Toulouse Lautrec Brasserie & Jazz Bar in Southwark

Brilliant gig with Evening in the Universe at this wonderful venue.it has some wonderful wood and ceramic features. Excellent food . Staff really helpful and friendly. The band were out of this world. Our first visit - we will certainly be coming again.

Came to Toulouse Lautrec 17/1/25 to see Evening in the Universe. Great building - lovely buzzing atmosphere, intimate and relaxing. Excellent staff, delicious ‘light bites’ to eat whilst enjoying the good music. Would happily recommend and plan to return! Many thanks Helena Siedlecka

London’s Best Jazz and French Dining Experience: Toulouse Lautrec Stepping into the Toulouse Lautrec French Restaurant felt like being transported to a charming corner of Paris, where culinary artistry and warm hospitality meld seamlessly. On a brisk evening in London, the cosy and relaxed atmosphere of this gem made it the perfect refuge for me and my dining companion. Little did we know that this was only the start of an unforgettable night filled with exquisite flavors and stirring melodies. A French Culinary Soirée We began our dining experience with aperitifs and a delightful serving of truffle crisps. The crisps, light yet luxurious with the earthy depth of truffle, set the tone for what promised to be a gastronomic treat. The service was swift yet unhurried, allowing us to savor the ambiance. For the main course, I opted for the halibut, while my friend chose the steak—both dishes that, when poorly executed, can disappoint even the most forgiving palate. However, what arrived at our table was nothing short of culinary perfection. The halibut was a symphony of textures and flavors—flaky and tender, its delicate taste complemented by accompaniments that neither overpowered nor overshadowed it. My friend’s steak was equally impressive, cooked precisely to order, with juices that sang with every bite. Both plates were empty by the end of the course—a testament to the kitchen’s artistry. Dessert, often a gamble even in celebrated restaurants, maintained the evening’s high note. Rich yet balanced, our selections provided a sweet, satisfying conclusion without leaving us feeling overindulged.

The Magic of Jazz Lives On: Evening in the Universe at Toulouse Lautrec With hearts and stomachs full, we ascended to the Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club, located on the second floor. The venue, intimate with its 20 tables and a cozy bar at the rear, immediately set the stage for a personal and engaging musical experience. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, reminiscent of a classic Parisian jazz haunt. Seated with drinks in hand, we awaited the night’s entertainment: Evening in the Universe, a band led by saxophonist Tashomi Balfour. An Evening of Musical Brilliance As the first notes filled the room, it was clear we were in the presence of consummate professionals. Balfour’s saxophone was the anchor, his tone rich and evocative, effortlessly weaving between melodic brilliance and playful improvisation. Despite a few technical hiccups with the microphones, the band remained unfazed, delivering a performance that was both polished and passionate. The setlist, a blend of classic jazz standards and innovative compositions, had the audience entranced. Each song unfolded like a story, leaving us eager for the next chapter. My feet tapped involuntarily, and I couldn’t help but sway to the rhythms—a true testament to the band’s infectious energy. The Supporting Cast The venue itself deserves praise for its acoustics, which captured every nuance of the music without overwhelming the intimate space. However, the experience wasn’t without its minor flaws. While the bar staff were efficient in ensuring drinks were flowing, their movement across the room was occasionally distracting. Yet, this small imperfection did little to detract from the magic of the evening. Final Reflections Toulouse Lautrec is more than just a restaurant or a jazz club—it’s an experience that lingers in the mind long after the night has ended. From the exceptional French cuisine to the spellbinding performances, it’s a place where art in all its forms is celebrated. For those who appreciate the finer things in life—a perfectly seared steak, a glass of fine wine, or the soulful wail of a saxophone—this is a destination not to be missed. Whether you’re a dedicated jazz aficionado or a curious newcomer, Toulouse Lautrec offers a night out that is as enriching as it is entertaining. As I left the venue, the melodies of Evening in the Universe still resonating in my ears, I couldn’t help but feel I’d discovered one of London’s true hidden treasures. Toulouse Lautrec is not merely a visit—it’s a pilgrimage for lovers of food and music alike.

