Bars & Pubs

People definitely don't come to the Bull's Head for the riverside garden (there isn't one) or the atmosphere (the big maroon and cream room with its imposing central bar is fairly soulless). They might come for the beer (it's a Young's pub) or the food (Nuay's Thai bistro in the former stables at the back is cheap and popular). But they certainly come for the music: this has been one of London's premier jazz venues since 1959. Coleman Hawkins, Shorty Rogers, Al Cohn, Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Lyttelton, Stan Tracey, Don Weller... anyone who's anyone in the modern jazz world has performed here at one time or another. There are gigs seven nights a week and on Sunday lunchtimes; you can't book and most tickets are a tenner or less.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9