The sounds of jazz go well with the city of Sendai. Enjoy a "jazzy" time here
Signature of autumn in Sendai is the "Jozenji Street Jazz Festival" where music overflows from special stages throughout the city, mainly around Jozenji-dori Avenue. The jazz culture became set in Sendai due to postwar GHQ stations and the many jazz bars established then. How about enjoying an evening in Sendai with live jazz as background music tonight?
Here, we will talk about seven recommended restaurants and bars.
Experience the soul of jazz at the oldest established jazz bar in Sendai "modern jazz&snack KABO"
Since its establishment in 1968, "KABO" has been known by jazz lovers throughout Japan as an authentic jazz bar in Sendai. There are 15 or 16 live jazz performances a month by professional musicians invited from the local Sendai area, Tokyo and overseas. There are also times when big names drop in and give surprise performances.

Excitement arises once the dynamic sound of jazz begins, charm that can only be experienced in live performance.
Visitors can feel the unique charm of a live performance up close. Also, you can enjoy the analog sound using the specially chosen JBL speaker, THORENS turntable, and Aura amplifier.

Kabo located in the Toichi Market in the Ichibancho shopping district. You can hear jazz performances overflowing with enthusiasm coming from the door as much as to say “Don’t over think anything, just enjoy the music!”

"retro Back Page" where you enjoy jazz numbers with the night scenery of Jozenji-dori Ave. in the background.
"retro Back Page"- a place where you feel a sense of nostalgia the minute you step inside. On Friday nights, enjoy singing performances with a piano in this traditional style shot bar that has been serving drinks for more than 35 years. Being wrapped in the Jazz numbers sung gently and powerfully, enjoy the time passes leisurely.

In December, when the "Sendai Pageant of Starlight" is held, countless small lights shine outside the window, creating a fantastic world of music and a twinkling night view.

An attraction of retro Back Page is that billiards and music, drinks, and meals can also be enjoyed together. There is an extensive menu, mainly Italian, including dishes ranging from appetizers to pizza, pasta and course meals. There is also a wide range of drinks offered from authentic cocktails to wine, whiskey and sake. You should not miss their seasonal cocktails.

JAZZ BAR & RESTAURANT Crosby – a jazz bar where jazz lovers come from all over Japan
Every night at the jazz bar "Crosby", close to Kotodai-koen Park, jazz lovers come together to enjoy the live performances taking place. The jazz scene of talented Sendai musicians is a time for adults. The performances make a night in Sendai special.

An attraction of Crosby's is their response to play not only jazz but also rock and pops at the request of their customers. Visitors can spend their time enjoying the cuisine made by the French chef. The fresh mojito made using home grown mint is popular. (Available from May to October)

A music exchange connecting Sendai and Kobe with music called Sendai meets Kobe "Charity Live", is held at Crosby. It is a charity live aiming to support victims of natural disasters throughout the country.

Live and Bar LIVE-DOME STARDUST – a healing space for adults with a dome in the background
STARDUST provides an exclusive time in a relaxing atmosphere where you can listen to fine quality live performances. Exceptional live performance focusing on jazz music are performed almost daily on a large, open stage. The night sky from the dome and panel of former jazz musicians adds to the excitement of a "jazzy" night.

Besides wine, cocktails, whiskey, brandy and other drinks, and seafood are also popular. There is an extensive range of food from snacks, pasta, pizza to a full-fledged menu for your selection.

A variety of musicians from local professionals to well-known light up the stage. Amateur live performances by Tohoku University students are also held.

Jazz bar where you can casually enjoy a jam session - Jazz inn RELAXIN’
RELAXIN ' is where you can enjoy Sendai local live jazz musicians as well as other musicians touring Japan. Jam sessions are held on the first Saturday of every month. Listen to plenty of standard numbers and enjoy the many expressions of the participating musicians' and their impromptu performances. The musicians and audience can become one to enjoy jazz music.

The bar is popular amongst musicians as being just the right size. This modest size creates a sense of unity between the musicians and audience, creating a great sense of ambience. On the evening of the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival, the place is filled with enthusiastic performances by many musicians and jazz lovers.

Vocal sessions are held on the fourth Thursday every even-numbered month. The appearance of these unique and individual live vocal performances adds to the exciting atmosphere.

"South ave. new Sendai ZA", a music restaurant providing amusement for adults and a blissful evening.
"Sendai ZA" leads the gourmet scene around Minamimachi-dori Ave. Guests can enjoy dinner and a mature atmosphere stage from Friday to Sunday nights. Wrapped in the charming sound of professional musicians, the blissful evening time passes leisurely.

The best thing about Sendai ZA is the natural acoustics created by the high ceilings. It has become a status of the musician to perform in this space where the clear and dynamic sound reaches the audience.

Sendai ZA is also a wonderful place to enjoy homemade creative dishes from light refreshments to steaks. There is also an extensive drink menu catering to all ages. Enjoy the world of jazz with a glass in hand.

Start your after five with jazz as background music. Dining&Bar JAZZ-VILEVAN Sendai
VILEVAN is a restaurant close to Sendai Station in the Hapina Shopping Arcade where you can enjoy an early dinner listening to jazz numbers. Local Sendai musicians perform live every Saturday and Jazz piano duet perform on the fourth Sunday every month.

Enter going past a wall covered with the signatures of many stars and musicians from the past and present-day musicians. You are invited into a world that looks like a scene from a movie. Live performances of major musicians are held every second month and the place is loved as social gathering place for music lovers regardless of age or sex.

