Many folks enjoy going to dinner before attending a show. Many also enjoy experiences that allow you to do both from the same seat. Hilton Head Island residents and visitors are lucky to have three locally owned businesses pairing delicious dinners with professional entertainment to create a magical night out for your group.
Tucked into a cozy corner at The Village at Wexford, The Jazz Corner has been welcoming guests for more than 27 years.
The Jazz Corner
Tucked into a cozy corner at The Village at Wexford, The Jazz Corner has been welcoming guests for more than 27 years. The cozy, intimate listening room and supper club seats only 60 guests, offering dinner and a show seven nights a week.
This small but mighty venue attracts hundreds of talented artists from across the country and abroad to grace their stage yearly. Popular local musicians perform here as well.
“Guests enjoy performances by acclaimed artists in a space designed specifically for live music,” said General Manager Kelli Lesch. “It’s an intimate experience that celebrates the rich heritage of jazz while showcasing the artists shaping its future.”
Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with sweet potato purée
Each evening features two performances, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., with the room thoughtfully refreshed between shows. Dinner guests may book online in advance to guarantee seating for both dinner and the performance. Walk-ins are welcome for drinks, desserts, or appetizers, based on availability. The intimate setting creates an up-close connection between guests, the musicians, and the music.
The entertainment lineup each week brings together a dynamic mix of world-class regional and international talent. Sunday through Thursday features top local and regional artists, while Fridays and Saturdays showcase touring artists from around the globe. Each night offers an exceptional live music experience featuring remarkable artists and a wide range of jazz influences. Sunday nights with Deas Guyz have been a longstanding tradition at The Jazz Corner for more than 26 years, reflecting the lasting musical relationships and cherished traditions that have been part of the club since opening its doors in 1999.
As the artists take the stage, the lights are lowered, an announcement welcomes the guests, and a hush falls over the crowd in anticipation of the main event. Don’t be surprised to see birthday and anniversary guests asked to come down front to celebrate with the band and maybe do some dancing. “Through warm, welcoming hospitality, inspired cuisine and world-class jazz, we’re dedicated to continuing the tradition and legacy that make The Jazz Corner such a beloved Hilton Head landmark,” Lesch said.
Popular dinner favorites at The Jazz Corner include the Grilled Pear, Brie and Roasted Beet Salad, Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops, She Crab Soup, Herb Grilled Filet Mignon, and the chef’s daily local fresh catch. To finish, indulge in desserts that range from Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie and Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake to the Candied Ginger Carrot Cake.
Reservations open several weeks ahead of performances, and popular shows can fill quickly once the reservation window opens, so planning well in advance is recommended. Families are welcome to bring children to enjoy the experience, with a special Junior Jazz Menu available for guests age 10 and younger.
To reserve your table and for more information, visit thejazzcorner.com.
Guests dance the night away to popular band Deas Guyz and Ruby Lee’s, which is located on Old Wild Horse Road on Hilton Head.
Ruby Lee’s
Located on Old Wild Horse Road on the north end of Hilton Head, Ruby Lee’s pairs Southern soul food with energetic bands five nights a week. The establishment is named after owner Tim Singleton’s grandmother, Ruby Lee Singleton. “She was instrumental in my life and I wanted to come up with a solid, Southern style name that represented strength, beauty, and a strong presence in the Black community,” Singleton said.
Ruby Lee’s menu has a diverse range in offerings from wings to ribs to seafood and lamb chops. “We are a full-service, elevated Southern restaurant that represents our quality of food in the most magnificent way,” he said. “I’m very proud of that because it’s been a work in progress and we make a lot of people happy.”
Diners can expect live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday nights. “We have bands from all walks of life,” he said. Tuesday nights feature Target the Band, while Deas Guyz hit the stage on Friday nights. The venue also attracts performers from across the Lowcountry, such as Beth Inabinett & For the FunK of It, Sharp Five, Domino Theory, and the Ross Band.
Blackened Stuffed Salmon with Mac & Cheese and Baked Beans.
