One of London’s best-known independent live music venues is celebrating a remarkable milestone. Chelsea’s 606 Club turns 50 in 2026, with a special two-week anniversary festival bringing more than 50 musicians to the club from 12 to 25 October.
If you love jazz, soul, blues and live music in London, here are five things to know.
1. The 606 Club is celebrating 50 years of live music
The 606 Club has been run by musician Steve Rubie for five decades and has built its reputation around intimate live performances and a strong connection between musicians and audiences.
Despite huge changes in London’s nightlife over those years, the club has remained focused on live jazz, soul, Latin, groove, R&B and blues.
Reaching the 50-year milestone is quite an achievement for an independent London music venue.
2. More than 50 artists will appear over 14 days
The main 50th anniversary celebration takes place from Monday 12 October to Sunday 25 October 2026.
More than 50 artists are due to perform across 14 days of special shows, making this one of the biggest programmes the 606 Club has staged.
See the 606 Club 50th Anniversary Festival programme
3. Some major British jazz names have links with the club
Over its history, the 606 Club has played a part in the early careers of an impressive list of musicians.
Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, Julian Joseph, Ian Shaw, Jason Rebello, Jeremy Stacey, Liane Carroll, Jim Mullen, Hamish Stuart and Polly Gibbons are among the artists who have performed there during their careers.
Many familiar names are returning as part of the anniversary celebrations, alongside artists including Gwilym Simcock, Tim Garland, Kyle Eastwood, Tony Kofi and Gwyneth Herbert.
4. There is plenty happening before the anniversary festival begins
September itself has a packed programme at the Chelsea club.
Highlights include saxophonist Tommaso Starace launching Live at the Beaver Inn on 9 September, Mark Edwards performing the music of composer David Forman on 16 September and the Jon Lloyd Quartet launching new album Anima on 17 September.
Ben Crosland brings his new North York Skies project to the club on 22 September, while pianist Barry Green presents Expansions: A Tribute to McCoy Tyner on 24 September.
There are also performances spanning funk, Brazilian music, gospel, soul and straight-ahead jazz throughout the month.
5. It remains one of London’s great intimate music venues
Part of the appeal of the 606 Club is that this is not an arena or enormous concert hall.
It is a place to sit close to the musicians, eat, drink and experience live music in a setting that has been part of London’s jazz world for half a century.
That sense of community has remained central to the venue, with the club describing itself as a place where musicians can connect, audiences can discover something new and creativity can thrive.
For anyone who has never visited, the 50th anniversary year looks like a particularly good excuse to finally do so.
606 Club 50th Anniversary Festival 2026
Dates: 12–25 October 2026
Where: 606 Club, Chelsea, London
More than 50 artists will perform across 14 days.
Find out more about the 606 Club 50th Anniversary Festival