The one star is for the rude and terrible service Not the entertainment. I walked in with a few friends, we proceed to order drinks, the waitress hands us a post it note to write down what we want to drink!! Yes this really happened. I thought to myself Is this chick for real? She comes back with the drinks and tells us to "Pay Now!" i said excuse me we would like to start a tab, we will be here for awhile and would like a few more cocktails. To my surprise, she said "No pay now!" This is where i get up and say where is the owner. My girlfriend happens to know the owner, she goes over to explain what happened, he said sorry and all was forgiven. However, about 25 mins later, at almost 1am on a Saturday, the lights come on and the same owner goes over to the table next to mine and tells the couple who were enjoying their drinks to "Get up & move to the bar!" Then he was making his way down the line to tell everyone to get up from their seats so that he could start stacking up the chairs onto the tables. This is just awful on so many levels. I really love the artists that play there but with such terrible customer service I do not want to spend any $ there. I have heard from other friends of mine about their bad experiences there as well.
Review Source:I went here a few weeks ago to watch my friends band perform. It's a little hole in the wall place, incredibly tiny, but I immediately loved the feel and that it's a jazz place. However, that quickly changed upon walking through the door and pretty much being verbally assaulted by the female bartender. She instructed us to give our IDs to some guy near the door who had never even bothered to stand up or make himself known as we walked right past him.
Then, as we're sitting down and starting to enjoy the music, the bartender comes over to our table and asks what we want to drink. We all try to order water and she states that you have to buy a drink. Fine. We all order a soda. She brings out these tiny little cups of soda and tells all of us "5 dollars and tip" I hand her my card and she says it's a 10 dollar minimum. Okay....? So I end up paying for all the drinks on my card because no one has cash, and she hovers over me like a hawk waiting to see how much I tipped her. I gave her a small tip and she was on her way...but let me tell you, my ginger ale was not worth the $6 I spent on it. I don't ever plan on coming back here because of how rude that woman was. It's called customer service, have you ever heard of it?
I have such mixed feelings about this place. I went to see a friend play a show here with his band (shoutout: Crosswalk Anarchy every other Monday night 7:30-9) and when we walked in I had really high hopes. I absolutely love divey bars, but the bartender was pretty rude and demanded we hand our ID's to the guy sitting at the bar not paying attention to people walking in, which I found strange, I mean you're a bouncer, get off your ass and check my ID. So then we go sit down when our friends start playing and all I'm looking for is a water. Spoiler alert: they don't serve water here, you have to BUY a drink (they have soda water to buy), so I'm like whatever, I'll take a soda water please, bartender says, $5 plus tip... it's a soda water and I only bought it because when you walk in to this place, you can't stay unless you buy a drink. So anyway, all in all I really want to like this place because I like what it represents and I LOVE that they have live music all the time, but damn, the customer service is beyond shit (the least you could do is smile) and their 8oz glass of soda water is NOT worth $5 (PLUS TIP).
Review Source:Damn, I wish I lived around the corner - I'd come here most nights of the week. Serious jazz sessions. Friendly people, everybody high on the music and spreading good vibes. Knock down some Coronas and tap the beat, with a smile plastered on your face. You don't clap at the end to be nice, you clap because you feel like HELL YEAH. By far my favorite small jazz bar in Boston, and the music quality rivals anything you will find anywhere else. World class type of small bar featuring jazz the way it should be heard and experienced.
Review Source:My (male) friend got up less than five seconds ago. I counted. Guy on the other side of him wasted no time.
Him: How you doin'? (insert generically lame line here)
Me: Ummm...are you double-fisting?
Him: Uhhh...ehrm....uhh...well...I...YES.
He was holding two cold bottles of beer and was a few sips into both. I think he ordered both at the same time. I waited for the live jazz to drown him out and my friend promised never to leave me again. I can't believe I only went to Wally's once in 4 years. I feel guilty when I get this much entertainment for free.
