Live jazz, a good drink, and a seat close enough to see the hands
A sixty-seat room built around a piano. Two sets a night, Wednesday to Sunday, from players who tour and players who live down the street. No cover before nine, and never a bad seat.
- Live music five nights a week
- No cover before nine
- Twenty-one and over after nine
The room
What’s on, and what’s poured
The music is the point. The bar is why you stay for the second set.
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Wednesday and Thursday: the residencies
The same trio each week, playing standards the way they want to. Come in after work; the first set starts at eight.
no cover
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Friday and Saturday: touring players
Quartets and singers passing through between bigger rooms. Two sets, and the second one is usually the better one.
$10 after nine
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Sunday jam
The house rhythm section from eight, and anyone with a horn and the nerve. The best night of the week, some weeks.
no cover
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Cocktails
Twelve on the list, all classics or close cousins, stirred properly. The Old Fashioned is the one people come back for.
$13 to $16
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Wine and whisky
A short list of each, chosen to drink rather than to read about.
by the glass
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Private hire
The whole room on a Monday or Tuesday, band included if you want one.
by arrangement
About the room
I opened the Late Set in 2018 because Rochester had a jazz festival nine days a year and nowhere to hear it the other 356. The room seats sixty, the piano is tuned every Tuesday, and nobody is asked to keep their voice down during the set — the music does that on its own.
It’s small on purpose. You’ll hear the drummer breathe, and by your second visit the bartender will remember what you drink.
Dana Ruiz, owner
House rules
- No cover before nine, ever
- Reservations for four or more
- Twenty-one and over after nine
- Phones down during the set
What people say
The closest thing to a New York basement club I’ve found this side of the Thruway. Get there for the first set and stay for the second.
We booked the back booth for my mother’s birthday. The trio played her request without being asked twice, and the Old Fashioned really is that good.
Reserve a table
Walk-ins are welcome most nights. For four or more, or a table near the piano, send a note and we’ll confirm by text.
- Phone
- (585) 555-0163
- Address
- 215 Lantern Street
Rochester, NY 14604Get directions
Hours
| Mon, Tue | Closed |
|---|---|
| Wed–Sun | 5 pm – 11 pm |
Sets at 8 and 10. Later on Fridays and Saturdays — the bar stays open as long as the band does. Closed Monday and Tuesday.