one time I attempted to go 3/5/22 and it is closed permanently. Apparently it’s now used for private parties. I was told by the people there it’s been closed for a few years.

Small place, but low cover, and solid jazz. Its improved recently in sound, lights, and slightly in decor. Full bar. Eat before you come.

If you want a place to enjoy live music, a good drink, or good snacks, this is the place to be. Bonafide gives u the opportunity to experience sounds from around the world with great artists such as Richard Bona and the Mandeka Cubano, and many other great names of world music and jazz. Take some friends and relax urself at this beautiful location in the heart of Manhattan, u will not regret it.

Very cute. Great entertainment. Food very mediocre. Subpar menu. Even for appetizers. Drinks totally overpriced. Nice service. Friendly wait service.

Nice small find with good service and good music. Mojito was pretty bad though. Too much Sprite. Couldnt taste the alcohol or mint.

From the moment I walked in I had a favorable experience. My bartender, Samali whose roots are Ugandan and Black American, made The Bona, a delicuous Martini. Great app selection!

A weird and crazy place. Went there with friends and we were listening to one interesting band. The Guinness they serve is from a bottle, which is the worst form of serving a Guinness.

Intimate setting for jazz acts. Excellent acoustics. Food menu consists of several appetizers and panini sandwiches.

Great, intimate club to see live music. Good drinks, and light food options. We had so much fun!

Great people! The Bona cocktail is amazing!

Jazz Singr Audrey Silver was spectacular. If you are looking for a nice jazz experience and great drinks then this is place to be.

Bar area is tight, showroom is somewhat comfortable its on the third floor, elevator failed when I left but overall, had a great time and I enjoyed myself.

Very sweet venue. Close to the stage and musicians. Good place to relax and enjoy good music and wine.

Excellent music, great singing and marvellous band. Lynn Watson is fantastic. Such positive energy!

A lovely intimate live venue with charming staff, great wine and cocktails and top notch entertainment. Friday nights are the best.

Great music. Friendly service

The ceiling was leaking, the food menu is miniscule, the waiter was great, had to wait 30 minutes standing in the crowded bar past seating time.

The Best Jazz Spot on East Side of NYC! Come one, Come all! Tell a friend, Bring a friend! Come make a friend! At Club Bonafide! Where friends of Live Jazz meet other Friends!

Awful awful awful... Insane drink prices especially when you are in a dirty disgusting college bar. They had tables stacked up in the corner. Horrible lighting and worse sound. Never waste your time here.

Listened to Max ZTs hammered dulcimer music at Club Bonafide and was transported by Indian- and Senegalese-inspired dulcimer playing accompanied by remarkable guitar and drum playing.

Great show-New York Nightingales-cafe is intimate, food so-so, but altogether a really pleasant evening.

Wonderful place and not so crowded. Magnific jazz. Drinks and appetizers are as expensive as NYC (well, not that high!).

The place to be ! One of the best clubs in Manhattan

Fun night singing 20s-30s music celebrating the start of Dads 95th Birthday. Fun nite🇺🇲🎶

A great jazz club and lounge with a cozy & rustic vibe thats inviting to jazz lovers who appreciate a fantastic atmosphere enjoying wonderful music.

Lovely little place. Great show. Very friendly staff. What a find!

A great music club in a fantastic midtown location. Friendly staff, great service, Great Sound, comfortable.

Loved our singer, but didnt enjoy the climb.the small elevator

Bona is doing a great job here. Check it out! Always an excellent choice for music and a drink.

The AC didnt work and I had 3 guests so it wasnt as enjoyable. Music part was amazing

Хорошо посидели, джаз, фламенко, пиво. Публика в основном русскоговорящая, что удивило. В основном, старшее поколение, 50+.(Translated by Google)We had a good time, jazz, flamenco, beer. The audience was mostly Russian-speaking, which surprised me. Mainly the older generation, 50+.

My friends played music. Great place. Clean and beautiful. Fun.

Had a great time here for valentine. Great music and friendly staff.

It was ok. Dont eat come hungry. Chef isnt 3 stars.

The music is great, the customer service is awesome and the whole energy is just festive.

