The 14 best jazz clubs in London
Want to get your toes-tapping, feet-stomping, soul-stirring groove on? London jazz bars are enjoying a quiet renaissance. The scene might not have the tradition of Paris or New Orleans, but it's increasingly vibrant, and as diverse as the city itself. Offering everything from hallowed institutions such as Ronnie Scott's to a club night that operates out of a Camberwell church's crypt, there's plenty to soak in if you know where to look. While storied institutions like The Jazz Café continue to anchor the capital’s love affair with the genre, a new generation of venues is redefining what a jazz night looks – and sounds – like.
We've done the hard work to bring you the inside track on our favourite jazz clubs in London: whether you want to dip your toes into these cool waters for the first time, or simply branch out from the Soho set – there's something for everyone.
Ronnie Scott's, Soho
A cornerstone of London's jazz heritage since 1959, Ronnie Scott’s continues to host world-class performances nightly, including its renowned late-night sessions. The intimate setting and impeccable acoustics make it a must-visit for London jazz bars aficionados.
Having hosted almost every heavyweight of the modern age from Nina Simone to Curtis Mayfield, Ronnie Scott’s sits alongside the Tate Modern, Globe and Royal Albert Hall as one of London’s key cultural institutions. Naturally, this makes it an incredibly popular proposition for both lifelong jazz fans and those with a couple of days in town and a passing interest in the genre. Our tip for the quintessential Ronnie Scott’s experience? End your night on a high at one of its late late shows which run from 11pm to 3am. Or kick-start it all over again. We won’t judge.
Address: Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4HT
Website: ronniescotts.co.ukOliver’s, Greenwich
Greenwich is the Bermuda Triangle of London, in that many of its secrets are a mystery to all but its residents. Still, we can’t blame anyone who’d want to keep a treat like Oliver’s all to themselves. Sat right on the corner of Greenwich Park, this basement jazz club always rewards a hop across town on the DLR. Especially if you make the trip on a Sunday for one of this venue's infamous jam sessions. Although there's no food served here, the cover price for a table is top value and you can bring in your own eats with no questions asked.
Address: Oliver's, 9 Nevada Street, East Greenwich, London SE10 9JL
Website: oliversjazzbar.com
James McDonaldLouie, Covent Garden
This ritzy Covent Garden spot – New York meets Paris meets New Orleans wrapped up in a London townhouse – is always an elegant yet unbuttoned place to spend an evening. But on Tuesdays, suppers of plump Carlingford oysters and caviar, fat scallops served with green tomatoes, hand-cut steak tartare, or traditional seafood gumbo can be followed with live jazz music. On the top, dimly lit floor, a live jazz band tinkle out sets of soulful tunes until late – grab a cocktail and settle in.
Address: Louie, 13-15 West St, London WC2H 9NE
Website: louie-london.comCafé OTO, Hackney
Tucked off a quiet square in Dalston, Café OTO is the antithesis of a polished jazz lounge — and that’s its charm. Equal parts performance venue, artist studio and cultural incubator, it specialises in experimental music, often blurring the lines between jazz and other genres. With mismatched chairs, locally brewed beer and a fiercely loyal crowd, OTO is where London’s most curious listeners come to learn. A must for those who prefer their jazz with edge.
Spend the whole day at Café OTO, to really understand its appeal: digital nomads tap away at their laptops all day, drinking good coffee and eating sourdough toast, then the venue transforms at night into a local-institution performance venue, with a political edge.
Address: 18-22 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL
Website: cafeoto.co.uk
Getty ImagesVortex, Dalston
The ying to Ronnie Scott’s yang, Vortex is the epicentre of London’s experimental scene. Go with an open mind and you’ll leave with your senses bedazzled. Anyone looking to step away from another note-perfect rendition of ‘All of me’ is welcome, but you’ll probably want to check the joyfully electric programme first for a bit of guidance. Considering past acts to play here include the Mercury Prize-nominated Portico Quartet and Polar Bear, taking a chance on something less traditional isn’t such a bad idea.
Address: Vortex, 11 Gillett Square, Dalston, London N16 8AZ
Website: vortexjazz.co.ukNightjar, Shoreditch
You know the scene: an impossibly attractive Shoreditch couple trade witticisms in-between Manhattans while a coquettish singer coos away in the background. That’s the Nightjar’s vibe in a nutshell. Make sure to book a table in advance, and if you want a more authentic atmosphere, the Shoreditch branch beats its newer Carnaby street sister. Performers take to the stage from 9.30pm onwards.
