Bars with live music in London

For intimate live performances 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 shows are on every day spanning genres like jazz, folk, country, and world music. The food selection changes each day and there's a full choice of drinks.

WC is housed in a converted public toilet and is all about wine and charcuterie. At the cosy Clapham venue with restored marble tiles, you can catch live music performances every Sunday evening. Take in some exciting performers whilst enjoying sharing boards and a concise choice of fine wines.

Award-winning 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 three nights a week here with a changing rotation of acts. Other events like cocktail masterclasses are on too.

Evoke the feel of old-school Soho 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.

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 place also serves British fine dining dishes.

For music and drinks in South London, head to Cable Café Bar. This cosy and rustic setting has a bohemian vintage feel. 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 from traditional African music to jazz, dance, and hip hop.

Check out Old Street Records for live tunes and tempting cocktails. The venue is cosy and on-trend with exposed brick and coloured lights. A varied selection of drinks are on offer and the array of musical acts is just as diverse. A simple pizza menu is on offer if you get hungry.

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.

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

NT's Loft is a cosy spot for live music. The intimate loft setting with rugs and greenery gives off living room vibes. There's also a roof 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.

Spiritual Bar is run by the team behind Spiritual Records. It's a bohemian bar and music venue in Camden with performances from eclectic blues and folk performers. The vibe is cosy, friendly, and intimate at this quirky local place. Enjoy beer and cocktails whilst listening to exciting musical acts.

A local venue in bustling Green Lanes, Jam in a Jar is a laid-back café by day and a lively music venue and cocktail bar at night. It's a cosy spot with sofas, armchairs, and plenty of outdoor tables. Performers here cover a diverse range of genres from bluegrass to traditional Cretan sounds. 

At Eastcheap Records it's obvious that music is what matters – the walls are lined with pages from music magazines and vinyl records are stacked up by the bar. Live acts play here every night. Enjoy some tunes along with a cocktail from the bar and pizza if you're hungry.

Visit The Piano Bar Soho for music and cocktails in an intimate setting. This award-winning place is a hidden gem with vintage style and an easygoing atmosphere. Live jazz is on most nights of the week, served up alongside a concise range of signature cocktails. Hire of the venue is also possible.

Music lovers can head to Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston for intimate jazz performances. This cool bar and venue is set over two floors and has a pared-back sense of style. Expect an eclectic line-up of live music performances, including some events that are free. A varied choice of drinks is available from the bar.

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 acts, and a number of other events like yoga classes and meditation workshops.

Juju's Bar & Stage boasts a varied and busy events programme. Expect live music performances, DJs, exhibitions, and film screenings amongst the events here. In this vibrant warehouse space you can enjoy all the activity along with local and global craft beers and original cocktails.

Riverside bar, kitchen, and creative space Grow is committed to sustainability and wellbeing. There's a global vibe here with a Middle Eastern-inspired menu and global DJ sets and live 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 destination for music and cocktails. This award-winning bar has a sophisticated feel and serves classic cocktails plus contemporary twists on old favourites. Live music is on every Thursday covering genres like rock 'n' roll and blues.

At refined American-style bar The Nickel Bar you can check out live music every day, spanning a variety of different genres. This place has a classic feel and is a popular choice for food and drinks. The bar specialises in American whiskey but also has grain spirits from around the world. Classic and original cocktails are also available.

Velvet has a decadent look with rich jewel colours, classic design, and luxurious fabrics. The space is carefully-designed and there's a list of creative cocktails celebrating the theatre of mixology. There's a decadent atmosphere here. Live music performances take place several times a week, further enhancing the vibe.

For energetic music performances and cocktails that evoke Soho's lively and glamorous past, check out Louche Soho. The low-lit venue has a secretive feel and inside you'll find a number of spaces with comfy leather seating and photos on the walls. DJs and live acts are on every night, covering eclectic genres like Motown, rock 'n' roll, dance, and acoustic.

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 cosy spots showcase Cajun barbecue recipes and there's a varied choice at the bar, including lots of whisky.

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 every night, with tunes from both guest and resident performers.

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

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.

Housed in a former church, Amazing Grace is a unique destination for food, drinks, and music. It's a spacious venue and there are DJs and live music acts on regularly to get things going. If you're hungry, you'll find a tempting menu of Thai cooking here, plus a varied range of drinks available from the bar.

Spend the night requesting all your favourite tunes at The Piano Works. At these riotous 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, this place serves dinner and bottomless brunch.

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 is on every night and the drinks list is packed with luxury cocktails inspired by London itself. English sparkling wine is also available here.

Greenwich riverside venue The Old Joinery has loads for music lovers to enjoy. Based in a former joinery workshop, this spot has an industrial feel whilst the terrace gives off tropical vibes. There are a wide range of intimate musical performances here plus acoustic acts sometimes play out on the terrace. Street food and varied drinks are served.

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 bar does a full range of drinks including an extensive whisky selection.