Lovely place, at high standard! Went to celebrate my birthday on 2022.

We got lost trying to find the Southwark Playhouse and came across this restaurant. My friend and I were hungry so we called into this restaurant, we were the only ones there but it was a Thursday. The manager made us feel welcome and chatted with us easily. We ordered; some fat chips, absolutely delicious, seasoned just right and a steak sandwich each. The baguette was absolutely full of sliced well seasoned steak, again delicious and very filling. The steak baguettes were each served with a lovely small bowl of salad, tasty dressing. As my friend and I were in London for the day, we also enjoyed a lovely glass of Tempranillo wine. We will definitely come back here for an evening meal, when they have some live music. The restaurant is renowned for its live music, mainly jazz, fabulous. We were glad that we got lost.

Staff pleasant, venue cosy & cabaret performers room of entertainment which on the night i went featured the brilliant Phillipa Healey.

I loved this venue. I saw the Shirley's trio. They sounded amazing. Great service! Shout out to Jake at the bar. Will be back soon.

One of my favorite restaurants in London, I spent my birthday there for a very good lunch. One of the best I've ever had. I want to go back again soon. Toulouse Lautrec is a charming restaurant located in the heart of London, combining authentic French cuisine with a warm and artistic atmosphere. Inspired by the famous French painter and illustrator Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the restaurant brings a bohemian and sophisticated touch to the city, offering its customers a unique gastronomic experience. With a menu that celebrates the traditional flavors of France, Toulouse Lautrec offers a variety of classic dishes, such as seafood dishes, refined meats and delicious desserts, all prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The wine list is carefully selected, with a wide range of French labels, which perfectly complement the meals. In addition to excellent cuisine, the restaurant is a cultural space, offering live music on some nights, which creates a lively and engaging atmosphere for customers. The walls of Toulouse Lautrec are adorned with works of art that evoke the style and spirit of Toulouse-Lautrec, making the place even more special. With impeccable service and a charming atmosphere, Toulouse Lautrec is a perfect place for those who want to experience the true experience of French gastronomy in London, whether for a casual meal or a more special occasion.

Nice place to listen for your favourite kind of music. There are plenty of choices of different artists accompanied by good food and drinks.

Lovely informal place with helpful and friendly staff. Delicious menu and great music! Definitely want to go again soon!

The singing was on point and uplifting. The choir got audience participation 😃

Hosting there 2 concerts a year. Everything smooth each time 🙌

Great food and musical atmosphere.. we had a great birthday treat...

We booked a table at the restaurant at 19:00 and then joined Tyger tyger trio concert at 20:30 on 21/12/2024. The piano, vocal and food were very good. Fantastic trio musicians, made our evening relaxed and funny. Enjoyed it all. Would be perfect if tables in a restaurant were cleaner as well as the bathroom.

I went to listen to TygerTyger Trio last night. I was blown away by the atmosphere each of the three floors at Tolouse Lautrec jazz club and restaurant. The music was excellent. The staff were kind and accomodating and made us feel like at home. A real gem in Kennington. I will repeat no doubt!

I went to see and hear Résonances last night, 16th December, and it was an amazing and wonderful experience. It was a fantastic fusion of contemporary music, dance, poetry and visual art. And so colourful as well. The poetry contained some French as well as (mainly) English. Some of the music was (modern) French in style too. All of it was improvised, except for some of the poetry. Bravo to the creators and all the performers of this wonderful, sensual fusion. (I would have included a couple of amazing videos as well, but this site didn't let me attach any.)

