Intimate and centrally-located, Regattabar is the premier destination for Boston-area jazz fans. Although it plays host to scores of major talent, however, the setting leaves a bit to be desired (read: Regattabar is on the third floor of the Charles Hotel and feels more like a conference room than a jazz club). And a last word to the wise: eat first.

This is Boston’s oldest jazz club, in a nutshell. The music is fantastic, the atmosphere low-key, and the drinks reasonably-priced (it is in Roxbury, after all). Better yet, they only serve Doritos – but allow you to bring in your own grub. Unfortunately, there’s a contingent of more-underground-than-thou thirtysomethings that call this place home, chilling like beatniks and snorting blow in the bathroom, but that doesn’t take away from the local sound of the mostly-student performers.

Though the Lizard Lounge only gets jazz groups on occasion, when it does, it’s a great place to sit back and enjoy the music (and if your tastes are diverse, the other shows are worthwhile too). Dark, subterranean and moody, you’ll feel transported to The Village.

Dark, crowded and overpriced, Scullers is a typical big-city jazz club by all accounts: music from all over the world, dinner-and-stage-show, and all that (other) jazz. Like Regattabar, it is (unfortunately) also cursed with the misfortune of looking and feeling like just another room in a hotel, but don’t let it get in the way – the music is top-notch.

Though not a jazz club, it is located in a hotel (what’s up with Boston and hotel jazz?) Seriously though, Avenue One has nightly live music, much of which is jazz. Take it where you can get it.

Breezeway’s Thursday night “Live jazz in the city” series ensures that your Thursday eve will be a great one. And with no cover, you can splurge on their tasty margaritas and burgers (try the ‘Bury burger – for $5.99, this standard is a local favorite)

You were probably more than a little sad when Bob’s Southern Grill closed. Maybe you even cried. Please, dry your tears – while the Beehive certainly caters to a different clientele, it has the same owner, and many of the same groups play here, making it – in terms of jazz, at least – a satisfactory replacement. Younger jazz fans will particularly appreciate The Beehive’s vibe.