Visited Ronnie Scotts for the first time for research purposes and was massively underwhelmed. Queued in the street and herded in for the late set. No issues with space or view but service was an utter disgrace. One frankly useless waiter between the thirty of us crammed into the new side 'pews' is simply not enough, and it was a good half hour to forty minutes before we were able to make a drink order.

The music was good enough, thought the audience engagement was not what you'd ecpect form a jazz club. A night if mambo and Latin Jazz with Snowboy the conga player would have suited somewhere with a dancefloor fine. Unbelievably, when an enthusiastic Colombian punter started dancing in the aisle, she was ushered brusquely back to her seat by a bouncer.

Service continued to be dire all night, and we left before the end.

Disappointing.

I was a member of Ronnies for 20 years, but have only been once since Sally Green took over. It is far too over priced. It used to be Londons premier jazz club, but is now just a (fairly poor quality by most accounts) restaurant where the music is just regarded as incidental background. Better to go in a good restaurant where you dont have to pay £26 (minimum) to get in.
Reviewers seem to complain about the lighting, but how many proper music venues have bright strip lighting, which would be unpleasant for musicians and those there for the music not the food. Dear old Ronnie will be turning in his grave.

I had been to Ronnie Scotts a couple of years ago and did not have a good experience. I promised myself I would not go back there but a friend of mine was visiting from the States and pleaded that I take her there (apparently she had heard a lot about it in the States). Reluctantly, I agreed and was pleasantly surprised.

We had not reserved a table and missed the first session so got in for the second session. The door staff were professional. The venue had been refurbished, the seating plan changed and there is much better lighting than previously.
The waiter was friendly and agreed to mix a drink that was not on the drinks menu for my friend. The music was ok with a great crowd.

As we had not reserved a table, we were seated in one of the podium seats that was quite small especially for people with long legs.
Overall, it was a nice night and I may be going back to listen to Mica Paris on the 27th of Jan.

It is Ronnie scott's, but not as we know it... Although the music is still top notch, it is obvious that whoever runs it now has only money in mind. the management is unbelievably rude and useless, to the point where our waiter seemed genuinely embarrassed by them... Thanks God G Simcock liven up the evening. Jazz lovers in london know there are others venue to go...

Avoid the overpriced food! It's too dark to eat anyway, and the waitresses hovering around are a distraction to the music. The music is brilliant and the venue quite cosy and swanky. But a price tag of over £80 for the experience was a bit much.

Mica Paris 27th May 2007

Fantasic night at Ronnie Scotts, with Mica Paris and her band. The venue is a little too intimate though - our table for two was in front of a pillar obstructing the view and the food arrived cold and had to be returned - the table was just big enough but only just. I'm not sure what this venue is trying to achieve? It would be better serving cheap snack food rather then trying to serve restuarant food as the venue is clearly not a restaurant. It's a great shame they didnt move to a bigger venue for Ronnie Scott's like the place they used to have in Birmingham.

I was at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club to enjoy the dulcet tones of Mica Paris, live, and was enthralled by her voice and band! The lighting at Ronnie Scotts has improved and was only dimmed before the second session began which meant guests had enough light and time to look at menus and order more drinks.


A win win situation for both guests and venue and to crown it all ever so wonderfully, Mica Paris. Ah, what a voice! Well done Ronnie Scotts jazz Club! I'll be back!

Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club is living on past glories, based on our experience. The lighting was very dim, the seating cramped, and the staff somewhat snobbish, in my opinion. The atmosphere in Ronnie Scotts was not helped by a couple of customers who behaved badly as a result of too much drink. Disappointing.