I suddenly feel like stepping into a traditional French resto. The smells around me remind me of my beloved Home Town Toulouse. Who would expect to be immersed into an old fashion cabaret when going upstairs. And here you are, sipping red wine and flirting with existentialism. The dim lighting is just right for squinting at your date and pretending you’re in a black-and-white French film. Meanwhile, the chairs feel like they were stolen from your chic grandmother’s dining room—comfy enough to stay for hours, questionable enough to feel authentic. But the pièce de résistance? The whole place feels like home. Not your home, of course—unless your home is a bohemian haven with Parisian vibes and a staff that somehow knows when you need another glass of wine before you do. It’s the kind of place where strangers nod at you as if to say, “Yes, we’re all très cultured here.” If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a 19th-century artist pondering life in a cosy Parisian nook—but with Wi-Fi and less tuberculosis—Toulouse Lautrec is the place for you. Five stars, a thousand accordion solos, and a resounding Vive la France!

Lovely warm welcome and bespoke delivery on the need for a hot rum toddy. Thank you, thank you. And the show was excellent; heartfelt; close-up entertainment. A treat.

Great venue! Went to see the Benedict Brothers Christmas show! They were outstanding and their band were exceptional. Had the best time.

Attended the Gospel Sunday, the Amazing Grace Show. Emotional content and fantastic singing and music.

Went there for the French Improvisation show conducted by "Act'in Theatre" and it was amazing! The place is full of history and is the home of real jazz lovers and numerous famous artists in London. The staff and the manager were amazing. I will definitely go back!

I absolutely love this place, I discovered it many years ago when I lived in the area, the food and the live music have always been sublime. The place gives a wrapping, charming and comfortable vibe the you don't want to leave. If I could I'd pay a visit to London just to go back here one more time. A must go !

Terrible experience from start (waiter sneezing in front of customers, not washing his hands before serving us, confused about wines and food, asking for payment in cash right in front of the card terminal with a dodgy reason for it) to finish (being verbally aggressed by both the manager and the waiter waiting for us at the door to literally ask us to 'never return' and pushing the door in our faces. and in between? the smallest charcuterie board ever seen charged at £12.50 (including service, which should have been rather optional) presenting 2 tiny slices of ham, 2 slices of saucisson, 10g of pate and 10 cornichons (the best part) and a lovely basket of bread. I'll pass on the useless discussion about the size of the portion and the value for money, the rudeness of the manager who tried to force a folded £10 note in my hand as a refund for the charcuterie board I had only asked to fill up a bit more with some food - which would have been a nice gesture to apologise for the error made by the other waiter who didn't know the size of the boards when I ordered. A long story to say: I will certainly never come again, and have never been treated that way anywhere else in 12 years in this country.

Update: Having read the rather defensive and sanctimonious reply from the manager, I've just added a few details to my review as "recollections may vary"... Enough said. *** Here for a great fun French improv show, much enjoyed. Unfortunately the venue prices are shockingly high (this isn't central London) and service is haphazard at best (barman doesn't appear to know his wines or snacks, waiter mistaken about portion sizes), even rude when my friend queried the latter (manager intimidatingly aggressive). Won't return! First time in over 30 years living here that I've felt that shocked.

Excellent place to listen to jazz and excellent restaurant

I loved the attention, the music, everything!!

We had a great night at the jazz bar. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Food and drink good and reasonably priced and service was excellent. Great jazz! Will definitely return.

Lovely atmosphere and great music. A cosy place with good food too! Totally recommend.

Quirky music venue, wear deodorant..its very cosy😂

Chairs are not very comfortable, but great music and tasty food)

Wonderful atmosphere, small venue and felt intimate. Stamatis & Rae sang beautifully together. The host was very funny & the staff warm & welcoming.

Great place! Cheerful staff ! The show was something else! Highly recommend!

Wonderful, definitely recommended

What a gem! Had a wonderful experience and will definitely return soon.

Great entertainment. Love the atmosphere which is warm and friendly. High standard of performers. Very welcoming venue.

First time at Toulouse Lautrec jazz club and I loved it ! So cosy and welcoming ! The drink and food menus were excellent too. Easy to get to. Great venue all around.

