London’s energetic live music scene is as diverse as the city itself, offering something for every taste. For jazz connoisseurs, fans of soulful blues, or those simply looking for a lively night out, the capital has no shortage of fantastic venues where one can experience world-class performances in atmospheric settings.
From legendary clubs in the city centre to hidden gems in overlooked neighbourhoods, these establishments are perfect for an unforgettable evening of music, drinks, and entertainment.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club – Soho
A cornerstone of London’s jazz scene, Ronnie Scott's has been synonymous with exceptional live music for decades. Founded in 1959 and now located on Firth Street in Soho, London’s most iconic jazz club has hosted some of the biggest names in music history. From Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone to Jimmi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse, performances at this bar have often been the stuff of legend.
Ronnie Scott’s is open seven days a week with a variety of performers on the bill, combining an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, funk, and soul, from a myriad of talents including those found overseas, and homegrown on the streets of London. The venue has a fantastic kitchen, with food served throughout the evening to ensure guests have their fill of both the menu and the music.
Vortex Jazz Club – Dalston
The Vortex Jazz Club has been a staple of the London live music scene since 1988. After a move to its current home in Dalston in 2005, Vortex has continued its well-earned reputation as one of the best spots for music in London, with performances on most nights of the week.
Whilst Jazz is always at the forefront of the events programme, Vortex is known for its commitment to showing acts from across many different genres, including a monthly Gypsy/Eastern European slot that has been running for the last 15 years. As a non-profit organisation, Vortex aims to make both entry to and performances at the club as inclusive as possible, resulting in a wide roster of talented up-and-coming musicians, and large crowds in attendance, especially on the weekends.
The Jazz Café – Camden
A cornerstone of London's music scene, Camden has a special place in the history of London’s live music and The Jazz Café is famed for its eclectic mix of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and other genres from across the world. Over the years, the establishment has opened its doors to a variety of world-famous acts, including Jamiroquai, Don Cherry, Ben E. King, and of course, former Camden local, Amy Winehouse.
Similar to other entries on this list, The Jazz Café features an upstairs-downstairs approach, with performances split across both levels, as well as dining options available for those who wish to stay for dinner. As an incredibly popular venue for live music, tickets for certain nights sell out well in advance, and planning is required to ensure you get a seat for many performances.
Troubadour – Earl's Court
The Troubadour may be the most fascinating of all our entries in this list. Originally opening in 1954 as a typical London pub, by appearance at least, not much has changed at the venue in 70 years. However, looks can be deceiving, as The Troubadour has a secretive history of performances from some of the most reputable names in music. Bob Dylan, Jimmi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, Adele, and Florence and The Machine, are just a few legendary artists to have turned up for a performance without fanfare and under a secret alias.
The pub has a secret garden restaurant that serves delicious food day and night, including slow-cooked brisket and sumptuous eggs benedict for brunch. There is live music every night of the week, featuring a roster of up-and-coming artists, with Sundays explicitly reserved for jazz performers. All events are ticketed and likely to be extremely busy, with Sunday jazz nights proving particularly popular.
The 100 Club – Oxford Street
Originally founded in 1942 as The Feldman Club, a name change hasn’t stopped The 100 Club from holding on to its status as one of London’s best-loved establishments for live music. Even the legendary Louis Armstrong performed at the club during the 1960s before a change in direction from its jazz and swing routes led to The 100 Club becoming an important pillar in the formation of the UK’s Punk Rock scene.
In more recent times, the venue has become something of an eclectic establishment, with its heritage honoured through special shows held every month which celebrate Swing, Jazz, Punk and many more genres. The decor has remained unchanged since the 1970s, giving the club a distinctly punk vibe, and it continues to beone of the most popular music bars in London.
EartH – Hackney
Evolutionary Arts Hackney, more popularly known as EartH, first opened in 2017 but has become a staple for live music in North London. The Art Deco theatre, first built in the 1930s as the Savoy Cinema, was lovingly refurbished and since reopening its doors, it has garnered a reputation for some outstanding displays of local talent, whilst also drawing more than a fair few big names for performances.
EartH incorporates three separate venues, including a kitchen and a local recording studio, for diverse experiences and performers to enjoy every day of the week. The music on offer ranges from rhythm and blues, electric and techno shows, R&B, traditional sounds from different cultures around the world, and much more.
London’s live music venues are as much about their history and character as they are about the music. From the iconic performances at the likes of Ronnie Scott’s and The Troubadour to the magnetic energy in venues like The 100 Club and EartH these spots capture the essence of the city’s longstanding relationship with live music.
Whichever venue you choose, you’ll find passionate performers and dedicated staff creating a magical atmosphere which is the reason many of these establishments have remained open for nearly a century. Pick a spot to soak up the atmosphere and let the music be your guiding light for a night you will always remember.
