Best of Boston

1997 Best Jazz Club, Traditional

The Regattabar

The only place in town to catch big-name out-of-town acts like Sonny Rollins, Cassandra Wilson, and Tito Puente. A front-row table here for Betty Carter or Christian McBride is one of the most intimate world-class jazz experiences around.

Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, 617-661-5000,