Le QuecumBar & Brasserie

Sometimes it’s best to begin where the night ends. — Our evening at Le Quecumbar ended, full of gin, having crowded round a piano and indulged in an intimate jam session. Did we think we’d borrow the two house guitars and play a few of our own numbers? Most certainly not! But you don’t go to this Battersea gypsy jazz bar with expectations.
The Django-​inspired bar thrives on showcasing the best gypsy jazz musicians from the UK and beyond and play a big role in keeping the genre alive. I’m in a band and we play Americana with gypsy jazz influences, so when we were London-​bound, you best believe that Le Quecumbar was on our minds. It did not disappoint.
We were welcomed by Django adorning a mural outside, and then by a friendly, welcoming waitress once inside. The interior is Parisian and bohemian; fairy lights and candles and a lovely little garden for having a tipple in the summer evenings. It’s kitsch but also nostalgic, and there’s a number of interesting things on the walls. — I particularly liked the old accordion on display.
We had dinner. It’s a small, changing menu and there’s also an extensive wine list. It was expensive but on par with the prices you’ll find anywhere else in London. I chose the baked aubergines in bread. We didn’t have long to wait since we were the first diners of the evening, so it seemed. It was delicious, topped with a generous cheese and very filling. — Real home-​cooked comfort food. The waitress was attentive, coming over to check everything was alright throughout the meal.
James took to the piano, and requests were encouraged. Before we knew it, myself and my bandmates had joined him, making for a memorable end to a night in Battersea. The manager was talking to the folks, the folks were talking to the other folks. And James, the Battersea piano man, was talking to everyone from his stool. There’s a grand feel about Le Quecumbar, of course, but at the heart of it, there’s that small-​town local feel I long for when visiting a new watering hole. And I dig that.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat.

Live Gipsy jazz, Yes! Great French wines on the list, tick. Rich, spicy puddingy Claret– Oh yes please! I have never found fault with French booze. (Oh except: don’t order Kir! (way to ruin Ruinard) or Eau de Vie, it’s a hellish plum, clear moonshine that’ll take the skin off your teeth and not in a tasty way.)
I had to think of a place to entertain 3 Adelaideans– a tough ask.
An interesting specials board was explained by a pretty abrupt waitress. Tartiflette, I learned was dirty and what turned out, not to be a cat food, was in fact a pork Rillette.
I began to nervously asses my surroundings. Were they enjoying the Gypsy jazz? I was, the musicians were great, but the performance of the food and the staff were disappointingly pantomimic. The wine seemed to be working a treat, yes good. On receiving the Tartiflette, however my Aussie combo chimed in waxing lyrical about a recent trip they’d made to the idillic French countryside and the saliva screamingly pongy, made by monks, fromage they had in their traditional Tartiflettes in Toulouse.
What we were served was not pretty. It was pretty gross, undercooked potatoes swimming in oil. Now I haven’t even started. The salmon on the specials board Piqued interest, it was specifically ordered rare. The request was «please, for the love of Lourdes don’t overcook it».
The waitress began to explain with trepidation, dare she request of the new Algerian chef any other particular way of cooking anything other than he knew how. I trusted he knew what to do and even anticipated a touch of Middle Eastern Spice.
The ghost, an insipid memory of something I can only suppose was fish arrived like a message of hate on a plate. The poisson; was powder almost, this soggy salmon was grossly overcooked and an oh so disappointing piece de non resistance despite my dinner dates specifications on its preparation.
Had you the need of taking your teeth out you’d have appreciated the pink mush, but my perfect dinner dates’ line of pearly white gnashers, which are well designed to chew firm fish kissed by flames, made by the firm hands of a chef who knows what to with a le Cruesset. Dinner was la criminalite and this chef should have been arrested.
My antipodean dining companion to the left had high expectations of the lamb he ordered, but what came was what appeared to be more of a sad sliced microwaved dinner for a cat. Very strange, merely morsels of chopped meat, (my cats sachet foil wrapped food looked more substantial that what he got) was not as advertised ‘Sliced roast lamb leg’. Perhaps the angry chef was munching away at morsels of meat whilst the salmon was boiling to a mush.
My counterpart dining companion opposite with the Tartiflette, the one who told the story about the fantastic fromage she’d had in France, I could tell was disappointed as I.
At one point I requested an extra napkin and got an angry silk show. A display of paper tissues were furiously wafted under our noses and thrown at us when it was only me who asked. I wish this display of disparaging behaviour was before our first waitress took down our order and condemned the culinary skills of the cook. We should of left immediately. Cool as Quecumbers.
We ended up at the pub next door for pudding. And although sick to the back teeth from the cheesy hell I’d been through, I almost wanted another dinner to help me forget.

