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Bars & pubs / Downtown

Cliff Bell’s

Live jazz, dinner, and drinks meet at the historic Cliff Bell's club.

Cliff Bell’s, archival photograph
Cliff Bell’s, archival photograph · Mx. Granger · CC0

01 / The story of this place

Make time for these

Check the show calendar separately, as dining and admission for a particular performance can have different arrangements.

  1. Live jazz
  2. Downtown
  3. Menu and visiting details from the original source

Venue photographs show the restaurant, bar, or its offerings; the source appears in the caption. Archival images may show an earlier appearance. Temporary city photographs are labelled separately. Images have been resized and are cropped on cards.

Is this your venue? Update this page for free ↗

Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25

An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.

03 / Events

Events at this place

Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.

All events ↗
Damon Terrell the Man & his MusicNov 12, 2026, 7:30 PM

Damon Terrell the Man & his Music

Detroit-born multi-instrumentalist Damon Terrell, 2026 D.B.M.A. Best Jazz Artist, plays two shows at Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Thursday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Expect funk jazz with touches of rock, blues and Latin. Tickets are $25.

Chris Codish TrioNov 13, 2026, 7:30 PM

Chris Codish Trio

Chris Codish, one of Metro Detroit's most sought-after keyboardists, brings his trio to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. Expect jazz, funk and blues with his own vocals. Tickets are $25.

Curtis TaylorNov 14, 2026, 7:30 PM

Curtis Taylor

Trumpeter Curtis Taylor leads a five-piece band at Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Saturday, November 14, with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. He played on Gregory Porter's Grammy-winning Liquid Spirit. Tickets are $25.

Anthony Stanco QuartetNov 19, 2026, 7:30 PM

Anthony Stanco Quartet

Trumpeter Anthony Stanco brings his quartet to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Thursday, November 19, with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. He's a Detroit-raised player with a big, bright sound. Tickets are $25.

Anthony Stanco QuartetNov 20, 2026, 7:30 PM

Anthony Stanco Quartet

Trumpeter Anthony Stanco brings his quartet to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Friday, November 20, with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. He's a Detroit-raised player whose sound recalls Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie. Tickets are $25.

Smoke JonesNov 21, 2026, 7:30 PM

Smoke Jones

Detroit guitarist, vocalist and award-winning bandleader Smoke Jones plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Saturday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. He blends jazz, blues and soul, and tickets are $30.

Detroit Riddim CrewNov 27, 2026, 7:30 PM

Detroit Riddim Crew

Detroit Riddim Crew bring their Jamaican-rooted reggae, ska and dub, with a jazz twist, to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Friday, November 27, with shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Nicole NewNov 28, 2026, 7:30 PM

Nicole New

Nicole New, one of Detroit's leading female bandleaders, plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Saturday, November 28, with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Expect a soulful voice blending jazz, Motown and theater; tickets are $25.

William Hill IIINov 29, 2026, 5:30 PM

William Hill III

Detroit-born, New York-based pianist, composer and bandleader William Hill III plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Sunday, November 29, at 5:30 p.m., with a second show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

The Swing Syndicate Jazz LabDec 2, 2026, 7:00 PM

The Swing Syndicate Jazz Lab

Swing Syndicate, a 16-piece Detroit big band, plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Wednesday, December 2, at 7 p.m. A high school jazz band opens, and an open jam session closes the night. Admission is $25.

ELEWDec 3, 2026, 7:30 PM

ELEW

Pianist ELEW, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Thursday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m., with Detroit's Louis Jones on drums and Noah Jackson on bass. Expect his Rockjazz piano; tickets are $30.

ELEWDec 4, 2026, 7:30 PM

ELEW

Pianist ELEW, winner of the 1999 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Friday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m., with Detroit's Louis Jones on drums and Noah Jackson on bass. Expect jazz mixed with rock; tickets are $30.

ELEWDec 5, 2026, 7:30 PM

ELEW

Pianist ELEW, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, plays two shows at Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Saturday, December 5, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Expect jazz piano fused with rock, for $30.

ELEW Solo Piano PerformanceDec 6, 2026, 5:30 PM

ELEW Solo Piano Performance

ELEW, the pianist Eric Lewis and 1999 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition winner, plays two solo piano shows at Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Sunday, December 6, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. He blends jazz and rock in his own style. Tickets are $30.

