Scotch of St James: Where Hendrix Played His First London Show
Hidden in Mason's Yard in St James's — a quiet courtyard a short walk from Piccadilly — Scotch of St James is one of the most storied rooms in London nightlife.
The history
It opened on 14 July 1965 and sat at the centre of the city's swinging sixties. It's the room where Jimi Hendrix played his first London show — on the very night he arrived in England, 24 September 1966 — and where the Jimi Hendrix Experience later played their first UK gig. It closed in the eighties, and was restored and reopened in 2012.
Today
Scotch runs as an intimate late-night club. Because the room is small by design, table availability is genuinely limited — more than at a large club — and Thursdays, the night we book, sell out. It's a natural fit for birthdays, client entertaining and anyone who wants somewhere with real character rather than a warehouse. Dress smart, with room for individuality — a well-cut blazer or a vintage leather jacket both work.
Clubs mentioned
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