You might notice the low notes of the bass and solo phrases you’ve missed before from the relatively high volume background music played in the restaurant.
Even on days without live performances, you can enjoy the sensation of a live show while you enjoy dining on mainly Italian cuisine.

There are many great places in Sendai with original atmosphere where you can experience jazz.
May this article be on an useful guide to both beginners and livers of jazz.

modern jazz&snack KABO
4-5-17 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai (4 minutes walk from South Exit No.3 at Kotodai-koen Station on the Namboku subway line.)
TEL:022-261-3792
Open/11:30~14:30, 18:00~01:00
Closed/Undecided
http://jazzkabo.web.fc2.com/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
・Stage times/First stage 20:30~, Second stage 21:30~
・Music fee/2,500 yen (incl. tax) normally, including a snack, 5,000 yen (incl. tax) for the KABO Special(Musicians from Tokyo and abroad)including a snack
・LIVE schedule/Uploaded to the homepage as soon as confirmed
retro Back Page
8th Floor, Jozenji Hills, 3-3-1 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai (3 minutes walk from the Park Exit No.2 at Kotodai-koen Station on the Namboku subway line.)
TEL:022-264-1084
Open/18:00~03:00(02:00 on Sundays)
Closed/Open everyday
http://www.retro-backpage.com/index.html
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
WEE KEND LIVE (Sing performance with a pianoc on Friday)
・Stage times/First stage 21:30~, Second stage 22:30~, Third stage 23:30~(30 minutes each stage)
・Music fee/No charge
・LIVE schedule/Uploaded to the home page as soon as the live performance has been confirmed
*「SPECIAL LIVE」other than singing to piano music, is also held.
JAZZ BAR & RESTAURANT Crosby
5th Floor, Kokubuncho K Bldg., 2-8-12 Kokubuncho, Aoba-ku, Sendai (6 minutes walk from the Park Exit No.2 at Kotodai-koen Station on the Namboku subway line.)
TEL:022-215-7766
Open/18:30~01:00
Closed/Sundays
http://sendai-jazz-crosby.com/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
・Stage times/Usually:First stage 19:30, Second stage 21:00~, Third stage 22:30~, Fourth stage 24:00~
・Basic Fee/4,500 yen(incl. tax), including music fee(2,500 yen), a 800 yen drink and amuse bouches
・LIVE schedule/Uploaded to the home page at the end of the month for the following month
Live and Bar LIVE-DOME STARDUST
4th Floor, Karura Honcho Bldg., 2-5-18 Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai (2 minutes walk from West Exit No.1 at Hirose-dori Station on the Namboku subway line.)
TEL:022-265-1139
Open/18:00~24:00(Last order is 22:00)
Closed/when there is no live performance scheduled *Please check the home page for the live performance schedule.
http://re-marumatu.co.jp/stardust/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
When STARDUST LIVE hosts
・Stage times/First stage 19:30~20:15, Second stage 21:00~21:45(approx. 45minutes each stage)
・Music fee/1,000 yen (incl. tax)
*No charge when Tohoku University students perform. But each customer must order at least one food dish and one drink.
・LIVE schedule/The LIVE schedule is uploaded to the home page at the end of the previous month
Jazz inn RELAXIN’
4th Floor, SunMall CITY Bldg., 2-7-3 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai (2 minutes walk from South Exit No.1 at Aoba-dori Ichibancho Station on the Tozai subway line.)
TEL:022-223-1106
Open/18:00~24:00
Closed/Thursdays, Sundays and Public Holidays
http://www.relaxin-sendai.com/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
・Stage times/Usually:First stage 20:00~, Second stage 21:30~(approx. 1 hour each)
・Music fee/2,500 yen including one drink for a live performance, 2,000 yen including one drink for a session performance
・LIVE schedule/Schedules for the month are uploaded to the home page at the beginning of the month
south ave. new Sendai ZA
1st Floor, Norths side, Central Park Bldg., 3-5-14 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai (3 minutes walk from JR Sendai Station)
TEL:050-3476-5929(18:00~), Office: 022-227-6714
Open/Tue〜Thu (lunch)11:30~15:00(Last order 14:30), Fri・Sat (dinner)18:00~23:00(Last food order 22:00, last drink order 22:30), Sun 15:00~21:00(Last food order 20:30、last drink order 20:30)
Closed/Mondays
http://www.sendaiza.com/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
・Stage times/First stage 19:00~, Second stage 20:00~, Third stage 21:00~
・Music fee/18:00~19:40 2,000 yen (incl. tax)/19:40~20:40 1,500 yen (incl. tax)/20:40~21:40 1,000 yen (incl. tax) *Each customer must order at least one food dish and one drink
・LIVE schedule/Uploaded to the home page as soon as confirmed
Dining&Bar JAZZ-VILEVAN Sendai
3rd Floor, Sun Square Shoji Bldg., 1-8-22 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai (4 minutes walk from Aoba-dori Station on the JR Senseki line.)
TEL:022-225-2222
Open/Mon~Thu 17:00~01:00, Fri・Sat・the day prior to public holidays 17:00~02:00, Sun・Public Holidays 17:00~24:00
Closed/Open everyday
http://www.vilevan.jp/
*External link
*Only available in Japanese
【LIVE information】
・Stage times/Every Saturday(Local Sendai Amateur bands)First stage 21:30~, Second stage 22:30~
Fourth Sunday of each month(piano duet)First stage 19:00~, Second stage 20:00~
・Music fee/No charge except special performances
・LIVE schedule/Uploaded to the home page as soon as confirmed
*LIVE information is subject to change with each event. Please check for updated information with each store.
*This article has been prepared base on information as of August, 2018.