One thing I really wanted in London was a nice, British gin and tonic. I got my wish here, with some gin that was literally distilled a few blocks away in Battersea. Bonus points for some sort of strange costume party going on simultaneously, so I got to see a bunch of Londoners wearing stars & stripes outfits.

As has been said, you don’t go for the food, but the music. That said, the food is hearty fare in a home-​cooking style, and it would be churlish not to eat there, as all the money for the music tickets goes to the performers, and the patron has to make a living too. So we happily chowed there as we waited for an evening of superlative Manouche music from the incomparable blind violinist Tcha Limberger and his trio.
So, what’s the form? You can buy a ticket for the music in advance if there is a big star, and this is well advised as the place isn’t huge. Then turn up around seven to get your grub before the music gets underway at around eight. Or you can come later and take your chances. There’s a blackboard with the menu that’s brought to your table. The place is L shaped, with a small raised stage at the corner of the L, so everyone gets a view.
We skipped the starters (soup, Tricolore salad, spring roll, antipasti plate, Thai fish cakes etc)
For mains we both had the sausage stroganoff, which was just what the doctor ordered on a chilly night (it was summer, after all). Other choices that night included chorizo and couscous stew, salmon, tuna steak, and pork casserole.
There is a garden out the back if ever the weather were to buck up.
For puds we had vodka soaked sorbet, and banoffee pie. Good wine list too. All told, we paid £56.
Then there’s the music. If gypsy jazz floats your boat, you should go now, before it gets too popular

I had the best time here. If the circumstances were different I might have a different review but it went like this.
It started snowing earlier, we took a cab and walked into this steamy dim lit place. I was already slightly tipsy from earlier events so my mind bypassed the usual new place jitters.
Cute little tables.
Gypsy jazz players on the tiny stage.
Deeeelicious baked camembert and a cheese plate with really good wine pairing from our fabulous waitress.
Later on drank way too much tawny port that was equally tasty.
Fofofosho coming back here when Im nearby.

What an extraordinary place. Really, I can’t think of another place in London that comes close for the experience of a classy escape to 1930s Paris or 1930s anywhere for that matter.
Step inside, and you could be forgiven for wondering what just happened. One minute you’re wandering down a quiet back-​road in Battersea, overlooked by council houses and the odd school. The next, you’re in a low-​lit room, a bar ahead of you lined with upside-​down wine glasses, candles and fairy lights, wooden chairs and tables to your left and right and small, elegant plants against the walls, in between scores of 1930s vintage pictures.
If you’ve arrived after 8pm, the live music will be playing. Usually gypsy jazz, but often other types of recognisably 1930s jazz too: A piano, some vocals, a woodwind instrument. It’s easy to imagine yourself as an extra in the English Patient or whatever your favourite film set in the 1930s is.
The service is friendly and quick. The food is a mixture of French, central European and north African, and pretty good too. The wine, beer and spirits list is basic but good enough to accompany the food or quaff slowly whilst enjoying the music.
QueCumbar’s website quotes local press as saying this place would be perfect for a first date. I’d go further than that. If your girl/​guy has a just a hint of a musical soul or a smidgen of interest in the 1930s/​40s, I’d say that taking them to QueCumbar will firmly tilt things in your favour! If they’re big fans of the era or jazz… best get planning that second date!
It’s cheap too. Arrive before 8pm and the music is free. After 8pm and it’s just £5. Food is in the £10-£15 range and drink is the usual.
Overall? Well worth checking out, whether you’re into jazz, 1930s vintage, or want to go somewhere original and unique.

