The Best Jazz Venues in Europe
Five Great Places in the Continent for a Jazzy Night on the Town
Sep 12, 2008
Whether you're looking for a chilled out place to kick back and bask in some sax, or a frenzied jazz dive the cities of Europe are more than happy to oblige. There are soul holes, bop dens, and blues bars everywhere but here are a few that provide that little extra pulse.
Caveau de la Huchette – Paris [5 rue de la Huchette 75005 Paris]
The Caveau de la Huchette in Paris' famous Latin Quarter provides world class Jazz every night of the week and has been doing so for over 60 years. It is the ever populated dancefloor however that gives the Caveau that extra swinging shot of pizzazz. The people who go there for a night-out, go to dance, and it is such an impressive sight - those Parisians groovin' and twirlin' the night away as if transported straight from the roaring twenties, that the music itself is only a small part of the spectacle
Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club – Prague [Tyn 2/604 OldTown, Prague]
Located in an underground brick cellar in Old Town Prague, the Ungelt Jazz Club is the city’s hub for both local and international bands. Live Jazz every night from 9pm and an impressive cocktail menu make for a heady combination. The club’s stage area is in an intimate room with a tiered balcony allowing a bird’s eye view of the band; sit on the upper level to feel the jazz ethereally float up from beneath. Pilsner Urquell is, as always in Prague, on tap and the fine restaurant above the cellar means that you’re covered for a long evening.
Jazz Café Alto - Amsterdam [Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115, 1017 PX, Amsterdam]
Dark, humid and narrow are three words that sum up this venue; though these should not be considered negatives. Stranded among the endless neon of Korte Leidsedwarsstraat this pitch black, trembling pit of magnificent sound engulfs the unwary entrant the moment he steps inside. With live Jazz nightly from 10pm and open on Fridays and Saturdays until 4am this is the quintessential Jazz dive, often crammed full of patrons and frantic saxophone. Super cool, ragged posters of Jazz greats line the walls.
Green Note - London [106 Parkway, Camden Town, London, NW1 7AN]
This is a strange but infinitely likeable venue which looks at the whole philosophy of intense-Jazz-fury from a more mellow angle. It is essentially a vegetarian Tapas bar with skinny-jeaned waiting staff, though this generic mish mash adds much to its charm. With relaxed Sunday afternoon open mic sessions and the occasional Jazz Jam night this venue offers the average Joe the chance to kick up their heels, pick up a sax, string up a bass, or just eat some houmous – whatever suites you man. Live music five nights a week, -closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Piano Rouge – Krakow [Rynek Glówny 46, Kraków, Poland]
The Piano Rouge has more sass than the whole of France and décor straight from a stripper’s boudoir; this is the place to be in Krakow for a night on the town. Red fairy lights, bare stone walls and bouffant sofas; French jazz singers crooning in their deep, treacle-like voices in the background - this place is all about the style, the chic and sultry musical heat. So many images of decadence tumble into the mind as one enters:- envision a Sultan’s harem or the sensation of being sucked into the dark, red gelatine of a Turkish Delight. Wonderful atmosphere and wonderful music; the food is also something special and their Spaghetti Puttanesca must surely be one of the best around.