Gran lugar para comida y música, principalmente Jazz. Tres plantas con restaurante regular en la planta baja, restaurante piano bar en el primer piso y club de jazz en el segundo piso. Cenamos en el primer piso con pianista y cantante, ambos buenos, haciendo estándares de jazz. La comida era muy buena aunque el servicio era inconsistente. Aún así, disfrutamos de nuestras comidas y la música. La mejor parte fue el club arriba y el excelente Sam Dillon en Sax, liderando un muy buen cuarteto. El club tiene buena acústica y un ambiente divertido. Vale la pena el viaje.

A really enjoyable evening - great music (Omar Puente), good food, friendly staff, a great vibe

I booked a table at Toulouse Lautrec to celebrate my birthday and enjoy a jazz gig. I had an absolutely wonderful time there! One of the waiters stood out for his exceptional friendliness and the way he treated my family—he was so fantastic that I’d go back just because of him. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his name, but his service was unforgettable. Beyond that, the food was incredible; I savored a perfectly cooked, delicious steak. Overall, it was an amazing experience that made my birthday truly special.

Sly5thAve @ the Toulouse Latrec Jazz club. Up close, cosy, and personal! Brilliant end to the EFG festival for me. Great 1st time experience @ the club. Luv the way the staff pop up with your order nearly as soon as you’ve placed it on the app for the table. Sorry, enjoyed more than the experience @ KOKO’s for Mechell N’degicello, Mechell is the business on Bass & poetic Neo soul groove. KOKO layout is WRONG. Sly5thAve & his band…..Baritone Sax Superhero from Texas, hope to see again. Mr Northerner.

Fantastic place with lovely people and great music! What a gem - thank you <3

Stylish location with perfectly attentive service and a great jazz ambience. Don't miss it 👍

Service in the restaurant was excellent as was the food. The atmosphere in the jazz club was friendly and welcoming, once again because of the professional and enthusiastic staff. A vey enjoyable evening overall.

charity do for Movember Amazing talent

Great music, very friendly venue

Sam Daniel was an absolute champ

Great venue, lovely meal in the Piano Bar before going to watch Tristan, fab performance.

Had such a great evening watching the Jazz Defenders. The pictures on google don’t do the venue justice. It’s a really cool and quirky spot in Kennington. An all round great venue with amazing acts!

Absolutely. Amazing. The food was absolutely fantastic, every single dish was delicious. The live music was also so beautiful, perfect for a lovely, entertaining evening.

🎷🎹🎺Bands with top performance, amazing food and drinks and a lovely atmosphere.. Good music every single night with a great variety. I really don't know how they do it, but have never been disappointed! Love this place and would recommend it to everyone without any doubt. Thanks to the friendly and passionate staff✨🤍

The food, the service and the music was exceptional! Great place to come back ! Fantastic experience! Vanna

The Jazz Club show was amazing, great musicians and singer. They entertained and engaged the audience with their skilful music and singing and talking. We also had a meal downstairs which was excellent: great food and attentive staff. Overall absolutely wonderful experience.

Apart from Parking the evening was great! Samantha-Antoinette was fantastic, great voice & totally involved the audience! Excellent!

Another wonderful night at this venue with the amazing singer Samantha Antoinette. Venue has open feel. Good sound and stage visibility. Good food and drink. Good vibes. What more can you ask for? Well I guess you could try the food in the restaurant downstairs (we did not) but it looked very good and was full. For next time. Bye.

Cozy place with cool music and excellent cuisine

Attentive staff, excellent gins sour and fabulous music

A fantastic evening. Lovely staff, great service, good food and brilliant music. We'll go again! The Fallen Heros were playing - they are incredible! 10/10 on all fronts. 👌

Great venue lovely people. Looking for to coming back!

Really convenient for nearby theatre. Food good and reasonable. The music coming from upstairs sounded great too

Tuvimos una cena previa al teatro antes de ir a Southwark Playhouse. Solo un corto paseo tan ideal. La comida era genial. Servicio también.

