Trumpets Jazz Club & Restaurant

I went to Trumpets with concern because I had read several negative reviews about the food, the prices and the service. Well, the food was very ok, the cost was reasonable and the service was fine. Oh, the jazz was as good as it gets. We listened to a group led by guitarist Dave Stryker. He was joined by Eric Alexander, one of the best tenor sax players in the World. No typo. One of the best anywhere. His outstanding performance did not disappoint. Music charge was $ 20 pp. Value? Yep and then some. Worth every penny. My overall experience was very good. I am a picky eater but the chicken parm was tasty. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer and here was the one slip up. It was a no show. Waitress was truly sorry. Just not a big deal. Menu is pretty limited. You don’t come here for the food. All and all it was a fun evening.

I went there for a jazz concert expecting good music, average food and decent atmosphere. The music was ok for the price, the food is terrible and the place itself is extremely worn down.
When you enter the place, you have an impression of coming into a recently flooded basement. There is a strong smell of mold (or maybe it’s so worn down its so musty). The tables and seats are fold out (no permanent furniture?), the napkins at the table had stains and the overall feel was that the place was dirty.
I ordered one of their red wines and it was one of the cheapest ones I ever tried at the restaurant. Any $ 10 bottle wine from the store tastes better than this. Since the place didn’t seem clean, we ordered only 2 appetizers that didn’t require any cooking (just assembly) at this kitchen — shrimp cocktail and caprese salad. Both were below average. Mozzarella in caprese salad was tough and tomatoes were far from being ripe. The prices were high tough and were not worth it at all.
The waiter was really nice, but he served a lot if tables and it took a while to get his attention. The tables and chairs were so close to each other that we constantly kept bumping into the neighboring table.
No need to say that I’m not going back to this place.

For the first time ever, I’m submitting a review while I’m still physically at the business I’m reviewing. Tonight, the food exceeded my expectations. Never mind that the restaurant was out of broccoli rabe and anything with shrimp as soon as they opened. No one is perfect and there were plenty of other choices. Granted, I was starving when I arrived and the waitress took 25 minutes to come over while the food took an hour to arrive at the table, but the pasta was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. My guests were also happy with their meal.
I came for the 8:00 set of the John Gatti band and at 10:01 I’m hearing the band for the second time while I wait for my check. Not an awful thing. The band is awesome! And the owners did offer a free drink for the inconvenience. If I had another hour to kill I would take them up on the offer. But I’ve been here since 7:45 so…
Anywho, the owners did all the right things to make sure we were happy (and we never complained). They comped our drinks and looked for other ways to discount our experience. Kudos!
Will I return? Yes. Would I recommend others try it out? Yes. Will I bring a snack and a flask? Quite possibly!

went here on good faith after reading reviews. I warned my boyfriend it was going to be rough around the edges and nobody is saying anything good about the food. He was hungry so we got 2 overpriced, small, mediocre appetizers.
The music was great– I was enchanted.
On the way home my boyfriend vomited. Indicative of a Trumpets’ food issue? Probably.
I would return for the music but I would eat at home.

We go there when they have a musician we like, and are grateful to have a jazz club nearby in NJ. We are not impressed with the food or service (and there’s nothing Mega about the Megaburger).

Attended Guitar Night last night, hosted by the New Jersey Guitar and Music Society. Excellent program of performances. I stuck to the basics on food and drink – cheeseburger, fries, Guinness Draught – and everything was tasty. Service was good and friendly. The ambience of the place was fine and the crowd was attentive. [Full Disclosure: I am on the Board of Advisors for the NJGMS.]

