London’s jazz scene has been swinging since the 1950s, evolving from smoky basement clubs into one of the world’s most vibrant jazz ecosystems. From legendary venues that hosted Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald to cutting-edge spots championing tomorrow’s Mercury Prize nominees, the capital’s jazz clubs offer something for every taste.
Indeed, the city is dotted with jazz clubs, with many offering equally as memorable meals as music. Whether you fancy prohibition-era speakeasies, candlelit dinners with live quartets, or experimental late-night sessions, London’s jazz venues deliver the goods seven nights a week. Here are the 7 essential spots every jazz lover needs on their radar.
Belle Livingstone’s 58th Street Country Club, Peckham
Ideal for time-travelling flappers seeking prohibition-era thrills…
Finding the entrance to 58th Street Jazz through a nondescript black door in Peckham’s Bussey Alley is just the beginning of your journey back to 1930s Manhattan. This isn’t just a jazz club – it’s a full-throttle immersive theatrical dining experience by The Lost Estate, recreating Belle Livingstone’s legendary speakeasy. Expect The 58th Street Stompers to belt out authentic Harlem swing as you indulge in a six-course Park Avenue feast – think shrimp and crayfish cocktail, sirloin of beef with lobster Bordelaise and New York cheesecake.
The attention to detail borders on obsessive. Over 120 artists and creatives have conjured jaw-dropping Art Deco interiors that’ll make you check your phone hasn’t turned into a pocket watch. No photography allowed – this place takes immersion seriously. From £69.50 secures a spot at the infamous Soda Fountain bar, where generous pours of Manhattans and Clover Clubs flow freely. Rail dining (from £109.50) includes Executive Chef Ashley Clarke’s decadent menu – think New York Strip with Lobster Bordelaise and other Jazz Age indulgences.
The music? Outstanding. ‘King’ Rory Simmons leads the house band through three sets nightly, with powerhouse vocalists Ayesha Pike and Rikette Genesis channeling Cotton Club soul. Shows run Tuesday to Sunday (7pm), with weekend matinees available. For a shorter, late-night experience, the After Hours sessions on Friday and Saturday (10:30pm) start from just £35. Lovely stuff.
Website: 58thstreet.co.uk
Address: 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 3SN
Ronnie Scott’s, Soho
Ideal for jazz pilgrims paying homage at the altar of British bebop…
If you’re in the mood for experiencing where Jimi Hendrix played his final public performance and where Miles Davis held court, then Ronnie Scott’s remains London’s most sacred jazz ground. Since 1959, this Frith Street basement has defined what a great jazz club should be – intimate, sophisticated, and slightly louche in all the right ways.
The main club pairs world-class performances with British-tinged fine dining (think Dover sole with brown shrimp butter), while the upstairs bar channels 1950s speakeasy vibes with cocktails that’d make Dean Martin weep with joy. Two shows nightly followed by late sessions mean the music flows until the early hours, hosting everyone from Grammy winners to tomorrow’s stars getting their big break.
Yes, it’s expensive and yes, you’ll need to book well in advance (especially weekends), but watching a living legend perform mere metres away while tucking into their famous sticky toffee pudding? That’s what we call a perfect Friday night. The walls practically vibrate with six decades of musical history, from Ella Fitzgerald’s live recordings to Jamie Cullum’s residencies. Put simply, if you only visit one jazz club in London, make it this one.
Website: ronniescotts.co.uk
Address: 47 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4HT
606 Club, Chelsea
Ideal for candlelit dinners with Britain’s finest jazz musicians…
Just us, then? We thought everyone knew about this Chelsea basement where only British-based musicians have graced the stage since 1976. Tucked away on Lots Road, the 606 operates on an alcohol only with meals policy due to licensing restrictions.
The intimate basement fits 175 souls clustered around candlelit tables, creating an atmosphere somewhere between your coolest uncle’s dinner party and a clandestine music society. This is where characters hang out, as they say.
The house rule of British musicians only means you’re guaranteed to discover talent you won’t hear anywhere else – from established legends to emerging stars that Jamie Cullum (a regular) calls the future of UK jazz.
Their European menu hits all the right notes (the pan-fried sea bass with samphire is a particular triumph), while Sunday lunch jazz sessions from 12:30pm offer a gloriously languid way to end the weekend. Music runs seven nights a week, mixing jazz with Latin, soul, and blues, all at surprisingly reasonable prices for Chelsea. The late license on weekends means the party continues until 1am. Advance booking essential, mind – this secret’s not so secret anymore.
Website: 606club.co.uk
Address: 90 Lots Road, Chelsea, SW10 0QD
Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho
Ideal for jazz newcomers who like their bebop with a side of dough balls…
Trust Pizza Express to prove that great jazz and great pizza aren’t mutually exclusive. Since 1969, this basement venue on Dean Street has been where future stars cut their teeth – Amy Winehouse, Jamie Cullum, and Norah Jones all played here before hitting the big time. The intimate space seats just 100, meaning you’re practically breathing the same air as the performers.
