If you’re visiting London, you can’t miss out on the city’s pub culture.
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Whether or not you normally sip on pints, there’s a London pub worth spending an afternoon at. Not only do they let you peek into the city’s long history and contemporary traditions, but pubs are also a great way to escape the winter chill—especially when they’re decked out for the holidays.
You can find pubs that offer top-notch meals, events like bingo and trivia, and even nightly room rentals. While most London pubs are focused on giving locals a place to drink, relax, and socialize, some also specialize in live music.
Looking for recommendations on cozy London pubs with live music this winter? Start with the options listed below. They offer weekly or nightly live music.
8 famous London pubs with live music
Troubadour London
- Established: 1954
- Neighborhood: Earl’s Court
- Type of music: Wide variety, from jazz to rock
A live music venue and pub with a long history, from hosting talents like Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to hosting meetings for groups like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, this location has a palpable, iconic energy.
The Lexington
- Established: 2008
- Neighborhood: Islington
- Type of music: Indie, punk rock, alternative rock
Who says London pubs with live music can’t be contemporary? The Lexington has served as an auction house, salsa bar, and nightclub before converting to a music venue and pub. It’s currently managed by a musician from a famous local indie group called Mambo Taxi.
The Half Moon
- Established: 1963
- Neighborhood: Putney
- Type of music: Blues, rock, folk
Meet one of London’s longest-running live music venues and pubs. The Half Moon once hosted talents like The Who and The Rolling Stones. The venue has almost always been synonymous with the latter, making this pub a must-visit if you’re a fan of classic rock.
The Old Blue Last
- Established: 2004
- Neighborhood: Shoreditch
- Type of music: Jazz, folk, eclectic acts
Similar to The Lexington, The Old Blue Last is a contemporary London pub with live music. It’s a little more established, too, having helped put names like Amy Winehouse and the Arctic Monkeys on the map. Today, you can hear groups like MeeK and Lighthaus play. Think: ultra-cool from the early 00s.
Dublin Castle
- Established: 1856
- Neighborhood: Camden Town
- Type of music: Indie, alternative, ska, punk
Like The Old Blue Last, Dublin Castle also served as the stomping ground for acts like Amy Winehouse and the Arctic Monkeys. Today, expect nightly lineups of indie rock and alt rock, plus odes to the club’s early focus on ska, mod, and punk. However, once upon a time, Dublin Castle was hub for traditional Irish music and, later on, jazz.
Hope and Anchor
- Established: 1928
- Neighborhood: Islington
- Type of music: Punk, garage rock, alternative rock
Hope and Anchor was once a leading venue for the punk rock movement in the 1970s, during a time when the genre was still young and vilified. Today, you can still feel that grungy spirit in the pub’s design and live lineup.
O’Neill’s Wardour Street
- Established: 1996
- Neighborhood: Soho
- Type of music: Alternative, indie, electronic
This late-night live music pub is one of the hottest spots in Soho. If you’re looking for a lively experience, you’ll be treated to high-energy acts. Just know that, although cozy and established, O’Neill’s is a pub chain with around 40 locations around the country.
Waxy O’Connor’s London
- Established: 1995
- Neighborhood: Soho
- Type of music: Folk, indie
This massive venue hosts a wide range of acts, making it one of the more diverse London pubs with live music. They host musicians seven nights a week. Like O’Neill’s, it’s located in the lively area of Soho. (Waxy O’Connor’s is known for its sports fare, as well, in case you want to catch a game.)