Wow. That’s all I can say. I’m not the kind of person to disparage a restaurant for a bit of below par service (especially if the food or entertainment is good) but this place is totally beyond the pale. We went in on a Thursday (not Groupon Friday like everybody else seems to have done)… What a shit show. I walked in and the place was hardly filled to capacity but there were at least 15 people hovering around the door. So I go with two friends and there we are, waiting by the door, for NO LESS than a half hour without a single word from anyone, despite at least five souls walking by with aprons on and menus in their hand and not a single glance or any form of acknowledgement. Nothing besides these formalities would have led me to believe they actually worked for this place… So we realize the bar is almost empty and maneuver our way pass the throngs of customers waiting for a table… with many tables obviously open. We sit down at the bar, and immediately start catching attitude from the «bartender.» Ok, so poor, or even slightly aloof service is one thing, but this unendurable excuse for of a bartender immediately, and quite audibly, starts complaining about EVERYTHING around her. And not its not just the just «oh its so late», «I’m tired», typical etc blah blah, but actually insulting people within earshot around the bar, which surprised me that no one apparently heard her saying anything. I wasn’t even sure if she was joking at first, I thought she was pulling our leg it was so ridiculous. By this point all of our empty drinks have been sitting on the bar for at least 10 minutes, when the first band goes off and the next band comes on. I’m chatting with my good buddy. Now, there were people around us on all sides with conversation going on in every direction, but this woman decides to sharply about-​face and confront us directly with a loud and directly in-​my-​face SHUUUUSSHHH, LISSEN TO THA MUSIC!!! — while the band is tuning their instruments — I’m immediately taken aback and sit in stunned silence for a second as everyone else around me looks at her in disbelief. Next time she turns my way I say to her «how about you try to be more polite to the people you’re suppose to serve,» and she immediately threatens to call the bouncers and have me thrown out. I left in complete astonishment and disappointment without needing anything in the way of the conflict she seemed to be hoping for all along. What a huge let down for what I’d been hoping would be a night of relaxation and enjoyment with some old friends. Please don’t get me wrong and think I did something to give her a reason to have it out for me to begin with, because this was as unwarranted as they come. «Trumpets» just ruined every semblance of a good time i could have imagined. Please save yourself the pain, and money (because this place is stupidly overpriced also) and just stay home with people you love and play some good jazz on the radio. Or go to a real jazz club and don’t bother with this PATHETIC, RUN DOWN, RUDE, OVERPRICED, PRETENTIOUS, SMELLY and extremely LOW CALIBER «jazz club.» If I could award this sad joke negative stars I would.

Never again. Trumpets has many small tables crowded into a small room. I Ordered a raspberry martini that was so sweet that I could not-​drink more than a sip. It was disgusting. The waitress never asked if there was a problem with the drink at all. It just sat untouched.
The chicken fingers were more like chicken cutlets but they were fine. The spaghetti and meatballs and pasta vodka were not. The pastas were bland and the meatballs tasted a little odd. All in all the food was awful. We left three quarters of it untouched.
The jazz quartet was enjoyable until some highly authoritative acting woman got on stage and scolded everyone for talking (she said she couldn’t hear the music that’s impossible). She spoke to us like we were in grade school (one of the musicians even said he felt like he was in school). Then she said some people actually pay to come there and want to hear the music. SOME PEOPLE? Who gets in for free?
Then to top it off she retreated to a corner table and proceeded to TALK with her friends. (Please note she actually works here)). I don’t like getting scolded when I am a paying customer
The grand finale was when the bill arrived. 133 $ for an awful drink, a few coronas for my boyfriend spaghetti and pasta vodka We had a groupon which brought it down to 70 $(plus cost of groupon). A complete waste of money. The only saving grace was that I was with good company and decent music
I will not return. Heed the negative reviews. I wish I did. The reviewer who said you get better food from a school lunch lady was spot on

I liked the music. But I didn’t care for the overpriced food and drinks with sluggish service.

Ok so where do I begin, the entertainment was great and that’s about it! Took my wife there for Valentine’s Day with another couple. I ordered the 48.00 Lobster Ravioli and to my surprise it wasn’t fresh but frozen probably warned in a microwave (guess I expected more). I ordered an orange juice cranberry mix and got a glass of crushed ice with hint a of juice. For desert my wife got the chocolate cake with chocolate icing and if you ask me it was Entenmanns at best. So needless to say we will not be going back there EVER!!! I almost forgot to mention that We were forced to buys four course meal. I could go on but you get where this is going.

