Eau Claire is preparing for music lovers to be crawling the streets on April 19-20, 2024, at the Eau Claire Jazz Crawl! Bars and businesses are planning for big parties, big bands, and big-time jazz fans to fill up downtown Eau Claire for one of the best musical events of the year. In an effort to prepare yourself for the festival, we've gathered some of the most culturally rich, unique experiences to get you into a jazzy state of mind. Check out 6 ways to get into the jazzy spirit in Eau Claire for the Jazz Crawl below!
Photo: C&T's Soul Food
Get some grub at C&T's Soul Food
As you're gearing up for a jazz-filled weekend in Eau Claire, you're gonna need to nourish your bellies with authentic soul food! C&T's Soul Food is Eau Claire's most notable soul food restaurant with crowd-favorite appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, chicken, seafood, and brunch. Fill up up classic, southern dishes like Chicken & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, Jerk Chicken Philly Sandwiches, Country Fried Steak, Biscuits & Gravy, Chicken Tenders, and so much more. Stay tuned to C&T's Facebook page to see updated menus and specials!
Have a drink at The Joynt
Arguably one of the most charming bars in Eau Claire, The Joynt is a total vibe for everyone visiting, but especially those who are in town for a jazz music festival. This establishment is a classic Wisconsin tavern and is referred to as a "watering hole" more times than not. The Joynt is decked out with vintage treasures like old beer cans, artwork & prints all over the walls, and even an old barbershop chair at the bar. Grab a cheap beer, pull up a barstool, or claim a corner table in front of the colorful windows at The Joynt.
Photo: Abraxas Wax
Shop for vinyl records at music shops
Nothing will get you in the musical mindset like browsing through endless shelves of music through the decades! Explore Revival Records, a record shop in downtown Eau Claire that has been operating since 2009. Revival Records keeps everything in stock from new artists on the Billboards to old-time classics. The shop is a total vibe, and the merchandise adds even more character. Eau Claire's newest record store, Abraxas Wax, is a lounge-like vinyl shop that's one of the most stylish places to hang out. Shop for your favorite music on vinyl records or CDS, and even browse amongst cassette tapes, VHS tapes, posters, new & gently used clothing, and locally made textiles. Stop in at the new shop and hang out while in town for the Jazz Crawl!
Have a glass of wine at 2 Roots
You won't have trouble finding a drink at 2 Roots Gallery because this place is striving to be one of the largest wine bars in the country. This is a facility where wine tasting notes meet musical notes and incredible, local artwork. Choose from over 100 wines by the glass, and explore the gallery filled with one-of-a-kind works. Along with the wine and art, enjoy live, acoustic music throughout the week. 2 Roots has a menu consisting of build-your-own charcuterie boards and gourmet pizza with gluten-free options. The perfect cuisine to pair with wine and live music!
Photo: The Lakely
Tune into live music at The Lakely
The Lakely is a cocktail lounge located at The Oxbow Hotel that's one of the trendiest places for drinks and live entertainment. The bar offers a seasonal, rotating cocktail menu with some sweet drinks, some that are smoky, and some that are earthy, but all delicious, nonetheless. Guests love to snack on the famous Koldtbord, a unique cheese and meat board with high-quality ingredients and garnishes. The Lakely is home to regularly occurring live entertainment segments including jazz music performers, open mic nights, Bingo and trivia competitions, and more. If you book your stay at The Oxbow Hotel for the Eau Claire Jazz Crawl, then you'll be right on-site for one of the grooviest lounges in town!
Explore the art on the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour
While you're in town for the Jazz Crawl, explore more of Eau Claire's artistic culture by seeing the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour! This is the largest sculpture tour in the nation with more than 150 rotating sculptures made by local and regional artists creating pieces with special stories behind them. With a wide array of animal sculptures, dinosaur sculptures, characters, and even pieces with a musical side like giant guitars and xylophones. Catch the final months of the 2023-24 Sculpture Tour before the sculptures rotate for the next tour in May 2024!