Dalston Jazz Bar in Hackney

Brilliant spot! Gem of a place - everyone so friendly. Went on a Tuesday and it was a VIBE. Lovely jazz band with great tunes and nice and loud to enjoy. Set up a great atmosphere for a lovely meal had a bit of everything from prawns to oysters to mussels! Desert was also an unexpected treat we had a carrot cake with flowers petals and nut toppings. Would recommend. Pay what you feel & alcohol pay as you go.

Giving 5 stars because I lost my purse here on Saturday night, and they kept it safe with all of my cards and ID’s inside!!! Made my week. Thank you so much.

The food was good and tasty, the guys and the service was on point, and the music (being a weekend) added to a nice chilled, quirky and cozy atmosphere. You had to pay what you thought the service and the food was worth (tricky that was), why dent a good evening with such pressure and anxiety haha. Honestly, we thought the evening was worth 60£. Most people average between the 30-40£ mark

This place was truly terrible. Beware and don’t go. If you have any knowledge of good seafood, this is NOT the spot …..very poor service (nearly aggressive), freezing cold inside, jazz played for 30 minutes of our 2 hr dinner block, mixed drinks were insufferable, they forced a set menu on the entire restaurant, and the food was just plain treacherous. I’ve never left a google review in my life, but this experience calls for it.

Great experience, cool place in general, but was sick the next day, for a place that does fish a 2 hygiene rating doesn’t cut it. Best to find another boho place to larp in.

Simply an Epic quintessential London Jazz Club experience - great atmosphere driven by the warm personality of the owner chef (see photo) and I think at least one of his sons who serves. The food is adventurous and good quality. Yes it looks like a hole in the wall, but this is the real deal with local good quality jazz players all the saturday nights I've been. Reservations recommended. I usually combine a meal and first band of the evening here and then go to the Vortx next door for second show for a memorable night out - been going about 4-5 years every time I am in London (and I am an an ex-Londoner)

If anthony bourdain is still alive, this is one of the place he would definitely visit. Good food good music and good location (literally 2 mins walk from Mildmay overground Dalston Kingsland Station) We managed to secure a booking through the link in their website and it is better to have reservation. The jazz band starts playing 1800H- you can support the band by donating in cash. Food wise- it was heaven! All dishes were served in a timely manner. Staff were organised in serving them even if busy. Food portion is good for two. Couldnt say anything bad as they were all delicious- from the tuna tartare, oysters (no metallic taste unlike others), seabream- really huge portion ans seasoned well, mussel and shrimp. Service- highly recommend Muhammad he was all smiles and happy to serve everyone even if busy Having to dine in this restaurant is definitely one for the books. Theres no price for the meal but we payed approx £35-40

Everywhere online it says they offer vegetarian options (including a mushroom dish, soup and a vegetarian special), however, when we arrived they told us they didn’t actually offer anything vegetarian. Consequently I wasn’t able to eat anything but bits of table bread. Not only that, but the server kept serving me fish so ultimately at the end I still had to pay a contribution towards food I couldn’t eat. I’m not sure why they’d say online they cater for vegetarians when they absolutely don’t. If you don’t eat fish or have any dietary requirements this is not the place for you. They only serve fish. Would’ve been easy for them to make a simple tomato on toast or something so that I could eat something atleast, but they weren’t interested. Also left some bits of make up on our table which I quickly realised and went back to retrieve within the hour. When I got back they said they had already binned everything I’d left - whilst this was my own fault had I feel like binning lost property within an hour of customers leaving is very bad hospitality etiquette. Probably a good night if you’re happy to eat fish though!

