London’s Top 10 : Live Music Venues – Top 10 Nightclubs

Ronnie Scott’s

This
legendary London jazz club was opened by saxophonist Ronnie Scott
(1929–96) in 1959. Intimate lamplit tables surround a tiny stage that
has hosted such stars as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, and continues
to attract top names .

100 Club

Atmospheric
jazz and blues dive that stays open up to 2am. This club’s heritage is
legendary – the Rolling Stones played here, as did the Sex Pistols and
other punk bands of the 1970s. Today it also hosts Indie groups.
Membership is not required.

• 100 Oxford Street W1

• 020 7636 0933

The Jazz Café

Top jazz and soul performers, as well as great food make this a popular venue. Best views are to be had from the balcony tables.

• 5 Parkway NW1

• 08700 603 777

HMV Forum

A 2,300-capacity music venue in the heart of Kentish Town that plays host to a number of big name acts.

• 9–17 Highgate Road NW5

• 020 7284 1001

• Tube Kentish Town

Brixton Academy

This
is a great place to see big names from across the music spectrum.
Although it holds 4,000, the hall retains an intimate, clubby atmosphere
with good views of the performers from across the auditorium.

• 211 Stockwell Road SW9

• 0844 477 2000

• Tube Brixton

Koko

Hosting
mainly indie gigs as well as big names such as Prince and Madonna, Koko
is also home to well known club nights such as the famous “cheese”
fest, Guilty Pleasures.

• 1a Camden High Street NW1

• 0870 432 5527

Jazz Club Soho

Downstairs
from the Pizza Express restaurant is one of London’s best jazz venues,
where anything from swing, blues and gospel classics to modern fusion
jazz can be heard.

• 10 Dean Street W1

• 0845 602 7017

Borderline

One
of London’s best small clubs, Borderline has hosted many international
bands in its basement. There’s at least one different band every weekday
evening, playing a wide range of music, from country to metal.

• Orange Yard, Manette Street W1

• 08719 713 789

O2 Arena & IndigO2

The
ill-fated Millennium Dome has been transformed into the huge O2 Arena,
hosting the biggest names around including the Rolling Stones and Justin
Timberlake. The IndigO2 offers a more intimate setting, with a capacity
of 2,350. Taking the Thames Clipper along the river is all part of the
fun.

• Millennium Way, North Greenwich SE10

• Tube North Greenwich

• 0844 856 0202

Troubadour Coffee House

An
atmospheric and laid-back coffee house club devoted to live music. All
the great folk singers of the 1960s played here, and today there is a
relaxed feel to the evenings when singers, poets and comedians perform.

• 263–7 Old Brompton Road SW5

• 020 7370 1434

Fabric

The best dance venue in town, arranged in three rooms filled with sound: 24-hour music licence.

• 77a Charterhouse Street EC1

333

This three-storey club heaves to drum ‘n’ bass, hip hop and funky soul.

• 333 Old Street, Hoxton EC1

Volupté

Expect top cabaret at this burlesque club.

• 9 Norwich Street EC4

• Tube Chancery Lane

Madame Jo-Jo’s

Some of the best drag acts in town.

• 8–10 Brewer Street W1

Cargo

One of the best places for cutting-edge music.

• 83 Rivington Street EC2

Plastic People

Small but perfectly formed basement club with a top sound system.

• 147–149 Curtain Road EC2

Brixton Jamm

The South London venue for indie rock, plus electronic, trance and beats.

• 261 Brixton Road SW9

• Tube Brixton

Café de Paris

Popular disco with a mix of DJs and a restaurant.

• 3 Coventry Street W1

Heaven

London’s best-known gay venue has several bars and dance floors beneath Charing Cross station.

• Villiers Street WC2

Storm Nightclub

Nightclub playing R ‘n’ B and hip hop, and a comedy venue with TV acts.

• 28A Leicester Square WC2