Blue Note Jazz granted licence for 350-seat venue in London’s West End after legal tussle and community engagement
A renowned international jazz venue often dubbed “the most famous jazz club in the world” has been granted permission to open in Covent Garden, despite earlier objections from the Metropolitan Police and local residents.
The Blue Note Jazz Club — an offshoot of the iconic New York venue founded in 1981 — will be opening a 350-seat establishment in the basement of the St Martin’s Lane Hotel, just a short walk from Leicester Square. The club has been given the go-ahead to operate until 1am every day of the week.
The approval follows a legal dispute between Blue Note Entertainment Group and Westminster City Council, after the council initially insisted the venue adhere to “core hours”, which typically limit closing times to midnight on weekends and even earlier during the week in parts of Soho and the West End.
Steven Bensusan, president of the Blue Note Entertainment Group and son of founder Danny Bensusan, previously expressed frustration over the late licence refusal, suggesting it cast doubt on London’s support for live music venues. “If they’re not giving us a late licence, I can’t imagine how they would be supportive of other smaller venues,” he remarked.
However, Westminster City Council reversed its initial stance and granted the licence on Thursday, citing its recently launched “After Dark” strategy, aimed at revitalising the city’s nightlife while making it more inclusive and varied.
“This is exactly the kind of venue we want to see more of in Westminster,” said Councillor Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member for planning and economic development. “As a jazz lover I can’t wait to visit.”
The council’s “After Dark” strategy is intended to tackle concerns over the decline of cultural venues in the capital. The plan includes encouraging quieter and more inclusive events, and aims to reinvigorate entertainment options beyond the traditional pub and club circuit.
The Met Police had previously warned that the club’s 1am closing time might lead to increased crime and disorder in the area. Officers raised concerns that patrons leaving the venue late at night could fall victim to phone thefts, illegal taxi scams, or worse — particularly vulnerable lone women.
These fears were echoed by at least one local resident, who urged councillors to limit closing time to 11pm. “It is suggested that it is extremely likely that some of the dispersing jazz lovers may be inebriated,” the resident wrote, “and immediately vulnerable to the gangs of criminals who already prey on similar groups in the Soho area.”
Nevertheless, Westminster Council said the venue’s backers had demonstrated a willingness to engage with the community and amend their plans in response to concerns.
“Every licensing decision is carefully considered, based on the evidence presented to committee and keeping in mind the needs of residents,” said a council spokesperson. “In this case, it was clear that venue management have engaged extensively with local people.”
The Blue Note team stressed the importance of late-night hours for the club’s viability as a genuine live music destination. “London’s cultural fabric is on the line here,” they said. “Grassroots music infrastructure will continue to decline if venues like this are not supported.”
The venue will take over a basement space previously used as a gym, which closed in 2023. Advocates say the transformation is not only a win for live music, but a productive reuse of otherwise vacant space.
The opening of Blue Note in London comes at a time when grassroots venues are under pressure. Research by the Mayor of London’s office found a sharp drop in such venues, from 144 in 2007 to just 94 by 2016. The Music Venue Trust reported last year that around one grassroots venue was closing every week across the UK.
The original Blue Note in New York has hosted jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner. The brand has since expanded globally, with outposts in Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and more.
Now, with its Westminster approval in hand, London joins the Blue Note family — bringing one of jazz’s most storied names to the heart of the capital’s entertainment district.