The vibes are cool, the food is fine. Don’t come with a group of friends - the music is quite loud so you can’t really have a conversation while eating.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind this holiday season by cancelling your reservation for this horrendous restaurant with terrible service, incompetent management, and a shocking disregard for customer safety and wellbeing. If I could give negative stars to cancel out the misleading high ratings, I would. Key points for those short on time: * Food quality: Far below average. You can find much better options in London. The only redeeming feature is the option to choose how much you pay—which, frankly, should be zero. Save yourself and your taste buds from the inedible options and limited menu. * Atmosphere: The music is so loud you can’t hear yourself or the people you dine with, which is the perfect distraction from the crimes that occur here regularly. * Safety concerns: Criminals in this area target diners (especially tourists or those with foreign accents) and (according to management) can easily enter and exit the restaurant, taking what they want and leaving without being caught. If, after reading this, you and your loved ones still decide to visit, keep your phones, bags, and other belongings in hand (or, at minimum, within your line of sight) throughout your meal. My experience: My phone was stolen during my dinner here, but the management’s dismissive and unhelpful reaction made the situation far worse. One manager initially offered to review footage from the restaurant’s 16 (in his words, “high-definition”) security cameras. However, the next day, I was told the cameras were old and unreliable. Conveniently for the thief, the one camera with a clear view of my table was not working that evening. Even my offer to pay for professional footage recovery was refused. When I requested more details about the evening for my police report, another manager bragged about refusing to comply with police requests for footage, claiming, “It’s [his] restaurant and private property.” Their only exception to this policy involved footage from a case where a woman went missing after dining there. While discussing my stolen device, the managers asked absurdly dismissive questions like, “Why did you come back?” and “Why do you care so much?” as if losing a phone with personal data and financial information wasn’t a major inconvenience. One manager even claimed he wouldn’t care if his phone were stolen—an easy comment to make with his phone safely in hand. Ironically, during the same conversation, another manager ran outside to retrieve his phone after leaving it unattended, underscoring the restaurant’s danger. Staff are clearly aware that theft occurs in the restaurant frequently. They’ve memorised the process for reporting stolen phones and casually joke about how the police “do nothing” to prevent it. In contrast, the police were significantly more helpful—responding to my calls, answering my questions, visiting two addresses where my phone was located, and providing me with detailed updates throughout the investigation. Between the management’s evasiveness, the “missing” footage from their 16 cameras, and the fact that my phone was briefly located a few blocks away the next day while I tracked it, the management team's lack of cooperation left me deeply dissatisfied with how the incident was handled. This restaurant’s blatant disregard for customer safety, lack of accountability, and subpar food make it a risk not worth taking. You deserve a better dining experience. Look elsewhere.

Been 2 times. On both occasions the food and staff were brilliant except the owner (DJ) who was rude to people. The place is so brilliant but he just wants to cause trouble and push people. Seemed unnecessary physical to people both times we visited. The rest of the stuff are so amazing though so you should definitely go for the vibes they provide. Ignore the owner and don't let it ruin your night. Great establishment

One of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Food is amazing, the live jazz is amazing. Service was excellent! Will definitely be back

This is an establishment. Host for the ages 🤌

I recently visited Dalston Jazz Bar with friends for an after-dinner outing, and it was quite an experience! First off, the place is really small, and while entry is free, you might find yourself stuck outside due to their one-in, one-out policy when it gets too crowded. It’s not the best way to start the night if you’re waiting in the cold, but once you’re in, the atmosphere is pretty unique. One odd thing to note—sometimes there’s a lingering smell of fish in the air. Not the freshest vibe, but you learn to look past it if you’re in for the long haul. The drinks are an adventure in themselves; they’re whipped up by the chefs after their kitchen shift, which is quirky but results in prices that feel a tad steep for London. Still, they do the job. Now, for the showstopper: the “DJ,” who is also the owner of the bar. Picture this—he’s not a traditional DJ but a one-man circus with two iPads, playing songs that make you question reality. One moment he’s got the crowd going with a banger, and the next, he’s plummeting the mood with Beethoven or an unexpected folk rendition of Bella Ciao (in my case, we heard it four times in one night). If you ask for a song, brace yourself: he’ll tell you off like you’ve just insulted his ancestors. And the pièce de résistance? He’ll grab drumsticks and enthusiastically pound the London Underground map as if he’s Buddy Rich reincarnated, putting on the “solo of a lifetime.” Whatever powers his set, I want some because I couldn’t stop laughing at the randomness. The staff can be a bit strict with smokers, as the bouncer will ask you to return inside if the outdoor area gets crowded. Despite these quirks, the vibe is lively, and people keep the energy high. You might walk in to find it nearly empty and, before you know it, the place is packed, buzzing with energy and laughter. It's a rollercoaster of a night, and even with its oddities, it’s one I won’t forget!

What a wonderful experience - amazing atmosphere, delicious food and lovely and fun staff! Can't wait to come back again!!

