Jazz is rocking in London – it does something to your soul. It’s a release, and a time to dream and wonder at how free you can really be. Here are the current best places to go in London.
Ronnie Scott’s
The original vanguard of jazz music, this place started operating in 1959 and gained its fame by hosting the first American music artist in the UK (Zoot Sims). The establishment opened by Ronnie Scott has witnessed performances by big names of the jazz world like Kurt Elling and Chick Corea, also giving space to upcoming artists. Regular names who feature on the performance list are Kenny Garrett Quintet and Bill Cobham.
Tip: Book really early as all shows are easily sold out.
Address: 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
Tel: 0207 439 0747
Website: www.ronniescotts.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Fine whisky served in a Scottish restaurant, an oyster bar, an indoor cigar library for tasting Havana’s finest collection and delicious food served with proper jazz is what this place is all about. This place, totally based on clichés down to the stag’s head on the wall, is like a gentlemen’s club with jazz thrown in to make it even classier. The whisky bar can actually claim to be one of the finest in London. Enjoy all of this with nightly music at a very affordable price.
Try: Haggis with mashed potato and orange neeps.
Address: Cabot Place, London E14 4QT
Tel: 0207 715 5818
Website: www.boisdale.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Canary Wharf Tube
Le Quecum Bar & Brasserie
This place is a Parisian-styled tribute to Django Reinhardt, with a gypsy swing and live jazz thrown in. With a theme of a 1930s café, this place has some authentic and delicate French cuisine, fine but inexpensive international wine and a relaxed atmosphere. Drop by for a soothing French aura and nightly hot club jazz. But get here before 10:30pm, as entry is not allowed after that.
Try: Beef Bourguignon.
Address: 42-44 Battersea High Street, London SW11 3HX
Tel: 0207 787 2227
Website: www.quecumbar.co.uk/
Nearest train station: Clapham Junction
Night Jar
Live jazz and blues music playing seven nights a week, an impressively playful cocktail list, a basal atmosphere and interiors based on the 1920s is what propelled this 2010 establishment to fame. So much so that now it operates only on an online booking system. The dimmed lighting of the place complements the smooth, live jazz artists. Upholding its claim of being a cocktail bar, this place has a bar menu divided into different historical eras. Swing by for a well-garnished cocktail served with proper jazz.
Try: The London Mule.
Address: 129 City Road, London EC1V 1JB
Tel: 0207 253 4101
Website: www.barnightjar.com/
Nearest tube station: Old Street
Jazz Café
For 25 years, this New York hip-hop styled venue has witnessed performance by big names like Chuck Berry, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Bobby Womack to name a few, right in Camden Town. European cuisine mixed with invigorating jazz music – this is the place to unwind after a stressful day.
Address: 5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG
Tel: 0207 485 6834
Website: www.thejazzcafelondon.com/
Nearest tube station: Camden Town
Vortex Jazz Club
If jazz combined with improvised and avant garde music is what you crave, then this club is the right place for you to visit. Mercury-nominated jazz artists like Acoustic Ladyland to upcoming nu-folk artists, electro-jazz artists Three Trapped Tigers and other talented musicians have made this place their music laboratory. No matter what time you pay a visit, this club will have some music to offer you.
Tip: Make sure you book a table.
Address: 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
Tel: 0207 254 4097
Website: www.vortexjazz.co.uk/
Nearest train station: Dalston Kingsland
The Bull’s Head
A prominent jazz spot since the 1950s, this place caters to genuine enthusiasts with almost daily, live music shows. Mondays see the performance of blues in this riverside pub and the other days of the week are devoted to popular British jazz and swing. In case celebrity sighting is your thing, then know that veteran pianist Stan Tracey and ace sax player Peter King are regular guests here.
Try: Guay Tiew Ki-Mao at their Thai bistro.
