As seen on Spire.comWhilst the historical Ronnie Scott's might be London’s most renowned jazz club, it has lost much of its former glory since going under new mamangement in recent times. For a more authentic groovy night out, check out some of London’s other musical hot spots.
1) 606 Club
A slice of New Orleans soul, only in London. The 606 has got pedigree, it’s been around for 30 years, and it’s right up there with the big boys as one of London’s best. Jazz fans often refer to that all-important element of ‘cool’ and The 606 has it in abundance. This is how jazz clubs should be: hard to find (set in an industrial neighbourhood near Chelsea Harbour’s back alleys); an up-close and personal vibe with the artistes; plus, cosy without being crowded. Even gaining entry has an element of mystery to it. At the gated archway you’re buzzed in via an intercom before descending a staircase into a bare-brick basement. What you find is beatnik chic - all low ceilings, rough concrete, dusty curtains, and scruffy tables gathered around a non-stage (the band performs on your level). The food and wine selection are nothing to write home about but the grilled halibut fillet with tomato coulis, fennel and zuchini is worth trying. Plus, there’s roughly a dozen of each wine color to try.
www.606club.co.uk
2) The Pigalle Club
The Pigalle couldn’t be more central if it tried. Perfect if, like me, you love Mayfair and Regent Street. Vince Power is in charge; he who founded the Mean Fiddler Group which owns a large chunk of London’s music venues. Basically, he knows what he’s doing. The subterranean 1940s supper club authenticity is picture perfect. Table service comes from staff dressed in costumes befitting the era, the wood and mirror decor is indicative of the glitz and glam of old, and occasionally big name acts such as Van Morrison, Ertha Kitt and Shirley Bassey grace the stage (if not them, then the glut of rising lounge and jazz talent will easily wow you). It’s quite a big venue but owing to its peculiar shape it still has that cosy feeling I like so much about jazz clubs. The modern European menu really plays second fiddle to the music, so grab a spot on the mezzanine for the best view of the stage (the side view can be a little restricted).
A slice of New Orleans soul, only in London. The 606 has got pedigree, it’s been around for 30 years, and it’s right up there with the big boys as one of London’s best. Jazz fans often refer to that all-important element of ‘cool’ and The 606 has it in abundance. This is how jazz clubs should be: hard to find (set in an industrial neighbourhood near Chelsea Harbour’s back alleys); an up-close and personal vibe with the artistes; plus, cosy without being crowded. Even gaining entry has an element of mystery to it. At the gated archway you’re buzzed in via an intercom before descending a staircase into a bare-brick basement. What you find is beatnik chic - all low ceilings, rough concrete, dusty curtains, and scruffy tables gathered around a non-stage (the band performs on your level). The food and wine selection are nothing to write home about but the grilled halibut fillet with tomato coulis, fennel and zuchini is worth trying. Plus, there’s roughly a dozen of each wine color to try.
www.606club.co.uk
2) The Pigalle Club
The Pigalle couldn’t be more central if it tried. Perfect if, like me, you love Mayfair and Regent Street. Vince Power is in charge; he who founded the Mean Fiddler Group which owns a large chunk of London’s music venues. Basically, he knows what he’s doing. The subterranean 1940s supper club authenticity is picture perfect. Table service comes from staff dressed in costumes befitting the era, the wood and mirror decor is indicative of the glitz and glam of old, and occasionally big name acts such as Van Morrison, Ertha Kitt and Shirley Bassey grace the stage (if not them, then the glut of rising lounge and jazz talent will easily wow you). It’s quite a big venue but owing to its peculiar shape it still has that cosy feeling I like so much about jazz clubs. The modern European menu really plays second fiddle to the music, so grab a spot on the mezzanine for the best view of the stage (the side view can be a little restricted).
www.vpmg.net/pigalle
3) The Dover Street Restaurant & Bar
Great for gals looking for a fun night out with girlfriends. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because this venue is in Mayfair it’ll be class and elegance all the way. This is one for the masses. The service is unpredictable, the French/European cuisine is decidely average, the bar area is nearly always limited for space, and it can feel a bit like dining in a nightclub. Yes, this is definitely not a civilsed event. Despite all this, however, the music is excellent. Every night there’s a real party atmosphere due to a blend of jazz, blues, latin and soul and once you’ve eaten your mediocre dinner you’re encouraged to dance the night away. It did win Visit London’s Gold Award for Live Entertainment in 2005 and has been running for 28 years so something has to be working.
