Nothing quite hits the spot like late-night basement cocktails soundtracked by jazz music. Come next year, London will welcome another spot to enjoy all of these components – this time in the form of the world-renowned Blue Note jazz club.
There was initially some uncertainty on whether the venue, which hails from New York City, but has spots around the world from Rio de Janeiro to Milan to Tokyo, would be permitted to open in London due to a dispute over its late license. Now, Westminster Council has confirmed that a license has been approved and the 350-capacity venue can open in the basement of St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden, which is set to happen at the start of next year.
It marks the first Blue Note jazz club in the whole of the UK, and comes after multiple venues have opened around the world, stemming first from the club’s original opening in NYC in 1981.
Blue Note will be permitted to open until 1am Monday-Saturday and until midnight on Sundays, and comes after concerns were raised from residents and the Metropolitan Police as noted in a licensing council report over noise and heightened crime in the local area. This opposition was questioned over concerns for the life of live music in the capital, and Westminster City Council granted the license, saying that it hoped ‘to ensure late night entertainment can continue to thrive’.
Speaking in a statement, Steven Bensusan, president of Blue Note Entertainment Group, said: “We’re excited to be coming to London and grateful to Westminster Council for recognising what Blue Note can bring to the city’s nightlife. As we prepare to open in early 2026, we’re looking forward to bringing world-class jazz and a deep cultural legacy to one of the greatest music cities in the world.”
Blue Note is slated to open in Covent Garden early next year. It will be open in the basement of St Martins Lane hotel seven nights a week until 1am Monday-Saturday and until midnight on Sunday.