In my "other" life, for 6 or so years I have fancied visiting Matt and Phreds Jazz Club on Tib St (
http://www.mattandphreds.com ), but never quite got around to it. So with Paula striving to get out and about as much as possible, what better chance, than when asked where she would like to go for her Birthday by a friend.
We headed into the Northern Quarter, and were able to find a free on-street parking space, starting off in a small Bar called Odd on Thomas St. (how appropriate! lol). This is a friendly, "studenty" type Bar, full of mainly young people, but we were made a fuss of, and a group of 4 young girls made me feel a Million Dollars by their comments, questions, and compliments. On the way out, the girl on the door gave us directions to Matt and Phreds, and within 5 minutes we were there.
We paid the £5-00 entrance fee that is charged on Friday and Saturday nights (other nights are usually free), and were shown to the table we had booked.
The Club is one room wide, with a Bar near the entrance, a Stage at the far end, and a mixture of standing room and tables somewhere in the middle.
I would strongly reccommend booking a table, as they were in strong demand, and there was a constant stream of "Table Vultures" hovering, ready to place their posteriors on previously warmed chairs as people moved on.
As you have probalby gathered, I am rather partial to a bit of food when out, and tonight was to be no exception, however, the Menu at Matt and Phreds is slightly more basic than some of the other places I have visited to date. It consists of Garlic Bread, and a choice of 8 different Pizzas. As we had come to listen to music, this was not a problem, and my friend orderd a "veggy" type Pizza, whilst I had the Cajun Chicken, Ham, and Spring Onion. In fairness the Pizzas were served quickly, they were adequately proportioned, hot, and damn tasty - and we didn't have to go through the usual mental turmoil of deciding which dessert we were going to indulge in - there weren't any! The Pizzas are reasonably priced at around £7-50 each, with the Garlic Bread appearing at your table for the sum of £5-50.
All drinks are waitress served whilst you are sitting at a table, so you are spared the hassle of pushing your way to and from the Bar, and due to the "compactness" of the Club, you are never far from the Stage.
The particular group entertaing us on the night of our visit was Franny Eubanks - a 4 piece Blues Band, consisting of a Drummer, a Bass Guitarist, A Lead Guitarist, and a Vocalist / Harmonica player. All I can say is superb!!! Three hours of easy, foot tapping, hip wiggling music. It's nice to listen to music and watch the guys who are actually performing it - no electronic gadgetry here!
The clientelle was extremely varied, with ages from 18 - 70, and the dress code is - whatever you want. I was in a little black number with a lot of Bling and felt totally comfortable. Jeans and Tshirt would have been equally as acceptable.
I would describe Matt and Phreds as TV friendly, in as much as it's probably, really, TV indifferent - it's the music that matters here - not who or what you are.
The Ladies are situated upstairs, and have all you need to perform the usual duties. They are well lit, have a mirror, and are clean.
I think the Northern Quarter, and Matt and Phreds will be seeing more of Paula in the future.
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