An off-the-wall scene where wallflowers, wanderers, weirdos and every kind of chic socialite congregates to listen to the smooth jazzy tunes of a band that is never bad, Wally's is my and everyone's kind of place. There's nothing to loathe, everything to love, and though I didn't exactly fall in love with a double-fister (is that the girl equivalent of being in love with a stripper?), I did fall in love with Wally's.
LOVE Wally's Cafe. A group of 6 of us visited Wally's on Sunday night and had such a great time. Hole in the wall, discrete entrance and simple decor - the music is amazing. I absolutely adore places like this and wish Providence had more live music clubs like this. The band was jazz/funk and they were jamming. We asked the bartender if the band could give my boyfriend a birthday shoutout and the band more than gladly acknowledged him by name with a special birthday song. It was the perfect touch. We found 6 seats at the bar and hung out for an hour or so for a few beers. Vibe is easy going and the focus is truly on the music. My only wish is that there was more room to get up and dance a little bit when you're really feeling the music. We cannot wait to return to Wally's for the hospitality and great music. Definitely a Boston gem.
Review Source:Wally's Cafe is the size of my closet. And it is Crowded, Confusing, Intense, Messy, Noisy, a total Pain in the Backside and yet showcases amazing Jazz and Blues music. I'd rather lose a limb than not be able to listen to live music ever again. And Wally's reminds me why.
Go for their Blues night on Mondays. I think that's when they have the best performances. But then again, you are very likely to get great shows on almost any night. However don't expect to get great seats, or a seat even; because it's an extremely popular spot with no cover charge and fairly cheap drinks. Most performances are by students from Berklee College of Music and local indie bands and they're all fairly short making it a great option to stop by before or after dinner plans.
The food here is terrible though, and so are the drinks, and none of the bands that play here are famous (yet), but even if you slightly appreciate music, you will still love it, because it's really that good.
Ah, Wally's. Chaotic, loud, frantic, sweaty, jazzy Wally's. Do you know The Mighty Boosh, that BBC3 comedy show from the mid-2000s? Do you know Howard Moon? Remember how he scats when he's excited? Yeah, that's how I feel after visiting Wally's.
Basically as big as your walk-in closet, Wally's is a hole in the wall bar on Mass Ave. The entrance is so unassuming that you might miss it; nestled as it is among brownstones. Once inside - whether it's Friday or Tuesday, whether it's 10pm or 6pm - you'll find a CROWD. The place has always been packed every time I go. But that's fine. Wedge yourself somewhere, preferably as close to the talented musicians as you can, and enjoy.
I think the musicians are often students from the nearby Berklee College of Music, because they're young - and they often play with a huge electric shock of youthful energy. The rare times the jazz has slowed down here, it feels barely-restrained, and usually zips back up again to its frenetic pace.
Drinks selection is medium - pretty decent selection of beers and cocktails, not too expensive. But you don't really come here for the drinks.
Overall, an awesome place. I knock a point off for its difficulty to get to (subjective, I know!), and the fact that you can basically never sit down here.
Wally's is a gem. No, you're not going to see established jazz performers like Wynton Marsalis here (though as a jazz musician , I assure you that the performers here are very, very good). No, you're not going to have the cheapest beverages here (though I don't understand the reviews that complain about the prices, $5 beers is pretty good, especially when you don't have to pay cover). No, you aren't going to get food here, besides a bag of chips, though they have no problem with you bringing food from outside. What you will get is a grungy, affordable jazz experience while listening to up and coming jazz musicians strut their stuff on stage. If you want an upscale experience with the most famous jazz acts, go to Yoshi's in San Francisco, or House of Blues in Boston, or Blues Alley in DC. But if you want a casual good time, this is your place.
Review Source:A couple and friends and I ventured to Wally's on a Saturday night hoping to find a new local hangout, since a friend lives around the corner.
This is a small place with big music but also big prices. There is no cover to listen to the live music and you usually can grab a seat so that you're not standing during the performance.