“Every night represents a different level of music and brings a different level of people that want to hear jazz or Motown or Southern hip hop, or all of those things that represent Ruby Lee’s,” Singleton said.
Since Ruby Lee’s is a small restaurant, reservations are highly recommended, especially on the weekends. “By the time the entertainment starts, people are laughing, joking, and standing up to dance between the tables,” Singleton said. “As the night goes on, the dance floor gets larger. We don’t necessarily have a dance floor but the space gets larger.”
The establishment attracts a wide range of ages, a mix of locals and visitors, and all backgrounds of people. “Ruby Lee’s is a dynamic experience,” he said. “If you truly want to see what Southern soul and great food is about, come find out what this experience is all about.”
Visit rubyleeshhi.com for more information.
Kind of Blue
Chef Kayla Horton with menu items that have adopted the monikers of some famous names in the music business, like the Aretha Franklin entrée, low and slow baked baby back ribs
Named after Miles Davis’ album Kind of Blue, the local dining venue opened in 2022 on Dunnagans Alley on the south end of Hilton Head. “We do all genres of music because Miles Davis was an innovator and that’s what we try to represent,” said owner Sterlin Colvin.
Local favorite and The Voice contender Stee entertains a packed house at Kind of Blue on a Friday evening.
The establishment hosts a wide variety of musical lineups each week. On Tuesday evenings, Colvin hosts his popular Dueling Pianos show with a mix of hits from artists like Elton John and Billy Joel, as well as a plethora of audience requests. Wednesday nights feature electric jazz bands producing high-energy numbers. Colvin’s son Stee and his Ear Candy Band entertain on Thursday and Friday nights, bringing a mix of popular hits across generations and some original hits. Saturdays host some of the best dance bands in the area, like Tru Gentlemen and Lolli. Sundays feature a special show ranging from a local group doing tribute shows to a national touring act.
Famous artists make an appearance on the restaurant’s menu. “Our goal with the menu is we try to keep everything musically themed,” Colvin said. As a result, the menu features dishes loved by famous musicians including the Johnny Cash Ring of Fire Salmon, Booker T and the MG’s Fried Green Tomatoes, and baby back ribs honoring Aretha Franklin. “When (guests) come here, I want them to experience a good meal and a good time,” he said.
Kind of Blue charges an entertainment fee in addition to the cost of a meal, with the price varying depending on that night’s performance. “This island is just a wonderful place and I think it’s one of the most relaxing vacations that you can take,” he said. “We just want to be part of it.”
Reservations can be booked on OpenTable. Visit kindofblueofhhi.com for more information.
Redfish
Over the past 16 years, pianist John Brackett and his quintet have been delighting diners at Redfish on Wednesday nights.
Other Week-Night Options
Over the past 16 years, pianist John Brackett and his quintet have been delighting diners at Redfish on Wednesday nights. “We do a lot of jazz standards from the American Songbook,” he said. “And, we do a bunch of Sting, Morrison, some Billy Joel, Boz Scaggs, and a mixture of other things as well.”
Brackett and his band set up in the wine room, which creates an intimate environment. “There’s a grand piano in the center of the room and the band is formed around that,” he said. “Everybody gets a view from different angles.”
Occasionally, he has been known to have a surprise guest show up. Over the summer, local singer-songwriter Angie Aparo performed with the quintet a few evenings. Diners looking to catch a show need to plan in advance for a wine room reservation as they can book up over a week in advance. Visit redfishofhiltonhead.com for more information.
The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon
On Thursday nights, The Rooftop Bar at Poseidon hosts the Global Grand Dueling Pianos Show. Led by Sterlin Colvin, the night is full of high-energy songs, dancing, sing-alongs, and plenty of laughs. The crowd is responsible for selecting the evening’s playlist. Music ranges from country to hip hop to pop hits and oldies. The weekly act has been happening for almost a decade with no sign of slowing down. During the fall and winter, the show is from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit therooftophhi.com for more information.