Nothing changed .. will kicking but on a Friday.. amazinhg music food and drink! 5 sttars all round.

honestly one of the best dinner experiences of my life!! we had a wonderful time- music was great, food was amazing, the place was busy with great people, the owner and the staff are so kind and attentive, it truly could not have been better. thanks so much for having us xx

Great food, excellent vibes and very generous portions. Don’t be afraid of saying you’ve eaten enough.

Heard so many things about this place. We were going for a special occasion as mentioned in the booking but this was not mentioned by staff when we arrived. The fish was nice but oysters were still frozen when they came out which was a shame as they were more difficult to eat. Staff were friendly and kind at the start and the band were excellent. There was a strange energy in the bar where I never quite felt relaxed. The tablecloth had bright orange stains. And it’s definitely the kind of bar that has some rubbish decor but is one of those trendy London places so can charge higher prices. The food was pay what you want (not including drinks). My friend and I did not have much to eat, and we left still a bit hungry but that was our choice. There was still a lot of pressure to pay £90 upwards (not including drinks prices) and we had to really stick to the price we felt was reasonable (it definitely was reasonable.) after this we were ignored and we tried to say thank you when leaving but we were again ignored. - definitely a bit of a weird vibe. Glad we went but would I go again? No, not if it was my own wallet! I suppose you should go if you’re susceptible to the hype!

Jazz was lovely, played for 30-45 mins of our 1.5 hour stay. Food is brought out to all tables as and when with lots of different dishes, great concept if the waiters could keep up with what each table had been given, I was asked 4 times what i’d had and had to remind them about some. Some dishes were nice, I would love to have the fish main again and the tartare. Prawns and mussels tasted rushed, like the flavours had not developed while cooking. We were brought out a second plate of mussels which were not cooked but cold and raw. Also the oysters were still connected to the shell. Drinks are over priced, only wine is a bottle for £30+. Fun to try out if you’ve seen it online but I’m glad I didn’t go for a special occasion. Expect lots of flies around the bar and very dirty especially the toilet.

The owner/DJ was playing some wack music on Spotify 0/10 no jazz

Super fun place to come for a meal, live jazz music playing but you can still chat and hear each other. We went for the shoal meal on the menu so got brought out a variety of different seafood and was all so delicious! Had some whire wine which was £30 per bottle and then the meal was pay what you feel. The atmosphere is super fun and a bjt chaotic but in a good way ans the staff were all so lovely. Would defo recommend booking and going for a fun unique meal:) Toilet was ground floor- no steps.

I recently visited Dalston Jazz Bar for dinner with a friend, and while the food and atmosphere were fine, our experience took a very negative turn upon leaving. Shortly after stepping outside, my friend realized her phone was missing. We had only been outside for a minute or two, so it felt likely the phone had been taken inside the restaurant. When we returned to inquire, the staff were very dismissive, brushing it off by saying thefts happen often in London and in their nightclub. While unfortunate situations can happen anywhere, what shocked us most was how uncooperative the owner became when my friend returned the next day to ask if we could check the security footage. The previous night, he had offered to show the footage, but the next day he was extremely aggressive, made excuses, and questioned why she was still pursuing the matter. His attitude was not only unhelpful but downright rude, which left us feeling completely unsupported. I just want to caution others to be careful, as while incidents like this might occur, it’s the lack of care and cooperation from the owner that was most concerning.

Such a special place, family run and the quality of the food is amazing! Not to mention the live jazz, honestly the ultimate spot for any ocassion

I was underpaid for my work and my messages have been ignored. I contacted the owner ( who is very ill tempered) directly and asked politely after my payment was late for a second time, to no avail. It has been months since, and speaks volumes to the character of the business. Others have experienced the same. The principle of the matter also connotes why there is a consistent staff deficit, he is known to target students and young people. I am not the first and unlikely to be the last.

Delicious food and amazing atmosphere! What an amazing concept

I walked in after my idiotic cousin suggested vegan food. Needless to say I knew dalston had more to offer, boy was I right. Muhammed sorted us right out with beautiful fish, the trout was superb and the look on my stupid cousins face when she tasted the food was fantastic as it was so much better than shitty vegan food

Fantastic - just come - you will see

Could not recommend this place more! (If you're a fan of fish) The food is delicious and we got some things we had never tried before. Also you get so much food, we were very full in the end. There is live jazz playing which creates a fun atmosphere, and in the end you can pay whatever you think the food is worth! We had an awesome experience here definitely worth a visit :)

An incredible one of a kind experience with spectacular food

Long long wait for food (ended up asking for the bill without finishing the courses), awful communication, gave us the wrong wine.. The whole experience was just a bit of a mess really. Quality of food seemed good from the one dish they managed to bring out - I definitely overpaid for what we received. Nice concept, poorly executed.

