London Jazz

Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith St. (020 7439 0747; www.ronniescotts.co.uk) Ronnie Scott's has been defining "hip" in Soho for the last 51 years. It's hosted everyone from Tony Bennett to Van Morrison, and Chick Corea to the Funk Brothers. The venue is all flickering candlelight and dulcet reds and blues. Pictures of jazz greats line the walls in black and white, and a diverse crowd imbibes such creations as Jazz Medicine, Jagermeister, sloe gin, Dubonnet, fresh blackberries, angostia bitters (£8). The venue's cool, but the jazz is hot. Stop by if the Soho scene gets overwhelming. Tottenham Court Rd. Turn down Oxford St. with your back to Tottenham Court Rd. and turn left on Soho St. turn right onto the square and then right onto Frith St. £10 cover, more for big acts. Champagne £8-10. White wine £4.80-5.30. Red wine bottles £22-26. Mixed drinks £8.50-9. Open M-Th 7:15pm-late, F-Sa 6pm-1:30am, Su noon-4pm and 6-10:30pm. Box office open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa noon-5pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The 606 Club, 90 Lots Rd. (020 7352 5953; www.606club.co.uk) On quiet Lots Rd., opposite what appears to be a rather foreboding abandoned factory, the 606 Club has been quietly hosting the best of the UK music scene since 1969. Properly underground (it's in a basement), the club itself is candlelit and dim. The musicians play on a marked patch of floor that serves in place of the stage as the diners, frequently musicians, who are sitting in on the jams, surround them at tables. Musical styles run the gamut from jazz, Latin, soul, gospel, R and B, and rock, and while the artists may be relatively unknown, they're worth hearing. And be sure to satisfy your stomach, as well as your ears: entrees range from linguine (£9.40) to Cajun-style roast chicken breast (£14). Note that the area around the club is residential and fairly abandoned at night, so it might be safest to take a cab there and back. Sloane Square. Exit the Tube and go straight down Sloane Sq. Non-members have to eat in order to drink. Check website for special Su afternoon lunch and show. Cover M £10, Tu-W £8, Th £10, F-Sa £12, Su £10. Entrees £9-18. Bottled beers from £3.45. Open M 7:30pm-midnight, Tu-Th 7pm-midnight, F-Sa 8pm-1:30am, Su 7-11pm. No wheelchair access.

Jazz Café, 5 Parkway (020 7688 8899; www.jazzcafe.co.uk) One of the most well-known jazz venues in London, the Jazz Café often surprises people with the expansiveness of its repertoire. It has hosted De La Soul and GZA as well as jazz luminaries, and every Saturday night starting at 10:30pm they have DJs playing '80s hits, followed by '90s nights on Fridays, and karaoke hairbrush nights on the third Friday of every month (they're songs you would sing into your hairbrush.) While no student discount is offered by the club, some of the outside promoters who hire it out occasionally offer student discounts. Camden Town. Left onto Camden High St., and right onto Parkway. £1 credit card surcharge for purchases under £12. Tickets £5-40. Average £25 at door and £17.50 in advance. Pints around £3.80. Drink deals on club nights £2 for vodka, mixer, Carlsberg pint. Box office open 10:30am-5:30pm. Shows generally start at 7pm. Some nights are double-bills with the late show starting at 11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.