Known for its fine Italian cuisine, Vergina restaurant also turns into a hot night spot as darkness falls. The bar plays more Motown style music than jazz, but it draws in fans from 8:30 to close nightly. Crowds spill out in the courtyard between Vergina and the neighboring building. Happy hour is 3 to 5 p.m. nightly, featuring steep drink specials. Nightlifers can order from the regular dinner menu or a lighter cafe and bar menu. There's even a Hookah bar. Butternut squash ravioli is the star on the latter menu. The drink menu lists some interesting, tasty martinis - a Vergina specialty.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: Vergina is a happening night spot with live music and a party crowd most nights.
Chelle's expert tip: This is a great spot for pre- or post-theater at the Sugden Theatre across the street.
Cambier Park IS Naples' community park, situated smack in the center of downtown Old Naples just south of Fifth Avenue South. The park's band shell hosts free live concerts throughout the year. Its Norris Center is home to Gulfshore Players community theater. The Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center holds 12 lighted Hydro-Grid Har-Tru Courts and a tennis shop, plus you will find five lighted shuffleboard courts, two bocce courts, a softball field and a playground that local families adore. The 13 acre park offers shady areas for picnics and a covered pavilion. The park gets its name from circa 1926 town engineer William Cambier.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: The Gulf Coast Big Band and other local jazz groups perform big band and jazz concerts in season.
Chelle's expert tip: For pre- or post-concert meals, check out Captain & Krewe Seafood across the street from the park on Eighth Street.
Formerly known as the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, it is dedicated to both visual and performing arts in one architecturally forward location. The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra still calls the center home as does the Miami Ballet. And most Neapolitans still refer to it as "The Phil." Its calendar of events cuts a wide swath of entertainment. A Broadway series runs during the winter season, when the snowbirds flock in. The Artis hosts audiences of up to 1,425 throughout the year for touring orchestras, opera, comedians, modern dance and more than 400 events yearly. It also has a 200-seat black-box theater.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: Not a jazz club per se, but it hosts monthly jazz concerts with visiting artists and the house jazz and youth jazz orchestras.
Chelle's expert tip: Have a sunset cocktail on the complex's new rooftop terrace before the show.
An out-of-the-box steakhouse, its courtyard seating area turns into a hot music and dance arena as night falls. It also touts its reputation for craft cocktails, some of which fill glass orbs overhanging the outdoor bar. They include the Continental Innovation, blended with Death's Door gin, Cocchi Americano Bianco, Carpano Bianco and grapefruit bitters. Made to order craft cocktails include a Sazarac stirred with Old Overholt rye whiskey, yellow chartreuse, absinthe and Peychaud's bitters; and The Church Key - Four Roses small batch bourbon, blueberry-sage shrub and lemon. The Continental's savvy wine menu lists 20 by the glass and covers every genre of wine bottled. Bar and late-night menus serve out-of-the-ordinary bar food until midnight.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: It hosts live music Tuesday through Saturday nights during season.
Chelle's expert tip: The award-winning Follow the White Rabbit cocktail blends citrus vodka, triple sec, fresh raspberries and rosemary, and pickled blackberries.
Naples Beach Hotel has provided a seaside spot where guests and locals can gather for close to 70 years. And it continues to do so today at its HB's on the Gulf and Sunset Beach Bar & Grill poolside. Both serve food with their stunning views of the beach and setting sun. For nearly 10 years, its wine list has earned the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine, plus the bartenders have a flair for tropical drinks. A solo guitarist often entertains around the pool during the day. During the warm months, June through September, the resort throws a free outdoor SummerJazz concert once a month, and has done so for 30 years.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: For 30 years, it has hosted its free monthly SummerJazz on the Gulf series outdoors on its lawn.
Chelle's expert tip: Naples Beach Hotel's pool bars are the best place in town to catch sunset.
Naples visitors looking for live jazz and other genres of music love the Bay House Restaurant not only for its musical selection, but also for its wonderful seafood dishes, polished decor and expansive views of the wild Cocohatchee River and its resident birds. Patrons can hear live music - often tasty blues and jazz licks - every night in season. The Tierney's Bar area boasts - as does the entire restaurant complex - tasteful nautical decor, and the tavern has a cozy brick fireplace ideal for a casual evening with friends, cocktails and mellow melodies.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: It hosts jazz and other live bands nightly in season.
Chelle's expert tip: Bay House ranks high in the seafood dining category, so plan on dinner with your musical evening.
Enjoy your 7th Avenue Social experience around the bar or out on the patio with an Albino Manhattan (made with white whiskey and vermouth plus a dash of orange bitters) or a craft IPA from its extensive list. Whether you choose indoors or outdoors, the setting pleases. Mismatched tables and chairs make the bar funky and fun. There is a youthful vibe, although people of all ages find their way here for the good food, craft cocktails and live music. 7th Avenue Social serves food from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. It's known for its fresh and local ingredients and creative flair.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: 7th Avenue Social hosts live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday in season, featuring jazz, blues, piano and rock.
Chelle's expert tip: Order the nightly changing Bartender's Choice for a craft cocktail that showcases 7th Avenue Social's ingenuity.
Naples residents and visitors who love jazz head to M Waterfront Grille for its refined atmosphere, water views, fine cuisine and tasty live music. On Wednesdays, patrons relax in the lounge or on the outdoor veranda for Wine on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. It features smooth jazz music, wine and drink specials and discounted appetizer specials. The musicians perform from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant also hosts live jazz on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in season and at Sunday Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can dine inside the restaurant or order something from the lounge menu.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: It hosts Sunday jazz brunches and other jazz events year-round - but more so in the winter season.
Chelle's expert tip: Call ahead for a live jazz calendar, which changes seasonally.
Opened upstairs in the Bellasera Hotel early 2020, The London Club adds an element of elegance and jazzy live tunes to the downtown Naples nightlife scene. Stuffed leather booths and chairs spread in front of a long stage to create an air of intimacy and sophistication. A marble bar serves all your favorite cocktails and fine wines, plus a small menu offers a nice selection of small plates, such as lamb lollipops and shrimp dumplings, for noshing. Artist Jimmy Keys performs as the house act, plus other musicians circulate through with jazz, blues and rock styles.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: With a focus on jazz, it hosts live musicians nightly in season.
Chelle's expert tip: Sign up online to receive email bulletins announcing the club's entertainment roster.
Naples' well-loved Campiello Ristorante & Bar widened its appeal in 2020 with the addition of the suave new The Club Room. It effectively makes Campiello two experiences in one location. The Club Room experience raises the level of sophistication with the addition of elevated dishes, ingenious cocktails and live jazz music nightly. Commissioned art work and a fireplace set the scene for a top-shelf night on the town. Acclaimed jazz musician and recording artist Benny Weinbeck performs as the in-house act this season. His playing styles include jazz, Latin and world music. Weinbeck has produced several albums of original compositions and solo piano jazz standards.
Recommended for Jazz Clubs because: Opened January 2020, it's the hottest new jazz spot in Naples.
Chelle's expert tip: It combines a new jazz vibe with Campiello's long-established reputation for authentic Italian cuisine. Make reservations for one of two nightly seating or nosh from the late-night menu.