Sometimes the only thing you want from a night out is to find somewhere with cracking live music that you can actually listen to. We’ve been on the hunt for somewhere you can hear the feedback from a guitar and the actual hit of a drum rather than an overbearing crowd speaking over the ambient music.
Thankfully for you, we’ve put together a guide of the best live music bars in London that guarantee a solid night out filled with good drinks and music.
Kindred
Hammersmith’s Kindred is not only a members club but boasts an electrifying entertainment space with a bar. Every week they host different events from poetry nights to quiz nights, with regular nights a week focusing on soul and jazz. Every night there are new, skilled artists featured on the stage.
If you are on the hunt for a new up and coming artist to obsess over, Kindred might be the place you find them.
Bradmore House, Queen Caroline Street, London W6 9BW
www.wearekindred.com
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Below Stone Nest
With a rather hidden entrance in Soho, Below Stone Nest is the perfect spot for a more chill night out. In the candle light, the worn down walls and low seating areas make the ceiling feel high and feel like you are in some sort of high-end basement in the best way. There is a simple bar menu that is sure to please everyone, featuring everything from a margarita to campari.
With live music Wednesday through Saturday from 10pm till closing, Below Stone Nest is a great place to meet up with friends for drinks after work.
136 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EZ
www.belowsoho.london.com
Louche
It’s easy to walk past this gem in Soho, but next time you are there, keep your ear open and their tunes may draw you in. If you’re craving a more intimate setting, Louche is the perfect place. With its dimly lit interior and red accents, it features a smaller, more casual stage where artists of all genres play. From vintage rock and roll to disco classics, you can expect it all played live at Louche. There’s even a dancefloor near the front of the area if you fancy boogeying away or pitch yourself up on one of the seats around and enjoy the music into the early hours.
5 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DD
www.louchesoho.com
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Nightjar
Tucked within the alleys of Carnaby, Nightjar offers live music Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until they close. Each artist playing either specialises in jazz, blues, funk or swing. The thing that makes Nightjar so special isn’t just the live music, but their handcrafted cocktails feature a wide range of unconventional, yet pleasing flavour combinations.
Listen to an evening of blues while sipping on an umami earthy cocktail – our favourite is the Bergamont Bellini.
KINGLY COURT, 49-51 CARNABY ST, LONDON, W1F 9PY
WWW.NIGHTJARCARNABY.COM
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Old St Records
If dancing is a top priority of the night, then Old St. Records is a must. Upon entering the venue, you are greeted by a sea of people chatting, dancing and giving their attention to whoever is on stage. With neon lights shining bright behind the performer, it’s hard not to hang onto every note they play. The best part of this venue is that there are several floors that are often playing different types of music. The ground floor may have an alternative band while a hip hop DJ plays in the basement.
350-356 Old Street, London, EC1V 9NQ
www.oldstreetrecords.com
Piano Works
Over in Farringdon lies Piano Works, a unique bar unlike any other. In the middle of the venue, lies a stage with two pianos and often accompanied by a guitar, bass, and drums. The most interesting part of this live performance is that it happens every night, but there is never a set list. The band doesn’t know what they are playing until they look at the request sheets the audience has sent up.
Depending on the night you go and the people you are with, this request-based performance can be unexpected and spontaneous in the best ways.
113-117 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BX
www.pianoworks.bar.com
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The Slaughtered Lamb
You can’t beat a classic pub session but The Slaughtered Lamb takes it up a notch with regular live music nights. With DJ nights every Thursday and live music all throughout the weekend, if you want a pint in a pub setting, but prefer live music over a playlist this is the place for you. Add one a classic fish and chips for a real pub moment.
34-35 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DX
www.theslaughteredlambpub.com
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
This isn’t just your average jazz club, this is one of the oldest jazz club’s in the world that opened in 1959. This iconic spot has live jazz every night and depending on whether you want to dance or have a drink and sit and enjoy the music, there are several floors to accommodate however you’re feeling on the night. Sometimes Ronnie’s can feel like a concert and other times like a casual hang out spot, it’s up to you to choose.
47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT
www.ronniescott.com
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Velvet in Corinthia
Not every night can be a pub night, sometimes we all crave something a little fancier. When in the mood to put on a dress or a tie, the Velvet bar is the perfect place to treat yourself while getting a dose of live music. From the curtains to the couches, the dark red velvet interiors and high-quality cocktails makes this one of London’s most special live music spots.
Live music is played Tuesday to Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD
www.corinthia.com
The Wellesley
Maybe after a romantic walk through Hyde Park or an exhausting run to Harrods, you may in the mood to get a drink and listen to some music. Luckily, The Wellesley in Knightsbridge has a wonderful jazz lounge where you can not only get a refreshing drink, but listen to some innovative jazz. Open only on Friday and Saturday evenings, it is worth making time for.
Jazz in a rather luxurious setting has a different sound, whenever craving this sound The Wellesley is the place for you.
11 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LY
www.marriot.com
Blues Kitchen
A rare blend of a restaurant, bar and live music venue is what the Blues Kitchen is all about. If you are looking for barbeque, a good cocktail, or a night of soul music, Blues Kitchen has it all covered. With locations in Brixton, Camden, and Shoreditch, there is always something fun happening.
With live music every night and different themed nights, you can’t go wrong with the Blues Kitchen.
40 Acre Ln, Brixton, SW2 5SP
111-113 Camden High St, NW1 7JN
134-146 Curtain Rd, Shoreditch, EC2A 3AR
www.blueskitchen.com
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Victoria Dalston
This classic pub has a bit of a spin to it as it is not only been around for 100 years, but its music room has been instrumental in building a music loving community in London, especially in the 1980s. They have shows in their music room every Friday and Saturday night. You can check on their calendar to see who is playing that night.
If you’re in the mood to spice up your regular pub experience, try The Victoria Dalston and order one of their special cocktails.
451 Queensbridge Road, Dalston, London, E8 3AS
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