3) The Dover Street Restaurant & Bar
Great for gals looking for a fun night out with girlfriends. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because this venue is in Mayfair it’ll be class and elegance all the way. This is one for the masses. The service is unpredictable, the French/European cuisine is decidely average, the bar area is nearly always limited for space, and it can feel a bit like dining in a nightclub. Yes, this is definitely not a civilsed event. Despite all this, however, the music is excellent. Every night there’s a real party atmosphere due to a blend of jazz, blues, latin and soul and once you’ve eaten your mediocre dinner you’re encouraged to dance the night away. It did win Visit London’s Gold Award for Live Entertainment in 2005 and has been running for 28 years so something has to be working.
www.doverst.co.uk
4) Le Quecum Bar & Brasserie
This is the quintessential ‘hidden gem’. I’d heard this place was on the left side of leftfield and I wasn’t dissapointed. It’s location is very anti-West End - just across the river from Fulham and Chelsea - which gives it an added bohemian edge. It’s ornately decorated to look like a 1920s Parisian wine bar and has a secluded patio area to give it that sud de la France aura. The food is typically French - snails, pate, beef bourguignon, coq au vin and alike - as is the wine. The staff love their music and will chatter about it non-stop given the chance. This does mean their level of service can dip occasionally though and the waitressing is notoriously slow. But, much like the Dover Street bar, this is all about the music and the atmosphere and passionate bands play Django Reinhardt’s casual Hot Club gypsy jazz, which makes it London’s only venue to do so.
www.quecumbar.co.uk
5) Octave
What’s great about this small and sophisticated venue is that it not only offers fantastic live music six nights a week but it’s also a great place to drink and dine. I thoroughly recommend the cuisine, which has a modern European slant, especially for its presentation and quality. As long as they’re still on the menu, opt for the fried chorizo entrée followed by the butterfish with mashed potato main: delicious. The service is attentive but not cloying and the cocktail list is impressive with some 70+ to choose from. Tucked away in a quiet part of Covent Garden, Octave is a relative newcomer to London having only been open since 2004. This doesn’t mean it’s unpopular though; quite the opposite. It can get very busy, especially at weekends, so arrive early and book a table ahead of time. The crowd is trendy and laid back, but annoyingly some people tend to chat during the performances. Check their website before you go to see who's playing as the acts can vary in taste.
www.octave8.com
4) Le Quecum Bar & Brasserie
This is the quintessential ‘hidden gem’. I’d heard this place was on the left side of leftfield and I wasn’t dissapointed. It’s location is very anti-West End - just across the river from Fulham and Chelsea - which gives it an added bohemian edge. It’s ornately decorated to look like a 1920s Parisian wine bar and has a secluded patio area to give it that sud de la France aura. The food is typically French - snails, pate, beef bourguignon, coq au vin and alike - as is the wine. The staff love their music and will chatter about it non-stop given the chance. This does mean their level of service can dip occasionally though and the waitressing is notoriously slow. But, much like the Dover Street bar, this is all about the music and the atmosphere and passionate bands play Django Reinhardt’s casual Hot Club gypsy jazz, which makes it London’s only venue to do so.
www.quecumbar.co.uk
5) Octave
What’s great about this small and sophisticated venue is that it not only offers fantastic live music six nights a week but it’s also a great place to drink and dine. I thoroughly recommend the cuisine, which has a modern European slant, especially for its presentation and quality. As long as they’re still on the menu, opt for the fried chorizo entrée followed by the butterfish with mashed potato main: delicious. The service is attentive but not cloying and the cocktail list is impressive with some 70+ to choose from. Tucked away in a quiet part of Covent Garden, Octave is a relative newcomer to London having only been open since 2004. This doesn’t mean it’s unpopular though; quite the opposite. It can get very busy, especially at weekends, so arrive early and book a table ahead of time. The crowd is trendy and laid back, but annoyingly some people tend to chat during the performances. Check their website before you go to see who's playing as the acts can vary in taste.
