The Jazz Cafe was opened in December 1990 after being converted from the Camden Town Barclays Bank branch.
It originally ran along the lines of Ronnie Scott's with seven nights a week live Jazz music.
After the original owner's went into receivership the venue was bought by the Mean Fiddler and re-positioned as a Jazz, Soul, Funk, World, Dance and Hip Hop venue.
The Venue
The great thing about Camden is the variety of nights on offer. In the space of a half mile radius you can practically hear any type of music, attracting the weird and wonderful from all over London. Jazz Cafe can be found in the heart of Camden and is unmissable with its tall white pillars and long black glass standing proud and marking its territory.
As you enter and approach the bar, you won’t be able to help but notice the main stage where you’ll see the band tuning up. After ordering your drinks, you can take a seat on the raised platform behind. However, if you’ve planned ahead you can book a table in the upstairs restaurant, allowing you to enjoy food whilst watching the band over the balcony. This great vantage point definitely gives you an air of VIP status. A further bar is located upstairs behind the restaurant, but is not suitable if you want to watch the music, it is, however, a great place to chill out and escape the hustle and bustle of the main room.
The Atmosphere
The usual crowd at Jazz Cafe is 25 and over, which is to be expected given the nature of the music; however, younger patrons are welcome as long as they bring the right attitude. The team is very helpful including the door staff, managers and flair bartenders, who dazzle and astonish with their tricks.
The Music
Expect a heady mix of bands performing live. Unsurprisingly, jazz is the main focus here, but not to the exclusion of those not into harder genres - check ahead and choose listings best suited to your tastes. The bands usually start about half nine, and it is worth arriving before as after 10.30pm the place is always full with a large queue outside. |