This place does do a couple things that I wasn't excited about. Â The waitress wasn't the politest of people. You can tell this place attracts the local crowds and has a good customer base so I was shocked by her demeanor toward people. Â The other thing is you must pay for your drink before she goes to the bar to retrieve it. Even though you're sitting at a table, you can't create a tab. Â Remember cash, and not crumbled bills either, she turned down a $5 because it wasn't in mint condition.
I love the live jazz, a perfect hole in the wall but the over priced drinks and sometimes rude wait staff makes me think twice about venturing over there. My suggestion is to eat and grab drinks first, then head over early. That maybe the only way you have a place to sit, because it gets pretty crowded!
Review Source:I went the other day after the Berkley Jazz Fest. Â It was packed. I was afraid to ask where the bathroom is. (bucket near the stage?) Â This place is tiny. Â It's a *little* larger than a airplane lavatory. Â No cover charge, but my Gin and Tonic was $10. Â Of course, the venue is not the attraction. Â It's all about the music which, on Saturday, was great.
Review Source:What an AMAZING place!! My siblings and I retreated to Wally's on Thursday at 11pm to take my uncle for some drinks and good jazz on his birthday. Damn right. The place was packed with all colors of people having a great time. The doorman was soooo friendly and welcoming. The bartender was quick and didn't have us waiting despite the crowd. A lovely patron gave up his table for our blind uncle as soon as we walked in. A waitress cleared our table of empty glasses three times! I haven't even described the music yet...amazing. The Latin jazz night was just what we needed. The guy on sax wailed away and the jams were tight. One note: I am pregnant and sober, so it wasn't the drinks that got me feeling good about Wally's. The atmosphere, staff, and music did it all.
Overall, a wonderful experience. We will be back for more.
A sliver of a bar with seating that fills up quick. The wall against the back acts as a stage. And by stage I mean designated musician area. Wally's is all about music with a little something to sip on. Nothing fancy. Great music when you want it. Draws a rather eclectic crowd as all amazing music does.
Best part is that you can bring fries in from next door to munch on!
I took the 1 mile hike from my hotel to Wally's. Â It's such a small venue I literally almost walked past it without seeing it.
I walked in somewhere around 1145pm. Â Jazz was kickin. Â Place was pretty packed and this was on a random Tuesday night no less. Â I felt a little out of place and I also think the bartender charged me more for drinks because I was an obvious out of towner. Â Had a nice conversation about Sly and the Family Stone with a regular at the bar. Â Had a few beers and went on my way. Â Great place to stumble upon.
It's the best jazz club I've found in Boston. Live music every night, you're guaranteed a good time. And it's free!
t's well-known, but manages to keep a low key feel. This is a safe haven for hipster haters. Guess they haven't gotten the message that Jazz is cool. I really like you, Wally!
Live music 365 days a year. Need I say more?
Wally's is itty bitty but worth it for the incredible jazz. Because many of the musicians are students/recent grads their passion and dedication is written all over their faces. Nothing like hearing people who love their music play.
They don't serve food but are happy to let you bring in pizza from down the street!
When I think of Boston, I think of Wally's. Â It makes me miss living in the bean. Â I used to live right above this place and would go at least once a week. Â If you love live jazz, this is the place to be. Â The musicians typically are Berklee or New England Conservatory grads.. talented, dedicated musicians.
Drinks aren't cheap, but there is no cover. Â Space is limited, so drink a little beforehand if you want to save $$ and get over your claustrophobia before ever going inside..
Look, let's be objective here.
You don't go to Wally's to get plastered. The drinks are too weak and too expensive for that.
What you DO do is get a drink to not be a jerk and come support the struggling Berklee students. It's a small jazz club with great music and no cover. So, suck it up for an overpriced drink and enjoy the music.
Get there early though...this place is tiny and it gets uncomfortably crowded rather quickly.
And then you can be proud of me for finally being at that point in my life when I am no longer lusting after struggling musicians....I'm done with that chapter.
