Fat Cat Jazz Club Ulaanbaatar

If you are looking for a place with a unique character, the Fat Cat Jazz Club is exactly what you need. This cozy underground club is located in the heart of Ulaanbaatar and its atmosphere is reminiscent of legendary New York jazz venues. Here, an intimate setting is paired with professional sound, creating the perfect environment to lose yourself in the music.

Fat Cat Jazz Club. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

For a country like Mongolia, such a venue format is unique. The club quickly became a magnet for the creative intelligentsia and tourists alike, earning the prestigious Travelers’ Choice award from Tripadvisor. Fat Cat occupies the basement floor of a building on Jamiyan Gun Street, located directly beneath the well-known Veranda restaurant.

The main feature of "The Fat Cat" is its commitment to fostering the jazz community. The club hosts both promising local talents and invited international musicians. It is a place where you can not only hear high-quality improvisations but also enjoy signature craft cocktails in the company of like-minded people.

To get in touch with the venue or check the performance schedule, you can use the official contact details. The club actively communicates via its website and email.

The main reason to head down to the Fat Cat basement is live jazz. Performances typically start at 9:00 PM and last until around 11:00 PM or 11:15 PM. You can witness passionate performances by Mongolian ensembles and foreign guests playing a wide variety of styles—from classic swing to modern jazz fusion. High sound quality is guaranteed by a professional JBL acoustic system.

Beyond the music, the club offers an excellent gastronomic experience. Guests can order exquisite dishes from the menu of the Veranda restaurant located upstairs and complement the evening with signature cocktails from the club’s own bar list. It is equally comfortable for a romantic date or for relaxing solo, fully focusing on the rhythm and melody.

For those who appreciate cultural enrichment, Fat Cat often serves as a venue for themed events and jam sessions, where the line between the stage and the audience disappears. The entry fee is approximately 15,000 tugriks (MNT), making access to world-class art quite affordable.

Finding the Fat Cat Jazz Club is quite simple, as it is located at Jamiyan Gun Street 5-1, right in the heart of the capital. Your main landmark is the popular Italian restaurant Veranda—the club occupies level B1 directly beneath it. If you are in the city center, a walk to the venue from Sükhbaatar Square will take no more than 5–10 minutes.

For those who prefer public transport, any bus going to the central stops near the National Gallery or the Choijin Lama Temple Museum will work. However, in the evening, taxis remain the most convenient and safe way to get around. Ulaanbaatar taxi drivers know the Veranda restaurant well, so you should have no trouble with navigation.

As the club is an underground venue, look for the sign featuring the famous "fat cat" as you approach the building, or enter through the restaurant complex's main entrance. The coordinates (47.9152, 106.9173) will help you find the exact spot using smartphone maps.

The story of the Fat Cat Jazz Club began in August 2018. It was founded by two creative spirits—Khongor Ganbat, a trumpeter for the Jazz Train band, and the talented singer Dulguun Bayasgalan. It was a truly inspiring project: funds to create the club were raised through crowdfunding among musicians and art lovers who dreamed of a genuine jazz space in Mongolia.

In 2019, the venue made a name for itself on the international stage by officially joining the International Jazz Day celebrations. As part of this event, a short documentary film dedicated to the development of jazz culture in the region was even screened at the city's IMAX theater, marking a significant milestone for the country's musical community.

Since its opening, the club has positioned itself not merely as a commercial enterprise, but as a hub for culture and freedom. The founders' mission was to provide local artists with a platform for self-expression and to introduce the Mongolian public to world-class jazz standards. Today, it is recognized as the city's best nightlife spot according to many travel ratings.

To fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and enjoy the musical program, you should set aside about 2–3 hours for a visit to Fat Cat. This is the perfect amount of time to find a comfortable seat, order some drinks, and listen to the main set of a live performance.

Since musical programs typically start at 9:00 PM and continue late into the evening, plan your visit so you don't miss the beginning. If you also wish to have dinner at the Veranda restaurant before the concert, add an extra hour to your schedule.

The venue welcomes guests daily. Official club hours are from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM (Monday to Saturday); Sunday is also usually a working day, though the closing time may vary slightly.

Keep in mind that live music starts around 9:00 PM. To guarantee a table (especially on nights with popular concerts), it is recommended to arrive early or check the current schedule and availability on the official website or social media pages.

The jazz club's location in the cultural and business center allows you to combine an evening concert with a visit to the city's main landmarks. A stroll around the neighborhood will help you soak in the contrasting atmosphere of the Mongolian capital.