Step inside London's jazz scene where you can tap your feet or get up and dance to fantastic live music.
Where can you see jazz shows in London?
Jazz shows can be found at bars and clubs across the capital every day of the week, or during special events such as music festivals. Whether you’re looking to listen to live midweek jazz or jam out late into the night, London’s jazz venues are where it’s at.
Have a night out at the famous Ronnie Scott's jazz club, which has been entertaining for more than 60 years, hear live musicians fuse jazz with modern genres at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, or stop by one of the other many great jazz bars or jazz clubs in London.
Take your pick from this list of London jazz clubs and bars to discover the smooth sounds of the capital.
1. Boisdale
Enjoy dinner and a show at Boisdale, where you can find whisky bars and an impressive list of regular jazz, blues and soul performances. Boisdale has two London locations in Belgravia and Canary Wharf, both of which have live music sets.
2. 606 Club
Let the music move you at 606 Club, a London jazz club run by a musician and features only British-based bands that perform jazz, soul, funk and blues every night of the week. With room for 120 seats, this basement space between Chelsea and Fulham has an undeniably cosy atmosphere.
3. Vortex Jazz Club
Head to Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, an intimate venue that plays host to some 400 concerts a year. As evidenced in the name, the venue has a clear focus on jazz, but it also puts on improvised and experimental shows that blur the lines between genres.
4. Jazz Cafe
Soak up the sounds of jazz, soul and world music at Camden’s Jazz Cafe, which puts on live gigs and DJ-powered club nights. If you're looking to have epic jazz nights in London, this is the place for you. A dance floor spreads out in front of the stage, or you can enjoy the music from the restaurant on the mezzanine level, which looks over the stage.
5. Pizza Express Jazz Club
Don’t be thrown off by the name: the Soho branch of Pizza Express dishes up much more than pizza and dough balls. Head down to the basement to find tables clustered around a small stage, where thousands of jazz musicians have performed in the club since 1976.
6. The Crazy Coqs
Experience jazz in London at The Crazy Coqs, a small live performance venue inside Brasserie Zédel moments from Piccadilly Circus station, where you’ll be teleported back in time. The dimly-lit art deco lounge features compact tables that add to the already cosy ambience as talented musicians remind you why this is where you should be to listen to jazz in London this weekend.
7. Oliver's Jazz Bar
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Greenwich, Oliver’s Jazz Bar sees live jazz acts on stage every night of the week. Candlelit tables huddle in the intimate basement space, and you’re sure to hear acclaimed musicians from London’s jazz scene and beyond.
8. Quaglino's
Descending the stairs into Quaglino’s feels like you’ve stepped back into the 1920s. Glam black and gold art deco-inspired decor sets the scene, and live bands that perform jazz and other genres take to the arch-topped stage most nights of the week.
9. Oriole
Duck below the butchery shops of Smithfield Market to find Oriole, a glamorous London jazz and cocktail bar, offering performances twice a night, with an additional late set on Fridays and Saturdays. Mixed with quirky ingredients, the cocktails at Oriole are some of the best in the city, which you can sip bottomless at the Sunday Jazz Brunch. Its sister bar, Nightjar, near Old Street, also puts on top-notch live jazz shows.
10. Servant Jazz Quarters
Feel the beat at Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston, boasting the old-school live jazz music London is known for. The bar invites in plenty of jazz performers, but there’s also indie, soul and country music on the schedule. Because the capacity is capped at 100, you’re guaranteed a more personal performance.
11. Jazz After Dark
Located in Soho, Jazz After Dark entertains with an array of jazz, funk, soul and R&B musicians night after night. By day, the space is open as a gallery, displaying works by resident artist Sam Shaker who paints portraits of celebrities that take the stage.
12. Ronnie Scott’s
Find your groove at Ronnie Scott’s, arguably the most iconic club jazz bar London has to offer, Ronnie Scott’s has been going strong since 1959 and has seen some of the biggest names in jazz, from Miles Davis to Buddy Rich and Ella Fitzgerald. But despite its accolades and being one of the best jazz clubs in London, it’s also an intimate space where you can catch the next big jazz star early in their career.
13. Toulouse Lautrec
Channelling the energy of Paris, Toulouse Lautrec is an intimate wine bar and jazz club with performance spaces over two floors. Enjoy classic French dishes while listening to the smooth sounds of jazz solos and duos in the Piano Bar, or head to the Jazz Club at the weekend for bigger bands.
14. Green Note
Relax into the evening at Green Note, an award-winning music venue in Camden with an ever-changing roster of jazz, blues, folk and country musicians on stage. The friendly atmosphere means you’re bound to linger longer, plus there's a range of drinks and vegetarian bar snacks and tapas.
Find out how to bag cheap London gig tickets, or explore more music in the capital including the best live music bars for fans of every genre.
