Azo‐Schiff base ligand (N′‐((E)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐((E)‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)benzylidene)nicotinohydrazide) and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pd(II) chelates were prepared and elucidated. The geometrical structures of the prepared chelates were characterized by several spectroanalytical techniques and thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained data revealed that the chelates have (1M:1L), (1M:2L), (1M:3L), and (1M:4L) molar ratios. The infrared spectra displayed that the H2L ligand behaves in a pentacoordinate fashion in chelates of Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions. However, in Zn(II) and Pd(II) chelates, the ligand is coordinated as a tetradentate species (NONO) through nitrogen atoms of azomethine and azo groups as well as oxygen atoms of phenolic hydroxy, and carbonyl groups. Besides, it was concluded that the oxygen atoms of carbonyl and hydroxy groups along with the azomethine nitrogen atom of the ligand are bounded with Co(II) ion in metal chelate (2). According to the measured molar conductance values, the chelates of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pd(II) are weak electrolytes, but Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) chelates are ionic. The azo‐Schiff base ligand and its prepared metal chelates were tested for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The Ni(II) chelate was found to be considered an effective antioxidant agent. In addition, the available antibacterial data suggest that the Ni(II) and Co(II) chelates may be employed as inhibitor agents against Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis bacteria. Furthermore, the data showed that, in comparison to the ligand and other metal chelates, copper(II) chelate (4) exhibited higher action against Bacillus subtilis bacteria.