If you’re looking for must-visit rock venues, London is brimming with them. The list of bands from London is a veritable who's who of rock royalty: The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Queen and many more big names.
Is the London rock scene good?
The London rock scene is great – the city has been a music hotspot for many years, and its rock music offering is no exception. Whether you're looking to see iconic bands or want to catch new emerging talent, there is rock music in London for everyone to enjoy.
What’s the best way to see live rock music in London?
The best way to experience London's rock music scene is in one of its many celebrated venues. From smaller venues with classic rock'n'roll atmospheres to famous clubs that have stood the test of time.
Discover the different riffs of the capital with this guide to the best places in London to see rock music.
1. The 100 Club
The 100 Club has seen an impressive number of acts in its eight decades, including The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Kings of Leon, Oasis and the White Stripes. Thanks to the legendary history of this London rock club, big-name bands, such as Queens of the Stone Age, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, sometimes play “secret” shows that aren’t widely advertised.
2. The Black Heart
Expect sounds ranging from rock and indie to punk and metal at The Black Heart. Tucked down a back alley near Camden Town Tube station, this much-loved live music pub sees bands rocking out in the upstairs venue. Grab a pint in the ground-floor pub before the show, where music memorabilia covers the walls.
3. The Lexington
Among the vast selection of rock music pubs, London is home to The Lexington, an Islington hotspot that mixes a buzzy British bar atmosphere with a distinct American flavour. Rock out into the early hours as up-and-coming bands make their London debut at the upstairs venue, cheered on by a crowd sipping on Kentucky bourbon and American craft beers.
4. Cafe OTO
Jam the night away at Cafe OTO, a daytime cafe that doubles as a rock venue. With live music every night of the week, you can enjoy the rock concerts London crowds go crazy for. In keeping with Dalston’s hip atmosphere, Cafe OTO provides space for more experimental artists and music outside the mainstream. It also has an in-house record store with a huge range of genres, including titles from their own recently launched record label.
5. MOTH Club
Gracing the stage below a shimmering gold ceiling, indie rock bands get the crowd going in MOTH Club’s atmospheric space that was once a servicemen’s members club – the acronym in the name stands for Memorable Order of Tin Hats. Original decor still hangs on the walls, and a handful of booths line the side of the small dancefloor.
6. 229
Get into the groove at 229, a multi-purpose space near Regent’s Park that puts on club nights, weekend-long festivals and amazing rock gigs London is known for. Acts that have appeared on stage include Kings of Leon, Florence and the Machine, and Foals.
7. Scala
Set inside a former cinema, Scala has a huge floor area that's anchored by a low stage and plenty of space to dance. Nine Inch Nails, Kaiser Chiefs, Sonic Youth and Foo Fighters have all wowed the crowds here, and even if there isn’t a big name on the schedule, the venue regularly plays host to live music during the week and at weekend club nights.
8. Electric Ballroom
Check out the lineup at Electric Ballroom, a long-running venue in Camden which specialises in rock music but plays host to a wide variety of gig nights and events. One of the popular rock clubs London is known for, you can expect rock and alternative club nights with energetic crowds that know how to party.
9. Strongroom Bar
When a bar has an attached recording studio that’s heard the likes of the Spice Girls, Bjork and S Club 7, you know the music is going to be top notch. Parties at the Strongroom Bar are legendary and often pour outside into the largest beer garden in Shoreditch. You might even get to experience an impromptu session from bands working in the studios.
10. The Social
Despite being a short walk from the streets of Oxford Circus, The Social feels less like a busy club and more like a friend’s party, if your friends can reel in Bon Iver, Kate Tempest, Jack White, Wolf Alice and The Charlatans, that is. Upstairs you can find intimate acoustic gigs, while the larger downstairs area sees sold-out DJ nights and live shows.
11. The Underworld
Venture down to the basement of The World’s End pub in Camden to find The Underworld – a haven for alt music lovers for decades. Plenty of rock royalty have performed in the 500-capacity space, including The Cranberries, The Offspring, Placebo, Radiohead, Sheryl Crow, Smashing Pumpkins and many more big names.
12. The Betsey Trotwood
Discover The Betsey Trotwood which claims to be London’s smallest live music venue, with seats for just 25 people. Come here to experience the diverse live rock music London has to offer in an intimate setting. The pub usually plays host to solo acts in the upstairs acoustic room, though bigger bands have squeezed in and packed out the gig space in the cellar too.
13. Omeara
Head to the small streets behind Flat Iron Square to find Omeara, a cavernous bar in the railway arches that gives a platform to promising new bands. Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett is the brainchild behind the project, which also has a terrace with views of The Shard and Southwark Cathedral.
Experience the vibrant energy of London's music scene on a budget with this guide to securing cheap gig and concert tickets in London. Or, explore more top venues for fans of any genre at the best live music bars in London.