No cover, no drink minimum. We stopped by here after dinner at Petit Robert Bistro and loved how laid back this place is.
I don't know a lot about jazz, but we enjoyed the music, enjoyed the drinks (a little on the expensive side, but we'll let that slide) and each other's company!
One warning, though. According to the website, the music started at 9pm, and we got there around 9:45. There were a couple seats at the very end of the bar, but everything else was taken. So if you want a seat at one of the 4-5 tables or at the bar, do plan on coming earlier than we did.
I'll start off by saying this should be a five star review.
However, I had the opportunity to see BB King at the Iridium in Manhattan a few years ago - I doubt I will ever give another jazz club 5 stars after that which I acknowledge is inherently unfair but the review is about the entire experience and the performer does contribute to the overall experience. Â There, now you've full diclosure!
It's a nice little place - very cozy and comfortable. Â No cover - FTW - always a plus 1 star when a place doesn't charge cover - always found that to be ridiculous!
Did I mention this place was small? Â LOL - it's impossible to go anywhere without jostling someone but everyone's good natured and the music is fabulous - very reminiscent of the Chicago jazz/blues scene.
Drinks are not as cheap as you would expect in a place like this but keep in mind - no cover! Â And good live music - so moderately overpriced drinks are not too much of an annoyance - if anything, it reins in the drinking so you can enjoy the jazz!
We didn't stay too long because friends had to head home - we left just as the place was filling up and music was starting to get a real good "edge" to it - bummer! Â No worries, this is a repeat place for sure - and I'll be back here during one of my two trips to Boston in May. Â
~ 4 stars overall - I love this place!
# 90
Just back in Boston after some time in Barcelona and middle east, and glad to hear that Wally's is still in action. Based on the reviews, it sounds exactly the same as when I used to hang out there and enjoy the great music. Hey, I'll see you all there soon! Do they still have Manischevitz behind the bar?
The lowdown: Wally's is one of the last real jazz bars left in a neighborhood that used to be dotted with great establishments. It's a gem, and its proximity to Berklee only helps ensure a steady stream of younger players to  join the veterans of the Boston jazz scene.
Now, if we can just get this city to do two things to save our nightlife: (1) Get rid of the 2am last call bullshit, (2) keep the T open 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday. Save the night!!!!!!
Update 11/9/08: Wally's is still legit! The music was great, the vibe mellow and appreciative, and the mixed crowd was fun to hang with. They don't charge a cover, in keeping with tradition. The musicians seemed to be about 19 years old - can you say Berklee? They were quite good, if not a little immature in their style versus older musicians that have made the professional rounds.
This is one of my mother's favorite places! She treks to the gem that is Wally's often and actually is the person who first took me here.
Come one, come all. The music is as good as it gets. Either on the jukebox or on stage.....Wally's is an institution!
No pretentious people, no Yah Dudes, No Landsdowne trash. Well, ok. They come for about a 1/2 hour and once they realize Britney Spears isn't popping in the background, they take off.
Good people, great drinks and chill atmosphere. I'm talking older gents chilling at the bar with Whiskey in hand, 20 and 30 somethings standing wide eyed watching some amazing jazz bands. Takes you back in time a bit....on top of it, they don't take credit cards!!
The music is free, people!! C'mon. FREE!
P.S. Please don't order a Malibu Breeze. Trust me.
Wally's is an enigma much like Bodega. Â You will live here for years and slowly but surely start to understand what all the hype is about.
