World famous jazz club had ‘the hardest time ever’ trying to open London venue

The owners of world-renowned Blue Note Jazz Club have said opening their new London venue was ‘one of the hardest things they have done’ as the Mayor officially receives his new licensing powers.

The club, which opened on St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, in September, had to battle against multiple complaints and licensing rejections from the public and the police.

This is despite the fact they own 10 successful venues across the world, including in Milan, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Their founding venue in New York is also regarded as one the world’s most famous jazz clubs.

But opening in London ‘proved to be their hardest’.

The director of music, Nick Lewis, told Metro: ‘It absolutely was a struggle trying to open. Initially, they gave us an 11pm closing time, which is too early as the nature of jazz is always geared toward late performances.

‘Through a long appeal process, we eventually managed to secure a 1am closing time. With this we can run two shows a night and balance the books. But ideally we would be going until 3am.’

Secretary of Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner (right) with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Director of Music for Blue Note Jazz Club Nick Lewis (Picture: Greater London Authority)

In February 2025, Metro reported the club’s opening had received a number of odd complaints.

One resident said jazz lovers may be ‘disoriented’ by leaving the venue when it is cold at night, while another said the venue ‘could be a magnet for phone thieves’.

The Metropolitan Police, opposing the opening, said its proposed 1am closing time was far too late as it could ‘expose more people to crime and disorder’.

Mr Lewis said: ‘Reading through all those complaints was hard. There was one point where we all thought “it really feels like we are not wanted here”.’

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan officially receives powers today to get the deciding say on whether venues can open.

And speaking at the Blue Note Jazz Club yesterday, he described the owner’s experiences as ‘shocking’ and ‘a case study in how things shouldn’t be’.

He said: ‘We are in a world class venue. I think it’s one of the best venues in Europe, maybe across the world.

‘The problems and challenges that these people have had is just not right. They invested literally millions of pounds in this venue, and suddenly it got too difficult for them.’

Speaking at the round table discussion at Blue Note, Secretary of State Angela said it can ‘feel like London is closed’.

She said: ‘Nightlife is about so much more than a good night out. The musicians on stage, the staff behind the bar, the small businesses that depend on them – that’s jobs, that’s growth, and a big part of what makes London the world-famous city it is.

The club, which opened on St Martin’s Lane in September, had to battle against multiple complaints and licensing rejections from the public and the police (Picture: Greater London Authority)

‘We’re giving the Mayor of London historic new powers over licensing decisions that have the biggest impact on the capital. It’s about backing the venues and events that keep London buzzing.”‘

Steven Bensusan, President at Blue Note Entertainment Group: ‘Bringing Blue Note to London meant working through a complex licensing process, and we’re grateful to the Mayor’s office and Westminster for working with us to make it happen.

‘Since opening in September, London has given us a remarkable welcome, and we’re excited to keep growing our programming here, including opening our stages to the city’s grassroots and emerging artists.

‘A clear, consistent licensing system is exactly what venues like ours need to invest in London and keep live music thriving.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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