Ronnie Scott's Club

Night Club in Soho
Ronnie Scott's Club image
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8 / 10 from 2 reviews
Address
47 Frith Street
Soho
London
W1D 4HT
Map
Telephone
020 7439 0747
Region
Soho
Nearest Station
Leicester Square
0.21 miles
Category
Night Clubs
Other Branches
Ronnie Scott's
Opening Times
Monday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Tuesday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Wednesday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Thursday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Friday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Saturday Open 18:00 - Closes 03:00
Sunday Open 18:00 - Closes 00:00

Established in 1959, Ronnie Scott's Club is a world famous venue and the home of British Jazz. Originally based in nearby Gerrard Street, the club moved to its current location in 1965. The roll call of legendary names who have appeared at Ronnie Scott's is almost endless, including Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Buddy Rich and Donald Byrd. The club remains a vibrant jazz venue, with nightly gigs. They also sell a selection of modern English cuisine.

Ronnie Scott's Club Picture Gallery

Ronnie Scott's Club Picture
Ronnie Scott's Club Picture
Ronnie Scott's Club Picture

All In London Review

A swinging time thanks to King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys

It’s a full house at Ronnie Scott’s tonight for Rhythm & Blues purveyors King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys. Well-heeled diners are polishing off their desserts while others take their seats at the bar, meanwhile, six men dressed in electric blue suits weave their way between tables towards the stage.

At 8.30 prompt the band launches into an infectious brand of swing that makes the punters look up from their bowls and lament the lack of a dancefloor. Tracks such as ‘Wake Up Baby’ are energetic and upbeat, and not without laughs thanks to the Jerry Lewis-style antics of double bass player Shark Van Schtoop.

Standards such as Jackie Wilson’s ‘I’ll Be Satisfied’ transport the audience back to the decade that spawned rock ‘n’ roll, and the band display a precision and vigour that contradicts the fact that the year is 2010 and here onstage are a group of white men of varying ages from Britain.

‘Tequila’ prompts shout outs from the audience as they sway to and fro, constrained by the table arrangements. The jive numbers come hard and fast but the band turn to blues with B.B. King’s ‘You Upset Me Baby’ and later on with Ray Charles’ ‘Roll With My Baby’.

After a frenetic, fun-filled hour and a half the band end their set amidst clamouring for more; luckily there is more on their latest live CD, Live at Last, which features most of the songs performed tonight.

Reviewed by Leila
Published on Dec 20, 2010


Legendary venue with a very special atmosphere

As one might expect from one of the world’s premier jazz venues, the roll call of performers is excellent, the plush, dimly-lit interior is highly inviting, the speakeasy charm is undeniable, and the cocktails? They’re rather good too.

Established in 1959 by musician Ronnie Scott, this legendary venue has seen the likes of Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Ella Fitzgerald and many other greats perform over the years. A quick glance over the black and white pictures of past performers gives an idea of just how significant Ronnie Scott’s is to the jazz world.

Dining tables fill the venue facing the stage and dinner –steaks, fish cakes, rump of lamb with aubergine, corn fed breast of chicken, etc - is served while the show takes place. Despite the considerable size of the room capacity is limited to around 200 people, meaning concerts remain an intimate experience.

Performers are given the upmost importance at Ronnie Scott’s. Announcements before the show warn the audience to switch mobiles off and keep talking to a minimum; those who choose to heed this advice are greeted with stern “shhhhh’s” from fellow audience members.

Entry for the gigs is expensive and reserving a table for dinner and drinks will see a rapidly mounting bill. Attendees tend to be on the mature side, however a slightly younger crowd visits the upstairs bar which has a cheaper entrance fee. This sleek cocktail bar has a distinct member’s bar vibe, all plush velvet armchairs and seductive lighting.

This historical venue is a must for any jazz lover thanks to its quiet, appreciative atmosphere and intimate space.

Reviewed by Leila
Published on Sep 22, 2010


Events

Shez Raja ft John Etheridge and Guthrie Govan

Ronnie Scott's

Wednesday 1st of May 2024

Best For

The best hotspots for jazz and dining picture

The best hotspots for jazz and dining

Don your spats and chase your steak down with a Jack Daniels as you listen to some great jazz.

This historical venue is a must-visit for fans of jazz. There is a quiet, appreciative atmosphere, as although dining tables face the stage, an announcement before each show warns the audience to switch mobiles off and keep talking to a minimum. Now over 50 years old, line ups continue to feature the biggest names in jazz, but be warned, it’s a pricey experience.

Smooth: London's favourite jazz clubs picture

Smooth: London's favourite jazz clubs

Sit back, open up your ears and enjoy...

Ask anyone to name a London jazz club and they’ll probably tell you Ronnie Scott’s. All the greats have graced the stage at this Soho institution and it remains the place to go for exceptional jazz and blues.

London's best Blues Bars and Clubs picture

London's best Blues Bars and Clubs

My baby just left me... (the cow)

The world's most famous jazz and blues venue has been going strong since 1959. Get a table for dinner in front of the stage or stand by the bar with a dry martini. All the big names play here, from Miles Davis and George Melly in the past, to Marianne Faithful and Jose James more recently. Once a month they also host Ronnie Scott's Blues Explosion, where musicians play classics by BB King and Howlin' Wolf among many others.

User Reviews

Sheesh

Jul 17, 2014

A great venue to see some huge names.

I saw Paul Jones play here one night and we were just a few feet from the stage. Having huge names like that playing in the background as you tuck into a steak is a great experience. Made me feel like a Goodfella!
Ranu

Jul 22, 2004

Get down to that Jazz groove for a great night
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