(EURI) Journey to promote records in Europe (P.495) Hot Clube de Portugal: The oldest continuously operating jazz club in Europe

08-07-2026

(Worldkings.org) Founded on 19 March 1948 by jazz enthusiast and broadcaster Luiz Villas-Boas together with a group of fellow music lovers, the club was established to promote jazz at a time when the genre had only a limited presence in Portugal. Its statutes were officially approved on 16 March 1950, formalizing the organization as a non-profit cultural association dedicated to jazz education and performance.

Hot Clube de Portugal (HCP) is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in Europe and one of the most important landmarks in Portugal's jazz scene.

Located at Praça da Alegria 48 in Lisbon, just a few doors from its original venue, Hot Clube de Portugal has served as the country's premier jazz destination for more than 75 years. The club originally operated in the basement of No. 39 Praça da Alegria until a devastating fire on 22 December 2009 destroyed the historic venue. After an extensive restoration, it reopened in 2011, resuming its tradition of hosting live jazz performances almost every evening.

Beyond its role as a performance venue, Hot Clube de Portugal has played a pivotal part in jazz education. In 1979, bassist Zé Eduardo founded the Luiz Villas-Boas Jazz School (formerly the Hot Clube de Portugal Jazz School), which has since trained generations of Portuguese jazz musicians. The school regularly organizes workshops, masterclasses, ensemble programs, and jam sessions, making it one of the country's leading institutions for jazz studies.

Over the decades, Hot Clube de Portugal has welcomed an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed artists, including Count Basie, Sidney Bechet, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Haden, Benny Golson, and Dave Liebman. Its global reputation has been recognized by DownBeat, which listed it among the 100 Great Jazz Clubs of the World, while The Guardian included it among Europe's 10 best jazz clubs.

Today, Hot Clube de Portugal remains the heart of Portugal's jazz community. With a history spanning more than seven decades, it continues to nurture emerging talent, present world-class performances, and preserve its status as Europe's oldest active jazz club, making it an essential destination for jazz enthusiasts visiting Lisbon.

According to the Internet

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