Travel
Toe-Tapping Tipples: The World’s Best Music Bars
From country music joints to jazz dives and Son Cubano hotspots, these are some of the liveliest, most legendary music bars across the globe. Save a dance for us!
From legendary live music cities like London, NYC and New Orleans, to lesser-known locales across Lisbon, Dublin and Tokyo, there’s a whole world of watering holes where you can sit down, drink in hand, and just vibe to outstanding musical acts. Indeed, it was hard for us to decant a list of worthy places, but we put ourselves to the task and came up with 20 music bars around the globe that must be seen – and heard – to be believed.
The Spotted Cat Club, New Orleans, USA
A trip to the Big Easy is never complete without a night out at a jazz club, and there’s no better place in town than The Spotted Cat. Beloved among locals and revered by visitors, “The Cat” is a small venue with a big soul, where incredible live acts perform back-to-back every night. They have a ‘one drink minimum’ policy and take no reservations (don’t bother trying, they’re adamant about their first-come, first-served policy) – which means your best bet is to get there early in the evening. It’s well worth it, trust us.
Bar Los Laureles, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Next time you’re in Buenos Aires, why not skip the rather over-touristed Café Tortoni tango show and instead head over to Bar Los Laureles. A bit off the beaten path, this underground tango bar dates back to the 1900s, and it’s probably your best bet at finding truly authentic tango music in the Porteño capital. Here, tables are pushed aside after dinner to make way for a tango band – and dancing, but that’s optional. They open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday nights.
TONI2, Madrid, Spain
Exactly what you would hope for in a piano bar, TONI2 is one of Madrid’s best hidden gems. A cosy yet rowdy joint that’s seemingly too small for the number of people packed in most nights, here everyone gathers around the piano players who take turns tickling the ivories. Visitors can make song requests – and are sometimes even allowed to sing them. That being said: if you’re no songbird, they can also be quick to end the act. There aren’t many options for a meal (other than jamón ibérico, of course, and olives and cheese), but waiters are happy to come wherever you’re standing to take your drink order.
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Heliogàbal, Barcelona, Spain
A staple of the modern Spanish pop and indie music scenes, Heliogàbal has seen many a career take off. With affordable entry tickets that range from 5 to 17 euro per person, depending on the act that night, this small but powerful spot is located in hip neighbourhood Gràcia, so it’s the perfect place to stumble into after a good meal or a couple of tapas. Many different sorts of drinks are available, but our advice is to go for a classic cañita of beer. We’re partial to Estrella, but have it your way.
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Café Luso, Lisbon, Portugal
The rustic, romantic interiors of Lisbon’s Café Luso provide the perfect setting for an evening of Portuguese Fado music. Don’t let the fancy tablecloths fool you: this spot fills up with music lovers of all ages, both locals and visitors alike. (It’s also the perfect date spot if you’re aiming to impress.) Make sure to enjoy traditional Portuguese fare as the Fado singers croon – and, of course, try not to sob over your meal. We know, the music is soulful and stirring, but that’s just not appropriate date behaviour…
Bar Carioca da Gema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilians are famous for many things, not least of which is their effortless sex appeal – and Bar Carioca da Gema only further furthers the stereotype. This seductive yet relaxed Rio de Janeiro bar is host to live Samba and Bossa Nova music, and it’s the perfect place for either sipping on endless caipirinhas, or attempting to samba dance – or both. There’s a modest cover charge to get in, but drink prices are more than reasonable, and we bet you’ll have a blast.
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Skinny Dennis, New York City, USA
Choosing just one music bar in a place like New York City is an impossible feat, but our advice is to go for an unexpected choice – often less crowded, more affordable, and usually makes for a better story. Located in unbearably hip Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Skinny Dennis is an unassuming honky tonk bar that hosts live country and roots music, keeps 18 types of beer on draft and whips up delicious cocktails – including their own house special, “Frozen Coffee”, a slushed mixture of coffee and whiskey. Polish up those cowboy boots, you’re going out.
O’Donoghues, Dublin, Ireland
Ask anyone who knows their stuff, O’Donoghues is the place to go in Dublin. A spirited pub with live Irish music, where locals and visitors happily mingle and Guinness flows from the tap, they also serve pretty decent pub grub. Full of character, this spot wouldn’t be nearly as incredible without their welcoming staff. Faithful clients usually have their favourite server, though you might have to visit a few times to get a true feel for the place. Such a sacrifice, innit?
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Café Havana, Cartagena, Colombia
There’s nothing like good Son Cubano to get you up and dancing, and romantic Cartagena has the perfect place to listen to it. Located in the up-and-coming Getsemaní neighbourhood, Café Havana has long been a favourite of salsa-loving locals and tourists alike. Sit down to listen to the live band, or try your best to keep up with the Colombians on the dancefloor – Cuban cocktails pair well with either choice. Our personal favourite? The mojitos, of course.
Le Baiser Salé, Paris, France
Is there anything more Parisian than sitting for hours at a jazz bar, sipping red wine? Don’t answer that. In any case, our hangout of choice is Le Baiser Salé, a small, simple venue for those looking to listen to good music. Come to this hole-in-the-wall strictly for the music, which transits through all the different types of jazz available, and stay for their large assortment of beverages. Stay you may, in fact, until 6am, making this a late-night landmark for jazz aficionados in the City of Lights.
