Where To Go for Hip Hop Nights and Events in London

Tucked away on a residential strip of Hoxton Street is an unassuming pub that has earned a reputation for hosting some of London’s liveliest, no-holds-barred hip hop nights. The parties take place on Friday and Saturday nights and – as is typically the case at hip hop nights in London – expect classics to be served up with a side of afrobeats and dancehall.

Don’t be fooled by the name. The Jazz Cafe, an iconic venue for live music in London’s music heartland, welcomes acts ranging from soul and jazz to opera and – you guessed it – hip hop. It’s here you’ll catch up-and-coming, experimental and international hip hop acts, as well as hip hop heavyweights (Kool G Rap and The Four Owls are among recent performers).

XOYO is a huge venue and one of London’s most popular nightclubs. On weekends, music will depend on the DJ in residence, but their student night every Thursday promises hip hop and R&B. The venue is also long time host for Re:imagine, a musical collective that takes on classic hip hop albums for captivating orchestral renditions.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense hip hop party, look no further than The Old Queens Head. Every Friday and Saturday, this lively Angel pub pleases crowds with straight-up hip hop and R&B party tunes. Expect nights themed around 90s hip hop, throwback anthems and modern hip hop icons from Childish Gambino to Kendrick Lamar. If you know your Dr Dre from your Enter the Dru, the pub also hosts a hip hop pub quiz on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Nightclubs in central London and the West End can be overpriced and a little corny, and decent hip hop nights are few and far between this side of town. If you find yourself looking for a hip hop night in West London, Notting Hill Arts Club is your saving grace. Sitting in the heart of one of London’s most famous areas, this iconic music and arts venue flies the flag for hip hop from 10pm until 2am every Friday.

A hip hop themed fish and chip restaurant that doubles as a music venue, performance space and bar, this Brixton spot is one-of-a-kind. Whether you want to munch on Korean chicken wings while listening to a hip hop soundtrack, check out up-and-coming MCs at an open mic cypher or dance the night away to your favourite rap classics, this unique, multi-purpose venue has you covered.

One of the funnest events on London’s calendar, Queen of Hoxton’s weekly Hip Hop Karaoke gives rap fans the chance to take to the stage and emulate their heroes. Whether you fancy yourself as a young Dr Dre or know all the words to ‘Bodak Yellow’, there’s an extensive song list to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult. Join the fun every Thursday from 7pm.

The teams behind Supa Dupa Fly and Rilla regularly take over the basement bar at this swanky Shoreditch hotel for uninhibited underground parties, spinning everything from hip hop and R&B to bashment and trap. While Supa Dupa Fly hosts the party every third Saturday of the month, Rilla’s bashes are a little more sporadic, so keep an eye on their website for the next event.

There’s something about a windowless basement bar in Shoreditch that makes for the perfect hip hop party setting. Concrete, an underground space beneath a pizza restaurant, is one of them. Laying claim to “Shoreditch’s biggest hip hop, trap, rap and grime party”, this industrial-style spot is a guaranteed good time every Friday and Saturday night.

For go-to hip hop nights in South London, look no further than Brixton Jamm. This large, independent music venue throws huge bashes in the name of hip hop, including daytime raves, barbecues and Hip Hop vs Dancehall themed parties. Open until 5am on weekends, this is one for the late crowd.

If you’re tired of hearing the same chart hits at every bar, this new Dalston venue might be the spot for you. With club nights ranging from soulful hip hop to an all-female DJ crew, Junction House is committed to bringing something different to the nightlife scene in North East London.