I visited Ronnie Scotts for the 1st time in 8 years last night after buying a years membership for £170; I love jazz and frequent other jazz joints across the capital. The main act - Christian Scott - was sublime. Even the support acts were fine, though perhaps aiming their music at a populist/tourist agenda. Still, I have no problem with that. Anyone who thinks Ronnie Scotts can ever be a niche underground club frequented only by jazz buffs is living in a the past.

However, there are a couple of things which annoyed me. 1 - We (myself and two friends) turned up at 7.30 and were given seats in the "priority area" . However, there was a big pillar in the way which in my mind should be advertised as restricted view. This, however, was not a big deal. What was a cheek was at 10.20 the couple to the right of me left and sat on a table elsewhere. I decided to plonk myself on one of the now vacent chairs but was quickly prevented from doing so by a surly waiter. He informed me that I already have a seat and that 2 new guests were going to be given these seats! This is the first time I have come across a club re-selling a table almost 3/4 's into the main act! It is simply an example of making as much money as they can at the expense of existing customers - a member, too!

2 - During quiet periods of the main act I could here music blaring down from Ronnie's bar upstairs! This never used to happen in the olden days and is another example of focusing on making money at the expense of good music and an enjoyable experince. The once warm up room has now been marketed seperately as a seperate venue!It's a real shame that the new owners have decided to cash in on the name of Ronnie Scotts rather than focus on customers enjoying good music in a relaxed and unrushed arena. I will still come here to see great acts and hope things will change for the better in terms of management. In the mean time I will rely on 606 club for the ambience I expect from a jazz c

Went to Ronnie Scotts Friday 18th December 2009 (Bar upstairs) Please note NOT the the main venue area "so cannot comment".

Quite frankly the idea of bookng a table (free) for a group and handing over c/c cards is great so you don't get the unwelcome guests until later (?) (selected tables provided) YET make sure you arrive within 15mins or you may loose your table and be charged, yet i wouldn't like to comment how much!

Ok so far so good? The bar upstairs is small (after 8pm, be aware you may have to pay a fiver to enter)and very well decorated and the staff are very accomadating

Minus points: the service charges are disgraceful you pay for a half diet coke (£2.50 reasonable for west end prices yet another 12.5 % service charge)

A bowl of chips (twelve yet fourteen if lucky) and some pansy little sauce bowls £3.50 + service charge = over top if you ask me).

Secondly the bar if you wish to buy from willl again cost you a service charge.

Oh and if you want to buy a bottle of Curvee Dom Perignon 1975 at £1300 u suggest you give up your bed for the night for a homeless person who could rather need your support.

Conclusion: Ok joint, prices are reasonalble yet services charges are shameful. LOOK no probs its great if you like. But i suggest considering downstairs which i cannot comment as above.

If you like Jazz go for it!

my boss took me for Christmas Lunch at Ronnie Scotts this week. it was my first time in the club. quite an amazing and cosy venue full if atmosphere and character. was a bit strange to start with because we sat in rows on bench seating but that didn't matter once the band started. we had a great lunch with real quality food and then were entertained by this most amazing band!! great jazz music and some Christmas tunes thrown in for good measure. the pianist was amazing playing customer songs in different styles, so talented. must be one of my most enjoyable and unique lunches ever. the staff all seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. give us more. merry Christmas Hugo

my boss took me for Christmas Lunch at Ronnie Scotts this week. it was my first time in the club. quite an amazing and cosy venue full if atmosphere and character. was a bit strange to start with because we sat in rows on bench seating but that didn't matter once the band started. we had a great lunch with real quality food and then were entertained by this most amazing band!! great jazz music and some Christmas tunes thrown in for good measure. the pianist was amazing playing customer songs in different styles, so talented. must be one of my most enjoyable and unique lunches ever. the staff all seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. give us more. merry Christmas Hugo

Went to see Ronnie Scotts Jazz Orchestra on 30/11/09, first time after three or so years - and was bitterly dissapointed, primarily by poor and patronising staff attitude. My advice, if you have to go, book the cheapest possible tickets, I've made a mistake by booking the most expensive tickets and was allocated a seat facing away from the stage (which caused me a nasty neck-ache the next day) unlike most of the people who booked cheaper tickets! When complained, I was told that the bar owner himself absolutely loves my seat, why should I therefore have a problem (?!) Also, you should be aware that there is a seriously limited leg room at most of the priority seating tables, so limited that you will struggle to get your legs in (my height is an average 178cm) and to add the insult to injury, the staff keeps reminding you at every opportunity to push your chair in.

In addition to that, you are being told to shut up by staff if you happen to say a single word during the band playing. All this for £36.00 per person? Is it really worth it? You might say yes, if the music was really so special, but to be honest it was fairly average on this occasion (support band excluded), or more precisely - the musicians ability and talent had to be substituted with showmanship gimmicks of the band leader and the 4 singers. Which, fair enough, would have still made for reasonably enjoyable night out if the staff weren't so rude, and if the cost of entry and the drinks weren't so astronomical.

My final advice: do not take anybody important or anybody special to Ronnie Scotts, it is just too likely that you will be let down in front of your guest. If you really need to go, go without too many expectations and pay the cheapest possible ticket. Even better, if you are going because you're into quality jazz, go to a different venue, but not to this overrated, living-off-the-old-glory place, and you might save yourself quite a bit of agro and a few quid at the same ti

complaint!!!i wanted to go back this weekend but all shows are full!!! the secret is out : ( why cant they make this place bigger??

most magical experience!!took my girlfiend and her mum to see the ronnie scotts big band christmas show this week!!! i didnt know what to expect and was totally blown away by the expeience!! i am a student and didnt think i would enjoy the night....BUT i have never had such a fun night in years (and with my future mother in law)!! everyone was so welcoming form the front door right through to all the staff, managers and musicians. it was like being at someones house for a party.

we had a great meal and cocktails and wine and were so entatained. the band leader was a real character and made a wonderful host for the evening and there were 4 fantastic male singers (the 4 skins) such wonderful musicians!!!!my big complaint is that it finished. the final number had the whole room on its feet begging for more.reading the other comments it must have been a different place. and as for price they seemed average for soho bars and this is a special place.Please give us more big band nights!!! lots of brownie point for me with the g/friend and mum!!!federico x

Went there last night to see the Soulive. As a well cultured girl been brought up in fine restaurants and after acquiring a certain taste for the finer things. I cannot express how impressed I was from the moment I walked through the door till the moment I left. 3 of us girls were seated right next to the stage but it doesn't really matter where you sit; it's all about the music in there. Absolutely loved it! Had great seats could see each of the musicians faces and the passion. Its not supposed to be A well organised posh stuffy place - the ambience of that laid back cool is what it's suposed to be and it does it well.

Drinks were standard prices for central London, ordered 3 rounds of non alcoholic cocktails and 2 bottles of water for £29.00. Cheap for london. All the people giving bad reviews on pricing have to be stingy. All in all I will definately be going back for more. Loved it.