Forte Jazz Lounge

Forte Jazz Lounge is a jazz venue in Charleston, SC. The venue is family-friendly and welcomes all ages to attend its shows. It operates Wednesday and Thursday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday with two sets: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm. The schedule features a mix of instrumental jazz, the Great American Songbook, love songs through the decades, and tributes to artists like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Sinatra.

Owners Joe and Rosie Clarke opened the lounge in 2019 to serve as a cultural centerpiece in the King Street district. Joe is the founder of The Joe Clarke Big Band, now known as the Forte Big Band, and served as the historic jazz music advisor for the film The Notebook. The venue offers plush VIP couch seating near the stage, premium bistro table seating, and general theatre-style seating. Guests can pair their music experience with wine, cocktails, beer, food, and desserts. The lounge also supports Jazz Changes, an initiative dedicated to providing young musicians with opportunities to engage with professional performers and gain real-world experience in jazz performance.

The business is located at 475-477 King Street in the heart of the King Street nightlife district. It holds a rating of 4.80 based on 575 reviews, reflecting a strong local reputation and an established track record built on a large base of customer feedback.

Forte Jazz Lounge combines a big city sound with southern hospitality, offering a distinct live music experience in the heart of Charleston.