During these times when we’re encouraged to stay away from public places, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the incredible afternoon I spent at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club in London. The atmosphere was electric, and the musicians’ joy was truly contagious.

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to lift your spirits and discover a place full of positive energy, where jazz will soon be celebrated again – without any worries!

Toulouse Lautrec Wine Bar & Live Music Venue

Located in Lambeth (easily accessible by tube), Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club clearly stands out with its distinctive logo on the wall and large blue facade.

Inside, you’ve got three great options: head to the restaurant on the ground floor for a meal surrounded by Toulouse Lautrec art, follow the music upstairs to the Piano Bar, or make your way to the third floor for live concerts!

Toulouse Lautrec offers a mix of classy jazz, blues, musical theatre, cabaret & burlesque. Don’t miss their regular Dr. Sketchy Burlesque & Cabaret Life Drawing events!

Toulouse Lautrec inspiration

Toulouse Lautrec, opened in November 2008, is run by the Regent Brothers. Nolan oversees the music (Piano Bar & Jazz Club), while Florent is the head chef in the kitchen.

They named the venue Toulouse Lautrec in homage to the iconic artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, known for his vibrant posters for the Moulin Rouge. His unique, emotive style captures the essence of Parisian nightlife, and his works now adorn the walls of the venue.

Nolan and Florent Regent were inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec, whose social life revolved around music, food, and great company – exactly the vibe they’ve brought to the venue.

Jazz Club

My husband and I visited on a St. Valentine’s afternoon, when the Duke Street Big Band was performing. I didn’t know them beforehand, but was truly impressed by their energy. The musicians were so committed, and the joy of playing together was contagious!

The Duke Street Big Band’s gig, ‘Pick Up the Pieces,’ was fantastic! A perfect mix of jazz, funk, and Latin tunes about love, all performed flawlessly. The entire room was enchanted by their performance!

The energy of the entire band and the enthusiasm of the bandleader were the biggest and most delightful surprise of the day!

With lots of love for jazz and a great sense of humor, this band is one of the best I’ve seen so far!
Duke Street Big Band 1

The Duke Street Big Band, founded in 2011, aims to bring Jazz and big band music to a broader audience. They’ve performed at various iconic venues in London, including The Crypt in Trafalgar Square, The Water Rats, The Dublin Castle, and Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club.

Duke Street Big Band 2

The talented singer, Talia Cohen, has graced the stage at renowned venues like Ronnie Scott’s, Scala, and the Hippodrome Casino, collaborating with artists including Turner Prize nominee James Richards. We were truly lucky to experience her incredible voice that day!

Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club aims to bring ‘easily accessible jazz’ to the stage, often blending genres in unique ways.

From jazz renditions of Nirvana hits to a harpist playing pop and gypsy jazz, they push creative boundaries. Recently, they even recreated a scene from Ella Fitzgerald’s iconic performance at Zardi’s Jazz Club, complete with actors in the audience to relive the moment!

I can hardly think of something more original! Check out their programme online (even if the events might obviously be all postponed to healthier days).

Sign up to receive the latest posts from DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Your name *

Your email *

I want to stay in the Loop!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. Next time you visit Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club or catch a performance by The Duke Street Big Band, be sure to share your experience on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

To go further:
Toulouse Lautrec: 140 Newington Butts, Prince’s, SE11 4RN.
Website
Duke Street Big Band website

Explore more of my favourite jazz venues here.