Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club

I have been to a number of jazz venues in the Seattle area and had heard good things about this place. However, it did not live up to the hype, reviews, and recommendations. The place was loud with people talking. I couldn't hear the music. It could have just been the night, but the people there seemed like "regulars". Service was slow too. The door man was rude as well. After a long wait for a drink, we decided to go elsewhere for food. I don't think I would give this place another chance. Pros: Jazz Cons: Service, wait staff, noise more

Ok, I'm a huge jazz fan. This place was totally cool. Good service, can't comment on the food, but it looked alright. We were 4 people,each had a drink (2 of which alcoholic) and got out for $20. The band was a big band, the usual group for Sunday nights apparently. The cover was an honor system $5 each into the bands tip jar. HOW COOL. What jazz club has the cover on the honor system? The band was great, however, my only complaint is you shouldn't need a PA system for a big band in a ~1200 sq ft venue. Maybe a solo mic and for the bass... whatever. As far as all these complaints go, if you want to see cramped, try a NYC club. This place was plenty spacious. I thought the atmosphere was nice and lay'd back. The focus of this place is the music as it should be. Great place! Pros: Music, Atmosphere Cons: Didn't need to mic the trumpet section more

I was coming in from Portland, to meet a friend from Nashville, TN. Tula's was to be the pentacle of our evening. Of all Seattle's jazz clubs (probably 10 in all), I couldn't have picked one with a more limited menu or lackluster service. After paying a reasonable cover of $15/person, a snooty Malcolm McDowell-looking host seated us at our table which was two inches from the next table. Our waitress, who failed to introduce herself, brought our menus and poured our water. After checking out the vast selection of 5 red wines, we choiced the chianti... To my amazement the wine came 'pre-corked'. Yes. You read that correctly: pre-corked -- at a downtown seattle jazz club. Just to check, I called one of the thousands of Sheri restaurants the following evening to ask about their wine service policy. Their staff properly presents all wines, and corks at the table. That was the least of it. When I asked how long ago the bottle was opened, the snooty waitress (probably the daughter of the host), responded: "Last week. I went down the street and around the corner." After sipping our ok wine, the waitress came back within 5 minutes and asked abruptly: "Are you guys going to order food?!?", as if it wasn't ok with her if we didn't. We did. My friend and I who were looking forward to some non-fried seafood were vastly disappointed. I had a soupy alfredo pasta with imitation shrimp. My friend settled with a salad. The jazz was excellent. Unfortunately my mind was somewhere else. Like the .99 cents in dimes and pennies I got in change from my $60.01bill. I have always had a system for determining a tip. I start every waiter/waitress at a 20% then they can get more or less determining on their service. Upon entering Tula's I thought I was going to be out 25% in tip. I have never been more insulted or wrong. I certainly hope the waitress needed some change, because 99 cents is all I left her. Pros: Great jazz Cons: Cramped tables, limited menu, dreadful service more

I love to explore the different jazz outlet around Seattle. Tula's has a nice ambience, good music, but ruined by customer service. I check it out last year, the waitress (early 20's) was unpleasant, non-welcoming, and overall looks grumpy all night long. I gave it a benefit if the doubt, came back recent and same waitress, same attitude. Completely ruins the night. Music is good if you don't mind. Pros: good music, good atmosphere Cons: very poor service more

If you are looking for good food and a great live jazz music venue then come on down to this place. I went there with my brother (an avid Hip-Hop, and Rap guy), his fiancee and our 75 yr old gma for her birthday and we all loved it here. There was a bit of a wait (inside) but it was worth it to us. The food was very flavorful and the wine(s) were just as wonderful...the whole essence of the Tula's was what I expected, walking in was a dully lit room with a stage right in the middle so everyone can enjoy not only hearing but watching to musicians also. The staff was courteous and as quick as they could possibly be with that many ppl inside. If you are lookin for a calm relaxing evening then head on done here! Pros: Music, Food, Staff Cons: Little bit of a wait more

I have to say I am not a big jazz fan per se, but I do like quite a bit. However, my complaint with Tula's wasn't really the lackluster act that performed the night I visited - it was just the whole feel of the place. I tried to put my finger on it, but there was a complete lack of energy and enthusiasm. Everyone around seemed to be a hermit that just crawled out for the night, each relishing the privacy of his own very small bubble. It didn't feel cool and mellow, just really dead. The cover was steep for a complete lack of entertainment. They would have done well to hire someone to liven up the place a bit. Pros: Um...Intimate. Can't think of any others. Cons: Lacking in energy, pulls a withdrawn clientele, music was not good. more

I went to Tula's specifically on a Monday night to enjoy the jazz jam session. It was a good time. Not all of the sit-in singers were equal - some were really good while others were not so good. The musicians were all great at following along on the charts the sit-in singers brought with them. My friend and I stayed at the bar for our dinner as well as drinks, and we really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of Tula's. Pros: Friendly, Live music, Food Cons: Slightly expensive more

Booze and wine selection.....What selection? I had the Fettucini Alfredo with shrimp which taste like noodles, milk, and shrimp. The service was non existent. I ordered a bottle wine and poured it myself all night. I felt like I had to trip the waiter to request more water and to clear my table. Drink and dine elsewhere. Reptet played that night and they sounded great. Pros: Jazz, Music venue Cons: Booze selection, Food, Service more

My wife & I along with another couple decided to give this place a try-bad mistake...the music was sub-par, food was below average (frozen cannelloni?) and prices were inflated. $3 for a 7-up and no free refill.. service lacked due to 1 waitperson on entire floor, naturally frazzled. A small side salad is not included with dinner entree by the way. Add to this, numerous patrons were allowed in free of cover 30 minutes after we paid ours! The Mrs. almost went through the roof. (understandable) Pros: location Cons: food, inept bartender, overall value more