Vortex
11 Gillett Square, Dalston, London N16 8AZ
This Dalston jazz bar long ago moved from its snug Stoke Newington roots to occupy this slicker space on revamped Gillet Square. The venue is known for its first rate programming and you can catch live music here every night of the week, including jazz, electronic, contemporary, experimental, folk and world music. The club has paid host to Stan Tracey, John Dankworth, John Taylor and Cleo Laine - and Polar Bear, Portico Quartet, Zoe Rahman and Evan Parker are regulars. There’s a bar downstairs with DJs, or you can head around the corner to the intriguing cafés on Bradbury Street for cheap eats.