Zeffirellis Jazz Bar keeps Ambleside swinging every weekend

Ambleside is better known for walking boots than saxophones, but climb the stairs at Zeffirellis on Compston Road and you will find one of the Lake District's most dependable live music rooms.

The Jazz Bar sits upstairs in the Zeffirellis building, and its programme centres on Friday and Saturday evenings. The venue describes an eclectic mix of jazz and world music performances, with occasional special concerts and some events on other nights of the week.

The format suits a Lakeland evening well. Guests can combine a meal with a live set, or book for the music alone, and the venue advises booking early because popular nights often fill up.

The room has welcomed some significant names over the years. Visit Lake District has listed a performance at the Jazz Bar by saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Gwilym Simcock, two of the most respected figures in British jazz, which gives a sense of the calibre the venue can attract to a small town.

Zeffirellis is also home to Ambleside Days, a contemporary jazz festival held at the venue in late summer. London Jazz News has covered the festival over several years, including the 2024 edition, which ran from 29 August to 1 September. For jazz followers, it has become a good reason to plan a trip to the Lakes at the end of the holidays.

The Jazz Bar also keeps its door open to new talent. Musicians who would like to play can apply by email to Mike Fearon, sending a short biography, a recent photograph and a sample of their work, so the line-up continues to mix established players with fresh faces.

For locals, it is a reliable weekend fixture; for visitors, it is a chance to end a day on the fells with something a little different from the usual pub quiz.

The current programme, and booking for dinner and music or music-only tickets, can be found on the Zeffirellis website. The venue's advice is simple: book ahead, especially on Saturdays.