Live Music Bars in London

Camden Crawl 2006. Copyright Camden Crawl promotion.

London's live music bars are where many superstars performed before they hit the big time. Thousands of musicians flock to London every year and here are a few of the venues where you might just catch the pop idols of the future.

The Barfly Club

Dubbed as the place to see "the next big thing", The Barfly in Camden champions new talent and has seen bands such as Blur, Oasis, Coldplay and Muse pass through its doors. Undiscovered acts mix with established professionals to create a unique vibe.

The Garage

Showcasing a diverse range of bands, The Garage is a great spot to catch some emerging talent. The powerful sound system and high-spec lighting rig encourage revellers to party hard on the dancefloor. If you don't want to get sweaty in the mosh pit, the upstairs bar provides some respite from the intense atmosphere of the main stage.

12 Bar Club

Another intimate venue, 12 Bar Club provides an eclectic mix of live music. In Denmark Street (aka Tin Pan Alley) amidst the buzz of Central London, 12 Bar hosts artists from around the globe.

The Bedford

If you have had your fair share of Central London and fancy a trip south of the river, The Bedford in Balham is well worth a visit. You will find live music, poets, dancers, actors and comedians inside this exciting artistic hub.

Bush Hall

Bush Hall is an elegant and exciting concert space. A wide range of music is played here, from classical to pop, but whatever the genre, this stunning venue suits any artist on the bill.

The Hope & Anchor

This attractive pub made a name for itself in the late 1970s as a pioneering venue on the punk scene. Bands such as The Clash and The Dammed played some of their debut gigs in the Hope & Anchor's cellar bar. There are pool tables upstairs and an excellent jukebox on the ground floor.

Cargo

Tucked away in a back alley of London's trendy Shoreditch, Cargo is a large stylish venue built under impressive brick arches. Catering for the urban market, Cargo regularly offers live performances with a funk-soul flavour and is the ideal place for socialites to party.

The Dublin Castle

This Camden pub is an important stop on the gig circuit. Madness used to play at The Dublin Castle every Friday and established bands such as Blur and Babyshambles have staged secret gigs here in recent years. It is also not uncommon to see famous rock stars stopping by for a quick drink.

Sophisticated Venues

Battersea's little-known Le QuecumBar is Europe's only dedicated Django Reinhardt Gypsy jazz and swing venue outside Paris. This chic 1930s-style wine bar is a lovely place to visit for the decor and garden space alone but the music is renowned, especially the Tuesday night jam sessions.

Boisdale of Belgravia is a large and swanky establishment in an old regency townhouse. With two luxurious bars, a stunning courtyard garden and a restaurant serving delicious Scottish food, you are spoilt for choice. Every night, guests are treated to the cool, impromptu music of the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band.

Head to Soho's Jazz after Dark for a late night cocktail, a bite to eat and live jazz and blues every night of the week. With a late night licence and many famous names in the world of jazz performing here, Jazz after Dark has had many well-known visitors. These include Greta Garbo, Charlton Heston, Bill Murray and Alison Moyet.