Kuumbwa Jazz Center — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

There's nowhere quite like the Kuumbwa, and I love it that way.

For reference, I am biased: my partner is one of the sound guys, and I joined the team in April 2023 as a volunteer. But holy hell, I have never found such a hidden gem quite like the K. This is the spot for jazz in the greater Monterey Bay, and perhaps even beyond that; Tim Jackson has created a master class of jazz venues, and it shows throughout every aspect of the space.

If you're coming for a show, make sure to stop by the bar for reasonably priced beers, wines, and non-alc options. Plus, order the special dinner from the cafe (always delightful and expertly crafted) and DO NOT FORGET, I repeat, DO NOT FORGET to get dessert. My favorites? The tofu chocolate mousse pie and/or the carrot cake — hell, GET BOTH!

And then there's the jazz! From legends like Oz Noy to Hiromi to Hermeto Pascoal, it's time to get into this music! There's no time like the present — truly, all of those acts are from...

I attend Sin Sister's Burlesque here every month. Very nice facility, there's a beer and wine bar, plus sweets and nachos are available from the kitchen, and an enclosed courtyard outside the main entrance. Seating is individual chairs set side by side, so it can be a little crowded feeling if you're a bigger person (as some of the folks in my group are) towards the middle of a row. Chairs are reasonably comfortable for what they are (two hours is about my limit), and VIP seats have tables in front of them to rest drink, snacks and cellphones on (don't know if this is the standard set up). Place is all on level ground, so handicapped and wheelchair access should be acceptable (isles do get a bit crowded...

Chef and kitchen staff are very nice. Everything else, terribly organized, boomer mess. Sells more tickets than there are seats. Bad selection of performers. The kind of stuff only white American boomers would be impressed by. Bad atmosphere. Everybody is racist. While my wife and I were looking for seats some white lady came up to me and said, "There's seats outside" (outside the building). It was a cold November night btw. Not worth $150 per concert just to be crammed in with racist, rude, old people. Unless you enjoy very entitled geriatrics pushing past you saying " I NEED to get through " I NEED to get water" "I NEED this NEED that" , looking at you like you are trash, then I would not...