Oliver's Jazz & Piano Bar

Descending down the narrow stone staircase into the draped pinky-red glow of the bar, Oliver’s is almost secretive unless you know it’s there. There may not be a special handshake or whispered password but, hidden in a stone alleyway, the entrance leading to the underground cellar-bar is certainly for people in-the-know.

Split into two rooms, the left hosts a decadent wooden bar promising a range of whiskies and wines along with the other exotic ales and beers Greenwich is so well renowned for. Stone archways separate hidden alcoves with a mix-match of squishy sofas, velvet armchairs and rickety bar stools.

The main room is still as chic as a 1930s cabaret bar – if be it a bit stripped back bare. But the understated style works. It’s charming. Flickering candles in red glass table lanterns illuminate the little round tables in a dusty glow. Oliver’s is certainly cosy, but just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s pokey. Even on a quiet Sunday the venue still feels full. A comfortable thirty would max out the seating capacity and the low ceilings and low lighting create a warm ambience. It is this intimacy that makes Oliver’s so special.

Famous for a live something-or-other every night of the week, Oliver’s guarantees entertainment, be it music, poetry or comedy. Entry charges range from free to £4 depending on what act is playing. The stage is barely raised off the floor and performers are in such close proximity to the audience it’s practically like having a concert in your living room. Jazz music from the up-and-coming to open mic newbies fills the air most nights. The crowd is a chilled mixture of bohemian locals to arty students to trilby-wearing motorbike men with strange beards.

The drink prices vary with the large selection of bottled beer in the fridge, but you can get a decent bottle of house wine for £14 and that usually lasts the night. Birra Moretti (£3.70) is the best premium lager on tap with a balanced bitter flavour. The whisky selection is also vast, most single malts priced at £4 a double. However, it would be nice to see some cocktails on the menu.

For fans of the underground Jazz scene, Oliver’s is definitely worth checking out. This little bar is may be a teeny version of Ronnie Scott’s but it has the same high standards of live music acts - they just haven’t been discovered yet.