La Fontaine is a jazz club and bar in central Copenhagen, tucked into Kompagnistræde 11 in the city's old centre. It is a place to sit with a drink and listen, rather than a restaurant or a concert hall, and it has a long connection with the city's music scene.
According to its own website, La Fontaine is Denmark's oldest jazz club, and it has been a gathering place for musicians, students and jazz lovers since 1959. It is run today by Andreas Hierwagen, who carries on the work his father began, and it primarily presents Danish jazz musicians, which keeps the focus on the local scene.
What a visit is like
Live jazz is programmed on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, so those are the evenings to plan around. Visitors describe the atmosphere as informal. Jam sessions sometimes happen without much notice, and young talents and musicians passing through the city may sit in, so the programme on any given night can have a few surprises.
Seating works on a first come, first served basis, and tables cannot be reserved in advance. Arriving early is the sensible approach if you want a particular spot, especially on the busier weekend nights.
Planning your trip
To check the current schedule or find out more about the club, the best source is the venue's own website, lafontaine.dk, or a call to the number listed there. La Fontaine suits anyone who enjoys live jazz in a small, unpretentious room, and it works well as an evening stop in a day spent exploring the old streets around it.