Address: Nightjar, 129 City Road, Hoxton, London EC1V 1JB
Website: barnightjar.com
The Bull's Head, Barnes
The Bull's Head is a unique proposition: a fully fledged pub with a separate, ticketed venue round its backside. It’s the only place in this part of town where you can while away your Sunday afternoon in the company of a roast dinner and saxophone-lead quartet. With six decades’ worth of prestige to its name, the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Tubby Hayes and Blossom Dearie have all made their way down to this suburban hideaway that’s just a few minutes’ walk from Barnes Bridge station.
Address: The Bull's Head, 373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London SW13 9PY
Website: thebullsheadbarnes.comBrilliant Corners, Dalston
Set on the bustling Kingsland Road, Brilliant Corners feels more like a minimalist Tokyo listening bar than a traditional jazz haunt – but make no mistake, it's full of soul. Owned by brothers Amit and Aneesh Patel, the space fuses Japanese-leaning small plates (think sashimi, karaage, vegan sushi and natural wine) with a devotion to vinyl and analog sound. While there’s no fixed jazz calendar, you'll often find genre-spanning sets and occasional live acts. It’s about atmosphere as much as performance, and the bespoke sound system means every note is heard exactly as it should be.
Address: 470 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4AE
Website: brilliantcornerslondon.co.uk
Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho
Yes, one of London’s most revered jazz venues will also serve you a Sloppy Giuseppe. It’s an odd coupling, but one that’s thrived in the heart of Soho since 1969 – mainly due to the sheer quality of talent that has passed through its doors, with Bud Freeman, Al Haig, Norah Jones and a litany of legends having taken to the stage over the past six decades. We’re guessing they came to join in that illustrious heritage and not for the dough balls.
Address: Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3RW
Website: pizzaexpresslive.com
Daniel Devlin / Susak PressJazzlive at the Crypt, Camberwell
Is there anything more ‘jazz’ than a venue that only opens for six hours a week on a Friday? Yes. When that very same venue is a church crypt. It's a holy union for the ages – specifically since 1995, when Jazzlive at the Crypt first took up residency at St. Giles Church in Camberwell. If this all screams too much of gimmickry, worry not. Everything here has been curated with immense passion, from the well-regarded talent to the surprisingly reasonable drinks prices. The fearsome gothic architecture just elevates this club night to ‘unmissable’ status.
Address: Jazzlive at the Crypt, St. Giles Church, Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, London SE5 8JB
Website: jazzlive.co.uk
606 Club, Chelsea
Tucked away behind an unmarked door in a forgotten corner of Chelsea, 606 Club represents the centrepiece of West London's jazz scene. A 42-year-old institution with a nightly programme that varies from brassy standard singers to Brazilian samba, it's the kind of place where you can turn up on a whim without hesitation. Given this venue's heritage you may even spot a bright young thing in the making. Jamie Cullum and Polly Gibbons both performed here in their formative years.
Address: 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, Chelsea, London SW10 0QD
Website: 606club.co.uk
Toulouse Lautrec, Kensington
London isn't short of French brasseries that double as jazz clubs. Both The Crazy Coqs at the grandiose Brasserie Zedel and Battersea's Le QuecumBar fit this billing with aplomb, but Toulouse Lautrec is our favourite. Why? The cassoulet is sensational, the cocktails are appropriately strong and the acoustics of the third-floor venue are spot on. Even when you’re slouched in a corner with your upteenth whisky sour in hand. Better still, its Kennington location is just off the beaten track.
Address: Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN
Website: toulouselautrec.co.uk
Green Note, Camden
We’ve always got time for Camden’s stalwart Jazz Cafe, but if we’re heading north then it’s usually to this gem of a venue. Despite being just five minutes’ walk from Camden Town tube station, Green Note still feels like a hidden treasure. Especially if you get there early enough to sneak a seat in its basement piano bar alongside 40 or so other wised-up souls. Chances are you’ll also need to book in advance to enjoy this rarefied intimacy. Especially if you’re looking to impress a date who doesn’t want to be squeezed between the stairs, bar and toilet.
Address: Green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AN
Website: greennote.co.ukThe Palm Tree, Mile End
Step inside this time-warped East End boozer and it’s as if the decades have melted away. Hidden beside the Regent’s Canal and almost untouched by gentrification, The Palm Tree is a true London one-off: wood-panelled walls, thick velvet drapes, and live jazz that echoes from the corner every weekend. The crowd is eccentric, old-timers nursing pints alongside young creatives – and the music is nostalgic and wildly fun. This isn’t a polished performance space; it’s a pub with a soul where what's going on in the outside world melts away.
Address: 127 Grove Rd, Bow, London E3 5BH