Eight Great Jazz Clubs in London

The Pigalle on Piccadilly couldn't be more central if it tried. Vince Power, who founded the Mean Fiddler Group which owns a large number of London's music venues, is at the helm, and he sure knows what he's doing. The subterranean 1940s-style 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, Eartha Kitt and Shirley Bassey grace the stage alongside a cast of rising lounge and jazz talent. It's quite a large venue, but owing to its peculiar shape it still has that cozy jazz club vibe. Excuse the pun, but the modern European menu really plays second fiddle to the music, so eat first then grab a spot on the mezzanine for the best view of the stage (the side view can be a little restricted).

It's location is very anti-West End—just across the Thames 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 South of France aura. The food is typically French—snails, pate, beef bourguignon, coq au vin and other delicacies—as is the wine. The staff love their music and will chatter about it non-stop given the chance, which means the service can dip occasionally. But this is all about the music—bands play Django Reinhardt's casual Hot Club gypsy jazz, London's only venue to do so.

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. The cuisine has a modern European slant and gets good marks for its presentation and quality. If it's 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. 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 vary in jazz style.

New Orleans soul in the heart of London. The 606 has 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 neighborhood near Chelsea Harbour's back alleys); an up-close-and-personal vibe with the artists; and cozy 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—low ceilings, exposed concrete, dusty curtains, and scruffy tables gathered around a non-stage (the band performs on the main floor). The food and wine selection are nothing to write home about, but the grilled halibut fillet with tomato coulis, fennel and zucchini is worth trying and there's a decent wine list.

Brush aside any doubts 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 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 intimate aspect that many of the larger clubs don't have, which is great considering it's in the heart of the West End. Unlike Jazz @ Pizza Express, Pizza on the Park is 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 Italian menu is simple and the wine list covers both New and Old World well for a pizza place.

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 uppermost of these acting almost as a viewing gallery, but one with beds! The entertainment varies from week to week, so check the Website before venturing here—jazz acts share the billing with 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.

Seeing a late-night jazz show here is the easiest way to get into this private member's club without being a member. Located in a Belgravia townhouse, near Buckingham Palace, Boisdale's main features are meat, smoke, whisky and jazz. It's primarily a restaurant and member's club, but a little known secret is that for a nominal “jazz charge,” non-members are allowed to dine in the restaurant or position themselves at the bar after 10 p.m. to see the house band. Richard Pite's Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band is a quartet/quintet that plays '30s to '50s-era jazz and blues. Chesterfield sofas are filled with business execs, 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 are the cocktails, wines and whiskies; again, literally hundreds to choose from. You can book ahead for a dinner table, but you'll have to take your chances if you just want a first-come, first-served spot at the bar. The fare is mainly Scotland-sourced, so steak and wild salmon are a must, unless the haggis and neeps take your fancy.