www.octave8.com
7) Vortex Jazz
If you’re adamantly traditional about your jazz, it might be best to avoid Vortex. If, however, you’re open to a few fresh, progressive ideas then the word comes on great authority that Vortex has a distinct blend of styles, age and ethnicity. Contemporary jazz is the agenda, in a broad range of formats. Folky, improv, world, big band - it’s all there and names like Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Evan Parker, Tim Berne, F-IRE Collective, Polar Bear and Zoe Rahmann have all made an appearance or two. Despite being 21 years old, Vortex has a noticeable young vibe and is almost too fashionable for its own good; which is indicative of the Dalston area itself, hastily becoming THE trendy hangout in the capital. The interior is fairly standard - romantic candlelit tables and butt-numbing furniture - but the large blue glass fronting is very unique, in a fishbowl sort of way. On the down side the bar is limited, at best, and the toilet situation could be a lot better.
www.vortexjazz.co.uk
8) The Boisdale Jazz & Cigar Club
Simply put, The Boisdale’s main concerns are meat, smoke, whisky and jazz. If you’re not particularly fussed by at least two of these then The Boisdale will not be to your liking. OK yes, it is primarily a restaurant and yes, it is a members club but that shouldn’t deter you from witnessing some traditional jazz. For a nominal ‘jazz charge’, non-members are allowed to dine in the restaurant or position themselves at the bar after 10pm to see the house band - Richard Pite’s Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band, a quartet/quintet playing 30s-50s old style jazz and blues. Be warned, booking a spot at the bar is not an option. So, dinner it is then. The fare is mainly Scotland-sourced so steak and wild salmon are a must, unless the haggis and neeps take your fancy. This is a Belgravia townhouse and as such is just moments away from The Palace - yes, THAT Palace - so naturally it exudes class and sophistication. Chesterfield sofas are filled with business folk, ex-pats and university graduates, many of whom will retire to the cigar terrace on the top floor to sample one of the hundreds of Cubans available. And then there’s the cocktails, wines and whiskies; again, literally hundreds to choose from.
www.boisdale.co.uk
9) Pizza on the Park & Jazz @ Pizza Express
Ignore the doubts that the word ‘pizza’ might cast upon your assumptions. Although this is far from the glitz and glamour of Ronnie Scott’s or The Pigalle, this pairing packs a big punch when it comes to music. Especially Jazz @ Pizza Express which has, in recent years, welcomed venerable guests such as Roy Haynes, Kenny Garrett, Scott Hamilton, Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall, Amy Winehouse, and Peter Cincotti. Clearly, pizza is not the only thing on people’s mind. It had a refurb a few years back, which was probably needed seeing as it’s been going since 1965. The stage is tiny so you really get that up-close-and-personal aspect that many of the larger clubs dont have, which is great considering it’s in the heart of the West End. Unlike Jazz @ Pizza Express, Pizza on the Park in not a seven-day-a-week jazz joint. The performers are usually lesser known and only appear a couple of times a week. It is, however, a candlelit basement but of much larger proportions. As it’s owned by the same booking company, it too had a major renovation a little while ago. The menu is simple and Italian and the wine list covers both new and old world quite well for a pizza place.
www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
10) The Brickhouse
Although not strictly a jazz-only establishment, this restaurant-cum-supper club is still well worth a visit. Especially as it’s housed in such an interesting building and located in such an intriguing part of town. The converted warehouse space in Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery is long, tall and unusually bright for this sort of venue. It’s set on three levels with the upper most of these acting almost as a viewing gallery....with beds! The entertainment varies from week to week so check their webpage before venturing - sharing the billing with jazz acts are circus acrobats, sexy burlesque dancers, hip hop choreographers and comedians. Tip: opt for the dining experience on the middle floor and choose the red mullet with crab tortellini and Bouillabaisse sauce.
