A Comprehensive Guide to Hip-Hop & RnB Clubs in London
A Comprehensive Guide to Hip-Hop & RnB Clubs in London
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to London's hip-hop and rnb clubs! If you like hip-hop or rnb music and want to see the best of London's club scene, you've come to the right place. London has a thriving and diverse hip-hop scene, with underground hip-hop clubs and exclusive hotspots catering to music fans of all tastes.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the top hip-hop clubs in London and rnb venues, examining their distinct atmospheres, the types of music you can expect to hear, and what makes each club a must-visit for hip-hop fans. So, whether you're a local or just passing through, get ready to discover the best of London's hip-hop and rnb scene!
In this guide we will divide London into four parts, North, South, East, West & Central London. You're sure to find a local hip-hop club or bar in your neighbourhood using this guide!
North London Hip-Hop Clubs
North London as a huge array of venues catering for all styles of music including hip-hop and rnb. Alternative districts, like Camden Town, are some of the best localities for exciting music and have dozens of venues. It's important to check each venue for their listings as many venues will host hip-hop events only on certain nights of the week or month.
Jazz Cafe
The Jazz Cafe in Camden Town is an iconic music institution and have a long and rich history of support music of black origin in London. Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest are just few of the acts that have graced the stage at The Jazz Cafe.
It's a medium sized venue that serves food and drinks and is perfect if you like to dance the night away or book a table. All ages frequent this venue and they have excellent friendly and welcoming staff. It's especially good for watching live hip-hop, jazz, rnb singers and bands.
Click here for the Jazz Cafe
The Garage
The Garage in Islington is a medium sized club that offers a range of club nights with a broad range of music. It hosts some of the best hip-hop and rnb nights in North London and is know for its underground vibe and party-hard customers. It's a bit of a dive bar but it's a brilliant club to watch DJs and live acts.
Click here for The Garage
Camden Assembly
Camden Assembly (formerly Barfly) is a popular bar and club with a focus on up-and-coming artists and intimate gigs. They focus at this venue is Indie and Rock but they often host less regular events with grime, hip-hop and rnb artists. It's worth checking out their event listings.
Click here for The Camden Assembly
Lockside Camden
Lockside is a great small venue hosting a range of events including open-mic, hip-hop and rnb nights and nights with open-format DJs. It's right in the heart of Camden Market and is a great place to stop by anytime of day or night. They also offer open-mic nights where you can see new rnb singers.
Click here for Lockside Camden
Concert Venues in North London
There are several large venues and concert venues in North London that host hip-hop events and concerts. You can catch some of the biggest international rnb singers or hip-hop artists in these iconic and historic venues. Make sure you check out the programming for The Roundhouse, Koko, Egg and Alexandra Palace.
South London Hip-Hop Clubs
You are spoilt for choice for decent hip-hop and rnb clubs in South London! There are many venues and events catering for hip-hop fans, especially in Brixton. Be sure to check out these incredible venues south of the river!
Bussy Rooftop Bar
The Bussy Building Rooftop Bar in Rye Lane, Peckham, is a South London gem. It's famous for its special intimate vibe and support of new artists. It's a brilliant example of grass-roots music in London. Make sure you support and attend this gem of a venue! It's perfect for watching the sun set with a playlist of hip-hop, rnb, soul, funk and more.
Click here for the Bussy Rooftop Bar
Brixton Jamm
Brixton Jamm is one of the most famous venues in Brixton and South London. It's famed for it's diverse events spanning breaks, UKG, hip-hop, rnb, dancehall and more! It's one of the few venues with a nice outdoor space so it's perfect in the summertime with both a beach and terrace! Inside you will find a club room and bar playing the best hip-hop and rnb music from massive speaker stacks!
Click here for Brixton Jamm
Phonox
Phonox, formerly Plan B, is a well known venue also in Brixton, South London. Phonox hosts some of the best hip-hop, rnb and grime nights in London alongside House events. It's a medium sized venue and well known for its excellent soundsystem and party atmosphere.
Click here for Phonox
Ministry of Sound
Arguably one of the most famous venues in the world, let alone London, Ministry of Sound is held in high regard. Located in Elephant & Castle, on the night tube it's easy to reach from all corners of London.
Ministry is primarily a dance music venue, but it does offer hip-hop and rnb in the Loft room on Friday nights and at its midweek student events like Milkshake. Milkshake is great for modern hip-hop and commercial sounds mixed with dance music. It's an incredible venue and the loudest sound system in the UK! One not to miss! Catch our DJ course graduates play at this club most Fridays.
