Want to know where the best gigs happen in London? Or are you a promoter looking to put on a show? Here’s your guide to the best London venues!
DIY Space For London
DIY Space For London is a fantastic venue, right at the heart of London’s DIY culture. Off the beaten track but a great member run hub. CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW SPACE.
Bookings: booking@diyspaceforlondon.org
The Victoria, Dalston
Part of the trendy Jaguar Shoes Collective. A pub serving cask ales and a well selected choice of beers. Capacity 150.
Bookings: bookings@jaguarshoes.com
Shacklewell Arms
This venue has everything – a spacious pub, a beer garden and a separate gig venue. Capacity approx 200.
Bookings: info@shacklewellarms.com
Sister Midnight
South London’s coolest basement sweatbox venue is also a record shop and cafe. They squeeze in about 60 people.
Bookings: https://www.facebook.com/sistermidnightrecords/
Pin ups
Twin Peaks curtains and a nice bar area in Islington’s best small venue. Despite its size it can be LOUD. Capacity 80.
Bookings: events@pinupslondon.com
MOTH Club
The hippest, most glittery spot in Hackney Central. Fairly big former working mens club. Capacity is approx 300.
Bookings: studio@lanzaroteworks.com
New River Studios
Out in the sticks between Stamford Hill and Manor House, but a great collective music hub and they make amazing pizzas!
Bookings: ellis@newriverstudios.com
Cafe OTO
World famous for avant garde, noise, free jazz and more. There’s always something interesting to see. People go just because it’s OTO.
Bookings: fielding@cafeoto.co.uk
The Lexington
A staple on the cult indie scene, in Islington. The downstairs bar has about a million whiskeys and hosts a legendary pub quiz on Mondays!
Bookings: matty@thelexington.co.uk
Windmill Brixton
Home of the mythical “South London scene”. Famed for the dog on the roof and being a million miles from the station.
Bookings: windmillbrixton@yahoo.co.uk
Venue MOT Unit 18
One of the weirdest locations for a venue in London, but it works! In a mechanics unit near Millwall stadium. Capacity approx 80.
Bookings: info@venuemotunit18.page
Folklore
Lovely little venue, at the back of a very cosy bar (with a cat) on Hackney Road. Great for quiet/folk shows… obviously.
Bookings: info@folklorehoxton.com
The Social
There are regular free gigs showcasing breaking artists and bands. A legendary spot in Central London.
Bookings: carl@thesocial.com
The Gunners Pub
An Arsenal football pub by day. They’ve also host occasional great gigs too.
Bookings: info@soundeventsolutions.co.uk
Sebright Arms
A lovely pub and venue. Pretty much anything goes here, from folk to hiphop to hardcore. Capacity 150.
Bookings: events@sebrightarms.com
Paper Dress Vintage
Situated above a vintage dress shop (clue is in the name!) there are regular shows here. Capacity 110
Bookings: paperdressboutique@yahoo.co.uk
Stags Head Hoxton
Nice pub with great pizzas and a curtained off venue area. Close to the canal. They host some great shows.
Bookings: info@stagsheadhoxton.com
The Macbeth, Hoxton
Was once the hipster venue of choice but these days is a little off the radar. Still, it’s a fairly cheap and rough and ready venue to hire.
Bookings: bookings@themacbeth.co.uk
Servant Jazz Quarters
A small, cosy bar with downstairs venue. Gets very squashy when it’s busy but there are some good shows here.
Bookings: http://servantjazzquarters.com/venue-hire/
Old Blue Last
Despite the downstairs bar often being a bit too “city boy” these days there are still some good (often free) gigs in the venue upstairs.
Bookings: events@theoldbluelast.com
Do you run a grassroots London venue? If you would like to be included in our London venues guide, please get in touch!
