Jazz hands at the ready! Swing by London’s greatest little jazz venues… And don’t worry. There are plenty more puns to come:
If you’re looking for sax appeal, you’ve come to the right place. You won’t get the blues at any of these fine establishments. As always, our top ten guestlist is designed to get you involved with your own suggestions. If you’re positively outraged that Ronnie Scott’s, the Jazz Café or your favourite little place hasn’t made the cut, we want to hear about it. Drum roll please…
Central:
1. Ain’t Nothing But… Soho, W1B 5PZ
This has come up on the GLP wall more times than we’ve had red wine gums. According to an “anonymous” quote on their website, it is the ‘best blues bar this side of the Atlantic’. Trust us, there ain’t nothing better…
Thanks for the tip off: Chris Strutt
2. Charlotte Street Blues, Goodge Street, W1T 4QH
Music is very much centre stage at this chilled out joint. Certified GLP.
Thanks for the tip off: Brittany Berman
East:
3. Charlie Wright’s International, Hoxton, N1 6DA
Down right dirty jazz. Just like it should be. There’s a reason we buy Persil.
Thanks for the tip off: Kirsty Tinkler
4. Lena, Shoreditch, EC2A 3JT
For an eclectic mix of jazz, swing south and visit this lovely Italian number. Inside it’s hipper than a Vespa with its trend-setting décor.
Thanks for the tip off: Thea Dedden
South:
5. Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, Kennington, SE11 4RN
Here’s what Matt Campion wrote on our wall: “Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec – hidden on the outskirts of Kennington & near the Elephant and Castle… a great experience. Try the fish platter in the bar – served on an artist’s palette and signed in balsamic! Live Jamming Jazz every night too!” He’s not wrong.
Thanks for the tip off: Matt Campion
6. Le QuecumBar, Battersea, SW11 3HX
Le QuecumBar is home to gypsy swing. Cooler than a cucumber. Begona Castro wrote on our GLP page to say: “the Tuesday jam session is amazing!” Begona, we’ll jam with you any day of the week.
Thanks for the tip off: Begona Castro
7. 606 Club, Chelsea, SW10 0QD
According to the cheeky little’n Jamie Cullum, 606 is “London’s best music venue”. Real talk from the little fella himself. Mrs Cullum, you should be proud of your son, he’s no fibber.
Thanks for the tip off: err, Jamie Cullum
8. Boisdale, Belgravia, SW1W 9LX
A tartan clad jazz, cigar and supper club in an elegant Regency town house, Boisdale of Belgravia has the charm of an old fashioned gentlemen’s club. The music is ace but the food is expensive so be ready to snap your purse strings.
9. Bull’s Head, Barnes, SW13 9PY
Jazz has been played at the Bull’s head for over 50 years. They’ve even started their own Jazz festival to mark the fact. Roll on JazzStock.
North (ish):
10. The Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston, N16 8AZ
A beacon for cutting-edge jazz. Playing strong for 20 years… Shaun Cook wrote on our wall to say: ‘Some hot stuff goin on there’. Shaun you only speak the truth.
Thanks for the tip off: Shaun Crook
And one last one for luck, we’ve previously mentioned this little gem – but definitely one for the list:
JAZZLIVE @ The Crypt, St Giles Centre, Camberwell, SE5
Jazz sinners beware! Housed in the crypt of a church, Jazz Live is an unusual and holy little number. Cross our hearts and hope to die. Amen.
Thanks for the tip off: Jesus.
Tags: Barnes, Battersea, Belgravia, Camberwell, Chelsea, Dalston, Fitzrovia, Jazz, Kennington, Shoreditch, Soho
You’ve missed out my favourite!
check out the lovely Green Note on Parkway in Camden
http://www.greennote.co.uk/
What happened to Oliver’s in Greenwich?!
Have been a couple of times and though it’s virtually impossible to find, the wander is worth it. Amazing little underground, crooked place, with a mad owner who occasionally gets involved in the music himself.
Whether with friends, or on a date, it’s a quirky, charming, buzzing bar, off the beaten track and perfect for the followers of “I know this great little place…”
9 Nevada Street
London SE10 9JL
Jack – Oliver’s sounds brilliant. We’re on our way…
shhh Jack! I’m glad Olivers hasn’t been mentioned on this list, I prefer it to be kept out of such lists!
The Lord Rockwood, Forest Gate way. Great acts, good beer and vibe
I was also going to recommend the Green Note — definitely a must-see!
Agreed that the Jazz Café shouldnt be on there. the last couple of nights I had in there were awful, and that is despite some very good performances by the artists.
I was just about to write about this great little place I know in Greenwich, run by an eccentric frenchman with a legendary moustache. Warmed by a wood stove on those cold winter nights, closed… well when the last person staggers out and a hula hoop and acoustic guitar in the ‘other’ room, just in case the jazz doesn’t do it for you.
But then I see everyone has already beaten me to it. Oliver’s we salute you.
606 on a first date was a blast………. well mentioned! well hidden………..
Thanks to its exclusive charm and consistent great music the Green Note in Parkway NW1 is certainly a GLP but it’s folk and blues with very little Jazz to tell the truth. For the same reason why include biz type places like Charlotte St. Blues when the promoters have no obvious idea of what they’re booking? What about the original Pizza Express in Wardour St. for inclusion? I hate lists but why not tell us about the next 10? Oliver’s the best SLP that as a Londoner I would have kept secret.
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Green Note has all kinds of music but also some nights dedicated to Jazz. One Sunday a month, for instance, there is a jazz evening with 2 bands followed by a jam session. Some nice food too (vegetarian).
Strange that under the title of London’s Best Jazz Clubs and a sentence in the introduction saying “You won’t get the blues at any of these fine establishments. ” you start with 2 establishments that cater exclusively for the blues.
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