Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Historic Building Brought Back to Life

Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club occupies the beautifully restored 1905 YMCA building at 135 Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire — a structure that brothers Michael and Peter Labrie first encountered in 2016 and immediately recognized as, in Michael's own words, "a gem in need of polishing and a space to be returned to its glory." Over the next four-plus years, they led a meticulous historic restoration, preserving original exposed brick, wooden beams, stained glass windows, fireplaces, and the building's structural steel skeleton — the first ever used in a Portsmouth building. The original mezzanine-level running track from the old YMCA, where 33 laps once equaled a mile, has been inlaid directly into the new flooring as a quiet nod to the space's past. The club opened on September 30, 2021, named in honor of the Labrie brothers' father and late brother — both named Jimmy.

Music, Food, and the Space Between Them

From its opening week — which featured performances by Joey DeFrancesco, Christian McBride and Inside Straight, and Sullivan Fortner and Samara Joy — Jimmy's established itself as a serious listening room. The venue is enveloped in acoustic perfection, anchored by a state-of-the-art L'Acoustics sound system, and regularly welcomes internationally acclaimed jazz, blues, soul, and contemporary artists. The intimate format means the stage is always close.

The dining experience is designed to hold its own alongside the performances. Executive Chef Brian Stuart drives the kitchen with a refined approach to New England-inspired American cuisine, built on the integrity of local ingredients. His menus blend what the club describes as "rustic elegance with modern technique" — whether that's a nightly dinner served before and during shows, bespoke menus for private galas, or the chef-driven grand buffet at the seasonal Sunday Jazz Brunch in the Sky Bar. The American cuisine on offer ranges from Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut with smoked crab soubise and a Beef Tenderloin au Poivre with potato gratin, to a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with harvest squash succotash and Short Rib Ravioli finished with truffle cream. Handcrafted cocktails lean into the region — a New England Manhattan built with Bulleit Rye and Calvados, or a Portsmouth Pear with local Grainger's Vodka and sparkling wine.

The wine program has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence — recognition that reflects the depth and curation of a list spanning Burgundy, Napa, New Zealand, and beyond.

More Than a Stage

The venue offers versatile private event spaces including The Library, Elle's Balcony and Bar, and full-venue buyouts. The Gallery at Jimmy's adds three cohesive rooms — the W.J. Paine Room, Goodman Room, and Atrium — adorned with rotating exhibitions of local art, available independently or combined with a full buyout. For those who want to follow the programming from afar, professional livestream capabilities bring every show to remote audiences as well.