Famous for its historic, bustling day and nightlife, with many hidden bars, clubs, and restaurants, to walk down Greek Street is to wander down Soho's musical memory lane.
While the majority of Soho has struggled to fight off the forces of gentrification over the last couple of decades, Greek Street has proven itself particularly resilient. Greek Street's slightly seedy charm sets it apart from its neighbouring streets. It is, in other words, the perfect place for a wander down Soho memory lane - and on Greek Street, that involves a lot of jazz. Let's begin:
Jazz After Dark
9 Greek Street
Famous for being the spot where Amy Winehouse got her start, Jazz After Dark, despite its name, offers much more than just jazz.
Offering soul, funk and Latin, and more from across the spectrum, it's hailed for championing up-and-coming artists from around the world, and in turn displaying a worldly variety of music.
If you don’t fancy squeezing yourself in on a busy Friday evening - this place is as popular as it is tiny - you can always stop by during the day, when it doubles as an art gallery showcasing owner Sam Shaker’s paintings of his famous patrons.
New Evaristo Club
57 Greek Street
Across the road from Jazz After Dark you’ll find a proper relic of old Soho hidden behind the unmarked blue door of number 57.
The basement is home to a bar officially called the New Evaristo Club, sometimes also known as The Hideout, but mostly referred to as Trisha’s.
It’s a place where the wine comes in two varieties (red or white) and where the spirits have been described as ‘paint stripper-like’, but you go primarily to mingle with the colourful locals and to listen to live jazz on intermittent weekends.
True to form, Trisha’s does not have a website so information on the when and who can be pretty hard to come by, but their Facebook page does occasionally list upcoming events.
Sadly, not all the jazz venues of Greek Street are as tenacious as Trisha’s. Next to Jazz After Dark is what used to be the office of Acid Jazz Records, who are now based in Bethnal Green; Soul Jazz Records were located on the corner of Bateman Street before their move to nearby Broadwick Street. Their record store there, Sounds of the Universe, should definitely be on your to do list before you leave Soho.
Ronnie Scott's
47 Frith Street
Finally, you can’t say you’ve done jazz in Soho without a visit to Ronnie Scott’s, for which you’ll have to venture around the corner into Frith Street.
One of the oldest jazz bars in the world, this place has hosted many of the greats, from Ella Fitzgerald to Miles Davis.
Although it still regularly draws big names, you can also catch a great selection of new and upcoming artists here.
Do bear in mind that many shows sell out in advance though, so it pays to plan your visit beforehand.
It might be a historical venue, but jazz at Ronnie Scott’s - and in Soho - is still alive and kicking.