Here are 10 jazz clubs across the city where the music is front and centre, the setting feels a little more refined, and the night seems truly magical.
Jazz and London go way back. It was in the early 1900s, when the first clubs began to spring up. After the Second World War, Soho quickly became a bustling hub for jazz with exclusive late-night sets and saxophone solos reigning supreme. Though the old-school charm is still prevalent, the recent jazz landscape in London is more about elegant candlelight settings, plush velvet booths, exclusive cocktails, and outstanding music.
If this is the vibe you're after, then this guide is for you.
Opened in 1959 by saxophonists Ronnie Scott and Pete King, this venue is steeped in history. Celebrated as one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, it has welcomed legendary artists such as Miles Davis, Prince, Nina Simone, Jacob Collier, and even Jimmy Hendrix.
Best night to visit: Fridays and Saturdays for the most elite shows. Late Late Show from Wednesday to Saturday offers a platform to budding artists through jam sessions.
Famous for: Hosting jazz royalty and live recordings of iconic albums.
Pricing: Main shows start from £35. Late Late Shows cost £12. Members enjoy 20% off tickets.
Ambience: Decadent old school jazz feel with black-and-white portraits and plush red seating.
Behind an unmarked door just off Dean Street, The Piano Bar keeps things intentionally under-the-radar. Accommodating fewer than 80 guests, the set up is intimate, but the talent on stage is spectacular. The live jazz sessions, exclusive cocktails, and the vintage vibes meld together seamlessly for an unforgettable night.
Best night to visit: Midweek is the best if you want to savour the magic of jazz in peace. Fridays are for grand performances.
Famous for: Signature drinks, crowd requests, and a hidden speakeasy feel.
Pricing: Ticket prices can vary depending on the show. Currently, tickets start from around £10 and must be booked in advance. Annual membership (£35) offers 50% off ticketed nights and allows you to bring up to three guests.
Ambience: Victorian-style lounge with romantic aesthetics and dimly lit interiors.
The 606 has been running since the late '70s and still pulls in a loyal crowd featuring musicians, regulars, and jazz lovers. While the venue is decidedly unassuming, the music here is unparalleled. Stalwarts like Jamie Cullum, Liane Carroll, and Jason Rebello have all previously graced the stage here.
Best night to visit: Book ahead for dinner and show night on Friday or Saturday. Monday to Thursday sessions are for discovering new artists. Singers' night on Sunday is a mix of vocalists and rotating sets.
Famous for: Homegrown talent, low-key charm, one of Jamie Cullum's favourite spots.
Pricing: Music charge is around £17– £22. Dinner and drinks would cost you around £40–£50.
Ambience: Warm and welcoming with no pretence
What started as a basement club in Stoke Newington, now hosts over 400 gigs a year and claims its position on every "best jazz venue" list worth reading, including Time Out's. It is community-driven, independent, and renowned for spotlighting avant-garde music. The jazz venue has hosted an array of stand-out musicians, such as Portico Quartet, Evan Parker, and Kenny Wheeler. In 2007, the club also launched their own record- Vortex Records.
Best night to visit: While Fridays and Saturdays for headlining acts, Tuesdays to Thursdays are perfect if you are interested in experimental jazz.
Famous for: A platform for experimenting with new forms (electronic, folk, and global sounds).
Pricing: Most shows cost around £15–£22. Vortex Lates costs around £6 general, £5 for members.
Ambience: No frills here, the music takes centre stage.
It might sound surprising, but one of London's best jazz locations is located in the basement of a PizzaExpress. This small Soho space has hosted some really big names, including Norah Jones, Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Gregory Porter, and Sam Smith. Great acoustics, great acts, and great pizza all under one roof.
Best night to visit: Weekends are all about leading acts from 19:00 to 22:00. The venue comes alive on exclusive tribute nights for legends like Nina Simone and Miles Davis.
Famous for: For winning 'Venue of the Year' twice at the London Lifestyle Awards.
Pricing: Ticket prices range around £20–£35. For food and drinks, you're looking at roughly £50–£60 for the night.
Ambience: Relaxed with a side of speakeasy charm.
Sitting behind a discreet door near Old Street, The Nightjar is a real hidden gem. The room is small, the lights are low, and the music hits just right. There's a second location in Carnaby now, but the original arguably still has the edge. Live jazz, blues, and swing run most nights, paired with a cocktail menu teeming with classic and more original signature concoctions including the whimsical 'Beyond The Sea'.
