Bars with live music in London

Iconic venue Ronnie Scott's is one of the world's oldest jazz clubs. Located in Soho, this bar and restaurant has a classy feel and a famous neon sign at its entrance. Live jazz music is played in the bar every night, to be enjoyed with a sophisticated cocktail. This live music bar also serves British fine dining dishes.

Greek Street Live is a late-night live music bar in London where it's all about great tunes, killer cocktails, and proper food. It's spread across two floors of a historic townhouse, where bands take requests, DJs spin records, and a rowdy crowd knows how to have a good time. Throughout the week, expect a mix of pop, jazz, and lounge acts, with vinyl-only DJs keeping the tempo going well into the night.

NT's Loft is a cosy rooftop bar for live music. The intimate loft setting with rugs and greenery gives off living room vibes. There's also a terrace with fab views of East London. DJ sets and live performers are on regularly, including weekly improvised jazz nights that draw a big crowd.

Independent bar and queer music venue Folklore is compact and has a bohemian vibe. Expect swathes of fabric, sparkling lights, weathered surfaces, and a busy atmosphere. The place even has a resident cat. There are a wide variety of drinks at the bar as well as DJs, live world music acts, and a number of other events like yoga classes and meditation workshops.

Spend the night requesting all your favourite tunes at The Piano Works. At these riotous London music bars the whole thing centres around the house band. Request your favourite songs and spend the night singing, drinking, and dancing. As well as being popular for drinks, The Piano Works serve dinner and bottomless brunch.

The Records Bars can be found in different parts of London, but they stick to the same formula – friendly spaces with a retro bohemian vibe, expertly poured drinks, and a rotating live music line-up that keeps the tunes fresh and the good times rolling. With a dimly lit setting and glowing neon signs, they're the kinds of places where big names start out and where music legends are born.

Named after British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe, Scarfe's Bar is an upscale place for art, cocktails, and live music. It's a smart spot with a drawing room vibe and creative touches everywhere. The drinks list is dominated by creative cocktails that have earned Scarfes Bar a place among the world's best bars. Added to that, there's laidback live jazz on most nights of the week.

Award-winning cocktail bar Coupette brings a touch of France to East London. The dimly-lit interior is on-trend and the drinks list focuses on well-crafted cocktails with stylish and simple presentation. Live music is on multiple nights a week here, with a changing rotation of acts. Other events like cocktail masterclasses can be booked as well.

For intimate live music in London, try out award-winning venue Green Note in Camden Town. It's a live music venue as well as a veggie-friendly café-bar. Live gigs are on every day, spanning genres like jazz, folk, country, and world music. The food selection changes daily and there's a full choice of drinks.

Evoke the feel of Soho days gone by at speakeasy cocktail spot The Den. This hidden bar celebrates the area's musical history with live piano music, a killer playlist, and cocktails named after rock stars. Original artwork lines the walls and adds to the creative vibe at this well-kept secret venue.

For music and drinks in South London, head to Cable Café Bar. This cosy and rustic venue has a bohemian vintage feel to it. House-roasted coffee and homemade cakes are served during the day, food and drinks are served in the evenings, and there are weekly jazz nights with a changing selection of performers.

Head to Tottenham and The Post Bar for global live music, Argentine grilling, and a broad choice of drinks, served up in a friendly atmosphere. This homey local spot is cosy and attracts a diverse crowd. Live performers cover a broad spectrum of genres, from traditional African music to jazz, dance, and hip hop, at this London live music bar.

At Nightjar you can try signature and classic cocktails from throughout the ages along with late-night jazz and blues music. The setting is stylish and contemporary. The drinks list includes sharing cocktails to get your night started, plus there are vintage spirits including bourbon and rye from the 1930s you can sample.

Swift Soho combines two different bars into one venue. If you're a music lover, head to the intimate basement bar for live jazz music in a relaxed atmosphere, hosted on select nights every week. And when it comes to drinks, the bar boasts more than 300 types of whisky, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail mixes.

Spiritual Bar is run by the team behind Spiritual Records. It's a bohemian live music bar in Camden with performances from eclectic blues and folk performers. The vibe is cosy, friendly, and intimate at this quirky local place. You can enjoy beer and cocktails whilst listening to exciting musical acts, and if inspiration strikes, they have a recording studio you can book as well.