Address: 373 Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9PY
Tel: 0208 876 5241
Website: www.thebullsheadbarnes.com
Nearest train station: Barnes Bridge
Kansas Smitty’s
Trying to make jazz appealing to the younger generation while bribing them with really good bourbon, this place is named after the eight-piece house band, consisting of talented performers. Tucked in the interiors and coming off as an underground bar, this bar celebrates Kansas’s ignorance of the prohibition era and love for everything music related. Bebop jazz and bourbon makes for an intoxicating combination in this place.
Try: Bourbon juleps
Address: 63-65 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
Website: www.kansassmittys.com/
Nearest train station: Cambridge Heath
Nola
The jazz soundtrack, architecture, cocktail list and general atmosphere of this place are all an attempt to recreate the vibe of Louisiana, New Orleans in London. Old-fashioned ceiling fans, a secret cigar smoking terrace, herb garden and impressive cocktail list, with the occasional live music performance, all combine to make this place a must-visit place. Nola is also famed for showcasing upcoming jazz artists.
Try: The original Sazerac.
Address: 1st Floor, 68 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY
Website: nola-london.com/
Nearest tube station: Old Street
The Archduke
Live music from Monday to Saturday, along with delectable European dishes under railway arches, pulls both locals and tourists to this place. The free jazz shows on Fridays and Saturdays are an added attraction. The place also boasts an impressive wine list along, with generous servings of steak dishes.
Try: Cooked asparagus with poached egg and hollandaise sauce
Address: 153 Concert Hall Approach, London SE1 8XU
Tel: 0207 928 9370
Website: www.blackandbluerestaurants.com/our-restaurants/the-archduke/
Nearest tube station: Waterloo
Ronnie Scott’s
The original vanguard of jazz music, this place started operating in 1959 and gained its fame by hosting the first American music artist in the UK (Zoot Sims). The establishment opened by Ronnie Scott has witnessed performances by big names of the jazz world like Kurt Elling and Chick Corea, also giving space to upcoming artists. Regular names who feature on the performance list are Kenny Garrett Quintet and Bill Cobham.
Tip: Book really early as all shows are easily sold out.
Address: 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT
Tel: 0207 439 0747
Website: www.ronniescotts.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
The Blues Kitchen
An in-house barbecue with a smokey fire pit, almost daily live jazz artists, Sunday jazz jams with sinful bourbon; all combine to create this music-cum-dance dining space. Keep your eyes and ears perked for their happy hours which combine soulful jazz music with palatable dishes. For the weekend extroverts, this place remains open late into the night on weekends. Also has branches in Camden and Brixton.
Try: Short beef ribs with beer and hickory barbeque sauce
Address: 134-146 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AR
Tel: 0207 729 7216
Website: www.theblueskitchen.com/
Nearest tube station: Old Street
WM Jazz Club
With 74 table seats, two VIP areas and ten seats at the bar, this indiscreet, low-lit basement club in the O2 arena has gained a loyal following, which ends up at its doors for the impressive line-up of artists like the Miller Jazz Quartet. The top-notch music and accompanying dinner in a surprisingly intimate atmosphere is a good reason to visit the place. Dubbed as the ‘mecca of live music’, this club has recently opened in 2013 and has already hosted the performances by world-renowned artists.
Tip: Brace yourself to stand in a queue before being let in.
Address: 23 Entertainment Avenue, London SE10 0DY
Tel: 0208 858 4510
Website: www.clubwm.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: North Greenwich
606 Club
Since 1976, this Chelsea establishment has catered to serious jazz enthusiasts and late-night hunger pangs. Jazz music playing seven nights a week makes it one of the busiest and famous jazz clubs. 606 hosts exclusively British jazz artists, but this has in no way deterred the flow of customers in this club, with capacity accommodating 150 patrons.
Tip: Be prepared to pay a music charge on the bill instead of the stand-alone entry fee to fund the performers.
Address: 90 Lots Road, London SW10 0QD
Tel: 0207 352 5953
Website: www.606club.co.uk/
Nearest tube station: Fulham Broadway
The post London’s Best Jazz Clubs appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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