www.thebrickhouse.co.uk
If you’re adamantly traditional about your jazz, it might be best to avoid Vortex. If, however, you’re open to a few fresh, progressive ideas then the word comes on great authority that Vortex has a distinct blend of styles, age and ethnicity. Contemporary jazz is the agenda, in a broad range of formats. Folky, improv, world, big band - it’s all there and names like Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Evan Parker, Tim Berne, F-IRE Collective, Polar Bear and Zoe Rahmann have all made an appearance or two. Despite being 21 years old, Vortex has a noticeable young vibe and is almost too fashionable for its own good; which is indicative of the Dalston area itself, hastily becoming THE trendy hangout in the capital. The interior is fairly standard - romantic candlelit tables and butt-numbing furniture - but the large blue glass fronting is very unique, in a fishbowl sort of way. On the down side the bar is limited, at best, and the toilet situation could be a lot better.
www.vortexjazz.co.uk
8) The Boisdale Jazz & Cigar Club
Simply put, The Boisdale’s main concerns are meat, smoke, whisky and jazz. If you’re not particularly fussed by at least two of these then The Boisdale will not be to your liking. OK yes, it is primarily a restaurant and yes, it is a members club but that shouldn’t deter you from witnessing some traditional jazz. For a nominal ‘jazz charge’, non-members are allowed to dine in the restaurant or position themselves at the bar after 10pm to see the house band - Richard Pite’s Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band, a quartet/quintet playing 30s-50s old style jazz and blues. Be warned, booking a spot at the bar is not an option. So, dinner it is then. The fare is mainly Scotland-sourced so steak and wild salmon are a must, unless the haggis and neeps take your fancy. This is a Belgravia townhouse and as such is just moments away from The Palace - yes, THAT Palace - so naturally it exudes class and sophistication. Chesterfield sofas are filled with business folk, ex-pats and university graduates, many of whom will retire to the cigar terrace on the top floor to sample one of the hundreds of Cubans available. And then there’s the cocktails, wines and whiskies; again, literally hundreds to choose from.
www.boisdale.co.uk
9) Pizza on the Park & Jazz @ Pizza Express
Ignore the doubts that the word ‘pizza’ might cast upon your assumptions. Although this is far from the glitz and glamour of Ronnie Scott’s or The Pigalle, this pairing packs a big punch when it comes to music. Especially Jazz @ Pizza Express which has, in recent years, welcomed venerable guests such as Roy Haynes, Kenny Garrett, Scott Hamilton, Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, Diana Krall, Amy Winehouse, and Peter Cincotti. Clearly, pizza is not the only thing on people’s mind. It had a refurb a few years back, which was probably needed seeing as it’s been going since 1965. The stage is tiny so you really get that up-close-and-personal aspect that many of the larger clubs dont have, which is great considering it’s in the heart of the West End. Unlike Jazz @ Pizza Express, Pizza on the Park in not a seven-day-a-week jazz joint. The performers are usually lesser known and only appear a couple of times a week. It is, however, a candlelit basement but of much larger proportions. As it’s owned by the same booking company, it too had a major renovation a little while ago. The menu is simple and Italian and the wine list covers both new and old world quite well for a pizza place.
www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
10) The Brickhouse
Although not strictly a jazz-only establishment, this restaurant-cum-supper club is still well worth a visit. Especially as it’s housed in such an interesting building and located in such an intriguing part of town. The converted warehouse space in Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery is long, tall and unusually bright for this sort of venue. It’s set on three levels with the upper most of these acting almost as a viewing gallery....with beds! The entertainment varies from week to week so check their webpage before venturing - sharing the billing with jazz acts are circus acrobats, sexy burlesque dancers, hip hop choreographers and comedians. Tip: opt for the dining experience on the middle floor and choose the red mullet with crab tortellini and Bouillabaisse sauce.
www.thebrickhouse.co.uk
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1 comment:
I've been to the Quecumbar. Really nice atmosphere and friendly people. You are right about the slow waitressing!
And I was a bit disappointed when they said they didn't have a plate of cheese. So much for the French touch... :)
One of the waiters said best nights are tuesdays... We should try!
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