Parlor Greens (Colemine)Dec 9, 2026, 7:30 PM

Parlor Greens (Colemine)

Parlor Greens, a modern instrumental organ trio, plays two sets on Wednesday, December 9, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell’s in Detroit. Expect tight, song-forward grooves rooted in soul-jazz, blues, funk, and R&B. Tickets are $25, with advance tickets available.

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker SuiteDec 10, 2026, 7:30 PM

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite

The Cliff Bells Jazz Orchestra, led by Josh James, plays Duke Ellington's full Nutcracker Suite on Thursday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell's in Detroit. It's an 18-piece big band of Detroit jazz players, with tickets at $30.

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker SuiteDec 12, 2026, 7:30 PM

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite

Cliff Bell's Jazz Orchestra, directed by Josh James, plays Duke Ellington's full Nutcracker Suite on Saturday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell's in Detroit. It's an 18-piece big band of Detroit jazz musicians, and tickets are $30.

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker SuiteDec 13, 2026, 5:30 PM

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite

The Cliff Bell's Jazz Orchestra, directed by Josh James, plays Duke Ellington's full Nutcracker Suite on Sunday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell's in Detroit. An 18-piece big band of Detroit jazz musicians takes on Ellington's take on Tchaikovsky. Tickets are $30.

Noah Jackson & Full CircleDec 19, 2026, 7:30 PM

Noah Jackson & Full Circle

Bassist, cellist and composer Noah Jackson brings his band Full Circle to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Saturday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. A Detroit native, he blends Black American music with classical. Tickets are $25.

Nate Winn GroupDec 22, 2026, 7:30 PM

Nate Winn Group

Detroit-born drummer Nate Winn brings his group to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Tuesday, December 22, at 7:30 p.m. Expect jazz, blues and gospel roots; tickets are $25.

Kasan Belgrave and SessionDec 23, 2026, 7:30 PM

Kasan Belgrave and Session

Saxophonist Kasan Belgrave brings his sextet to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Wednesday, December 23, with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. The son of trumpeter Marcus Belgrave blends bebop, fusion and gospel. Tickets are $25.

William Hill IIIDec 27, 2026, 5:30 PM

William Hill III

Detroit-born pianist, composer and bandleader William Hill III plays two shows at Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Sunday, December 27, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The early show comes with dinner, and tickets are $25.

Joshua WatkinsDec 29, 2026, 7:30 PM

Joshua Watkins

Detroit drummer and bandleader Joshua Watkins celebrates the release of his debut album, REDEMPTION, with two shows on Tuesday, December 29, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell's in Detroit. Tickets are $25.

Rockelle WhitakerJan 2, 2027, 7:30 PM

Rockelle Whitaker

Vocalist Rockelle Whitaker, daughter of renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker, plays two shows on Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Cliff Bell's in Detroit. Tickets are $25.

Christopher L. Wilson TrioJan 3, 2027, 5:30 PM

Christopher L. Wilson Trio

Chicago pianist Christopher Lucas Wilson brings his trio to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Sunday, January 3, with shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Expect hard swing, bebop and blues from the new album Wilson's Way; tickets are $25.

Paul KingJan 21, 2027, 7:30 PM

Paul King

Paul King and his band play Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Thursday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. He's a smooth vocalist shaped by jazz, swing and soul crooners, and tickets are $25.

Paul KingJan 22, 2027, 7:30 PM

Paul King

Paul King and his band play Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Friday, January 22, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. He's a smooth vocalist shaped by jazz, swing and soul crooners who's built a classic sound of his own. Tickets are $25.

Kasan Belgrave and SessionJan 27, 2027, 7:30 PM

Kasan Belgrave and Session

Saxophonist Kasan Belgrave brings his sextet to Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Wednesday, January 27, with shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. He's the son of Detroit jazz legend Marcus Belgrave, and tickets are $25.

New Jazz UndergroundFeb 10, 2027, 7:30 PM

New Jazz Underground

New Jazz Underground, an American jazz trio that folds hip-hop, house and Afro-Cuban rhythms into the tradition, plays Cliff Bell's in Detroit on Wednesday, February 10, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.