I spent a lovely night filled with gypsy jazz music and good food last night. and most importantly friendly service !
the place is really different, cosy and some how old. Nothing fancy at all just the right place to have a special night out.
the band (Viper’s Dream) was phenomenal– we had waited for 2 hours for them to begin playing but it was really good music.
the food is good– french– and reasonably priced.
the bar hosts a bi weekly music nights
the only downside to this place is the location– literally in the middle of no where and toilets need cleaning

Rich french cuisine, excellent service and live gypsy jazz in a very local and cozy setting.

Great experience, though the food falls short
If I’m brutally honest, and let’s face it I tend to be, one does not go to Le Quecumbar for fine dining, not even for authentic French cuisine. One goes to experience Le Quecumbar. And it is an utterly unique experience. The closest I have ever come to it was actually in a brasserie in France, on a balmy summer night listening to Romane, probably the greatest living gypsy guitarist, strumming away in the corner surrounded by his doting fans, tourists and protégées.
Now, I have a vested interest. I love gypsy swing. (For those who don’t know, think Django Rheinhart. For the plebs among you, think Jonny Depp in Chocolate. If you must.)
Le Quecumbar is a fine, fine jazz venue, and the only one in the UK dedicated largely to the performance and promotion of gypsy swing and traditional Romany music. Because of this, Le Quecumbar hosts some of the greatest gypsy swing musicians in the world and I would strongly recommend that any one with a passing interest to go and enjoy!
So, on to the review!
As I said, this is principally a music venue and for most gigs you will need to buy tickets in advance. Le Que operates a rather curious minimum £15 per head spend policy, though frankly I’ve never found to be a problem. The beer isn’t cheap, and once you’ve had a gin and a bottle of wine you’re over that any way.
The menu is disappointing. I think it has recently been changed as not so long ago I remember seeing quite a selection of traditional French dishes on the menu. On my last visit however there was no coq-​au-​vin (which used to be excellent), no cheese board (we did negotiate one, but it boasted a pretty poor supermarket selection), a few too many burgers and BBQ ribs for my liking. So note: Do Not Go Expecting a French Dinner.
I started with escargots, which were delicious if a little mean and a little dear. I followed with a very rich, if slightly salty, beef bourguignon. These two dishes, good though they were, were more or less the only nods to traditional French cuisine and satisfied rather than impressed me.
They do, however, boast a stonkingly good wine list! There is enough middle range, reasonably priced wine there to keep the session drinkers and large parties happy but you can quite easily push the boat out and enjoy some very fine drinking indeed. With familiar disregard to the Frenchness of the Le Que, the wine list does not limit itself to serving exclusively French plonk, for which I applaud it! I’ve been to too many French restaurants which ruin themselves by arrogantly and mistakenly restrict themselves to serving only French wine. (Insert your preferred racial slur here.)
For all that the food was not amazing (it was good, mind you, just not amazing) dinner at Le Que, especially when there is a band playing, is a wonderful, wonderful experience. The staff really are top drawer. I mean, Proper Good! Sharp, attentive, discrete, knowledgeable and passionate about the place. And the Proprietaire is one of the best hostesses I have come across. Charming, glamorous, attentive and sociable, she makes a point of greeting all the diners during the evening. Admittedly many of them she knows, as it’s the kind of place where you get a lot of returning customers, but even if you’re a stranger you’ll be attended to in your turn.
So, I would reluctantly recommend that you go there for dinner. Therefore I am docking one star. However, if you want a night out with some wonderful music, a good meal, some great wine and all the glitz, glamour, and ambience of 1930s Paris then I challenge you to find a better place outside of France itself!
In the mean time I am going to order another bottle of this excellent Bordeaux and continue to pray for the arrival of a modern, French chef