I want to write this review like a step by step of my experience and observation at Trumpets.
I went here on a groupon. The groupon was good for only friday nights. I had my girlfriend call the week before to see if it was good for the day before Valentine’s Day thinking that it might be packed and see if we needed to make a reservation. She said a man answered without saying it was the club and didn’t understand what the groupon was and that since we were inquiring about a friday night that it was ok to use it then. A little odd.
We arrived there was a sign on the door «No parking in Trumpets Lot» … ok why have a lot then? We walked in shortly before the set began and it was busy. No surprise. The hostess was confused that the man we talked to on the phone didn’t take a reservation and said there was only one table available and it was the worst seat in the club. (who says that?) She took our coats and brought us to the table.
Like everyone else said in their reviews, the place needs a remodel or at least a small renovation. Bare drywall shows all over the place, drooping ceiling tiles, folding chairs … come on. Invest in the business if you want people to come. If you don’t have an eye for it, it’s cozy. The staff was also going out for smoke breaks so we kept getting a long cold smoke scented breeze every so often. The band’s set was an hour, couldn’t they wait till it was over and then do it?
Do not use the bathrooms though! I went after we paid the bill and I couldn’t believe how run down it is. I’ve been in nicer bathrooms at a rest stop. The stall walls are rusted, the wallpaper is beyond just peeling off, and there’s tons of mold underneath it. It’s all just there in plain sight!
The menu is a bit overpriced and portions are on the smaller side for what it is. It’s a mainly italian and american menu.
Oddly, the drink special menu includes all tropical mixed drinks. (I’d like a rediculously sweet and fruity drink to go with my pasta … what!!!)
It seemed like there were a lot of waiters and waitresses for the small venue, but we didn’t get much attention. They were all dressed similarly, but in their own clothes.
The entertainment was very good, but that really depends on when you go, so I won’t write much about that. However, when the bill came I was surprised they charged us an extra $ 6 for admission. The groupon included admission ($ 30 value) two drinks and an appetizer. One of the staff gave us the excuse that the added charge was because the band that night had an $ 18 charge that night so it was $ 36 for admission that night. Other nights it’s $ 10, $ 15, it varies, so they could add more if that night’s price is more. Really deceptive … I did not like that at all, even if it’s only $ 6.
The end bill came out to about $ 45 not including the $ 25 groupon for the entrees alone and the extra $ 6 and would have been $ 115.
I had a really nice time at this club, even though I’m giving it a bad review. The place needs some tlc and is way too expensive to go back to again. And if it’s so expensive, they should put that profit back into the business. The point of doing a groupon is to get more people to come and make a really good impression so they come back again … they did not impress me.

3.5 stars. I always wanted to check it out but never remembered because we always end up in downtown. Some friends bought groupon and asked if I would like to come with them. Their deal was pretty good. After 2 drinks my separate bill was $ 35 or so with cover fee. I felt I overplayed. The drinks were just blah, service so so. Place looks worn. My friends had calamari as an appetizer and they were rubber like. Music was good though. I don’t like groupon (because I know that business gets too little money), but in this case paying full price is a rip off

4 stars because they are helping the Jazz community. Unfortunately the food is over priced, the service is painfully slow and the bar can’t keep up at all.
My suggestion, stop trying to be something you are not. I’d scrap the dinner menu, stick to appetizers, burgers and a few sandwiches. And get the bar up to speed. It would be more profitable, and cut down on the complaints about the menu. As for the service, some of the staff is on their game, and some seem completely baffled by the whole process.
Lastly, if you are going to be a Groupon place… you have to know how to redeem the coupons on cell phones. I was not happy I had to give my phone to the waitress for literally 10 minutes. She brought it out twice for me to sign back on. This is a fairly important thing for them to address.
All that being said, I’m thrilled Trumpets exists and I hope they re examine how they run things.
I’ll be back !!!

Pros: Great to have a jazz club in Montclair, and though they don’t get the name acts the NYC clubs do, the musicians they get are solid. Most of the seats are good, though when it’s crowded, some people get seats far off to the side.
Cons: Food is pricey ($ 12 appetizers, most entrees around $ 26) and ordinary. Parking is tight and you can’t park in the Trumpets lot. Food service is slow.
We also had a problem with our Groupon for 2. I called to clarify what we were getting and was told it covered music charge and a drink and an appetizer for each of us. When the bill came, it had one appetizer on it and a discounted music charge. The waitress knew nothing about the Groupons, but the hostess came and insisted repeatedly that all the charges were right, regardless of what they said on the phone. She also insisted that the music charge was $ 20; when I told her their website said $ 18, she said it didn’t matter what the website said. She also said the manager was too busy to speak with me. I said I’d wait, and when he eventually came, he removed the music charge but gave me a lecture about Groupons and charges.
If they don’t want to take Groupons, fine, but if they’re going to take them, they should do so graciously and be sure their employees are clear about the terms, and if they tell you something, they should stand behind it. Their hostess could also use some re-​training in customer relations.