Do not go here, they are RACIST. Fun music but they protect the aggressive drunk people inside instead of the regular people dancing. Feels very racist as the aggressors were British and we were a group of immigrants. Bouncers pulled us out without knowing anything about the fact that this group has been pushing us around for an hour inside. Very sad in the middle of Dalston… I was expecting this place to be more progressive but I guess you don’t get to be progressive by playing Ciao Bella once in a while :(

This place is incredible. It’s so unique in the way the place looks and how the service is. The jazz band were incredible. They served local lager and had plenty of spirits and wine behind the bar. We had the tiger prawns and they were so tasty! We’re 100% coming back

I was initially hesitant to write this review, but I believe it's important for others to know what they're getting into by dining here. Unfortunately, my experience was far from positive food and drink wise. The music and the service was good tbf. To start, the food was shockingly bad. I'm honestly baffled by the glowing reviews—maybe some people just have different standards, but I found the dishes nearly inedible. The "pay-what-you-feel" concept might sound appealing, but it seems to be a clever ploy. The restaurant compensates for the low cost of food by massively marking up the wine. By charging separately for drinks, they make the food portion seem cheaper than a typical restaurant bill, subtly encouraging you to pay more than you otherwise might. On top of that, the place has a concerning two-star food hygiene rating, which is particularly troubling for a seafood restaurant. Here's the link to the rating for anyone interested (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/469482). In hindsight, I'm glad I didn't take any photos of the food—I'd rather not have a visual reminder of such a disappointing meal.

Best Place to dance and have fun in Dalston

Fabulous meal at Dalston Jazz Bar! It really is such a special place. The vibe is excellent with the band playing so close to you. My partner and I were seated right near the band and yes it’s loud, but not uncomfortably so. It is chaotic and I think you have to go in knowing that. The food is delicious so make sure you bring an appetite. We had the seafood special which came with a bit of everything: oysters, salmon tartare, whole smoked haddock, mussels and prawns (which were enormous but slightly overcooked). We had to leave earlier than we’d have liked to for another event, so sadly we didn’t get to try any dessert. Just means we’ll have to go back!

everything was a 10/10. food, atmosphere absolutely amazing, this definitely lives up to all the recent hype. overall one of my new favourite ldn spots!

Homophobic! Was told by the security guard that it is a straight place, not for homosexuals and that the homosexuals should go to Dalston superstore.

The jazz was great. The owner is so lovely and bringing the vibes. The rest of the servers are quite lost. There was something extremely amusing about the chaos though. Didn’t get brought part of our meal but the food itself it is fantastic.

Had the best birthday meal here. 4 of us shared the shoal and you get SO much food. We were all stuffed and we can eat! They also check you’re full at the end and bring more food if not (the table next to us did). Every course was delicious. Favourites were the smoked haddock with butternut squash and the fish stew. Bread and chips great too. Tried both the white wines they were both great. It’s more about the vibe than immaculate service, they could do with a couple more waiters to clear etc but you’re there for the music and the incredible food. Also the band break for a bit during food so you can actually chat which was nice too! Pay what you feel, we did roughly £30 pp plus drinks

Lived in London for 2 years, honestly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. Pay as you’d like for alcohol, food, and great live jazz music. Wow

Would be great if they cracked a smile 😢 🤬🤬from time to time! Didn’t make a booking but was told we could have a seat! To be be sat on a table of 2 , when there was 3 of us, 🤬 while sitting down awaiting for our food, we was then informed we only have 40 mins 😢 as they would need the table bk, which then meant eating very quickly!😩 I would have preferred them say they don’t have a table! 🙂 When there is no jazz music playing the atmosphere is very dead! 😢😭 It just would be nice if they spoke to every one and the same manner but picked and chose who deserves more communication. I felt the smaller tables was missed! I also felt the mix raced man who cooks the food, has an issue with anyone who is not white! I know what ur thinking there’s black workers, but I came to realize they treat you differently why I don’t no, but for me this was disgusting, in this day and age with what’s going on in the word as well. 😡 He clearly has an ego problem! It also didn’t seem clean, not clean enough to be serving seafood! 😱 So for me glad I got the experience of eating there, but would I go back NO! Making people feel welcome goes along way, o matter where your from! Not matter if ur with children, it’s the service that will get ppl coming bk, as well as sending money! So I would have been happier to spend more they pay 75 but the service of every single person I felt fell below standard! May be because it Dalston I don’t no! Just SMILE 😊 IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONES DAY, while eating in your restaurant!

