The best pubs and bars for live music in London

Claiming to be one of the busiest jazz clubs in Europe - which interestingly offers up a number of different music genres - expect to find live performances and an international menu seven nights a week. 606 Club does a pretty solid Sunday lunch too, often with live, vocal-led melodic jazz, soul and gospel. 

Scarfes Bar is legendary for the strength of its cocktails - particularly a martini that is around 95% gin - but it also hosts live jazz on most evenings. If you love to sit and nurse a good cocktail to a bit of piano and crooning, Scarfes is the place for you.

Claiming to be a ‘London boozer with a hint of Kentucky charm’, head upstairs to The Lexington's music venue for the latest and greatest bands. Open 'till late, you can start and end your night here with live DJs on the ground floor.

Having gone through as many name changes as it has headlining bands, this pub has seen Bob Dylan and Paul Simon walk through its doors. It hosts everything from blues and jazz jams to dance classes and even the occasional karaoke night.

Having hosted many of the UK's biggest artists before they got big (think, The Arctic Monkeys and Amy Winehouse), this Shoreditch music venue has become legendary. Head down for edgy bands and cool DJ sets. Also claims to be haunted by the ghost of William Shakespeare.

Art gallery by day, jazz club by night and once a favourite of the late, great Amy Winehouse, Jazz After Dark is open 'till late most nights. If you're stopping by for dinner expect filling dishes and tapas-style plates alongside a hearty side of Jazz and soul music.

This iconic music venue has hosted the likes of U2 and Kate Bush over the years, so there's always the chance of seeing a future superstar here. Serving up comfort food, you might not get to see world famous talents every night but it’s bound to impress for an entertaining meal regardless.

Filled with Southern charm, old-school cocktails and blues artists performing you’ll feel like you’ve walked into the 1920s after stepping foot in here. You can listen to live blues here any day of the week. Order a Jim Bean to fully immerse yourself.

Jazz, R&B, melodic rap, and soul - Stereo has something for everyone across a stacked live music calendar. Come on weekdays for all sorts of live performers, or on a Saturday to check out Stereo's DJs spinning tunes late in to the night. 

If you’re after some vegetarian grub and live music, head down to Green Note in Camden Town. Showcasing live music every night, from folk and blues to jazz and country, this award-winning music venue is a lovely spot to enjoy a glass of wine and some live jams.

This old-school tavern has undergone a few refurbs in its time, but live music has always been king. From jazz and folk music to world class artists, it’s had every type of artist perform here. The Anglo-Indian menu is pretty solid too, so it's worth staying for dinner.

Named after a Shakespearean tragedy but far from tragic when it comes to food and live performances, this pub has hosted artists like Example and Professor Green. These days the Macbeth trends towards DJs and electronic acts who play often late into the night.

This is one for the hard-core jazz fans - Ronnie Scott's regularly books some of the very best jazz acts in the world, and generally isn’t the place to go if you are after a chat. Enjoy dishes from the modern European menu and take in the sounds of the jazz band. 

With live music on 365 days of the year, Vortex Jazz Club is rightly heralded as one of the best jazz venues in the world. You'll see absolutely everything here from new talent to established artists - head to the bar/café for some food before heading upstairs to enjoy some jazz.

Calling the jazz capital of London - Camden - home, The Blues Kitchen embodies America’s Deep South with a New-Orleans inspired menu, huge collection of Bourbon and regular live music jazz bands and DJs on every night. There's also a karaoke room you can book if the mood takes you.

Cool Shoreditch hotel Mama Shelter always has fun things going on, including a regular rotation of good DJs who rock up and spin tunes in the bar. Mama Shelter hosts DJs during the day too so if you fancy a little lunchtime boogie, come to Shoreditch. 

This magnificent 1930s art-deco pub and music venue in Balham has played host to Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Sam Smith and Jorja Smith over the years. From Tuesday to Thursday expect up and coming artists performances, and from Friday to Saturday the DJs take over. 

Calling all musical theatre fanatics! This singalong bar is just the ticket for a night out belting tunes from Hamilton, SIX, Mamma Mia, and more. Just ask your singing server to perform your song and watch as they take it away. There's some serious talent here, plus a fantastic brunch on Saturdays!

Finsbury Park's Faltering Fullback is about as guaranteed a good time as you can find in London, between the live sport, massive beer garden and excellent Thai food. Live singer-guitarists often play here too, trending towards trad Irish and acoustic. 

Perhaps London's coolest bar of the moment, Jumbi brings in guest selectors all the time to spin tunes from the bar's enormous vinyl wall (the evolving personal collection of Jumbi co-founder Bradley Zero). Guests can come and select vinyls themselves for the DJ to play, all whilst enjoying great rum cocktails and Caribbean snacks.

The definition of opulence and decadence, this high-end Chinese restaurant in Mayfair supplies soulful live music to suitable accompany your meal. Head to Club Chinois for something a little more upbeat late into the evening, courtesy of Park Chinois' roster of DJs.