Live music and clubs - The Rough Guide to London - page 399

Ì King's Place 90 York Way, N1 T 020 7520 1490,
W kingsplace.co.uk; ! King's Cross; map p.120. Two halls
host classical and jazz gigs at this rather swish development
- the acoustics are excellent and the acts class.
Ronnie Scott's 47 Frith St, W1 T 020 7439 0747,
W ronniescotts.co.uk; ! Leicester Square; map p.100. The
most famous jazz club in London has smartened up in recent
years. The sell-out Sunday Jazz lunches are worth trying.
The Vortex 11 Gillett Square, N16 T 020 7254 4097,
W vortexjazz.co.uk; Dalston Kingsland Overground;
map p.291. The small venue is a serious player on the live
jazz scene, managing to combine a touch of urban style
with a cosy, friendly atmosphere.

WORLD MUSIC, FOLK AND ROOTS
Barbican Silk St, EC2 T 020 7638 8891, W barbican.org
.uk; ! Barbican; map p.156. It's easy to lose yourself in the
Barbican, the largest arts centre in Europe and a focal point
for the best world-music bands and orchestras. It also hosts
contemporary music events, and free music in the foyer.
Bush Hall 310 Uxbridge Rd, W12 T 020 8222 6955,
W bushhallmusic.co.uk; ! Shepherd's Bush; map
pp.274-275. Acoustic performers, folk and blues artists
play beneath the cool chandeliers of this elegant former
dancehall - it gets the odd rock band too.
Ì Cafe OTO 18-22 Ashwin St, E8 W cafeoto.co.uk;
Dalston Kingsland; map p.291. London's most innovative
folk, classical and electronica is on offer here - along with
a café vibe and intelligent crowd.
Passing Clouds 1 Richmond Rd, E8 T 020 7241 4889,
W passingclouds.org; ! Haggerston; map p.291.
Charismatic world music and beats is the focus here,
alongside an awareness of global social and political issues.
Southbank Centre South Bank, SE1 T 0844 875 0073,
W southbankcentre.co.uk; ! Waterloo; map p.216.
The all-seater auditoriums of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen
Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room host imaginative
programmes of world music, classical, jazz and folk.

26

URBAN
IndigO2 The O2, SE10 T 0844 844 0002, W theo2
.co.uk; ! North Greenwich. Mixed in among the old pop
acts you'll find big-name r'n'b stars at The O2's smaller
(well, 2500 capacity) sister venue. Also look out for
commercial urban/BME club nights.
Jamm 261 Brixton Rd, SW9 T 020 7274 5537,
W brixtonjamm.org; ! Brixton; map pp.310-311. Two
big rooms and a great courtyard (expect a barbecue) with
reggae, drum'n'bass and jungle all featuring.

CLUBS
Disco tunnels, sticky-floored indie clubs and epic house nights: London has it all. While the capital has lost most of its
superclubs, the current spread of mid-sized venues gives more choice than ever. Opening time for most is between 10pm
and midnight - check online before you go and treat our listed timings as a rough guide. Some keep irregular days, others
open only at the weekend and often times are determined by the club night. Admission prices vary enormously: the
handful of midweek nights charge a few quid or less while big all-nighters cost as much as £30; £10-15 is average at the
weekend although east and south London can be cheaper - also bear in mind that prices at the bar can be outrageous. Some
things are common to all London clubs: security can be enthusiastic and deserve treating with respect if you want to get in;
make sure you have ID ; and if you're heading to an up-and-coming area, work out a route home beforehand. London's scene
is fairly dressed down - West End clubs may want you to wear smart shoes, but trainers are often fine, although in east
London you may feel underdressed if you haven't made at least some effort to wear a vintage frock or grow a bad moustache.

Louche, enjoyable and ever-so-slightly battered institution.
Alongside cabaret, you'll find electronica, disco, rock and
funk - the big nights here include funky groovefest The
Good Foot (Fri), and indie White Heat (Tues). Usually
Tues-Sun 10pm-3am, with shows earlier in the eve.
Moonlighting 17 Greek St, W1 T 020 7437 5782,
W moonlightingnightclub.co.uk; ! Tottenham Court
Road; map p.100. So cheap and cheerful they named a night
after it (Cheap$kates, Wed & Thurs, drinks from £1.50). It kicks
over to a more urban feel at weekends. Mon 10pm-3.30am,
Wed & Thurs 9pm-3.30am, Fri & Sat 10pm-5am.
Ì The Phoenix 37 Cavendish Square, W1 T 020 7493
8003, W phoenixcavendishsquare.co.uk; ! Oxford
Street; map p.89. You can find a few great club nights in
this pub basement: monthly Feeling Gloomy is dedicated to
sad music, Four Weddings has the cheesiest music in town
and monthly How does it feel to be loved? is a top night of

VICTORIA
Pacha London Terminus Place, SW1 T 0845 371 4489,
W pachalondon.com; ! Victoria; map p.36. Sister to the
iconic Ibiza venue, with nights from brands like Cafe Mambo
and Space bringing house-led music to a classy crowd - just
expect to dress and pay accordingly. Around 10pm-5am.

SOHO AND AROUND
Café de Paris 3-4 Coventry St, W1 T 020 7734 7700,
W cafedeparis.com; ! Piccadilly Circus; map p.100.
Crushed velvet drapes and blood-red beds would be gaudy
if the whole shebang wasn't carried off with Moulin Rouge-
esque (pricey) gusto. Regular weekend cabaret, but often
closed for private events. Check for times but typically Fri
& Sat 7pm-3am.
Madame JoJo's 8-10 Brewer St, W1 T 020 7734 3040,
W madamejojos.com; ! Piccadilly Circus; map p.100.