Click here for Ministry of Sound
Hootananny
Brixton venue Hootananny is a small quirky fun hang out in Brixton that hosts a wide range of eclectic music events. Don't expert to hear commercial hip-hop or rnb but expect old school hip-hop mixed with electro and rap. Other nights can support indie, rock, roots reggae and a menagerie of genres!
Click here for the Hootananny
Corsica Studios
Another excellent venue in Elephant & Castle, a stone's throw from Ministry of Sound is Corsica Studios. They have been a long supporter of underground and emerging talent from a spectrum of scenes and sounds. Check out the listings and you'll find trap, hip-hop, grime, rnb and more! No luck here for commercial hip-hop and rnb fans, this venue is strictly underground.
Click here for Corsica Studios
Concert Venues in South London
There are many fantastic concert and large-scale events venues in South London hosting a range of artists. The O2 Academy Brixton, The Clapham Grand and Electric Brixton are popular London venues and you can often find famous hip-hop and rnb singers perform at these venues for sell-out crowds! Be sure they check out the listings. Straddling the line between East and South London you'll find one of the UK's biggest convert venues The O2 Arena, technically in Southeast London.
East London Hip-Hop Clubs
East London is the trendiest part of London, you'll find more life in this quarter of London, more clubs and more music. If you're a music lover and party animal make sure you familiarise yourself with all these East London hangouts for hip-hop and rnb fans.
There are many great spots for hip-hop and rnb fans scattered across this district, here are just a few. Make sure you also do some research in this area as many events are held off-the-radar especially around Hackney and Hackney Wick. More commercial hip-hop fans will love Shoreditch but if you're looking for something more unique go further east.
Q Shoreditch
If you're looking for a bling bling kind of night in Shoreditch with champagne flowing and expensive vodkas on tap check, out Q Shoreditch. This venue hosts a range of events including commercial hip hop and rnb nights.
Click here for Q Shoreditch
Traffik
Traffik, in Shoreditch, is another small venue offering a mash-up of commercial classics, rnb and hip hop. If you want an intimate bolt hole to down a few tequilas this is the perfect small basement club.
Click here for Traffik
Golden Bee
Golden Bee is one of our favourite rooftop venues in Old Street offering an incredible outdoor space with heaters! Downstairs in the club room and bar you'll find sumptuous surroundings and an electric atmosphere. This is particularly popular with the ladies and is a female owned and managed venue that we highly recommend. They play a mix of commercial house, rnb and some hip-hip. Plus incredible cocktails!
Click here for Golden Bee
XOYO
Often voted in the top ten clubs in London, XOYO is medium to large venue offer some of the most exciting music programming in the city. In typical East London Shoreditch style it has its finger on the beating pulse of what is new and hot. They offer student nights and weekend parties with a range of genres. Check out their listings to see when they host hip-hop, commercial or rnb nights.
Click here for XOYO
The Yard
The Yard in Hackney Wick is actually a theatre, a kind of DIY grass-roots theatre. Attached to the theatre there is a large industrial bar which doubles as a club on some evenings. It's a spit and sawdust kind of venue in the heart of trendy Hackney Wick. This is the perfect nightspot to discover new music, new artists and a freaky audience. They have many events here including a number dedicated to the LGBTQI community. If you're an alternative clubber this is a super venue!
Click here for The Yard
Colour Factory
Just around the corner from The Yard in Hackney Wick you'll find newcomer Colour Factory, fast becoming one of the most important nightclubs on the scene. There are many events here during the week including dance music events and hip-hop nights. Many of the nights offer music that crosses all boundaries so expect a mash-up of styles. The crowd is very similar, arty and alternative with a large queer following.
Click here for Colour Factory
Pitch
Pitch is an outdoor venue in Stratford, East London. If has a large terrace offering bars, street food and music! They often have music events with hip-hop, commercial and rnb played.
Click here for Pitch
The Cause
The Cause is one of the most famous venues in underground London. It started in Tottenham, North London, but due to redevelopment of the area it's uprooted and moved to East London. its new home near City Airport is equally as industrial and offers raves and events catering for a wide community of music fans. They are more dance music focused but you can occasionally see events catering for hip-hop, or perhaps a room within the venue focused on it.