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Little Soul Cafe, Tokyo, Japan
A little spot that will make your Tokyo trip unforgettable, Little Soul Cafe is any music fan’s dream. The walls in this Shimokitazawa bar are covered from floor to ceiling in vinyls that the owner has collected throughout a lifetime of travelling, and the ambience will make you feel right at home. They also have an incredible selection of Japanese whisky, which you can sip your way through as you listen to iconic soul, disco, funk and Motown songs. They charge 300 yen per person to get in, and are open every evening from 9pm.
[Photo via Little Soul Cafe]
Saxophone Pub, Bangkok, Thailand
One of the longest-standing jazz clubs in buzzing Bangkok, Saxophone Pub is usually packed with aficionados and casual listeners alike. The bar proudly hosts both national and international jazz acts, which usually start their sets at around 11pm, after guests have had a couple of drinks and the crowd is primed to enjoy. That said, it’s probably best to get there early, unless you don’t mind standing. It will also give you a chance to sample their ample gastronomical offer, consisting of mostly Thai dishes.
Howler, Melbourne, Australia
Howler is exactly how you might picture a music bar in Australia. Located in Brunswick, Melbourne, this beer garden with an adjacent band room is fun, cool and of-the-moment – the perfect place to grab a cold beer with your mates as a live band or DJ sets the mood. If your evening runs long and you’re dying for a meal, they also have an impressive, mouth-watering pub grub menu complete with vegetarian and vegan options, so there’s something for everyone. Howler is mostly a walk-in venue, but they do take reservations for large groups.
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Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, Florence, Italy
Ah, to be under the Tuscan sun drinking an Aperol Spritz. Or, in this weather, a comforting cappuccino. If you’d like to make your dreams a reality, head over to Caffe Concerto Paszkowski, a delightful little place overlooking Florence’s Piazza della Repubblica, where you can sample the best Italian drinks and pastries while listening to a different musical act every day. A piece of advice: Don’t order a cappuccino past noon, Italians will give you the side eye. Opt for a shot of espresso – or take your pick from their selection of beverages.
Xaman Bar, Mexico City, Mexico
There have only been a couple of times when we’ve actually been dying to go to a bar – and at least one of those times it was Mexico City’s Xaman Bar we were thinking of, where everything from the cocktails to the decor is inspired by shamanism – and meant to honour the power of plants and nature in the pre-Hispanic world. Sounds cool, right? With a hidden underground speakeasy vibe and an intriguing ambience, the live DJ and music sets are the cherry on top. We’ll be stopping here on our next visit. Hopefully with a date in tow.
SalonCuma, Istanbul, Turkey
Just a few paces from Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence, right in the heart of Istanbul’s Çukurcuma district, is SalonCuma: one of the Turkish capital’s most elegant spots. With a 1920s interior and a marble-top cocktail bar, this is a chic place to listen to live music while sipping on elegant cocktails, full-on Gatsby-style. They also know how to throw a party, so keep them in mind if you ever want to host an event that makes your guests feel as if they belong in a 20th-century novel.
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Mu, London, UK
If there’s a city in the world that’s renowned for its music scene, it might just be London, the city of rock stars and pop icons. Now, just for the sake of switching it up a little, why not go for something slightly less rowdy on your next visit? Mu is a restaurant, bar and live music venue where visitors can sample two different live music acts every night, while also enjoying a delicious Japanese menu and a selection of natural wines and classic cocktails. The decor is modern and tasteful, so it also doubles as the perfect spot for a night out à deux. Reservations are recommended, but they also welcome walk-ins. This place is rather in-demand, though, so we wouldn’t take our chances.
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Reise, Mumbai, India
Tune into your wanderlust and make the journey to Reise for a taste of some of the best live English and Hindi music in the country. If the mesmerising sounds and vocals aren’t enough, make sure to also sample their array of world dishes – from Italian to North Indian food, European and Asian cuisine, they’ve got a little bit of everything for you to enjoy. Another perk? They have good, affordable drinks. Musical performances are every Wednesday night from 7pm.
Jazz Café Alto, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Live jazz floats through the windows every night at 9am at Amsterdam’s Jazz Café Alto. With a strong bohemian vibe that invites guests to sit back and enjoy the show, this small venue offers an array of beers and cocktails for you to pick from while you savour the tunes. Popular with locals for a number of reasons, Jazz Café Alto gets packed and takes no reservations, so plan your visit accordingly.
The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, USA
Just on the edge of downtown Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe is a small, unpretentious spot that’s perfect for hardcore country fans in search of new sounds and new talent – with a sprinkling of superstars every now and then. As for sustenance, they’re cooking up exactly what anyone visiting the southern United States is looking for: comfort food that nourishes the soul. They also have an assortment of beers and alcoholic beverages you can indulge in as you sway to the music – but they have a no talking policy, so make sure to abide by the rules. If you’re lucky, you might even come across some famous folk – everyone from Taylor Swift to Steven Tyler and Sheryl Crow has performed here in recent years.
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