Easily one of the experiences I’ll never forget. No price tag on food, you pay what you want. Portion was generous and atmosphere was amazing. Live jazz performance throughout the evening so if you’re planning to catch up over dinner, think twice! Definitely book early!

Food is average the vibe is cool. My prawns and fish were overcooked. The music is cool and fun but I couldn’t hear my boyfriend sitting 30cm away from me. I’d go again and get the mussels. They were really good!

needed to cancel the reservation and encountered extremely rude and unhelpful staff when I called the restaurant. Instead of assisting me, the staff insisted I contact OpenTable, even though the app clearly states cancellations must be handled by the restaurant. During my second call, the situation worsened: the staff yelled at me, didn't listen, and hung up while I was still talking. To make matters worse, they also yelled at each other during the call, leaving me waiting while they argued, and I struggled to get a word in to understand the issue. I was shocked by their unprofessional behavior. All I wanted was to understand the cancellation policy, and if they had explained it calmly, I would have thanked them, expressed my regret at missing the reservation, and planned to book again in the future. However, their rude treatment was entirely unacceptable.

I was really looking forward to dining at Dalston Jazz Bar, having booked a reservation through OpenTable months ago. When I called the restaurant to cancel, the staff was extremely rude and unhelpful. They insisted I contact OpenTable, despite the app clearly stating that cancellations need to be handled by the restaurant. My second call was even worse; the staff yelled at me, didn’t listen, and hung up while I was still speaking.I was only looking to understand what was happening, and if they had kindly informed me that only a 48-hour cancellation was possible, I would have thanked them and expressed my sadness about missing out, and would have booked for a future date. However, the way they treated me was not acceptable.This kind of customer service is unacceptable, and it has left me very frustrated and disappointed. I had high expectations for this restaurant, but this experience has completely soured my impression.

What a fun night! This was the first time I have been to this place, and what a pleasure it was! A cute and authentic jazz bar that serves amazing seafood! It is a small place, but the experience was great. The chefs were friendly and personable, the food was delicious, the music great, with a nice ambience. Highly recommend if you live seafood and jazz. Great combination.

Amazing seafood, highly recommend!

It’s a great energy and the band were so friendly and lovely. On the other hand, the waiting staff seemed a little rushed, but in their defence the place was busy. There was so much food but my mates and I felt all the dishes lacked flavour. It’s a shame because we were really looking forward to coming here and left rather underwhelmed. I’d recommend the place for the vibes and music so go for the club part, but not to eat.

Came here after booking 3 months prior and personally I was disappointed. The food was not of a high quality and the jazz music was okay. I would not recommend this place to anyone unfortunately. That being said the staff were very friendly

Went to a gig in the downstairs area to see “Buster and the Pigeons”

The most incredible seafood I’ve had in the UK, they have created very creative recipes, incredible seasoning! The live jazz is very atmospheric, talented bunch. Then the owners and the staff and so welcoming and attentive. They really connect with the people and it’s unlike anywhere in London. Then they turn into a very vibey bar at night and play very joyful, eclectic music and everyone dances the night away. Not to be missed!

Highlight of the night was Kevin the bouncer - he really looked after us, made us feel safe and made our friend have a great birthday.

This little place is such a vibe! We enjoyed everything about it- the live music, the chatty service and the fantastic fresh seafood. What’s interesting is that there are no prices and you’d pay as much as you decide to. Keep in mind that the music does get quite loud but it’s still very nice!

Easily the best food I’ve had in London and maybe even the best seafood I’ve had in my life; coming from an Aussie who grew up on fresh seafood. The service is immaculate and the band is such a cool experience.