Beautiful show. Drinks are good.will be coming back

Nice place for having a date, talk, drink and watch some great live bands

Great live jazz featuring lots of African and Latin artists.

Music was fantastic but food and drinks not really.

Music great. Drinks great. Small portions of food

Music was great. Service was good. Nice atmosphere.

A jewel in Manhattan, cozy jazz club with amazing performers and lovely staff. A must see

Amazing service, the room sounds great. Great musicians.

Kinda tight seating (intimate setting). Too dark to order food

Very cool place to a visiting country hick with great music

Good music. Expensive drinks. Nice crowd

Food needs serious improvement! The show was great!

Excellent quality service, Nice music and discreet location at the same time

Nice little place for music. Service was good.

Watching Cheikh Ndoye and friends......Great jazz band extremely tight and fluid.

Poor food and drink selection.not a great music schedule

Good music the drinks where good and surprisingly fair priced

So French was wonderful and the venue was very nice.

Cozy venue. Great jazz & drinks at a reasonable price.

Outstanding live music spot, always great.

Terrible time waiting to be shoehorned ingraciously into a tiny, cramped performance room in bad condition on the third floor of an old building.

Great time I had there. Staff is awesome !

Nice cozy place to see a live show.

Great jazz club, with good seating and a nice vibe

Awesome atmosphere. Had a great time

Very cozy, friendly staff, and great entertainment.

Great spot..small very intimate..cute bartenders..

Warm, cozy, and friendly place with beautiful soulful music. Thank you?

Sort of average club, with limited food menu and slightly overpriced drinks.

Great Services great staff great live entertainment

Rachel Z and Image Hakim

Nice music, but the place is small ink

Quaint club atmosphere, overpriced drinks and food. The food selection is minimal.

Top notch entertainment with friendly, excellent service.

Reasonably priced, small,, very cozy venue.

Great Jazz club with good drinks selection

Great vibe here!

Cozy and romantic venue . Perfect for a second date .

I loved mrs Ellynnes. Concert. The birdsong

Its was AMAZING love the DRINKS and food

Intimate club, great acoustics. Limited bar.

Beautiful atmosphere and great music.

Small place but makes the experience very personal

Small place excellent sound system

Cant wait to perform there again.

Surprising nice speakeasy with excellent entertainment

First time was glad to find the moms owner is Italian

Fun and cozy. Great show.

That good ole Jazz flavor amongst family...

Cozy place with great performers.

The food is terrible and the place is too small and uncomfortable

A charming spot with great music and service

Amazing music!

Great place. Great entertainment

Great place, great music, great staff.

If you live in NY city, you must go here for live music and drinks

A surprising gem of the neighborhood with live music.

I had more fun here than I expected.

Fabulous Venue..Sensational Live Music.

The location is quite intimate and refreshing.

It was a beautiful guitar performance!

Intimate environment with fantastic music.

The stage and acoustics is nice.

I like this place, but not sure how safe it is

Comfortable atmosphere wonderful

It was a Gem to find. I will return

Good place 👍 for music

Cooll hidden gem in the middle of New York..

Fun bar

Nice cozy venue

Was a great show

Very nice place !

Loved the venue

Awesome show

Fun Singer fun night

Nicee ambience!!

Front for illicit activities.

Nice space.

Awesome night

Amazing place!

Awesome

Great place!

Cool jazz place

Great entertainment

Secret little getaway

Lovely place

Bonafide was amazing

Nice music

Best of the Best...

Live music

This is a place I definitely want to enjoy while in New York. If you make a reservation in advance, you can enjoy it at a low price, and although it is not large, you can enjoy jazz music together at 20 to 30 tables. I highly recommend it because you can feel the local atmosphere.

Beto Camará participation RPL Chamber Project - Forrobodó Festival 2018 - New York

Disappointing... A high price for not great musicians, a not great singer, 45 min wait for a not great cheese board... We left in the middle of the concert

Cute. A little Spartan. Good drinks. Music ok. Reservations must be made on Fridays

Excellent. The most important thing is the humane treatment by the staff who works there, very good.

Good musicThey force two drinks and they dont say its worth saving

Excellent place with very good live music.

Good music, good drinks... What else?

Good live music