Ideal for pre theatre dinner if going to Southwark Playhouse. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food was excellent. Only drawback was that washrooms were upstairs.

I was expecting better.... Jazz club and music upstairs is quite commercial, wouldn't recommend it for jazz fans. But worth, the food (in the restaurant) was so salty none of us could finish their dishes! I did mention it and got a "oh, sorry for that, I'll tell the chef"... We were then all surprised to see the final bill and the added £7 cover charge for the music a couple of guys played during dinner! Of course never mentioned explicitly anywhere!

Lovely people, great atmosphere, good food, good drinks selection. Nolan and team always put up a great show in the Jazz bar.

Small but incredibly nice place. Dinner with excellent live jazz music.

Wonderful evening in a beautiful building with vintage vibes and heartwarming French cuisine accompanied by enchanting singer and pianist. The show was also excellent after dinner in their main club.

Llamé para tomar una copa y compartir plato a la hora del almuerzo antes de ir al teatro cercano. Había un ambiente encantador y el camarero era tan amable que decidimos volver a cenar. No me decepcionó tomar la sopa de cebolla francesa que estaba absolutamente deliciosa, mi amigo tomó el bourguignon de carne - excelente - seguido de la tarta frangipan y madeleines . Este fue un hallazgo inesperado con un pianista tocando para un ambiente extra. ¡Volveremos!

Always have a great time at Toulouse lautrec make sure too book your ticket for the late show on the 2nd floor

I went to hear Asha Parkinson and her band. They didn’t disappoint, nor did the Toulouse Lautrec in any way. Excellent food and wine , perfect atmosphere and thank you for sorting my Uber app out!!!!

Great night watching Kalpadruma. Fantastic music, good ambiance and really lovely customer service

I definitely recommend to visit this place not only because of the old French decor and vibe of the place but mostly due to the amazing drinks and food. Tonight I had the pleasure to taste top notch 'old fashion cocktail ' made by Jake. Food was great too sea bream dish was my favourite. Come to try it yourself! 5*

Good food in a very interesting, old building with character. Great jazz on 2nd fl. Sadly, service wasn’t good - drinks took over 10 min (and we’re talking about wine), water bottle wasn’t refilled, and overall attitude of the waitress was cold and not friendly… suggest trying a smile going forward :).

The food was very good but it was my wifes birthday and they wanted to charge to cut up her birthday cake!

The establishment is wonderful. Big respect to the cooks, everything was delicious, thank you.

We went before a play at the theatre round the corner . I had the pork collar - very tasty comfort food with mash and jus ! My partner had the duck - quite nice but not quite as nice as the pork ! Good drinks selection. Warm , friendly helpful waiter . Popped upstairs to the toilet and to see the top room where they have jazz etc which looks lovely .

Great atmosphere and fantastic service

We love this jazz club. The music was great, place crowded. Remember to bring small ventilators as it gets hot and stuffy. AC not working during the performance

I had been to concerts on the top floor few times and love going there but tried the restaurant at the piano room few weeks ago and the food was amazing. We tried snails for the first time and ordered the second plate.

Visited a few weeks ago and can't recommend enough! Absolute fantastic gem of a restaurant. A beautiful 3 story French brasserie style restaurant and jazz club. Beautiful decor and fantastic food. They host many great jazz artists at their jazz club so make sure you check out one of their shows. Nolan and the rest of the staff are extremely friendly. I’ve dined here several times and love their delectable Cousselet dish and chicken dish (I can't remember the name). I highly recommend visiting on the weekend to enjoy live piano music on the first floor while you dine. This place is a true delight and a must-visit!

Excellent local French restaurant in Elephant & Castle. A complete gem. Great Jazz events.

Amazing, intimate hazy venue with a regular, cool selection of innovative acts.

