With so many inviting establishments in London for listening to live jazz, blues and soul it can feel like an overwhelming choice. With that in mind we’ve listed below our favourite venues where a spectacular evening is guaranteed.
So here they are, in no particular order. Excellent spots, one and all.
Piano Bar, Soho
Featured image: @phroobin
First up is a unique and relatively unknown bar tucked away just off Dean Street. From the outside this unassuming townhouse looks void of life but the performances inside are anything but. Seating is squeezed into every corner of this charming rabbit warren which helps create an intimate, friendly atmosphere.
Tickets are moderately-priced, typically ranging from £5-15. An absolute steal for the experience.
The Piano Bar doesn’t serve food (when you see the way waiters contort themselves to get round the tables you’ll understand why) so we’d advise filling up beforehand. La Porchetta on Old Compton Street serves large portions of terrific pasta so would be a solid choice!
The range of cocktails, beers and wines is small but sufficient. Our personal favourite? The smoked old-fashioned.
Tickets are moderately-priced, typically ranging from £5-15. An absolute steal for the experience.
The Piano Bar doesn’t serve food (when you see the way waiters contort themselves to get round the tables you’ll understand why) so we’d advise filling up beforehand. La Porchetta on Old Compton Street serves large portions of terrific pasta so would be a solid choice!
The range of cocktails, beers and wines is small but sufficient. Our personal favourite? The smoked old-fashioned.
Our recommendation: Finding The Piano Bar is like cottoning onto a brilliant band before they reach 10,000 listens on Spotify, where you are torn between sharing with friends or keeping to yourself. Luckily for you we chose the former.
Featured: reviewslondon
Amongst the hubbub of Dalston’s vintage shops, late-night bars and Turkish eateries sits this lively gem of a jazz club. From Thursday to Saturday each week Dalston Jazz Bar treats listeners to sparkling solos, vibrant voices and well-timed trios.
The venue is free entry but drink-only tables are typically seated around the corner where the band are nearly out of sight until the kitchen has closed or other punters have made way. Although when waiting for others to vacate the best tables one can expect rather a long wait!
Food is served from a simple rotating menu after which, in a twist that resembles a social experiment, you pay what you think the meal deserves. The drinks here perfectly compliment the bubbly atmosphere - good craft beer and full-bodied wine - and are served late into the night.
Food is served from a simple rotating menu after which, in a twist that resembles a social experiment, you pay what you think the meal deserves. The drinks here perfectly compliment the bubbly atmosphere - good craft beer and full-bodied wine - and are served late into the night.
Our recommendation: Dalston Jazz Bar is well-suited to spontaneous nights and is a refreshingly cheap option, but to get the most from the bar we’d suggest trying the food too, if anything just to soak up the drink!
4 Bradbury Street, London N16 8JN
Ronnie Scotts, Soho
Featured: Tom Morris
A stalwart of the Soho jazz scene, Ronnie’s is an absolute institution with bags of history. Some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time have graced the main stage here, the same stage where Jimi Hendrix lamentably gave his last performance.
The acts take place downstairs where seats are ticketed and in reasonably high demand. Framed photos of past guests adorn the walls and when the first note rings out the hushed atmosphere is magical.
Elsewhere, the food is excellent and a superb range of drinks is available until late. You could even head to the upstairs bar after the performance for a more relaxed, speakeasy vibe or a dance (depending on the DJ set playing).
The acts take place downstairs where seats are ticketed and in reasonably high demand. Framed photos of past guests adorn the walls and when the first note rings out the hushed atmosphere is magical.
Elsewhere, the food is excellent and a superb range of drinks is available until late. You could even head to the upstairs bar after the performance for a more relaxed, speakeasy vibe or a dance (depending on the DJ set playing).
Our recommendation: A trip to Ronnie’s is non-negotiable for any music lover and draws some of the best jazz bands in London, but it should be considered a real treat given the price!
There you have it. Wherever you end up, have a great evening folks!
Ps. We here at Dalston606 are enthusiasts of the highest order so ask that you please respect the musicians and natter amongst yourselves quietly during the performances.
Ps. We here at Dalston606 are enthusiasts of the highest order so ask that you please respect the musicians and natter amongst yourselves quietly during the performances.
Pps. Here we are, much younger and thoroughly enjoying ourselves outside Ronnie’s before a long-awaited Emmet Cohen Trio gig.