Best Pubs With Live Music In London

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By Lauren Cole Lead Editor, DesignMyNight Our Lead Editor, Lauren, has written about the UK's best restaurants, bars and experiences on DesignMyNight since 2021. Bylines in What's On Media Group. Last updated on 1st July 2026

Considering that London has birthed the likes of David Bowie and Little Simz, it's no surprise that it's a buzzing hub of live music. And if you don't want to head to huge venues like Brixton Academy or The O2, then there are plenty of fantastic pubs with live music in London that you can check out instead.

From The Fox & Firkin in South London, famed for its lineup of reggae legends, to traditional North London boozer The Macbeth showcasing emerging music acts (and even a Balham hotspot where Ed Sheeran played one of his first-ever gigs), here's where to visit.

Best Music Pubs In London




The Faber Fox

Festive Feast & Fizz 🌲 and 2 other offers

If you like your pub nights with a side of live music, The Faber Fox is the Crystal Palace spot you've been looking for. Every week, there's a mix of live bands and DJs, plus giant screens showing all the latest sporting action.

Grab a cocktail (two for £16 during their weekday Cocktail Club), hit the terrace before the music starts, then head inside for an evening of great tunes, good food, and buzzing neighbourhood energy.

Saturday Night Live Music

@ The Faber Fox on Every Saturday

Get your groove on every Saturday Night at the Faber Fox in Crystal Palace. A super talented rotation of local artists take to the stage every week, serving up a selection of everything from floaty folk tunes to banging basslines. 

Head here on a warm winter's night to warble as you escape the weather or get down here when the sun is shining and the singalong spills out into the beer garden. Whenever you stop by, you'll want to stay put for a pint or two, and perhaps a sharing platter to keep everyone at your table in good voice. 

The Hop Poles

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 5 other offers

Hammersmith pub The Hop Poles is a versatile choice for drinking and dining - and they host live music every Friday as well. Starting from 7pm, you can expect a new lineup each week, including performances from The Perfect Numbers, Cassie Matthews and Soul Frequency Trio.

Enjoy a wide range of delicious drinks while you're here, alongside dishes like Texas barbecue pizzas, Buffalo loaded fries and spicy beef burgers.

Saturday Night Live Music

@ The Old Frizzle on Every Saturday

The Old Frizzle in Wimbledon comes alive with live music every Saturday night. From 9pm, the latest local talent takes to the stage to belt out brand new material and maybe a tune or two you've heard before. With Chesterfield sofas, a squash court ceiling and warm, mood lighting, a singalong has never been more chic.

To fuel up your dancing shoes, grab a pint from the many pumps or a signature cocktail and take your pick of burgers, beef nachos, beer battered fish and chips, and plenty more. 

Saturday Night Live Music

@ The Regent on Every Saturday

Every Saturday night, a super selection of local Southwest London talent takes to the stage at The Regent in Balham for an evening of raucous live music. Put on your dancing shoes and make a beeline for stylish surrounds of the bar to kick things off with pints or beer flights, signature serves or jugs of more classic cocktails.

When it's time to refuel, you can take your pick of hunger-busting burgers, nacho sharing platters or small plates to see you through the night. 

The Old Frizzle

Festive Feast & Fizz 🌲 and 2 other offers

When it comes to live music pubs in London, The Old Frizzle deserves a top spot on your list. This Wimbledon hangout has weekly gigs, perfect sports screenings, and DJs to keep the weekend buzzing.

Pair your night out with a round of cocktails or pints, settle into one of their snugs, and enjoy the warm, character-packed setting. Don't miss the legendary Frizzle Quizzle every Sunday night - the ultimate way to round off your weekend.

The Coach House, Piccadilly

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 2 other offers

A Central London boozer with a whole lot of charm to it, The Coach House brings four floors of fun. They host live music every Tuesday night from 6pm, with a rotating lineup of duos, guitar vocalists and request-led performances to see.

Artists include Euphoric, The Perfect Numbers and Joe & Kirstten, among others. While you're here, sip refreshing pints or spirits, paired with plates like Mexican chicken burgers, cheesy nachos and halloumi fries.

The Nel

Festive Feast & Fizz 🌲 and 2 other offers

For a pub that's buzzing from day to night, The Nel has you covered. With a dedicated space for live sports screenings, a busy bar, and regular live entertainment (including the Sunday night quiz), it's always lively.

Kick back with cocktails, share some small plates, and let the atmosphere carry you into the evening. Whether you're watching the game or catching a set, this one's got Clapham weekends sorted.

The Slaughtered Lamb

60 minute masterclass - 2 Cocktails (£35PP) and 1 other offer

Attracting a diverse crowd from all over the city, The Slaughtered Lamb is a cool gastropub located in Farringdon. It boasts its very own gig space in the basement, complete with a stage and a regular lineup of events, where you might just see some of the hottest new emerging musical talent in London.

The trendy spot is decorated with plush velvet booths, quirky neon signs and dark decor, and there's a cracking selection of both local and international craft beer at the bar. Feeling hungry? They also serve up a range of tasty burgers and British classics like fish and chips or sausage and mash.

The Temperance, Fulham

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 5 other offers

A beloved boozer in Fulham, The Temperance is a charming destination housed in a former billiards hall. It features three pool tables, a dartboard and a cracking range of beer, as well as a hearty pub menu.

