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Oliver's Jazz Bar, Greenwich

An intimate, candlelit basement jazz club in Greenwich where close-up live music and community atmosphere meet a well-stocked bar.

4.6

A narrow, candle-lit basement jazz club tucked beneath Nevada Street in Greenwich, Oliver's is an intimate nightly venue offering live jazz in a warm, convivial setting with a well-stocked bar and a fireplace in winter. Its low ceilings, worn wooden tables and compact stage create a close-up listening experience where local and international players perform seven nights a week, plus regular jam sessions and a friendly community atmosphere.

A brief summary to Oliver's Jazz Bar

  • 9 Nevada St, London, SE10 9JL, GB
  • +442088583693
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 2 pm-12 am
  • Tuesday 2 pm-12 am
  • Wednesday 2 pm-12 am
  • Thursday 2 pm-12 am
  • Friday 2 pm-2 am
  • Saturday 2 pm-2 am
  • Sunday 2 pm-12 am

Local tips

  • Book or reserve early for weekend nights; the space is small and tables nearest the stage are limited.
  • Arrive with cash or card for drinks; food options are minimal so bring a light snack if needed.
  • Expect close seating and low ceilings—this is an intimate listening room rather than a spacious nightclub.
  • Check the programme for weekly jam sessions if you want to catch emerging local talent or participate as a musician.
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Getting There

  • Public transport — Underground + Walk

    Take the London Underground to North Greenwich station, then use a local bus or a 10–18 minute walk across the Greenwich neighbourhood; typical travel time from central Greenwich neighbourhoods is 15–30 minutes depending on starting point, services run frequently but expect evening schedule reductions; fare depends on Oyster/contactless zones (roughly £1.60–£3.10 per single journey within central zones).

  • Bus

    Local London buses serve stops near Nevada Street with journeys from Greenwich and Lewisham taking 10–25 minutes; buses run regularly but may be less frequent late at night and subject to evening service curtailment; standard single fares apply with contactless/Oyster payment, typically £1.60–£2.00.

  • Taxi / Ride-hail

    Black cab or ride‑hailing services offer door‑to‑door travel from central Greenwich or Docklands in about 8–20 minutes depending on traffic; expect fares roughly £6–£18 within the local area and higher from farther points, with potential weekend or late‑night surcharges.

  • Walking from nearby areas

    Walks from central Greenwich or the riverside are typically 12–25 minutes over mostly flat, paved streets; route involves narrow footways and some steps near the venue entrance, so allow time for uneven surfaces and limited wheeled‑luggage access.

Oliver's Jazz Bar location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Oliver's Jazz Bar

Origins and musical character

Oliver’s Jazz Bar began life as a small, musician‑run cellar venue that quickly established itself as a dependable spot for straight‑ahead jazz in southeast London. The space favours acoustic groups and small ensembles: piano, tenor, trumpet and a rhythm section sound especially at home in the compact room, and the club’s programming mixes established names with emerging players and student bands. The result is a musical character that leans toward classic jazz forms — standards, hard bop and tasteful balladry — delivered in an unpretentious, ear‑to‑ear fashion.

Interior and atmosphere

Descend the narrow stairs and you step into a low, dimly lit grotto where mismatched chairs and wooden tables press close to the stage. The décor is unpolished and human: scuffed floorboards, posters on the walls and a small bar at the back where glasses clink. In winter a roaring fire adds warmth and a faint scent of wood smoke; in summer the air feels close and intimate. Seating is tight and conversation is hushed during sets, creating a sense of shared attention between musicians and listeners that larger venues rarely reproduce.

Audience and social vibe

Oliver’s attracts a mixed crowd — neighbourhood regulars, visiting jazz fans and students from nearby conservatoires — drawn by the close‑up experience rather than spectacle. The social vibe is relaxed and friendly; staff and musicians often know each other and the feel is familial rather than formal. The layout encourages lingering: people nurse drinks between sets, cluster round tables and sometimes drift into post‑gig conversations, making the bar part listening room, part meeting place for a local music community.

Programming and musical offerings

The venue presents live music every night, from solo pianists and duos to quintets and occasional larger groups, with recurring weekly jam sessions that welcome guest players. Musicianship is taken seriously — the piano is maintained, and the sound system is kept unobtrusive so the natural acoustic of the room carries. Evenings can range from lyrical, intimate sets to energetic hard‑driving numbers; the compact stage fosters interplay and improvisation, giving soloists and rhythm sections equal presence.

Drinks, practicalities and sensory details

The bar is small but well stocked with wines, beers and spirits; prices are usually reasonable compared with central London clubs. There’s no formal food service — snacks are minimal — so the focus stays on music and drink. Expect to feel the room’s warmth, hear the close detail of brushed cymbals and the woody thump of upright bass, and notice the tactile textures of an old piano lid and a stage lamp’s soft glow.

Role in the local scene

Over the years Oliver’s has become a steady anchor for Greenwich’s live music life: a place where young players gain stage time and touring artists find an intimate audience. Its modest scale and nightly programming help sustain a local jazz ecology, offering performance opportunities, jam nights and a dependable listening environment. For anyone interested in experiencing live jazz up close in an unvarnished setting, the club presents an authentic, small‑venue experience that foregrounds music and community.

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