The club seemed quite nice and prices cheap compared to ronnie scotts (what isn't?) Unfortunately although I had booked and paid over a month in advance and arrived 20 mins before the place even opened I found that my reserved seat consisted of a windowsill (seriously. complete with window).
I was fortunate. Other windowsill dwellers had travelled from far and wide (I'd only come across London) I understand that the usual procedure if If there is only standing room (or windowsill) space available then you should be informed of this beforehand and/or the ticket is cheaper. When I put this to the person in charge I was offered no apology and told the reason was the club was too small. Well I never!

Affectionately known as the 'Dalston Dive', The Vortex is a small, intimate and welcoming live jazz venue. There is a bar, which serves a good selection of bottled ales and lagers, as well as decent wines and a limited range of spirits. However, The Vortex is very much about the music and the interaction between the performers and the audience. The programme is one of the most varied and exciting of any jazz club in the UK. Often referred to as the 'listening jazz venue', people really do go to The Vortex to listen to the music, rather than to eat pizzas or drink and chat. Though considered to be a serious jazz club, the atmosphere is far from stuffy and the staff are both helpful & welcoming. There is also lift access for people in wheelchairs or with mobility limitations.

The bar/restaurant below, though often busy, serves drinks and good food at competitive prices, and there is also a good selection of Turkish eateries within five minutes of the venue.

The Vortex aims to keep prices low in order promote a diverse range of both established and up and coming musicians, and to support the maintenance of a healthy and thriving live jazz scene in London.

I've visited most of the live jazz venues in London and, in terms of the quality of the live acts and value for money, The Vortex is head & shoulders above the rest. With recently improved transport links and the current buzz that 'Dalston is about to become the new Shoreditch' I just hope that a sudden rise in the trendiness of the area will not detract from the unique appeal of The Vortex.

I love Vortex. Good value for some of the best music around. I am back there too often! There is now a pizzeria downstairs, Il Bacio, where there is good Sardinian food. If you go there before a gig, Vortex do an offer for £10.00.

I love Vortex. It's probably the only place in London where you can consistently hear good jazz at a reasonable price.

Vortex is more of a cafe bar than a venue but bands do play here from time to time. I've been to a few jazz nights at Vortex but nothing recently I'm afraid. I just may have to pay it a visit this month to see if it lives up to my memories of the place!