Best small London music venues

After a string of lockdown casualties, London's small music venues are in high demand.

Thanks to the likes of Spotify, listeners flock to these grassroots venues to watch both new and old-school artists. Space is given to experimental sound, with alternative genres thriving. Venues often have a transformative Jekyll and Hyde quality. By day one thing, by night another.

For just a tube ride, there's many a spot for you to stomp your feet on a dark sweaty dance floor or to sing along surrounded by similarly uninhibited friends. The pub is great and all but it's easy to fall into the trap of the hapless post-midnight plod around town while feeling like the night could have led to more…

St Pancras Old Church

Rambling up the parish hill, gig seekers may be surprised to see this Grade II-listed church as the venue for their next listen. But make no mistake, it's seen some hard hitters. Sinead O’Connor, Tom Odell and even The Beatles have posed and performed here.

It's a tiny venue, with a crowd that barely touches triple figures. They clamber onto the pews and a handful of wooden chairs. Many acts take advantage of the humming church organ and ramshackle of old lamps and candles for a lowly lit atmosphere. Just bring an extra layer. Those stripped-back stone walls aren't one for insulation.

Camden, NW1 | St Pancras Old Church Instagram

606 Club

Dubbed by its regulars as ‘The Six’, this subterranean spot is relatively unfussy for a Chelsea venue. Listeners may struggle to find the barely marked door with the singular doorbell that sits in the shadow of Lots Road’s Power Station.

But it's worth visiting just for the entrance. Slip down the dimly lit steps and cautiously open the interior door to be smacked in the face by a room ablaze with life. The alchemy of tuning instruments, plucking, strumming, whistling. The nervous pre-emptive chattering of a vast and varied crowd stuffed two abreast. It’s low-ceilinged, seductively lit, with hot food steaming up small tables that are practically on the stage.

With the jazz cellar open seven days a week for almost 50 years, a vast and eclectic bunch of musicians have graced its walls. Regulars include Liane Carroll and Dominic Miller (Sting’s guitarist).

Chelsea, SW10 | 606club.co.uk

The Lexington

This Islington boozer is a staple in the indie band circuit and often hosts up-and-comers that have that about-to-be-massive energy.

The Pentonville Road venue has invested in some top-notch sound equipment that draws back established performers. Folk or rock, album launches or after parties. Up to 200 lively listeners climb the narrow staircase within its four salty walls.

It’s dual-levelled which suits both those who love a bar side natter and those who push through the throng to avoid persistent chatter. Both are equally hungry for the varied programme and craft beer on tap.

Islington, N1 | thelexington.co.uk

Mu

Aptly named after jazz trumpeter Don Cherry’s album, Mu was thought up by the minds behind Brilliant Corners in Dalston. Granted, it may be more of a restaurant with a side of jazz. But without a stage, it's almost as intimate as live music gets. Musicians are free to move around, just metres from the diners.

Behind its graffiti-covered exterior, Mu presents a moody bunker-like space with careful wood detail and floating light orbs. Its menu is structured around the robata charcoal grill and explores classic Japanese flavours. Yuzu and miso. Tempura and tartare. And washed down with some natty wines.

Two performances every night of the week range from percussion ensembles to Serbian gypsy music. It's packed to the rafters on weekends so those wanting a quiet sip with some mellow jazz may want to come on a weeknight.

Dalston, E8 | mu-ldn.com

SCALA

It's hard to miss the red neon letters spelling out SCALA that are conveniently in your eyeline when leaving King's Cross station.

This notorious former cinema once provided an anarchic 1980s alternative to Soho nights and not much has changed since its heyday. It remains a sticky-carpeted rabbit warren, full of hungry crowds who flock to its diverse event schedule.

Its upstairs space is the favourite for intimate listening. It may turn into a bit of a sweatbox, but hey – that's Rock n Roll. Punjabi rap, dance anthems and indie bands grace its walls that shudder, as the Northern Line rumbles below.

Kings Cross, N1 | scala.co.uk

Lower Third

Newly opened as part of the OUTERNET redevelopment, Lower Third is built on the bones of the iconic 12 Bar Club, which hosted early days Adele and The Libertines and aptly sits in the epicentre of London's guitar world, Denmark Street.

While its street entrance may look misleadingly small, beneath the concrete level is a multi-floored subterranean hangout. A former blacksmith's forge promises more than just a plastic pint, with cocktails and boilermakers on tap. Up to 200 fans crowd in The Club Room to watch budding artists such as Grace Ives and Nimmo.

West End, WC2H | thelowerthird.co.uk

The Shacklewell Arms

This frantically buzzy Dalston haunt may look like a fairly tired Eeast London pub from the outside. Indeed, one-half of the venue functions as just that. Enter and you'll find the regular boozers plonked at sticky tables, footie on the telly.

Cross to the other side to find small bands playing in a small space. It's often rammed with an excitable energy I can only describe as about-to-descendcadent-into-chaos and remains popular with emerging US bands. So, you can stay ahead of the curve from across the pond.

Dalston, E8 | shacklewellarms.com

Café Oto

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming café facade. Café Oto may be a lowkey bookshop by day. But as the working hours draw to a close, the paperbacks stop flicking. The coffee grounds are in the bin and the twang of sound checks begin.

At 7.30 p.m., this spot reopens, having morphed into a hub of experimental sound. And everything goes. From improvisational saxophonists and modular synthesisers to performances with self-built electronics, all to a crowd of no more than 150.

You’ll spot it by the fogged-up windows and a small but steady stream of street smokers. Tickets are free, but don't expect them to last long—this place fills up fast.

Dalston, E8 | cafeoto.co.uk

Editor's note: Spot any incorrect information? Or have an article idea for HeadBox.com? Get in touch at submissions@headbox.com