The Jazz Café: book a table or stand

Short version: the Jazz Café is at 5 Parkway, NW1 7PG, a few minutes from Camden Town station. It is strictly 18+, you need valid physical government photo ID, and you choose between standing downstairs or a table upstairs. Standing is cheaper and louder. A table means you sit, eat and keep your spot all night.

Standing or table: the decision

The room has two levels. The venue’s own line is that you can get sweaty in the standing area downstairs or book a table upstairs. Ticket types are Standing and Restaurant (table), and the venue FAQ is the place to check the small print.

Pick standing if you want to be near the stage, you are going for the dancing, or you are on a budget. Standing prices vary by show. Third-party listings show Sambroso on Thursday 19 March at £16.50, and a David Rodigan Sunday residency in March from £22.50. Check the venue’s What’s On page for the current price before you commit. Some shows may have a limited number of tickets on the door, so arrive early if you are gambling on that.

Pick a table if you want dinner and a seat, or you are bringing someone who does not do three hours on their feet. According to the venue, your table is available from doors opening until the end of the show. Tables seat 2 or 4 depending on the table, and the number is fixed and cannot be changed. Tables 18 to 23 and the Restaurant Bar are high tables with high-backed stools.

To book, go to the restaurant bookings page, pick a night and book a table. SquareMeal notes that a reservation means buying restaurant tickets, which include entry to that night’s show. So you are not booking a table on its own; you are buying a seat at the gig.

A word on sightlines

Not every table is a front-row view. A TripAdvisor reviewer warns that some tables may not have a fully unobstructed view of the stage. An older review says tables 1 to 4 give a side view with nobody behind you if you fancy a dance. These are reviewer opinions, so look at the seating options when you book and pick with that in mind.

Food

Food is served 19:00 to 23:00 daily, according to the venue. The restaurant page links PDF food and wine and drinks menus, so read those before you go rather than guessing. Eat before the music starts if you can: live music usually begins 60 to 90 minutes after doors, though that can change, and staff can give you set times when you arrive.

Timings on a gig night

• Doors are usually 19:00 for live shows, and Visit London lists live shows running to 22:30.
• Opening hours in the venue’s listing are Sunday to Thursday 19:00 to 23:00, and Friday and Saturday 19:00 to 03:00.
• Tickets are usually sent 24 hours before the show.
• Tickets are non-refundable unless the show is cancelled or significantly changed.

Standing crowds do queue. One reviewer reports joining the line at 18:15 for 19:00 doors, which is anecdotal, but if you want a spot near the front it is a fair hint to turn up early.

The late club nights

Club nights run on Fridays and Saturdays, after the live show, up to 03:00.

Saturday is Soul City, a house party billed by the venue as its longest-running club night. It runs 22:30 to 03:00. Early tickets start from £5, and the venue lists £5 to £10. Resident Advisor lists £6 to £12, 18+, last entry 02:00, with tickets available on the door at a higher price. Late-entry surcharges can apply if you miss the entry time on your ticket, so do not stroll in at 01:55 and expect the early price.

Fridays are themed one-offs rather than one regular night. The What’s On page has had Latin American rhythms and downtempo electronica, and Afro-jazz, as examples. Look at the listing for the Friday you want.

If you want to skip the queue and keep a patch of floor, the mezzanine Reserve an Area option on Fridays and Saturdays includes priority queue jump, a host welcome at the door, your own space all night, bottle service with a dedicated server and a view over the dancefloor. It is a splurge, so it suits a group.

What gets played

The programme spans jazz, soul, hip hop, reggae, electronic and blues, from established and rising acts. The venue’s own copy says the focus is funk, soul, R&B and electronic music. The room’s history is long: it opened on Parkway in 1990 in a former Barclays Bank branch, and the venue names D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Roy Ayers and Bobby Womack among past performers. It is now run by the Columbo Group, which also runs XOYO, Phonox and the Old Queen’s Head.

Capacity is about 440, according to the venue, which is small enough that even standing at the back you are not far from the stage.

Access and practicalities

Access seats and PA tickets are handled through the contact form on the FAQ page. If you need a PA ticket without an access seat, buy a Standing Ticket first. Visit London lists accessible bathroom facilities. For anything else, the venue phone is 020 7485 6834.

Our verdict

Go standing for the energy and the price. Book a table for a proper night out with dinner, and if you do, eat early and be in your seat before the band. Stay on for Soul City on a Saturday if your feet and your last train allow it. Camden Town station is the obvious way home, so check the last Northern line departure before you order the second round.

Details can change by show, so check the What’s On page for the night you want.