I don't like crowds so the night I went was perfect -- Tuesday. Â By the time we left around 12 it was just starting to get really crowded. Â We showed up at 9 and got a table right away. Â If you are going with friends that you actually enjoy speaking to then this is the way to do it. Â Come early and have some convo, then when you are just about to reach your limit of stimulating conversation let the blablabla about Obama, your best friend's SO or how horrible the job market is slink away into the night air while you are taken over by a cool breeze of funky beats. Â
I feel totally legit when I am at Wally's. Â It is the kind of place that you make new brain cells and pathways instead of destroying them. Â I can't help but leave and want to go home, write some poetry, listen to some Coletrane and light some incense. Â I feel enlivened by creativity and passion, which is a big turn around from how I feel after leaving most other drinking establishments. Â
Wally's is the kind of place I would take my best friend from out of town to show them how hip Boston is or take someone I'm courting who is a bit cooler than I am. Â It is the kind of place both my parents and I would enjoy, if they stayed up past 8pm.
Parking is easy which is awesome but I'd never really go there alone. Â Definitely the kind of place where you might get hit on by the last person in the bar you want to talk to and sometimes as a blonde girl without a tattoo or a face piercing, I can feel a bit out of place. Â But, I've never let that stop me before and it won't stop me from returning.
Yelp update: Wally's is still Boston's crown jewel.
I wasn't going to let myself leave this fair city without coming back, sitting up at the bar with a whisky and catching 30 mins of real jazz done with soul. There's nowhere else like this left here anymore. Wally's is the last man standing.
Go to Wally's asap and make sure the sun never sets on the South End's historic connection to real jazz.
I don't get you naysayers. "Trendy?" "Underground?" You're the ones slapping labels on it.
Yep, it's small. If you don't like it, tough shit. There are plenty of other crowded-ass bars you can squeeze your whiny ass into.
Seriously though, the music is sick. They don't fuck around here. People complain about most of the performers being college students. What's wrong with people dedicating all their time and energy into perfecting what they love? I'm not even gonna answer that....
If you don't like jazz or funk, etc. don't go here.
Now as for the patrons, sure, Wally's has a few "collars", i.e. people who just got off work. What, you jealous because they make more money than you? You afraid of a little diversity because not all the people are white folks? I like the variety of people in there! It's refreshing, actually.
Now onto the drinks. The beer selection isn't much. I'm kind of a beer snob but when I'm here I don't care so much. I like Coronas! Go figure! The mixed drinks are ok. They are pretty expensive but if you tip the guy well he'll make 'em stronger (or maybe I just thought that because I was drunk, lol.). Bartender seems like a genuine dude. I don't know him personally but I can tell he cares about this place 110%
Again, the music is no joke. I'm starting to sense that community vibe here. Community is the absolute best support for independent musicians. Support that shit if you believe in it!
Anyway, I like this place. If you don't , that's fine, i'm not gonna harp on you except I think some of you are just judging this place a little too hard. Chill the fuck out...
After Latin Jazz at the MFA last night (which was awesome) we decided to continue with the jazz theme by wandering down to this gem (one of my friends had been once before and badly wanted an excuse to return). Now I see why...
Wally's is one of those places you walk into and immediately feel at ease. Narrow, dark, and cozy, whether you are standing or are lucky enough to seize one of the few tables, a sense of belonging and intimacy permeates the place. Wally's made me realize that I am so weary of Cambridge and Back Bay hangouts, which always seem overwhelmed by immature students and/or reek of pretension.
There is no cover. The wait staff is the friendliest and most efficient I have encountered in Boston. Drinks are reasonably priced, and they have a decent selection of wines by the glass.The crowd is all here for the music (OK some, including myself, couldn't help but be drawn into the last couple minutes of a very close Celtics-Hawks game). And the music, obviously, is fantastic.
As a bonus, there is a pizza place next door that sells slices (which, I realized, only tasted great to the more intoxicated members of my party, but that's what these places are for, right?). Wally's doesn't  even mind if you bring your food over.
Many more pilgrimages to the South End, just to frequent Wally's, are in my future.
Do not go to Wally's with my wife. She will make you squeeze past the bad-ass motherfuckers at the bar and say, in your manliest voice, "I'd like a beer and a Malibu Lollipop, please". The bartender will look at you and say "You know that's a frozen drink, right?" And then everyone will laugh at you. That's because Wally's is old-school.
