The Jazz Bar on the Hill
I love a loud gig as much as the next person. Many a happy night has been spent crammed into Brixton Academy, and Walloh’s recent article on the Bird’s Nest got me smiling in nostalgia. But not every night can be full-throttle. Sometimes you just want to chill and for those easygoing evenings, there is no better music than jazz.
Now in terms of jazz bars, Ronnie Scott’s is great but Ronnie’s verges on the expensive side, and as a South Londoner, the Soho location makes it difficult to casually drop in. Below the river, my favourite jazz haunt is a sleek little bar called Dee Dee’s in Herne Hill.
Live music performances mainly take place over the weekend, Friday to Sunday. There is always an eclectic mix of acts on show. Although primarily a jazz bar, Dee Dee’s doesn’t discriminate. Latino, soul and blues singers frequently work their vocal chords through a mixture of covers and original songs. The venue is tiny, allowing great acoustics and a real authentic, intimate feel that you can’t find the larger spaces.
This is a place to discover artists who might otherwise pass under the radar. Artists like the singing poet Rose Petal, who has built up a devout following through social media. Or former Miss West Africa UK, Astride Costa – a relative newcomer already attracting the interest of the record labels. The crowd is always supportive, always enjoying themselves. Places like Dee Dee’s are a chance to reconnect with what made us fall in love with live music in the first place.
As the selection is insane, I must mention the drink. At over five hundred different labels, Dee Dee’s quite possibly displays the biggest variety of spirits in London. They dominate the wall behind the bar, row upon row of bottles climbing up towards the ceiling.
To give an idea of the selection, there are 128 whiskeys and 13 different flavours of Jack Daniel’s alone. I’ve seen people spend an age, gazing along the shelves, trying vainly to narrow down an order. A shot of Balblair ’83 costs £30 (!) – but most labels sell around the fiver mark and there’s also beer or wine for the unadventurous.
The place takes a little finding. Situated halfway up Herne Hill itself, if you aren’t looking for Dee Dee’s you probably won’t stumble upon it by chance. As a result of its slightly off-track location, certain weeknights might see only a handful of patrons seated along the bar.
Personally I like this vibe, especially as often everyone present (staff included) will be sharing a conversation, but then I also live ten minutes’ walk away. For livelier nights visit weekends, especially as the bright lights of Brixton and Peckham are but a short bus ride away. Or simply check the website and come see an act you like the sound of. My guess is you’ll be back.
For more upcoming acts, check out the event page.
Max Williams
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