From Deptford to Hackney, the capital has seen a rise in artsy spots that put music first.
As analogue culture finds a new audience, London’s nightlife is shifting with it. Alongside record shops and zine fairs, a growing number of London listening bars are taking cues from Japan’s jazz kissa scene, creating spaces where the sound system matters as much as the menu.
Londoners are flocking to venues that maintain a balance of authentic cultural entertainment and class. Listening bars offer the energy of a night out without the chaos of a club, pairing great music with a community feel. If you’re ready to swap the pub crawl for something more immersive, these are the London listening bars worth adding to your list.
Bambi
Set in London Fields, Bambi is made for music purists. Low lighting, candlelit tables and a serious record collection set the mood, while a hi-fi system keeps everything crisp and warm. Add Chef Dan Chambers’ cooking and a well-chosen natural wine list, and you’ve got a spot that works for a proper night out or a quietly impressive date.
GO: Visit https://bambi-bar.com for more information.
Cafe 1001
Just off Brick Lane, Cafe 1001 flips from daytime hangout to weekend-friendly vinyl bar with ease. Come for strong coffee and brunch, stay for cocktails and a two-floor set-up that keeps things casual. Upstairs, records line the wall for a photo-ready backdrop, while rotating guest DJs bring a mix of sounds from across the world. Friendly staff and an open-door vibe seal the deal. From its friendly bouncers to its charismatic DJs, this hotspot welcomes all.
GO: Visit www.cafe1001.co.uk for more information.
Chiave
Tucked down a Shoreditch side street, Chiave delivers a more intimate take on the listening bar. The name means “key” in Italian, and the atmosphere symbolises a sense of belonging or holding the key to one’s home. Cocktails arrive paired with songs that match the mood, while the soundtrack spills out onto the pavement in a haze of beats and booze as the night builds. Community is the main ingredient here.
GO: Visit www.chiaveshoreditch.com for more information.
Equal Parts
Hackney’s Equal Parts keeps the drinks offering clean and confident, but it’s the music that gives the bar its personality. Expect everything from salsa and funk to Latin jazz, depending on who’s behind the decks. It’s understated in all the right ways, with a reputation that’s earned rather than shouted about, and it regularly makes the shortlist for London’s best listening-led nights out.
GO: Visit www.equalpartslondon.com for more information.
Goodbye Horses
In Islington, Goodbye Horses blends a wine bar, restaurant and listening space inside a restored pub setting. Vinyl is the focus, with more than 4,000 records lining the walls alongside Japanese folk art. A long timber bar made from a single oak anchors the room, keeping the vibe relaxed and unfussy. The wine selection is equally serious, with extensive by-the-glass options and a deep bottle list supported by a sizeable cellar.
GO: Visit www.goodbyehorses.london for more information.
Hausu
A short walk from Peckham Rye station, Hausu brings a sharper edge to Southeast London’s late-night scene. Music choices are bold, the drinks are polished, and the food keeps pace, especially if you’re ordering small plates to share. There’s a strong wine list for lingering evenings, but regulars tend to talk about the dirty martini, which has become something of a calling card.
GO: Visit www.hausulondon.co.uk for more information.
Jazu
After a run of South London pop-ups and residencies, Jazu has settled into Deptford, and it suits the neighbourhood. Founders Rosie Robertson and Jimmy Hanmer have built a creative hub that feels rooted in culture rather than trend. The sound system, created by audio engineer Bosco Taylor, plays through a 3,000-strong record collection curated by Hanmer. Food runs until 10pm, then the tables shift to make way for dancing into the early hours.
GO: Visit www.jazudrinks.com for more information.
Jumbi
Peckham’s Jumbi has cult status for good reason. Founded by Bradley Zero and Nathanael Colours, it’s tucked just off Rye Lane and always feels like a reliable answer to the “where now?” question. Guest DJs and live sets keep the soundtrack fresh, while the kitchen takes inspiration from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, with jerk chicken, curry goat and plantain falafel among the highlights. With rum punch in hand and a bespoke single-turntable system in play, it’s a full-spectrum night out.
GO: Visit www.jumbipeckham.com for more information.
Kioku
For a bar that’s truly committed to jazz kissa culture, Kioku stands out. The setting is intentionally comforting, with a turntable at the centre and jazz, classical and contemporary, shaping the pace of the evening. It’s also a serious sake destination, with a selection curated by ‘Sake Samurai’ Natsuki Kikuya and more than 100 bottles spanning classic producers, craft labels and aged pours. It’s relaxed, unshowy and quietly brilliant.
GO: Visit https://kiokubyendo.com for more information.
Nipperkin
Nipperkin at NIJŪ is a late-night Mayfair cocktail bar with a speakeasy sensibility and plenty of vintage record charm. The drinks menu is built around four pillars, prep, lean, plethora and dry, using seasonal ingredients fused with Japanese spirits and sake. It’s an easy pick for an evening with fellow old-school music fans, especially if you want something slick without feeling stiff.
GO: Visit https://nijulondon.com for more information.
Nine Lives
Near London Bridge, Nine Lives sits below street level and feels like a neighbourhood secret. The ethos is grounded in care and zero-waste thinking, but the atmosphere is all warmth and fun. Cocktails are made with intention, tacos nod to 70s Southern California, and the music lands confidently through a custom-built sound system. It’s the kind of place you drop in for one drink and end up staying all night.
GO: Visit www.ninelivesbar.com for more information.
Seed Library
Downstairs at One Hundred Shoreditch, Seed Library is a more refined spin on the listening bar format. Created by Mr Lyan, it celebrates analogue craft through music, food and drinks, with a strong focus on inventive, well-built cocktails. It’s a proper mood bar rather than a loud late-night spot, and while walk-ins do happen, booking ahead is the smarter play if you’re visiting on a busy weekend.
GO: Visit www.seedlibraryshoreditch.com for more information.
Space Talk
Named after Asha Puthli’s cult disco track, Space Talk in Farringdon is a listening bar with real intent. A sunken DJ booth and custom stereo system keep the focus on sound, while a 23+ policy helps maintain a calmer, more respectful crowd. Community is central, with Tuesday events spanning everything from poetry to live performances. If you’re looking for a night that feels like a reset from the scroll, this is it.
GO: Visit www.spacetalklondon.com for more information.
Spiritland
Spiritland in King’s Cross is one of London’s original listening bar names, and it still holds its own. It runs as a café by day and a cocktail bar by night, with a world-class hi-fi set-up at the heart of the space. Expect DJ sets, album playback sessions and genre-hopping programming that might move from jazz and funk to electronic in a single evening. A classic for a reason.
GO: Visit https://spiritland.com for more information.