It's the kind of bar where old dudes from the neighborhood drink screwdrivers, because they're the only people who can make a screwdriver look cool. The jukebox is great, the music is good, it's full of awkward white people but you can look past that, and the regulars are a great bunch of guys.
Come early, before it gets full of brodudes with popped collars, or come late, after aforementioned brodudes get bored and frustrated at the lack of jagerbombs.
I was recently informed that I'm a JAMF. Jive ass mothe-.. well you get it. My friend was listening to Johnny Griffin's record Chicago, New York, Paris and there's a track called 'The Jamfs are coming' and well.. my friend is a bad ass sax player.. so he obviously speaks the truth.
And where, you ask yourself, do JAMFs hang out? Why Wally's of course! Â Go for the music. Don't expect fancy drinks.. grab a beer. Don't expect to get a seat.. those are for the chicks that are complaining about how hot it is and why can't their group go and hang out at Clery's with their pop collared friends. Don't expect dancing room.. unless you're doing a closer slinky Lambada with your date.. and don't be surprised if people join in (sometimes by accident on their way out). Â
Do expect to be moved by the music (if not physically moved by the crowd). Also expect to be wowed by the Berklee students (yeah.. they do more than scat). All for the low low price of.. free! No cover charge here!
I LOVE this place. Such a cool rockin' Jazz bar with awesome friendly bar tending staff and of course awesome music!
I never thought I had anything to add to the review until tonight. BUT, behind the bar there is an interesting gadget that holds bags of chips. If you look closely you will notice that although there is a variety of chips about 90% of the chips hanging there are Cheetos. NOW, my theory is that they keep buying those like variety packs of chips -- then adding them to the chip holder, but that people pick EVERYTHING, BUT the Cheetos. Â Which seems really odd to me, because if I were to pick chips, Cheetos would be my #1 choice. BUT, then right there in front of me, someone asked to see the chips - he was given the choice between Fritos and Cheetos and he picked Fritos. SO, I guess moral of the story is the cool people at Wally's don't like Cheetos ;) maybe?
WELL, you should go, probably not to check on the Cheetos count, really for the music, but it was an interesting observation.
The great thing about this place is the diverse crowd. Â There are old timers, new timers, and everything in between. Â It also feels like you're stepping into a Benetton ad with every color under the rainbow represented. Â In one corner, you'll see the suits with their shirts buttoned down; in the other, you'll see the hipsters, and intermingled amongst everyone are the locals. Â Last time I was there, there was a guy literally buying everyone at the bar a drink. Â It does happen in real life! Â The drinks are stiff and cheap, too. Â You're not gonna get the mojito of your life at this joint, but if you stick to the basics, you'll be fine. Â They also don't serve food, but I saw a few people bring pizza in from next door. Â
And the jazz!! This is not your parents jazz. Â It's funky and raw and always has a beat you can move to. Â Regularly throughout the night, you'll see musicians wander in and go up to the stage to jam for a few songs, then grab a drink and head back out into the night. Â Now, that's the life.
Wally's is awesome. Â It is quite simply one of the best places to get addicted to in Boston. Â Show up any day of the week and expect to have a good time. Â You can go with friends or you can go alone because either way you will enjoy yourself. Â If you particularly like a couple of the musicians just show up on the same day the next week and you will be treated to another great peformance.
The staff at Wally's are great and for this reason you should be very nice to them.
The straight-live jazz, booze, yay
What's good- great music and great staff
The slap-I don't go there often enough.
Finally found a whole in the wall, comfortable and music-focused place! Whether to hear jazz, latin jazz, blues or jam session I prefer Wally's. The bands are amazingly energetic. The crowd is usually there because they are specifically interested in the music but it is not uncommon to meet strangers, who still push the envelope for ladies.
One of the most recent times, Bobby Brown dropped in and joined the band! Oh- what a night... So, if he hangs out there, that means the gangs there.
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