The best live music venues in London in 2026 are the Royal Albert Hall for the Proms and big-name concerts, Ronnie Scott's for jazz, the Roundhouse in Camden, the candlelit Union Chapel in Islington, O2 Academy Brixton for rock and indie gigs, Wigmore Hall for chamber music, the Barbican and Southbank Centre for orchestras, and the 100 Club and Jazz Cafe for intimate shows.
London has more live music on any given night than almost anywhere in the world, from orchestras and opera to jazz, rock and grime. Tickets for big gigs sell out fast, so sign up to venue mailing lists; smaller jazz clubs and chapels often have tickets on the day. For a night out afterwards, see our cocktail bars guide.
London's grandest concert hall and home of the Proms.
The Royal Albert Hall, opened in 1871, hosts around 400 events a year in its vast domed auditorium, from the BBC Proms each summer to rock, pop, film-with-orchestra and Cirque du Soleil.
Even its cheapest seats come with the experience of the building.
Good to know: For the Proms, queue on the day for cheap standing tickets in the arena.
Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Britain's most famous jazz club, since 1959.
Ronnie Scott's has hosted the greats of jazz in its intimate Soho club since 1959, with table service and two shows most nights, plus the late-night Upstairs bar.
It is a London institution.
Good to know: Book the early show for a table near the stage.
47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT
A circular Victorian engine shed turned legendary gig venue.
The Roundhouse, a Victorian railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, has hosted landmark gigs since the 1960s, and today stages concerts, circus and theatre in its striking round main space.
It is a short walk from Camden Market.
Good to know: Combine with Camden's pubs and market before the show.
Chalk Farm Rd, London NW1 8EH
Candlelit gigs in a working Victorian church.
Union Chapel is a Victorian Gothic church in Islington that is still a working congregation and also one of London's most atmospheric music venues, with acoustic and intimate concerts beneath its octagonal roof.
It is regularly voted among the best venues in Britain.
Good to know: Sit in the pews near the front; seating is unreserved for many shows.
19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
A sloping-floored art deco hall for big rock and indie gigs.
O2 Academy Brixton occupies a former art deco cinema, and its sloping floor gives almost everyone a view of the stage. It is one of the most loved rock, indie and electronic venues in London.
It is a short walk from Brixton tube.
Good to know: Stand towards the back of the floor for the best view.
211 Stockwell Rd, London SW9 9SL
A jewel-box hall for chamber music and song.
Wigmore Hall, opened in 1901, is famous for its near-perfect acoustics and its programme of chamber music, piano recitals and song, with Sunday morning concerts and good-value tickets for under-35s.
It is one of the world's leading venues of its kind.
Good to know: Try a Sunday morning concert, with coffee or sherry included.
36 Wigmore St, London W1U 2BP
Home of the London Symphony Orchestra, in a brutalist landmark.
The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts centre and the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, with a programme of classical, jazz, contemporary and world music in its concert hall.
Its brutalist estate and conservatory are worth exploring too.
Good to know: Visit the conservatory on its open days before a concert.
Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
Royal Festival Hall and more on the Thames.
The Southbank Centre, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room, hosts orchestras, contemporary music, jazz and festivals beside the Thames.
The Royal Festival Hall foyers often have free performances.
Good to know: Check the free foyer events before you book.
Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
A basement venue with jazz, blues and punk history.
The 100 Club has hosted live music in its basement on Oxford Street since 1942, from jazz and blues to the punk festival of 1976, and remains an intimate, independent venue.
Its red walls are lined with music history.
Good to know: Check the listings; nights range from soul to rock.
100 Oxford St, London W1D 1LL
Soul, jazz, hip-hop and funk in an intimate Camden club.
The Jazz Cafe in Camden hosts soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop and Afrobeat acts, with a standing floor and a balcony restaurant overlooking the stage.
Late club nights follow many gigs.
Good to know: Book a balcony table for dinner with a view of the stage.
5 Parkway, London NW1 7PG
The Royal Albert Hall, home of the BBC Proms each summer, is the most famous; Ronnie Scott's is the best-known jazz club and the Roundhouse and O2 Academy Brixton are the classic rock and indie venues.
Ronnie Scott's in Soho is the most famous jazz club in Britain; the Jazz Cafe in Camden and the 100 Club on Oxford Street are other long-running venues.
An eight-week summer festival of classical music, mostly at the Royal Albert Hall, with cheap standing 'promming' tickets sold for every concert.
The Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican (home of the London Symphony Orchestra), the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall for chamber music and song.
Union Chapel in Islington, a working Victorian Gothic church that hosts concerts by candlelight, is a favourite of musicians and fans.