Best Night to Visit: Thursdays to Saturdays are busiest. Weeknights are quieter, but still great.
Famous For: Era-themed menus, sharp jazz lineups, and a setting that feels built for the music.
Pricing: £6–£10 cover charge. Cocktails are around £14–£22.
Ambience: 1920s art-deco glamour with dark wood and gold accents.
Just south of the river, in a quiet stretch near northern Clapham, you'll find Toulouse Lautrec: part bistro, part cocktail bar, part jazz club. Run by two brothers in a converted Victorian pub, it takes inspiration from Paris but feels right at home in South London. There's live music every night: jazz quartets, piano trios, gospel nights, Latin sets, and student-led sessions. Upstairs, the cabaret lounge hosts everything from classic jazz to full-blown burlesque.
Best night to visit: Friday or Saturday for the full package.
Famous for: An exciting cultural mix of French dining, live jazz, cabaret, and performance art.
Pricing: Tickets are usually £10–£20. A full night with food and drinks costs around £40–£60.
Ambience: A nostalgic throwback to France: Parisian charm with a theatrical element.
The Jazz Café is a north London staple. It runs a different line-up almost every night, with jazz, soul, funk, Afrobeat, and hip-hop reigning supreme. Guests can either fully immerse themselves in the downstairs sitting area, or book a table upstairs for an added dose of glamour.
Best night to visit: Fridays and Saturdays if you want it packed. Monday to Thursday for soulful sets and smaller crowds.
Famous for: Hosting names like Pharoah Sanders, Jamiroquai and Amy Winehouse.
Pricing: Tickets usually fall between £15–£30. Dinner upstairs pushes the night to around £50+.
Ambience: Warm and electric. It’s not polished—but that's the point.
Boisdale doesn't try to be subtle. It's two floors of red walls, dark wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a whisky list that reads like a novel. You'll find cigars on the terrace, steak on the table, and sensational jazz backed by a seriously good NEXO sound system.
Best night to visit: Fridays and Saturdays for dinner, live jazz, and post-show DJ sets spinning funk and soul. Sundays lean slower, with live brunch sessions made for the purists.
Famous for: A 1,000+ whisky list, exclusive Cuban cigars, and a rotating line-up curated by Jools Holland.
Pricing: Dinner and show packages from £49. With drinks, expect to spend around £70+.
Ambience: Cosy but luxe with leather chairs and warm lighting
Located on a quiet alley behind Greenwich Theatre, Oliver's is a unique spot beloved by jazz enthusiasts. It boasts a cosy basement and an impressive line-up that mixes local talent with the occasional touring heavyweight. Rather than trying to compete with the big-name venues, Oliver's Jazz Bar combines the offbeat with a generous side of authenticity.
Best night to visit: Live music every night, with three jam sessions a week that keep it loose.
Famous for: Late sets, close-up performances, and a buzzing crowd.
Pricing: £10 cover, all nights.
Ambience: Stripped-back. Think 1930's basement charm.
Jazz in London is not just about the music. It's the room, the people, the flickering candles and the playful cocktails. Most clubs keep things tight with small rooms, close tables, and just enough space for the band to work their magic.
Some serve up curated menus alongside the music, while others let the drinks do the talking. But across the board, you'll find a kind of shared understanding: everyone's here for the same reason. Line-ups can be classic, experimental, or somewhere in between, and while there's no dress code, most people show up for an elegant night out.
Go with a place that fits your mood. Some clubs are all about soft lighting and old standards, while others lean louder, livelier, and looser. Check the line-up, but don't overthink it. The best sets aren't always the ones you plan for.
Stay for more than one session. Things tend to shift in the second half, especially at jam sessions where unexpected guests may show up. Book ahead, especially on weekends. Once you're in, put the phone away and soak up your surroundings.
Whether you're into classic jazz, or lean more towards modern swing, London's jazz scene delivers on all fronts. It's the kind of night that takes you out of the everyday and drops you into an immersive space where time seems to stand still for a moment, and the music does most of the talking.
Attending is not that expensive if you know where to go. Tickets fall somewhere between £10 and £35. Some clubs have cheaper late sets or midweek gigs.
Start with Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club, The Nightjar, PizzaExpress in Soho, or Vortex in Dalston.
London is known for its varied jazz scene, with venues catering to all tastes.
Ronnie Scott’s is the best one. It’s a global name featuring the best artists.
Smart-casual should get you in. Anything works really as long as you don’t go for your gym clothes or anything too casual.
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