The genius is in the simplicity: order your Romana pizza and settle in for world-class jazz just metres away. The acoustics are surprisingly brilliant for a basement restaurant, and the state-of-the-art sound system means every note rings crystal clear. Shows run seven nights a week, mixing established names with tomorrow’s headliners, and at around £20-35 a ticket, it’s properly accessible jazz for everyone.
The venue’s won numerous awards including Time Out’s Best Music Venue, and it’s easy to see why. Where else can you tuck into a Padana while watching the next Gregory Porter? Sunday afternoon sessions are particularly civilised, while weeknight shows offer a perfect antidote to Soho’s usual mayhem. Book ahead – word’s out about this one.
Website: pizzaexpresslive.com
Address: 10 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3RW
Jazz Cafe, Camden
Ideal for those who like their jazz with a side of dancing…
Camden’s Jazz Cafe has been pushing boundaries since 1990, hosting everyone from De La Soul to Amy Winehouse in its two-level space. This isn’t your grandfather’s jazz club – expect soul, funk, hip-hop, and world music alongside more traditional offerings, with a dancefloor that actually gets used.
The ground floor standing area creates a great gig energy, while the mezzanine restaurant offers a more refined experience with views over the stage. Weekend club nights keep the party going until 3am, transforming from live venue to dancefloor as DJs take over. The programming is fearless – one night might be Afrobeat legends, the next cutting-edge electronic jazz fusion.
Food-wise, the restaurant serves up solid modern British fare from 7pm, though most punters are here for the music rather than the menu. The venue’s 440 capacity hits the sweet spot between intimate and atmospheric, and the sound system is phenomenal. Their annual Jazz Cafe Festival brings together the best of their eclectic booking policy. Tickets from £15-40 depending on the act.
Website: thejazzcafelondon.com
Address: 5 Parkway, Camden, NW1 7PG
Read: The best restaurants in Camden
Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston
Ideal for adventurous listeners seeking tomorrow’s Mercury Prize nominees…
Dalston’s Vortex doesn’t look like much from Gillett Square – which is precisely the point. This not-for-profit, volunteer-led venue has quietly earned a reputation as one of the best jazz clubs in the world by championing the experimental, the innovative, and the utterly bonkers. If your idea of jazz stopped evolving with Kind of Blue, prepare to have your mind thoroughly blown.
Nearly 400 performances yearly showcase everything from free jazz to electronic experimentation. The Sunday evening jam sessions see London’s finest musicians trading licks with enthusiastic amateurs, while their monthly Queer Jazz series celebrates LGBTQI+ artists pushing boundaries.
This is where Portico Quartet and Polar Bear cut their teeth before going stratospheric – in fact, Portico’s Vortex Records debut earned a Mercury Prize nomination. At £5-15 a ticket, it’s affordable too. The mixed seated/standing setup keeps things loose and energetic, perfect for when you want your jazz with a side of creative chaos rather than dinner-jacket formality.
Address: thevortexjazz.co.uk
Website: 1 Gillett Square, Dalston, N16 8AZ
Dalston Jazz Bar, Dalston
Ideal for gamblers who like their oysters with a side of financial roulette…
Here’s one that’ll have you reaching for your calculator. This ramshackle Bradbury Street spot went viral on TikTok for its pay what you think it’s worth pricing model, and frankly, we’re still not sure if it’s genius or madness. Thursday through Saturday, they serve continuous fresh seafood dishes from Billingsgate Market while the house band plays just feet from your table.
The drill goes like this: arrive at 6pm, feast on fresh oysters, tiger prawns the size of lobsters, and mussels swimming in white wine while jazz fills the air. At 10pm sharp, the tables disappear and owner Robert Beckford transforms the space into a old-school nightclub spinning protest songs and vintage soul until 3am. When the bill arrives, you decide what the experience was worth (minimum £20 to cover the musicians).
Fair warning: this is seafood only (vegetarians need advance notice), the atmosphere is authentically chaotic, and you might find yourself dancing next to everyone from Dalston hipsters to jazz-loving pensioners. But watching diners nervously calculate what their feast should cost while fresh seafood dishes keep arriving? Pure theatre. Book ahead – word’s properly out now.
Website: dalstonjazzbar.com
Address: 4 Bradbury Street, N16 8JN
Ideal Tip: For those seeking even more jazz adventures, keep an eye on Hidden Jazz Club’s nomadic pop-ups transforming chapels and theatres into one-night jazz wonderlands, or catch Saturday jazz brunch at 108 Brasserie (£75 including champagne and unlimited desserts). London’s jazz scene in 2025? Never been better.