Fantastic restaurant with so much character! We arrived at the time of our booking and were quickly seated by a very smiley waitress. I felt incredibly welcomed and was served quickly. The drinks were a fair price for London prices £8.50 for a large glass of wine. We got the seafood special, starting with Oysters that were so fresh and of great quality, the mussels came in a fantastic sauce and again were wonderful, we finished with the tiger prawns which were the best I've ever tasted and the highlight of the night! The jazz music was of course quite loud as the venue is small so it was hard to talk during your meal but a fantastic and unique date to enjoy the music together and have short spurts of conversation. Everyone who served us was incredibly friendly, easy going and we did not feel rushed at all as the courses were so well timed. Portions were big enough for two big eaters particularly as the mussels came with chips that were also perfectly crisp, salted and fluffy on the inside and the prawns came with fresh bread to soak up the sauce. There was 0 pressure to pay a set amount and we paid what we felt the meal was worth considering our budget but also wanting to make sure the musicians and staff costs were covered to keep such a fantastic restaurant running for others to enjoy. Overall amazing staff, food, wine, and music and we will be going back! If you are expecting a classy seafood date night location, this is not the location but if you want great food, music and a relaxed dining experience this is the best place in London.

We had a brilliant experience here. The seafood was delicious- we ordered the seafood special, and were served oysters, mussels and king prawns. Portions were generous. The music was also very high quality, we did have to speak fairly loudly but as long as you're not expecting a quiet date spot then I highly recommend this. It also doesn't look super sophisticated inside but again we weren't expecting that so were in no way disappointed, plus the atmosphere more than made up for it! The staff were all very friendly and accomodating.

Just don't go. I've been to Dalston Jazz Bar several times, but after what happened, my opinion of it has changed. When my friends and I first got to the bar, it smelt like raw fish, the speakers sounded damaged, and the DJ/owner was on a huge ego trip (and probably other chemical substances). But the reason which actually makes me write this review (my first bad review) is much worse: The owner of this place was physically abusive towards my friend and me. The situation escalated when he saw one of my friends smoking IQOS inside: he completely flipped, threw her IQOS in the bin and started kicking everyone out of the bar (a few people were still dancing). It would have been fine if he had just thrown us out, but his reaction was completely out of proportion. During the argument that followed, while we tried to maintain clam, he pushed her. I was about to leave the bar when he decided that I had to stay, blocking my way to the exit, screaming and wildly gesticulating in front of me. As a woman, I felt scared. At some point, I managed to get closer to the doors, but he still wouldn’t let me get out, grabbed me and pulled me back, leading to a panicked scuffle involving other people at the bar. Screaming for help and crying, I eventually got out of the bar with the support of the others. I injured my hand and was extremely shocked by the incident. We then called the police. By the way, it is not the first time that something like this has happened. Please check other Google reviews.

The owner of this establishment is abusive and horrible. When I attempted to go into the toilet when he was about to clean it he manhandled me, grabbed my wrists and shoved me out (I am a 5ft2 woman in her 20s). I then told him to F off and he went absolutely mad, screamed at me and 2 bartenders had to step in and restrain him from coming at me. They eventually wrestled him into the back. I felt incredibly unsafe and still can’t believe that a grown man would behave like that to any customer, let alone a young woman. Aside from that, the DJ was awful and broke up songs with long rants into the mic about how no one in the crowd had good music taste, and someone stole my wallet and my keys in this venue. Do not support this scumbag’s business if you can help it.

Unmissable fish dinner. It is necessary to book well in advance. You pay for the drinks and make an offer for dinner. Live jazz.

The owner is verbally and physically abusive. I (woman in her 20s) was threatened by the owner (man in his 40s ish) after telling him to stop feeling me up on the way past me, and quickly it elevated to him squaring up to me so much the staff had to step in. They didn't kick him out because clearly he has authority over the club and funds it in some way. Don’t support this company if you can help it.

Haven’t been to the Jazz Bar for food but the music and dancing is so good! It’s a great night out in East London. Nuff said. 💃🏻

First of all, this place has a 1 Star hygiene rating, dealing with seafood, make of that what you will. Waiters were miserable, the band were miserable, the food took over an hour to come out, the place stunk. Dont bother

Best jazz bar I've ever been to with amazing food!

Great vibe, singing was great and the band was fantastic. Service was great and the seafood options we had was cooked well!

