Jazz Nights in London: 50 on this week (11 Jun to 12 Jun)
Updated daily · last refreshed 11 June 2026
London has a jazz scene that runs deeper than most cities its size. It is not confined to one neighbourhood or one style. You will find it in Soho basements that have been running since the sixties, in East London pub back rooms, in South Bank concert halls, and occasionally in places that do not obviously advertise it at all.
Ronnie Scott's in Soho is the name everyone knows, and it earns its reputation. But it also books months ahead and fills up. The more interesting habit is learning the second tier: places like Ronnie's sister venues, the 606 Club in Chelsea, Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, and Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho (which sounds unlikely but consistently pulls serious musicians). These are the rooms where you can often walk in on a weeknight and catch something properly good.
East London carries more of the contemporary and experimental end of the spectrum. Dalston and Hackney have venues that blur the line between jazz, soul, and improvised music. If you want straight-ahead bop or swing, Soho and the West End are still where most of that weight sits. The South Bank and Barbican programme bigger names on a longer lead time, worth checking if you want a guaranteed seat for a headliner.
Most jazz nights in London start later than you might expect, often 8 or 9pm, sometimes with an early set and a late set. Weeknights can be the better call if you want a less crowded room. Sundays have a long tradition of jazz lunches and afternoon sessions, especially in pubs around North and East London. Free entry nights exist, mostly at pubs and bars hosting residencies, though ticketed shows at dedicated venues are usually worth the cost for the room quality and sound.
Top 10 picks this week
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1. On the Lookout: Kate Williams Trio
Catch free lunchtime jazz at Cadogan Hall as pianist Kate Williams performs from her new album On the Wing of a Dragonfly, perfect for a midday escape. Suitable for jazz enthusiasts and those seeking a cultured break. Pair with a nearby café visit to round out your relaxed afternoon.
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2. Kate Williams Trio
Catch the enchanting Kate Williams Trio at Cadogan Hall, perfect for jazz fans and those seeking a sophisticated evening out. Pair it with a stroll along the South Bank for a quintessential London experience. The venue's central location makes it easily accessible by public transport.
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3. Summer Poetry and Jazz
Poetry and jazz on a summer evening at Keats House. Hampstead's worth the trip if you want a literary venue with actual history, and the Heath's right there for a walk before or after.
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4. Late Night Jazz: Audrey Powne
The Elgar Room gives you soul and jazz up close instead of from stadium rows. Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Audrey Powne brings late night sets here. It's the RAH without the cavernous feel.
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5. Paul G. Smyth at 50
Celebrate Paul G. Smyth's 50th birthday with fearless free improvisation at the Vortex Jazz Club, perfect for jazz enthusiasts and fans of experimental music. Join longtime collaborators for a unique sonic experience. Pair with a visit to nearby Dalston's trendy bars for a night out.
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6. futuretense x Meltdown: deep tan + VIIZERO7
Get ready for a night of subversive punk spirit at the Southbank Centre as post-punk trio deep tan join forces with VIIZERO7 in a high-energy evening of raw sound. This event is perfect for fans of underground music and those looking for a unique London experience. Pair it with a stroll along the South Bank's vibrant riverside for a memorable night out.
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7. R&B Orchestra
A 12-piece orchestra rebuilds '90s and '00s R&B with orchestral arrangements those songs deserve, pianist OKIEM leading strings, brass, and three vocalists through Destiny's Child, TLC, Whitney Houston and the rest. At Boisdale of Canary Wharf, you book dinner, catch the show, then linger in their whisky bar. The venue becomes part of the experience as much as the performance.
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8. Dalston Song Club: Sam Horan
Catch Dalston Song Club's intimate, early evening set at the Vortex Jazz Club, featuring original songs from vocalist Sam Horan's upcoming album. Perfect for songwriting enthusiasts and those seeking a unique musical experience. Afterwards, grab a drink at nearby Dalston's vibrant Kingsland Road.
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9. Sogeum’26 Art Exhibition
Local artists working in textile, fashion, and painting, with face painting and music concerts on the special programme. More involved than a standard gallery visit.
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10. FIFA World Cup 2026 Football - Live @ O’Neill’s
O'Neill's on Wardour Street screens World Cup football through June with matches at various times. It's a Soho spot built for watching with a crowd. Pick your match and settle in.
Venues to know
- Southbank Centre 6 events this week
- Cadogan Hall 3 events this week
- Roundhouse 3 events this week
- St Mary le Strand 3 events this week
- O'Neill's Wardour Street 2 events this week
- Electric Ballroom 2 events this week
Everything else on this week
Thursday 11 June
Friday 12 June
How we pick
OnlyHere tracks live listings from over a hundred London venues, councils, and programmers, refreshed nightly. Picks favour events with confirmed dates, real venues you can find on a map, and editorial notes written by us, not the promoter. Prices and dates come from the listing itself; we never guess.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best jazz in London?
Ronnie Scott's in Soho is the most famous, but Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, the 606 Club in Chelsea, and Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho are all strong regulars. Each has a different character: Vortex leans contemporary and experimental, 606 is intimate and unlicensed (you bring a bottle), Ronnie's books international names. The best room for a given night depends more on who is playing than the venue's reputation.
Are there free jazz nights in London?
Yes. Several pubs across North and East London host weekly jazz residencies with no cover charge, typically on weeknights or Sunday afternoons. Some bars in Soho and Shoreditch also programme jazz without a ticket requirement, though they may have a minimum spend. The live feed below filters for free events when you select the free option.
What is the jazz scene like in East London?
East London, particularly Dalston and Hackney, is where much of the newer generation of London jazz musicians plays. Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston is the anchor. The sound here tends toward contemporary, experimental, and crossover styles, mixing jazz with soul, afrobeat, and improvisation. It is a different feel from the Soho club tradition, more informal and often cheaper.
How do I find jazz nights on this week in London?
The live listing below shows jazz and live music events updated daily. Use the week or weekend filter to see what is coming up. Dedicated jazz venues like Ronnie Scott's and Vortex also publish their own calendars if you want to plan further ahead.
Is London jazz mostly Soho or are there good venues elsewhere?
Soho has the oldest concentration of jazz clubs and still books the biggest international names. But there is genuine depth elsewhere: Dalston and Hackney for contemporary jazz, Chelsea for the 606 Club, the South Bank and Barbican for larger ticketed concerts, and a spread of pub residencies across North and East London. Soho is the obvious start, but it is not the whole picture.
How many jazz nights in london are listed right now?
There are 50 events listed on this page right now. It updates daily.