Blue Note, the legendary New York jazz club, is set to open its first UK venue in London this autumn. The iconic club, often hailed as the world's most famous jazz venue, will take over the basement of the St Martins Lane London hotel in Covent Garden, featuring two performance spaces.
Opening Date and Headline Act
The London Blue Note opens on 23 September, coinciding with what would have been John Coltrane's birthday. The opening night will feature a launch show headlined by jazz pianist Robert Glasper, who expressed excitement about the new venture.
Glasper, a Texas native, said Blue Note shares the UK's love for boundary-pushing music. He added, “Starting this new club is about creating a space where jazz, R&B, hip-hop and everything in between can meet, evolve and surprise people.”
Venue Details and Performances
The club will initially operate with its 250-capacity main room, hosting two shows each night. Performances by Jamie Cullum, Erykah Badu, Kokoroko, and Nubya Garcia are already scheduled, with tickets going on sale on 14 August.
A second, 100-capacity room named B-side is planned to open later this year. The venue will stay open until 1am Monday to Saturday, but will close at midnight on Sundays.
Background and Approval
The opening follows a legal dispute with Westminster City Council over licensing hours. The council initially required new venues in Soho to close by 11.30pm on weekdays, midnight on weekends, and 10.30pm on Sundays. However, the license was eventually approved last year, with Westminster stating it wanted “to ensure late night entertainment can continue to thrive.”
Since its founding in New York's Greenwich Village in 1981, Blue Note has hosted legendary musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles. The club has expanded to venues in South America, Europe, and Asia, with London marking its first UK location.