This Django Reinhardt-​inspired gypsy jazz bar is a true gem. It’s slightly inconvenient location in Battersea means it’s mainly frequented by those who have sought it out, which keeps it special and gives it an undiscovered air.
The vintage Parisian décor is beautiful and the music usually supreme — lively and carefully chosen, often inspiring a good dance. This is the real draw of the bar — finding a slice of old-​time Paris in a dark corner of South West London.
However, food is also an option. I went there for a friend’s birthday and we all enjoyed the french cuisine, but weren’t wowed. By all means eat if you go there, but don’t seek it out solely for that reason. This place is all about the music and the ambience, and a great place to visit purely for that.

Le Quecumbar is a gorgeous little wine bar/​brasserie/​gypsy jazz club hidden down the quiet end Battersea High Street.
The French food was average, the wine selection extensive, but the real reason to visit Le Quecumbar is the music. On the evening we visited Le Quecumbar musicians and their violins, cellos and guitars filled a corner of the bar and played till (I suspect) the wee hours.
It was all very charming and Parisian and I must say I thought it was wonderful. I could quite easily visit Le Quecumbar again and sit listening to the music with a good bottle of red for hours. Others in our party were less impressed, so I’m willing to accept it’s not everyone’s idea of a good time.

This is such a good place to go to if you want to chill out and sit around and listen to some live jazz type music. The few times i’ve been the quality of the music has blown me away. I’ve only gone when it was free to get in and it is definately worth it.
Its not cheap though — the drinks and food aren’t budget priced — but the surroundings more than make up for it. The garden out back is lovely in the summer too (I some how missed this the first time I went!).
I lived down the road so it was just a quick walk away, but I am not sure where the nearest station would be if you were coming via public transport. It is quite a walk from Clapham Junction if that is the nearest

Great place to go just for the food which is a non-​arrogant comfy french cuisine and for the music. It balances between jazz and gipsy and makes you swing on your chair with a good glass of red wine in your hand.
The atmosphere is very friendly and so is the staff, always joking and making sure everything is alright for you. The décor is also very nice, reminding you of a parisian café with its ads all over the walls.
The only bad point would be that it is not what you would call cheap, make sure you get there before 8 because there is sometimes an entrance fee and the service charge is way too expensive. But it is worth it just for the magic of the place.

I loved this place when we went the other night: great music, lovely décor and a really nice atmosphere… If only it hadn’t been spoilt by the management’s refusal to serve tap water in favour of £5 a bottle mineral water, and the addition of a 15% service charge, which they made sure they’d added on top of the entrance fee as well.
Our service simply wasn’t good enough to warrant such a huge service charge, and although we got them to reduce the fee, they refused to cut it down to 10% (or even 12%). £32 service for 5 people just seemed ridiculous — especially as we had no choice in the matter.
I felt very disappointed because it had been such a lovely evening, but I came away feeling that it hadn’t been worth the cost, especially as the waiter had a serious case of «not my problem».
I would consider returning, but I would make sure this didn’t happen again. We decided not to kick up a stink since it was a friend’s birthday meal, but it left a bad taste in our mouths.

Le QuecumBar is a fabulous gypsy jazz/​swing wine bar! I love everything about this place, from the pictures in the loo to the cool braces worn by the always friendly staff. I’ve only been here on Tuesday nights, which is their free entry jam session night, and it’s always been great. The music is fantastic, everyone is really friendly (you’ll feel inclined to talk to the musicians and other visitors alike) and the atmosphere is sometimes magic. There’s a lovely beer garden as well, but you won’t be able to hear the music very well out there. Get your ass down there!