Top 10 Live Music Bars in London

The Hope & Anchor in Islington was a leading venue in the punk movement of the 70s. The Stranglers recorded an album, Live at the Hope & Anchor, here. Two decades later, British band Keane made their debut. Recently re-launched, The Hope & Anchor continues to showcase exciting new bands.

Camden's The Dublin Castle was a second home to Madness in the 70s. Since then the pub has helped launch Britpop and become a haven for London's indie kids. If you like your gigs, you will love The Dublin Castle, where you can see up-and-coming bands play seven nights a week.

After helping to launch the careers of Coldplay, Blur, Oasis, Franz Ferdinand and The Darkness, Barfly became renowned as a venue for rock, alternative and indie music. Barfly's policy of nurturing new music continues to this day, so it's a good place to spot the stars of tomorrow.

There's live music almost every night at The Bull & Gate, making it a great place to see new and unsigned bands before they hit the charts. Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Ash, British Sea Power, PJ Harvey and The Libertines are among those who've graced the Bull & Gate stage in the past.

Upstairs at The Lexington is reserved for riotous rock'n'roll gigs. Downstairs there's a more chilled out bar, where you'll find a good choice of American beers, bourbons, whiskeys and burgers. If you're a music aficionado, don't miss the Rough Trade pop quiz on Saturday nights.

Proud Camden ticks all the boxes: it's a café and rock photo gallery by day and a live music venue and bar by night. The 200-year-old former horse hospital in Stables Market, Camden, has hosted top performers such as The Enemy, Dirty Pretty Things, Dizzee Rascal, The Kooks and Stereophonics.

Brixton's Hootananny was voted Best Live Music Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards 2010. The venue has a packed schedule of live music, including reggae, ska, hip-hop, jazz, soul and more. Hungry gig-goers can fill up on tacos, burritos and fajitas from the Mexican Kitchen.

Ronnie Scott's is one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world. The legendary venue opened in 1959 and has been pulling in the best jazz musicians ever since. You can book tickets for the popular main venue, or head upstairs to Ronnie's Bar, which has a speakeasy vibe and regular musical performances.

A quick look at Cargo's live music listings reveals everything from psychedelic rock to jazz, hip-hop to electronic pop. Located underneath railway arches in Shoreditch, Cargo is at the centre of East London's music scene. The venue also hosts regular DJ nights and offers a tasty bar menu.

Catch the latest new bands and DJs seven nights a week at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. Simian Mobile Disco, Hot Chip, Klaxons, Noisettes, Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, Foals, Kate Nash, Florence and the Machine, Amy Winehouse and Mumford and Sons have all played here. Best of all, entrance is often free!