Head here on a Friday night to see live music from 7pm, with a new lineup every single week. Think soulful acoustic performances, high-energy bands and sing-along pop hits.

The Fox on the Green, Islington

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 5 other offers

When ranking the best pubs with live music in London, a truly great venue needs to offer the perfect mix of historic character, massive atmosphere, and versatile spaces.

The Fox on the Green delivers on all fronts. As one of Islington's oldest and most iconic public houses, this Grade II-listed gem has a rotating lineup of acoustic artists, duos and bands, including Cassie Matthews, The Perfect Numbers and The ND Band. Beyond its popular Thursday live music nights, the venue is celebrated as a premier destination for major sporting events.

The Cuff London

Happy Hour

Hidden away in Herne Hill, The Cuff London mixes polished cocktails with social games and a proper neighbourhood buzz. Expect premium Bone Idyll drinks, live entertainment, DJs, pool, darts, shuffleboard and retro gaming, all wrapped up in a stylish speakeasy setting.

Whether you're booking a party, planning after-work drinks or lining up a weekend session with mates, this SE24 spot has plenty to keep everyone entertained.

Directors Box, Canary Wharf

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 5 other offers

Directors Box, Canary Wharf, transitions into a top-tier live music hub every single Thursday evening. This unique duality makes it a prime destination for crowds who want to transition effortlessly from cheering on game-changing goals to singing along with a live band.

The venue boasts a 360-degree viewing setup lined with multiple massive HD screens, meaning you'll never miss a second of Sky or BT Sports action while you wait for the music to kick off. Once the clock strikes 6pm, a stellar roster of acoustic, RnB, and soul artists fills the room.

St. Christopher's Inn

Happy Hour!

Located right in the heart of London Bridge, St Christopher's Inn is a charming boozer that hosts live music performances seven days a week. They're open until 1 or 2am, so you can dance the night away to talented bands and musicians, while sipping local ales or classic cocktails.

The rustic space is filled with wooden furnishings, comfy leather booths and pretty fairy lights, and they offer a wide selection of food too. We're talking Roman-style pizzas, hearty meat or plant-based burgers and classics like Cumberland sausage and mash.

The Regent

Festive Feast & Fizz 🌲 and 2 other offers

When Friday and Saturday roll around, The Regent dials up the volume. This handsome Balham local isn't just about good food and cocktails; it's also one of the area's best spots for live music.

Tuck into burgers or sharing plates, sip a negroni, then stick around as the pub comes alive with bands and DJs into the evening. Pair that with a buzzing bar, three giant sports screens for earlier in the day, and a hidden terrace for pre-gig drinks, and you've got the full weekend package.

The Vineyard, Islington

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 5 other offers

A vibrant destination in Islington, The Vineyard is a bar and kitchen with a stunning beer garden to boot. Every Friday night, they host live music from 8pm, including a lineup of duos, guitar vocalists and bands.

Prepare to hear everything from soulful harmonies to acoustic covers and pop anthems. If you want to start your night with a meal, then tuck into the likes of smoked tofu flatbreads, stone-baked pepperoni pizzas and bacon-topped smash burgers.

The Alexandra Penge

2 for 1 cocktails Happy hour and 4 other offers

The Alexandra's live music listings are as fantastically fusion as its menu. Stop by most weekends and you could find anything from chilled out acoustic and classical guitar to full-on rock bands and big energy DJs.

To keep you refreshed while you watch, there's international beers, wines and handcrafted cocktails. The menu's just as eclectic, packing in South American classics, sushi, pizza and pub grub.

The Argyle, London

🥂 A Round of Prosecco or Bottle of Beer on Us 🍺 and 2 other offers

A historic pub in Hatton Garden, The Argyle has been around since the 1820s. They specialise in craft beer, though they also boast a collection of over 40 gins, to enjoy in a cosy, traditional space.

Wednesday nights here bring live music from 7pm onwards. From request-led sets to guitarists and powerful singers, including names like The Perfect Numbers and Paddy Phelps, there's something different every week.

Molly Mc's

Tucked away under the railway arches of Waterloo, Molly Mc's is a traditional Irish boozer with dedicated spaces for a singsong. A stellar lineup of local and touring talent take the stage from 7pm every Friday and Saturday to crank up the craic.

If you fancy having a go yourself, get into the singing rooms with their dedicated karaoke kits. Whatever you get up to, the bar serves up everything you need to stay refreshed, from lagers, ales, stouts, wines and cocktails to tasty Thai dishes.

Sebright Arms London

£5 Pints - all day, everyday! and 4 other offers

Bethnal Green's best kept secret, the Sebright Arms is one of the best small music venues in the city. They've got a dedicated basement space where they host a lineup of shows almost every single night. Everyone from Charli XCX to Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Vaccines have played here in the past, so you never know who you might see.

The friendly neighbourhood pub has plenty more going for it, from large TVs showing live sports to quiz nights, karaoke and pool competitions. And if you're peckish, they're cooking up the likes of grilled aubergine and halloumi burgers, salt and pepper squid or bacon loaded fries.

Skehans

Skehans is one of the few remaining independent family-run pubs in South London; it also prides itself on being 'purveyors of craic' as one of the most authentically Irish boozers in the city. Owned by…