Click here for The (new) Cause
Concert Venues in East London
There are a few notable large-scale venues and spaces that cater for live concerts including Village Underground (rather small) The Troxy and fabric which is one or the larger super clubs in London. Be sure to check out the event listings for these venues to see if any upcoming hip-hop or rnb concerts are planned. The O2 is also kind of in East London, technically Southeast London.
West & Central London Hip-Hop Clubs
West London covers most of central London and the vast (and often rich) west side of the city. There are many hip-hop and rnb venues playing both commercial hip-hop and rnb hits in this part of London. Some of the most expensive and flashy venues are included in this part of our guide to hip hop clubs!
The Box
The Box is a notorious and infamous club in Soho, Central London. Housed in the former Raymond Revue venue it has a long and seedy history for debauchery. Expect a naughty night and a full nudity license, don't be shocked to see a live show that would make you look twice! The music at this venue is varied but adapted to suit an eclectic clientele. Hip-hop and rnb will be thrown in with commercial music, chart hits, pop anthems and underground dance music.
Click here for The Box
The Social
One of our favourite small venues, The Social is nestled in the heart of London. They have some of the coolest hip-hop and rnb nights and fans frequent it's basement club and bar. This is a gem not to be overlooked if you love hip-hop and want to party in central London with a cool crowd. Highly recommended.
Click here for The Social
Ronnie Scott's
If you're into classic hip-hop jazz infusions check out Ronnie Scott's. This famous jazz and blues venue in Soho, Central London offers an array of events with the main focus on jazz and blues but you'll find acts that sometimes veer toward hip-hip or rnb.
Click here for Ronnie Scott's
Tape
Tape is a swanky hip-hop and open-format music venues in Mayfair, Central London. It's expensive but a great place to get down and party hard to the best commercial hip-hop, trap and rnb. If you're a big spender you will love this venue!
Click here for Tape
Ten London
Ten is a hip-hop bar and club in Holborn, Central London. It's well known for hosting events from Chris Brown alongside celebrity hip-hop and rnb singers and rappers. It has an exclusive vibe and the price reflects that! Again, an expensive choice.
Click here for Ten London
Ruby Blue
Overlooking tourist hotspot Leicester Square, (a location locals would never frequent,) you'll find Ruby Blue. This tourist-led venue plays a wide range of music styles for a broad international audience. Expect commercial hip-hop, rnb, reggaeton and dance music.
Click here for Ruby Blue
Lio London
Formerly Cafe de Paris, Lio London is a cabaret and events venue in Central London. This historic venue recently reopened and has been rebranded. During the evening they host cabaret shows and swanky dinner parties, by night it turns into a club offering a range of events. Click the link for their event listings to find out when their hip-hop, rnb and reggaeton nights are happening.
Click here for Lio London
Bar Rumba
Central London mainstay, and tourist hotspot Bar Rumba attracts a out-of-town clientele. Its music policy is broad and aims to keep everyone entertained. Expect open-format DJs playing hip-hop, reggaeton, rnb and commercial dance music.
Click here for Bar Rumba
Here at Outernet
The latest newcomer to Central London is Here at Outernet, a custom-built venue in Tottenham Court Road. Hidden four floors below street level you'll be able to party till the early hours. It hosts a range of concerts and events. Keep an eye on their listings for hip hop and rnb events or concerts.
Click here for Here at Outernet
Big Clubs & Concert Venues in Central London
There are some incredible venues in central London and West London including Here at Outernet, Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire and the Apollo. Make sure you check out all these incredible venues in central and west London for upcoming hip-hop or rnb concerts.
In conclusion...
Finally, London's hip hop culture has a wide range of fascinating clubs that cater to all types of hip hop lovers. There's something for everyone, from intimate places that highlight emerging artists to larger clubs with well-known performers.
Whether you want to dance all night or simply listen to live music, London's hip hop clubs are the ideal spot to immerse yourself in the city's lively music culture. These clubs provide a unique and exciting way to enjoy hip hop music in the city, with various lineups, lively crowds, and amazing experiences.
So, gather your buddies and go to one of London's hip hop clubs. Whether you're a die-hard hip hop enthusiast or just curious about the genre, you'll have a great time at one of the city's numerous wonderful venues.
Want to take your love of hip-hop and rnb futher? You might be interested in learning how to DJ with hip-hop and rnb on our DJ course!
Click here for more information about our hip-hop DJ courses
