Listening to live music is a great way to spend an evening, whether you’re out by yourself or spending time with your friends and family.
If you’ve been searching for the next event to attend, you might find that International Jazz Day is the perfect excuse to visit an incredible jazz club near you.
This annual celebration takes place on 30 April 2025 and aims to teach more people about the empowering history and legacy of jazz music, as well as strengthen the welcoming community by organising live music events around the world.
Whether you’re a jazz club regular or you’ve never listened to the music live before, you might be pleased to hear there are fantastic jazz clubs dotted around the UK where you can experience the best the genre has to offer.
Read on to discover 10 fantastic places to enjoy music on International Jazz Day.
1. Vortex, London
This volunteer-led jazz club has been singled out as one of the world’s best jazz clubs and was even included in the top 150 jazz venues around the world by the prestigious Downbeat magazine.
Located in Dalston, Vortex hosts more than 400 performances a year and has been celebrating improvised and experimental music for over 25 years. In fact, they have been instrumental in several famous artists’ careers, including saxophonist Evan Parker, who has a monthly residency there.
2. Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham
Founded by a pianist and a singing chef, this jazz club prides itself on its authentic Middle Eastern food and ethically sourced produce as well as the long list of diverse live acts from the UK and beyond.
The cosy venue is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat with other people who share your passion, as well as uncover amazing up-and-coming artists.
3. The Bootlegger, Cardiff
Tucked away on the cobbled streets of Womanby Street, the basement of this cocktail bar is dedicated to live soul, jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll music.
Enjoy the regular performances from local musicians and DJs while also revelling in their prohibition-era-themed decorations and delicious drinks.
4. The Nightjar, London
The Nightjar is one of the few bars on this list that hasn’t evolved with the times.
This amazing venue is still themed around the 1920s – the golden age of jazz – and the music and menu are designed to transport you straight into a bustling speakeasy from the past.
5. The Verdict, Brighton
This grassroots music venue focuses on a range of jazz styles, from blues, swing, Latin jazz, and fusion – all included in their weekly live events.
Despite being Brighton’s only dedicated jazz club, it won Jazz Venue of the Year 2024 as well as the Guardian naming it one of the top 10 jazz clubs in Europe.
6. Metronome Jazz Bar, Chester
This small and atmospheric bar is an intimate venue nestled in the heart of Chester.
Its incredible selection of drinks, kind staff, and resident jazz pianist make this the perfect cosy venue for a quieter night out with your loved ones.
7. The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh
The Jazz Bar is the longest-standing independent jazz bar in Edinburgh and has hosted renowned jazz musicians from around the world.
With live performances scheduled every day, the bustling basement space is the perfect place for you to celebrate International Jazz Day.
8. The Concorde Club, Southampton
Jazz clubs tend to change owners regularly, but the Concorde Club has remained in the hands of the Mathieson family since it first opened in 1957, making it the oldest jazz club under the same management in the UK.
This historical venue was also voted number one for having made the biggest contribution to jazz music in the UK in 2009.
9. Band on the Wall, Manchester
Band on the Wall has been a cornerstone of Manchester’s music scene and cultural landscape since the early 20th century. The name comes from the venue’s origins as The George and Dragon, where musicians would perform on a stage halfway up the back wall to make room in the busy pub.
The venue is dedicated to promoting equality and diversity through music and regularly invite leading artists from around the world to perform, as well as organising its own trailblazing creative music projects.
10. Ronnie Scott’s, London
In 1959, saxophonist Ronnie Scott opened a small basement club in London’s West End. Now, in its new home in Soho, the venue has evolved into one of the world’s most famous jazz clubs and attracts full audiences nearly every night.
If you would like to see a celebrity, Ronnie Scott’s continues to present the biggest names in jazz. However, it’s also known as the go-to place to catch rising stars, so you can say you knew about them before they found fame.