We are staying in the Back Bay area the last week of October (next week). We are a middle aged couple interested in any restaurants/cafes/bars that have live music, specifically jazz or blues or even classical. Any such venues with a view would be a plus!

Thanks!

The Boston Phoenix and the Improper Bostonian both have extensive listings.

http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/

You can pick up both for free when you arrive. They are available at most street corners (in those plastic magazine stands) in Back Bay.

As far as the view goes, the Top of the Hub, at the Prudential center is on the 54th floor. Mostly jazz duos and trios, every night.

Beehive in the South End, about a 15 minute walk from the Back Bay, has restaurant below street level, jazz/blues/reggae

The Stork Club in the South End, music 7 nights, also mostly jazz and blues and R&B. Also about 15 minutes from Back Bay by walk.

For any of these places, call first and find out about crowds and reservations.

The Beehive and Scullers are 2 that come to mind. The House of Blues in Kenmore Square also has a lot of jazz and blues acts.

actually, wyatt, I'm not sure I agree with you about the House of Blues. I don't think they have any jazz acts, and very few blues. In spite of the name, they seem like a rock club, and the target audience is definitely younger than middle aged. Maybe I've missed something there?

Regattabar hasn't been mentioned yet, and that's a good place for jazz.

Riles in Cambridge (Central square, right?) sometimes has good jazz, although they have a latin/salsa bent at times.

Ryles (note spelling) in Cambridge is actually in Inman Square, though the closest subway stop to it (followed by a bus ride or several blocks hike) would be Central Square. They do indeed have live jazz and salsa.

Les Zygomates is a moderate/expensive wine bar. It is about a 20 minute subway ride (red line-south station) or a 5 minute cab ride from Back Bay, Jazz trios most nights of the week.

http://winebar.com/

House of Blues has a Sunday Gospel Brunch.

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback! I'll sort through your suggestions.

Well, I'm going to see my friend, the jazz musician, at the HOB tomorrow night.

TKT mentioned Sunday brunch. Are there any that dont cost an arm and a leg and have live music?

I stand corrected, wyatt, sorry.

No big deal cat. I don't pay too much attention to the lineup at the HOB so I can't say what crowd it really caters too. I think they do have a variety of acts, but in the end, it's all about the $$, so I'm sure jazz and blues acts aren't the top of the list.

HOB Gospel has live music but is expensive, all other acts there are for a younger crowd.