London is one of the world’s greatest cities for live music. Dare we say, the best? Our grassroots venues have been launch pads for some of the biggest artists on the planet. For decades, they’ve been precious havens for leftfield bands and maverick music fans too.
So, of the 42 places on Time Out’s new list of the UK’s greatest independent music venues, it only makes sense that a large chunk of them hail from the Big Smoke. The list was compiled by James Balmont of indie rock band Swim Deep, who has nearly 15 years of gigging under his belt.
Such a tremendous list can’t be done alone, so Balmont also enlisted the help of friends and peers (Simon Raymonde of the Cocteau Twins and Suren de Saram of Bombay Bicycle Club, for example) who have played dozens of British venues themselves and been among those in the crowds.
From an unassuming working men’s club on the city fringes to a Victorian Gothic church to a 700-year-old pub, here are all the London venues that made the cut.
Every London venue on Time Out’s list of the UK’s best independent music venues
Cafe OTO, Dalston
Former paint-mixing factory turned ‘outsider arts’ space is Time Out’s top ranked London venue on the list. We put it in second place for its commitment to delivering live performances seven days a week and for giving a home to some of the most eclectic, experimental forms of music out there. Delve into an oral history of Cafe OTO here.
MOTH Club, Hackney
Hackney institution MOTH Club ranked fifth in the UK. The likes of Lady Gaga, Rick Astley and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl have graced the stage of this recently rescued club but, more importantly, it’s a bastion for the independent artists of the capital. When there aren’t gigs going on, it hosts comedy and nights such as Deptford Northern Soul Club, ’80s night Dancing in the Dark and disco, soul and italo club Pull Up To The Bumper.
The Windmill, Brixton
Number seven on our list is a venue known for churning out some of the finest art-rock bands in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Groups considered part of the ‘Windmill scene’ include Black Country, New Road, Black Midi, the Last Dinner Party and PVA. Eddie Green of Shame called it a ‘true stalwart of grassroots music’ and ‘the dictionary definition of an independent venue’.
Union Chapel, Islington
For a spiritual, out-of-body live music experience, look to number 11 on our ranking. With its stained glass windows and 150-year-old pipe organ, Islington’s Grade I-listed Union Chapel is aesthetically and acoustically beautiful. Björk, Amy Winehouse, Phillip Glass and Mavis Staples have all performed in its hallowed halls.
The George Tavern, Stepney
The George Tavern (18th in the ranking), is thought to be one of London’s oldest pubs and has been championed by everyone from Kate Moss and Ian McKellen to the Rolling Stones. Artists that play there are given the freedom to curate entire evenings – Eddie Green called it a ‘pretty blank canvas for people to do what they want until the small hours of the morning’.
The Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
‘Always rowdy, always crowded, always chaos’, the Old Blue Last (in 19th place) has long been a legend of London’s music scene. Once owned by Vice magazine, Charli XCX, Arctic Monkeys, Wolf Alice and Florence and the Machine all played on its small stage when they were trying to make it big. These days, its triple-bill gig nights (which are very often free) continue to platform emerging bands from across the UK.
Read Time Out’s oral history of the Old Blue Last here.
The Jazz Cafe
Fancy a side of steak with your jazz? At Camden’s Jazz Cafe, you can eat a sit-down meal on the mezzanine restaurant while watching the performance. But of course, the music is the most important part. This intimate-feeling venue (ranked 22nd) offers an esoteric programmed covering everything from Italo disco to reggae.
The Lexington, Angel
The Lex in Angel placed 26th in our ranking. It’s got renowned live sound, is well-versed in supporting up-and-comers, keeps the party going until 4am on weekends and hosts some of Time Out’s favourite club nights: Pop Never Dies and White Heat.
The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston
In at number 29 is The Shacklewell Arms, which we included for its generous programme of free events, deep love for counter culture and for, like many others on the list, being a ‘catalyst for launching London’s new bands to success’. Georgia Hardy of The Itch told Time Out ‘I can’t imagine what UK music would be without it’.
Walthamstow Trades Hall, Walthamstow
We reckon that Walthamstow Trades Hall is on its way to becoming one of London’s next great live music spaces. The 100-year-old non-profit social club at the end of the Victoria line was inducted as an official Independent Venue Week venue last year and puts on gigs and events spanning screamo, jazz, disco and reggae. It landed in 36th place on our list.
Ronnie Scott’s, Soho
Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Prince are all alumni of world-renowned Soho basement Ronnie Scott’s, which ranked 40th in the UK. While it’s one of the more expensive venues on the list, it does put on £10 bebop jam sessions every Monday night that are highly worth stopping in for.
The Ivy House, Nun’s Head
Finally, in 42nd place on our ranking is community owned pub The Ivy House. Once frequented by the likes of Ian Dury, Elvis Costello and Joe Strummer, regular programming at the Nunhead bolthole these days includes folk and alt-pop shows, Sunday jazz performances, and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club’ events.
The UK’s best independent music venues in London
Here are all the institutions in the capital that made the nationwide ranking (with their placement in the overall list).
- Cafe OTO (2)
- MOTH Club (5)
- The Windmill (7)
- Union Chapel (11)
- The George Tavern (18)
- The Old Blue Last (19)
- The Jazz Cafe (22)
- The Lexington (26)
- The Shacklewell Arms (29)
- Walthamstow Trades Hall (36)
- Ronnie Scott’s (40)
- The Ivy House (42)
???? The best music venues in London.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.
