New York City Harlem

ST. NICK'S PUB, 773 St. Nicholas Ave. (www.stnicksjazzpub.net), It's far uptown—all the way in Harlem's once-tony Sugar Hill district—but a legend in its own right. Duke Ellington's piano player opened the shop in 1940, but the place had been going strong since the '30s. Today, it remains the oldest continually operated jazz club in Harlem—no mean feat in a neighborhood full of legendary jazz clubs. The setting is a bit disheveled, but there's something endearing about the club's display of its aging, pealing paint. Best of all, the jazz is constant, drawing steady, devoted streams of locals and visitors to this small haven. No cover; 2 drink min. Beer $4-7. Mixed drinks and wine $7-10. Open M-Th 1pm-3am, F-Sa 4pm-4am. Nightly shows M-F starting at 10pm, Sa 7:30pm-4am, Su 7-10pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
LENOX LOUNGE, 288 Malcom X Blvd. (www.lenoxlounge.com), Lenox Lounge has been enlivening Harlem's center since 1939. Billie Holliday and Miles Davis performed here, and Langston Hughes and Malcolm X hung out here. The front end includes some pricey dining, but the Zebra Room in the back is the real draw. Live jazz is featured every weekend night. Check the website for performance details. Show prices are steep, but you can ease the pain by really savoring Lenox's signature cocktails like the Harlem Nights, the Dizzy Gillespie, and the T Ella Fitzgerald. Dinner entrees $17-24. Zebra room cover $20 per set plus $16 drink min. per set. Dinner M-Th 4pm-midnight, F-Sa 4pm-2am, Su 4pm-midnight. Zebra room shows F-Sa 9, 10pm, and 12:30am; check website for weekday shows. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
SHOWMAN'S CAFE, 375 West 125th St. Another ancient jazz club (this one's been around since 1942), nestled in the large shadow of the Apollo—but the Showman's cool-cat vibe is relaxed, from its low-key but handsome interior to the mellow jazz that sets it apart. Showman's is the laid-back cousin to bustling, crowded St. Nick's. 2 drink min. per person per show. F-Sa $5 cover. Open M noon-1am, Tu-W noon-2am, Th noon-3am, F-Sa noon-4am. Jazz shows Tu-Th 8:30pm, 10pm, 11:30pm; F-Sa 9:30, 11:30pm, 1:30am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.