Using CGS4 on UKIRT, we have obtained the first 2.05–2.45 μm infrared spectra of the Galactic bulge low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) GX1 + 4 and GX13 + 1. We report the detection of Brackett gamma emission from the accretion disc in both systems, confirming the identification of the IR counterpart to GX13 +1. In addition, both spectra show CO molecular bands and metal lines in absorption, representing the first infrared spectroscopic detection of the secondary in a heavily obscured bulge source. We also present a JHK spectrum of the LMXB Sco X-1, which shows strong H i, He i and He ii emission.