Three floors as I climbed up to the third. I was a little confused and intrigued. But the main performance would bypass the beautiful time period restaurant on the 1st floor...and similarly the 2nd. However, a quaint location on top with a stage and a small bar in the opposite direction. Wooden beams, roof ceiling... a time long ago. The lighting could have been more effectively used. However...this location needs to be given a try. Either you love it or you don't 🙂

Excellent food, wine, music, and staff.

Great venue for an intimate jazz show

We had a wonderful dinner here 7 of us and loved it . The piano player was great and the music loud enough to hear but not so loud as to stop talking so just right . The food was brilliant too and the atmosphere special a must do place worth the trip to Kennington it’s close to the tube .

Lovely environment and outstanding food flavours. A real treat

I visited Toulouse Lautrec with my partner to watch a friend perform in the jazz club room at the top. We were both pleasantly surprised by the beautiful interior of the place. I liked the low lighting, and the atmosphere. The service was lovely too, everyone was really warm. Happy to discover such a cool place not far from home. Thank you!

Lovely establishment off the beaten track which was fabulous. Very talented performers, great bar, and fun ambiance. First floor restaurant, second floor piano bar restaurant, top floor show space with bar and food service during show. Enjoyed cheese plate and hummus. Will definitely return.

Loved this place. Very understated, lovely food, reasonably priced. Brilliant service and live music as well. What is there not to like!?

This place is refreshingly different. Enjoyed the music and the food Update: still like the music, wasn't that impressed with the tomahawk

The food was wonderful, onkenu lunch great value for money and the chef came to bring water for my doggo ❤️. The waitress Austeja was a sweet person, she helped me choose the wine, take care of her when I went to the shower and paid because the card was having a problem, with the utmost patience and grace. Great music too!

Popped in at about 5.45 to watch a show at nearby theatre at 7. Commented restaurant was hot to daughter when I walked in (hot day!) but they immediately offered us seats on the outside terrace. Really impressed at how quickly they managed to served us duck burger and poulet knowing we had a very quick turn-around. Good food and service and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the nearby playhouse. My ONLY negative would be the three very full bucket-style ash-trays left on a windowsill of the terrace.

A lovely unique destination for dinner and live entertainment. Jazz bar upstairs always great with good variety of things on, nice crowd and restaurant is pretty decent. Have been a few times and will continue checking out events for a fun night out Please bring back burlesque/cabaret shows in the evenings!

Food was ok , piano player and singer good , but needs air conditioning, was stifling hot, no draft. At the end of meal felt rushed to leave as staff wanted to be off home, which is fair enough but they shouldnt take such late bookings, didnt enjoy enough to return.

We went here for the live music in the piano room. Realised we were the only ones on the floor. The dining want as popular as we thought. The food was really good though. Enjoyed all the meals and desserts served. The staff are super nice too. Will try to go again to listen jazz to jazz music.

Colette and Anton made the evening for us. The ambience of the Piano Room was incredible, a perfect blend of great food, company and entertainment. It was truly wonderful to see the connection between two Jazz artists at the top of their game. Not only did they delight the 'wrapped' audience but found time to mentor the young 'wannabes' of tomorrow.

Colette and Anton made the evening for us. The ambience of the Piano Room was incredible, a perfect blend of great food, company and entertainment. It was truly wonderful to see the connection between two Jazz artists at the top of their game. Not only did they delight the 'wrapped' audience but found time to mentor the young 'wannabes' of tomorrow.

One of the best places to listen jazz music in London. Nice terrace to spent time, to talk and for those who smoke as well. Good little hall. Enough space. Good food. On the first floor is bar to drink. On the 2nd floor is like a restaurant with live music. On the 3rd floor live music (jazz or so) and to drink. Very nice and comfortable place. Very nice atmosphere and service. Good quality music. I recommend it

Excellent service and food quality

We had some delicious dishes, enjoyed a wonderful performance in the piano room (thank you Anna Incontro duo!) and we're served by nice and helpful staff. We recommend this place!