Piano bars have an understated, elegant appeal. Imagine an evening outing featuring wine, dulcet jazz tunes and throngs of people singing along to the piano’s magic – Quite the experience!
London's Best Piano Lounges
London, being the lap of musical culture, is home to countless piano bars fuelled by a passion for blues and jazz. Read on to discover the city’s favourites.
1. Downstairs at the Dilly
Downstairs at the Dilly is a speakeasy inspired bar, defined by its elegant old-world charm. Brilliant pianists and vocalists take to the stage to offer stellar live performances, against a backdrop of retro chic decor. You can enjoy the melodies with a range of London-themed cocktails to choose from. A new guest cocktail features every month.
Its atmosphere is truly transformative and ideal for intimate events. Luckily, the bar can be hired for private gatherings. Downstairs at the Dilly has the perfect atmosphere if you want a classy night-out.
2. The Piano Bar, Kensington
An intimate jazz bar, pianists are the stars of this establishment. The atmosphere is raucous and vibrant. Songs are played at customers’ requests, spanning genres, eras and artists. Customers sing along, dance and can even join the pianists. There is little separation between the visitors and the musicians, creating a lovely harmonious gathering.
The vintage decor will transport you to simpler times, completely untethered to the modern world. Moreover, visitors get to enjoy timeless cocktails, the recipes of which are highly gatekept. The Piano Bar is an institution. In fact, when it was set to close down in 2019, there was a significant outcry which saved the bar. The Piano Bar, Kensington is for your wild night-outs of unbothered singing, dancing and drinking.
3. Piano Smithfield
As one of Londoners’ got-to piano bars, Piano Smithfield has a line-up of some of the country’s best talent. Soul and blues form a core part of their identity, and they have featured acclaimed artists like Liane Carrol and Derek Nash.
Smithfield is preserving the traditional late-night piano bar experience, with its long live performances and dark decor. The atmosphere is meticulously created to sink visitors into a comfortable slumber with wine and jazz. If you have a penchant for blues and appreciate an air of sophistication, Piano Smithfield is tailor-made for you.
4. The Piano Bar, Soho
One of London’s quintessential piano bars, it deservedly won the title of “Best Jazz Club” by Trip Advisor in 2022. Piano Bar, Soho is the “it” hang-out for jazz enthusiasts and even up and coming jazz artists. It promotes the jazz music scene, and is home to Soho Live Studios (a recording studio) and Soho Live Artists (a live talent agency).
It is an intimate retro lounge, with the musicians playing some of the most memorable jazz tunes within a few feet of the customers. It has few other rooms where one can enjoy peace with the live performance lingering in the background, such as the library and the “snug” (a tiny room with massive couches). It also has a screening room with a 180 inch theatre and a spectacular sound system. If you are an ardent fan of jazz music and its traditions, there is no better getaway than Soho’s Piano Bar.
5. The Piano Works
Tucked away in a Victorian warehouse revamped into a cool basement, the Piano Works is well-known for its immersive repertoire. Everyone at the Piano Works , including the staff, are trained musicians. The live show is like a real-life musical playing out – pianists take the stage and waitresses act as back-up vocalists while serving cocktails. What's impressive is that this collaborative spectacle is not rehearsed, but powered by audience requests.
The live show is followed by the club's in-house band. Finally, the night is capped off with a DJ taking over. There is never a quiet moment at The Piano Works – the night is always young. Moreover, the cocktails and food receive rave reviews. If you’re up for an endless and eventful night-out, The Piano Works will not disappoint you.
6. Toulous Lautrec
Toulous Lautrec is a family-run French restaurant and piano bar, dedicated to giving customers an authentic Parisian experience. The restaurant will certainly transport you to 1920s Paris, with its mouth-watering French delicacies, wines, classical music and tasteful decor.
A refurbished English pub, the establishment spans three floors – a restaurant on the ground floor, a piano bar on the first floor and a jazz bar on the second floor. At the piano bar, one can enjoy live music over wine and aperitivo. The Toulous Lautrec is the perfect Parisian dream for those who want to unwind with a slow night of good music and gourmet food.
7. The American Bar, Savoy Hotel
The American Bar is one of London’s oldest cocktail and jazz bars. They are home to seasoned resident pianists, acclaimed for their classical harmonies – they even have a live recorded album that can be downloaded on Spotify. The American Bar initially gained repute for its cocktail artistry. It has hosted legendary cocktail artists such as Henry Craddock and Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman. The bar remains true to its roots by serving its age-old favourites, but with a modern twist.
The bar has been the elite’s getaway for centuries – Winston Churchill and Earnst Hemingway were regulars at the bar, fond of the live piano performances and premium scotch. The American Bar is the ideal piano club if you want a peek into old money indulgences.
8. Cellar Door
The Cellar Door is a small underground bar, known for its events and live performances. Its underground grittiness was enjoyed by the likes of John Gielgud and other theatre masters of the day.
With its unique warehouse charm, the live performances at this bar take on a new life. The venue also has an audience-controlled jukebox, an app called the ‘Secret DJ’ – this allows you to curate the bar’s playlist between sets. Cellar Door is the perfect club if you are in the mood for rustic vibes, live music and quirky decor.
9. Overtures Piano Bar
Overtures Piano Bar has a flair for the dramatic. After all, it is one of London’s premiere musical theatrical singalong bars.
With live performances fuelled by audience requests, singing and dancing, the bar offers an immersive theatrical experience. Over the course of the evening, you will have sung your heart out to theatre classics, bonded with strangers over favourite musicals and sipped on a few delicious cocktails. The small space is ideal for a one of a kind, intimate experience.
If you are a theatre buff and enjoy taking the stage, Overtures Piano Bar will indulge your fancies.
10. Covent Garden Social Club
The Covent Garden Social club has all the vintage works – from gramophones and globes to big red leather couches. With its retro decor, the club welcomes goers with contemporary entertainment, modern cocktails, comedy shows and piano party sessions.
The establishment spans two floors – a basement bar and a piano bar. The basement bar features loud classical music and spectacles such as fire breathing. The piano bar offers live performances by West End’s acclaimed performers, cabaret and sing-alongs. If you want to party the night away in a laid-back setting, be sure to stop by at the Covent Garden Social Club.
London is peppered with countless piano bars, which are all custodians of its rich musical history and Blues legacy. The city’s piano bars are as insightful about its culture as its libraries and museums. A tour of London would certainly be incomplete without exploring its piano bars.
