16 best live music bars in London, all chosen by our local team

Jumbi sits towards the back of Copeland Park with a neon sign beckoning passersby in to explore. The ambience is a total celebration of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora that is ever-present in the Peckham community, with industrial interiors that still manage to radiate a certain warmth. Towering ceilings, stacks of vinyl, and a turntable setup comprise the heart of Jumbi, along with an inviting atmosphere and an undeniably delicious menu. They host an ORII jam on their terrace every Tuesday evening, with various live music nights woven throughout each month. Here’s June’s, for example. It’s free entry most of the time, but Tuesday evenings’ ORII jam, as well as Saturdays and Sundays after 10 pm, are ticketed. Amber Port

Address: Unit 4.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN
Website: jumbipeckham.com
Live music: Daily
Cover charge: ORII jam is £8; Saturday & Sundays after 10pm are ticketed

3. Shacklewell Arms, London Fields

Best for: An authentic London stalwart

Shacklewell Arms is a bare bones pub in Dalston, one of which I’ve walked by countless times thinking it looks incredibly fun, before finally dragging myself into what was indeed a very fun evening. The stage sits in the pub’s backroom – it’s intimate, a small space to see some killer bands. They’ve got jampacked line-ups month after month, with everything from monthly club nights like Nü Wavved (think Italo Disco, Post Punk and New Wave) to shoegaze-esque bands like Dog Saints. Amber Port

Address: 71 Shacklewell Ln, London E8 2EB
Website: shacklewellarms.com
Live music: Daily
Cover charge: Some gigs are free; price varies for others

Osmaan Malik

4. Ain’t Nothin’ But, Soho

Best for: Dancing your blues away on the weekend

Every night of the week, live music fills Ain’t Nothin’ But, a legendary grassroots blues bar tucked away on Kingly Street in the heart of Soho. Open since 1993, it runs on a strictly first-come, first-served basis – no guestlist, no bookings – so arrive early if you want a spot, as queues often spill onto the street. The venue is narrow and intimate, steeped in blues character, with vintage gig posters, glowing neon, and a tiny dancefloor where you can quite literally dance your blues away. Weeknights kick off with acoustic sets before a full band takes over later in the evening; weekends start earlier and run later. And on Sundays, their famous blues jam invites anyone brave enough to take the stage and play. Chelsea Hughes