The portaloo outside was the first red flag, if that wasn’t an indication of what was to come then I don’t know what was. This place looked derelict, as if they’d just kicked out some squatters ready for their evening service! You’re greeted by a grunt and reluctantly shown to a table. The restaurant is very small, so every time a waiter passed our table my girlfriend was knocked. The waiter then rudely pointed out, our table was in their way, as if we were the ones to do the seating arrangements! Anyway, we stayed positive having seen rave reviews of the food on TikTok, and ordered the prawns to share. That was all we ordered to start, as the skepticism had set in. While waiting for our food we were deafened by the jazz music, my girlfriend and I were having to lip read to communicate. The lack of talking gave us plenty of time to take in our surroundings, we noticed dirty dishes stacked up right next to the pass where “fresh” food was being served from. Waiters were handling bread with their bare hands one minute and touching card machines to take “donations” the next. Then the food arrived… my girlfriend took the first bite of a prawn and said nothing. This was strange, we’re both big foodies and are very audible while we’re eating! I knew then this was going to be a disappointment. The prawns had NO taste, at all. I don’t know if the kitchen has ever heard of a little something called salt, but this dish was in dire need of some seasoning. The broth the prawns were in was tasteless, so they may as well not serve their man handled bread because who would want to dip it in THAT. We quickly ate our prawns, drank our flat cokes and left. But things got even worse when we got home, we both developed food poisoning very quickly, I won’t go into too much detail but it wasn’t pretty. It’s taken 3 days to get over it, I suggest you save yourselves and save your money and avoid this place at all costs. As their hygiene rating suggests, major improvements are needed!

True gem. Everything about this from the food to the music and the venue is magic

Wow!! This place is incredible! Believe the hype! Extremely friendly staff, in an intimate space with brilliant live jazz music to set the ambience. The food was wonderful, honestly every single dish was of such a high standard, truly could not fault it. I can’t wait to come back here again. Thank you to the team for a wonderful evening

Definitely a vibe! The place is rather tight and depends on your luck whether you’re seated next to the band (and probably won’t hear your friends sitting next to you) or next to the door or the kitchen where everyones goes back and forth. Apart from that, the food was great, we were 3 and got 6 meals which were more than enough. They didn’t have the mussels and replaced them with another fish dish, good quality for the price you pay, I’d definitely go back!

well, what a joy! so rare to find such an intimate authentic place. the staff were kind, the food was wonderful, and the wonderful live band made me all warm and fuzzy inside. 10/10 what a gem of a place, to be treasured

Brilliant little spot for great jazz and great food. Love the sharing plates and - if you stay a little longer - you can have a boogie!

I went there Saturday evening, it was a really nice experience!! Great food , the staff were Lovely, and the music made the atmosphere!!!! The only downside was it was a bit small, still think it was well worth 5 stars 😊

What a great experience in the heart of Dalston. Yes its super busy and a little cramped but I think that adds to the jazz and seafood extravaganza.

Had an incredible dinner here last night! And then returned for a dance later in the evening - brilliant food, atmosphere and music :) Thank you!

The best vibes, music and food and got in without a reservation. Loved it so much

insane atmosphere. lovely spot for jazz, drinks and seafood.

Uncle on the decks didn't wanna take requests

What an epic place. The athmosphere is incredible, you think like you're in main land europe. It's super cosy and the Jazz is very good. The food is amazing, especially the ones made for you by the head chef (who's also a super nice dude) Highly recommend

Terrible place! Owner was a horrible man who knows no better than to abuse his paying customer. The moment I walked in, i felt hostility then to only be presented with a very snarky, ignorant behaviour and frankly, making me feel a little terrified. The mixes race guy was not also underline racist, assuming he could make jokes under his breath, muttering “You east asians ..” but thought it was funny. I want to know, is he the Godfather of Dalston, because in a city with the population over 9 million people, the delusion of thinking you can get away behaving the way he does is beyond me. One day it’ll be his wrong day and he’ll be checked before he knows it. Anyways, this is such a downfall for hackney community, bad look too when dalston has very deep roots. I guess, sometimes, some people do change. Anyways, stay away from here unless you’re ready to release some mental stress and anger, then feel free.

Bartender was great, didn't have cider so he gave me a free shot. DJ was also off the charts 💯

The best place in London I’ve been to. The food is coming in rounds and every single plate is out of this world, the atmosphere with jazz is magical. You feel like you were transformed into a movie.

