The Best Jazz Clubs in London for a Sophisticated Night Out
London’s jazz scene is absolutely thriving, and whether you’re after a glamorous cocktail bar with a live pianist or a legendary venue where jazz greats have played, this city has it all. The best part? You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy an evening of world-class music. Here’s my pick of the best jazz spots in London—some well-known, some hidden gems, but all worth visiting.
The Big Names – London’s Most Famous Jazz Clubs
🎷 Ronnie Scott’s – The One Everyone Knows
If you’ve heard of just one jazz club in London, it’s probably Ronnie Scott’s. This Soho institution has been around since 1959, and everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Miles Davis has played here. It’s got that classic, intimate jazz club feel—low lighting, red velvet booths, and an audience that actually listens to the music.
Tickets for big-name acts sell out fast, but Upstairs at Ronnie’s is a great alternative. It’s a more relaxed space with emerging artists, it’s easier to get tickets and the prices are more affordable.
📍 47 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4HT
🚇 Leicester Square / Tottenham Court Road
📞 +44 20 7439 0747
🎷 The 100 Club – Where Legends Have Played
This Oxford Street venue is famous for its role in London’s music history. It started as a jazz club in the ‘40s before becoming a punk hotspot in the ‘70s, but jazz is still very much part of its DNA. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but that’s part of the charm. It feels like a university union bar of the 1970s with its orange painted walls, grilles on the bar, beer soaked floors and graffiti in the loos – perfect sense as the Rolling Stones played here If you like your jazz raw and unpolished, this is the place to be.
📍 100 Oxford St, London W1D 1LL
🚇 Oxford Circus / Tottenham Court Road
📞 +44 20 7636 0933
Soho’s Best Jazz Bars & Restaurants
🎷 Café Boheme – Jazz Every Afternoon
A French-style café in the heart of Soho with free live jazz every single afternoon—what’s not to love? The vibe is very Left Bank Paris meets Soho cool, and it’s the perfect spot to linger over a coffee (or a glass of wine, if you’re that way inclined). Expect everything from ragtime to Havana-style jazz depending on the day. There’s a coterie of jazz musicians who play all the top London clubs mentioned her but at Café Boheme you can get to hear them for free.
📍 13 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JQ
🚇 Leicester Square / Tottenham Court Road
📞 +44 20 7734 0623
🎷 Pizza Express Live – Jazz & Dinner for a Decent Price
It might sound unlikely that you’d find great jazz at a pizza chain restaurant, but Pizza Express Live is one of London’s best jazz venues. It’s got three locations—Holborn, Soho, and Chelsea—and some big names play here.
• Holborn: The newest and sleekest of the bunch, great for an intimate gig.
• Soho (Dean Street): The original venue—small, dark, and packed with history.
• Chelsea (The Pheasantry): A classy space with a Crazy Coqs-style vibe.
Dinner and a gig in London without spending a fortune? Yes, please.
📍 Holborn: 99 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF
📍 Soho: 10 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3RW
📍 Chelsea: 152 King’s Rd, London SW3 4UT
🚇 Nearest Tubes: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Sloane Square
Stylish Jazz Spots for a Sophisticated Night Out
🎷 Crazy Coqs – Art Deco, Cabaret & Jazz
Tucked inside Brasserie Zédel, this gorgeous Art Deco club is where cabaret meets jazz. The stylish red, black and white interiors are straight out of a 1930s movie set, and the acts range from classic jazz to storytelling performances. Restaurant critic Jay Rayner plays here with his jazz band but my personal favourite is Dom Pipkin with his show the Sweet Sounds of New Orleans.
If you fancy a proper night out, book a pre-show dinner at the very affordable Brasserie Zédel next door— hidden away in the basement, it’s one of London’s best-kept dining secrets.
📍 20 Sherwood St, Soho, London W1F 7ED
🚇 Piccadilly Circus
📞 +44 20 7734 4888
🌐 www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs
🎷 The Nightjar Covent Garden– Jazz in a Luxe Hidden Bar
The Oriole recently moved from Smithfield to Covent Garden and reverted to the Nightjar branding, but it’s still just as stunning—think plush velvet seats, tropical décor, and exceptional cocktails. The jazz acts are always top-notch, and it feels like a hidden gem, even though it’s in the heart of London.
📍 7-9 Slingsby Place, St. Martin’s Courtyard, London WC2E 9AB
🚇 Covent Garden
📞 +44 20 3457 8099
🎷 The Nightjar Old Street– London’s Coolest Speakeasy with Jazz
If you like low-lit speakeasies, vintage cocktails, and late-night jazz, The Nightjar near Old Street is your spot. It’s small, atmospheric, and has a proper 1920s vibe. Booking is essential, and you’ll want to dress up a bit—it’s that kind of place.
📍 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB
🚇 Old Street
📞 +44 20 7253 4101
Beyond Central London – Worth the Journey
If you don’t mind venturing out of Zone 1, here are some other fantastic jazz venues:
• The Bulls Head (Barnes) – One of London’s oldest jazz pubs.
• Toulouse Lautrec (Kennington) – A French-style bistro with live jazz.
Final Thoughts – Where to Go First?
If you want classic London jazz, start with Ronnie Scott’s.
For cocktails and a stylish night out, Oriole is the one.
Looking for a bargain jazz night? Pizza Express Live is surprisingly great.
For something a bit different, The Nightjar has all the speakeasy charm.
London has so much great live jazz—it’s just a matter of picking your vibe. Where’s your next jazz night out going to be?