A local venue in bustling Green Lanes, Jam in a Jar is a lively London music bar that reopened under new management in 2025. It's a cosy spot with sofas, armchairs, and plenty of outdoor tables. Performers here cover a diverse range of genres – everything from bluegrass to traditional Cretan sounds is on the table. 

Head to The Piano Bar Soho for close-up live music and well-made drinks in a cosy hideaway. This acclaimed spot has a classic, old-school charm and a relaxed, low-lit vibe that feels miles away from the bustle outside. Expect regular jazz performances throughout the week paired with a tight selection of house cocktails.

Since launching over 15 years ago, SJQ has grown into one of East London's most respected grassroots music spots, helping establish Dalston as a key destination for live gigs. The music venue prioritises community and safety, giving both rising and well-known artists across a variety of genres a platform to experiment and connect with audiences up close. The basement club has a classic feel to it with red curtains, candlelit tables, and a fireplace.

Juju's Bar & Stage boasts a varied and busy events programme featuring everything from live music performances and DJ nights to exhibitions and film screenings. Housed in a buzzy warehouse space just off Brick Lane, you can enjoy top-notch gigs while sipping on local and global craft beers, original cocktails, and other refreshing drinks.

Riverside bar, kitchen, and creative space Grow is committed to sustainability and wellbeing. There's a worldly vibe here with a Middle Eastern-inspired menu and global DJ sets and live music acts covering a huge range of genres. There are chess clubs and jam sessions too, plus the bar does a varied choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Also known as The Bar With No Name, 69 Colebrooke Row in Islington is a popular destination for live music and cocktails. This award-winning bar has a sophisticated feel and serves classic cocktails plus contemporary twists on old favourites. The house pianist takes care of the soundtrack on select days, and the bar also hosts acts across a variety of genres weekly.

At refined American-style bar The Nickel you can check out live music every day, spanning a variety of different genres. Part of members' club and hotel The Ned, the bar has a classic, high-end ambiance and is a popular choice for elevated yet comforting food and drinks. The Nickel Bar specialises in American whiskies but also has grain spirits from around the world. Classic and original cocktails are served as well.

Headed by award-winning bartender Salvatore Calabrese, Velvet has a decadent look with rich jewel colours, classic design, and luxurious fabrics. The space is meticulously planned out, just like the list of creative cocktails celebrating the theatre of mixology. Live music performances take place several times a week, further enhancing the vibe.

For comforting food, delicious drinks, and plenty of dancing, head to The Blues Kitchen. Live music is a big part of the experience here, with the house band playing soul, blues, funk, and rock 'n' roll. Food menus at these fun spots showcase Cajun barbecue recipes and there's a varied choice at the bar, including lots of whiskey.

East London's Mu is a cool and contemporary destination for drinks, food, and live music. The food menu focuses on fireside Japanese cooking, with dishes like beef skewers and glazed tofu. Wine and cocktails are also served. There's live music hosted here every night, with tunes from both guest and resident performers.

Long-established bar The Social is a liberal venue set over two floors. There's a cosy wooden drinking space as well as a downstairs venue that's host to a range of different events, from exhibitions to live music performances. Some major names have played here, including Bon Iver and Aphex Twin.

One housed in a former church and the other in a shiny new building, both Amazing Grace venues nonetheless appeal to the same kind of patron – fun-loving crowds that appreciate a bit of polish. The spacious venues put on DJs and live music acts regularly to get things going, and it you're hungry, you'll find a tempting menu of Asian cooking here. The varied range of drinks available from the bar helps things flow smoothly as well.

Smack dab in the middle of Piccadilly, Downstairs at The Dilly is a centrally located spot for live music and cocktails. The venue has a sophisticated feel and an intimate atmosphere. Live piano music accompanied by world-class vocalists is on every night and the drinks list is packed with luxury cocktails inspired by London itself. English sparkling wine is also available here.

Slim Jim's in Upper Street is the epitome of rock 'n' roll. This late-night dive bar is known for its jet black walls and the hundreds of bras hanging from its ceiling. There's a rock 'n' roll jukebox as well as frequent live performances covering rock, metal, and blues. The live music bar does a full range of drinks and boasts an extensive whiskey selection.

Tucked beneath the Stone Nest arts hub in Chinatown, Below Stone Nest pours refined highballs and serves veg-forward small plates in a deliberately worn-in, industrial interior. Open late daily, it draws a fashion-minded crowd looking for unfussy cocktails and bite-sized dishes in an atmospheric space. The venue also hosts live music regularly, adding to its late-night appeal.