Absolutely beautiful little place. Food was amazing and service was great. Would definitely recommend

A very special place in the heart of Dalston … if you get it you get it.

We had a fantastic time at Dalston Jazz Bar last Friday! The New Orleans-style atmosphere is cozy, with fantastic musicians setting the mood. Thierry, our waiter, was incredibly friendly and polite. We were lucky to sit next to the chefs in action, and Duke, in particular, is both charismatic and delivers spot-on food with generous portion sizes. This is a wonderful spot, and I'll definitely be returning!

Details aren’t very available. We turned up at a reasonable time to watch the live band and had missed it. Very dead atmosphere at 11pm and smelt strange

The Dj is the weirdest person ever. He needs to take a chill pill

Went here for dinner. First we sat inside in front of the band but it was a bit too loud tbh. The music was good, though. We ordered the seafood set and it was huge for us (we’re 4 petite ladies). Quality and taste of the food are amazing.

Been before and going again. Such a good spot!

Amazing - came with 13 of my friends for my birthday and the vibe and food was unbelievable! I can’t recommend this place enough 10/10 - thanks for making it the best birthday!

The food is fantastic, done with loads of care and skill whilst being completely unpretentious. We had the seafood special, and all dishes (oysters, prawns, crab, seabream ect) were well portioned and equally nice. The jazz music is great and overall it has a lovely atmosphere. You have choice over how much you pay for your meal which is really interesting and you definitely end up wanting to give them all your money!

Amazing place! Best seafood in London, great music and atmosphere. In love.

This is my favorite restaurant in London. Not even sure if “restaurant” is the right thing to call this gem… it straddles the line between jazz bar and high quality seafood joint in such an organic way. The atmosphere is so intimate and lowkey, you can’t not love it. It’s a GREAT place to go with friends or on a date in particular!!

One of the coolest places I’ve ever had dinner in. Music, service, and overall vibe was incredible.

Amazing place, cannot recommend enough!! Service- phenomenal Food- sensational Live jazz - excellent But the highlight was the chef/owner killing on the decks at the end of the night- me and my friends were dancing all night with bellies full 🧡

Loved this place. Not sure why it’s not rated higher. The owner, Robert, was so friendly much like his son who prepared our delicious meal for the evening. Wonderful music and atmosphere. Did not stay for the late night portion but Already planning my next visit. Long live Dalston Jazz Bar

Amazing food, great music and a family run atmosphere. A real Gem.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Owner/DJ of this place intimidated me and physically assaulted my boyfriend. I did something as simple as ask for a song request to the DJ. Was very polite about it. DJ immediately got angry, defensive and rude. I made a discrete complaint to the bar staff but I was subsequently taken outside and confronted by the DJ who just so happened to own the place. He squared up to me and as a small female (or anyone for that matter) this made me feel threatened. My boyfriend who saw I was clearly upset went back in to confront him but the DJ /owner felt provoked and subsequently put his hands round his throat and started to choke him. My boyfriend called the police afterwards because this is assault. Absolutely appalling, it’s a shame because it’s a lovely location and bar but because of this traumatic event I will definitely not be returning and will also discourage others from doing so.

Aperitivo con música jazz en directo. Lo disfruté mucho con mi novia

One the most beautiful gems in London. Great family owned business, run with love and inspired by music. The menu is amazing; exotic and delightfully delectable. The taste in jazz is an equal match. I’ve been going here for years since moving to London and I imagine going for many years to come. Whether you’re living in London or visiting, this spot is a must, especially if you like jazz.

I had been worried by some of the reviews but my son had been before and knew how good the Dalston Jazz Bar is. The place is unique. If you want a quiet, intimate dinner, with starched linen tablecloths, a varied menu, extensive wine list, immaculate waiters pouring your wine etc DON'T GO. And if you do, don't write a bad review. It is on the shabby side of shabby chic and the music is loud but the seafood is fantastic and plentiful, the band is excellent and yes, it is a small space but there is outside seating. The wine is fine and very reasonably priced. The price for the food is left to the diners as it should include gratuities for the band and staff. Of course there is a minimum amount which given the quality and quantity of food is very reasonable. We absolutely loved the place and look forward to going back. Thank you Dalston Jazz Bar for a fantactic night.