I was pleasantly surprised with the experience at Trumpets. I went on a date here to see a jazz show with the Groupon. For what the deal was worth and the date experience was excellent! Great music, pretty good food, a really good night that my boyfriend and I needed!
We only had the appetizer calamari because it was part of the Groupon deal. It was a different taste than what I’m familiar with. Can’t complain but nothing spectacular. The drink my boyfriend ordered was excellent according to him! I commend that the waiters were able to accommodate me for not being able to drink and made a special mock tail for me on the spot. However out wait staff kept changing and some were not familiar with our Groupon. Other than that, I think we’ll be heading back when we return to Jersey!

Coming here with a Groupon, we have no complaints. We had the 8pm seating and we could have stayed for the 10pm if we wanted. The food and drinks were ok. The music was good considering we were in NJ. I would say about 80% of the people in attendance had a Groupon offer. The service was also acceptable. When my fiancé called to make the reservations we were nicely reminded that the Groupon offer did not include the tip. Apparently folks who come with a Groupon do not tip! C’mon folks you’re getting a Jazz band with food and drinks for a fraction of the cost if you traveled to NYC, so the least you can do is leave a tip!

I have mixed feelings about this place. My friends (4 of us) came with a groupon.
Let’s start with the good stuff…
Surprisingly good food. We shared the fried calamari, chicken tenders and steak quesadilla. The drinks were good too. I had a cosmo and a special margarita called the George Clooney. It’s his brand of tequila with a splash of grand marnier and sour mix. Very yummy.
The fact it’s a Jazz club! There are not enough around. It was really lovely to hear Jazz while hanging with my girls over food and drinks. It wasn’t too loud so you can easily carry a conversation… perfect date spot!
The not so good…
Atmosphere. It could definitely be renovated a bit, very old school.
Service: now the waitress and staff were very kind, but it was slowwwww. It took us a while to get our first drink and we were the first ones there. Also they need to improve their groupon system. Our waitress had to carry our phones to the back to scan them. In today’s world that is a bit scary to hand your phone off to someone… maybe they should encourage customers to print their tickets.
Overall it was not a bad experience, but I would rush back.

I know what your thinking… a jazz club in NJ, awesome! Do NOT bother. My friend and I went out to enjoy some jazz and good food. We are extremely courteous and well mannered people, but the staff thought otherwise. Let me give you the play by play. Lisa and I sat down ordered our drinks and meals before the entertainment began. We noticed that we were the youngest people there (30s), we had quiet conversation and once the music began we quieted down except for occasionally whispering to try each others food. I couldn’t believe the waiter asked us to be quiet during our meal. I understand that the show was being recorded in a nearby range, however we surrounded by 65+ (with hearing aids) who were talking louder than the music itself! Also note we are no jazz club virgins and we know our manners! Why we wouldnt even dare to make a run to the bathroom until the set was over. So after we spent 200 together we tipped the minimum and got out of there ASAP! Thank you for treated us with such disrespect so we never spend a dime in Trumpets again. I’ll go out of my way to make the journey to Blue Note or Smalls in NYC for now on.

You can get better food from a high school lunch lady. Prices are insane for what you get. Not coming back.

This place is outdated, small and has a funny smell. I thought as a Jazz club the lights would be a little dimmed but was disappointed at the brights lights and stuffy atmosphere. We ended up sitting at the bar because the dining room area was full with old folks drinking coffee. The bar stools seats had torn seat cushions and felt very insecure. The only reason I have this place 3 stars is because the bar service was good, the lady was attentive and nice. The penne a la vodka with chicken was good too. The drinks were just ok. This place needs major improvements.