One of the world’s most renowned jazz clubs, Blue Note, has opened in London. The bar has moved into the basement of the St Martins Lane Hotel in Covent Garden, with a 250-capacity main room hosting two sets a night. A second, smaller room dedicated to emerging British artists will open later this year.
The opening hasn’t been the smoothest of sailing. The London site was first announced in May 2025 and early reports pointed to a launch earlier this year, but a back-and-forth with Westminster City Council over licensing kept pushing the date back. The council finally signed off this week, and Grammy Award-winning pianist Robert Glasper christened the room on opening night.
The music is the draw, but the food and drink has also been given a fair amount of attention. There’s a menu of US classics like burgers and schnitzel, offering a supper-club vibe before and during the shows.
As you’d expect from such a legendary spot, the lineup doesn’t mess about. Jamie Cullum is taking four nights (28th & 29th September and 8th & 9th October), while American trumpeter Keyon Harrold will be appearing on 24th & 25th October. Singer Laura Mvula follows, headlining on 29th & 30th October, and 90s acid-jazz, funk and soul group The Brand New Heavies perform for three nights from 13th – 15th December.
The original Blue Note first opened in Greenwich Village in 1981 and has welcomed everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to Stevie Wonder. It’s since opened venues in other major cities such as Tokyo, Milan and Shanghai, and now London has finally been added to the list. London has one of the richest jazz scenes in the world (Ronnie Scott’s, need we say more?) and this addition is music to our ears.
Key Information
Address | 45 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4HX
For more information | bluenotejazz.com
