Ronnie Scott's club, Soho, London

[editor]

I went along last week to the upstairs part on a Tuesday. The bands were a bit doo-be-doo cruise ship jazz and the booze was an almighty rip off. £17 for three bottles of beer.

Anyone got any experiences of the place?

In photos: Jazz, jamming, and pricey drinks at Ronnie Scott’s, London

 

[neonwilderness]

I went there a few years ago on a night out with work. Quite enjoyed it, although from memory I thought the house band were better than the main act.

I want paying though, which probably helped

 

[Sirena]

I still enjoy it occasionally. The music tends to be safe and loungey.

I found the food quite reasonably priced but it's an uptown club, catering mostly for tourists, I suppose. So it will be more than pub prices.

The sort of place you would take your parents.....

Upstairs, it's a place you can book for things like album launches and band showcases, so it's more of a mixed bag.

 

[Supine]

Roy Ayers back in 93-94 was bloody amazing. Perfect venue for him

 

[alex_]

Roy Ayers back in 93-94 was bloody amazing. Perfect venue for him

He still plays there every year.

 

[Lurdan]

One of my personal benchmarks for a bad night out. Only went there once - mid 80s to see The Leaders.

They were ok, well as far as I could judge through the gathering red mists of dudgeon about the state of the place and its denizens. By the end of the evening I was feeling full on Emile Henry.

YMMV
"it was a long time ago"

*gritted teeth*

 

[ska invita]

Wonderful sound in the main room...go and see someone you love there and you cant beat. No other venue with jazz acts on the bill in London (if not the UK) has the atmosphere to match.
Have a few beers before you go in, naturally.

Roy Ayers back in 93-94 was bloody amazing. Perfect venue for him

Theres a great vid of Roy Ayers playing some point in the 80s in that big soulboy soulgirl era
worth watching the first couple of minutes for the crowd shots

 

[IC3D]

Cheap or free on the door, cant remember good bands and music. Get pissed and or stoned first.

 

[IC3D]

Roy Ayers seems to like it I've seen him twice there

 

[Dr. Furface]

Went a few times in the 80s and 90s - best thing I saw there was the late great Lester Bowie

 

[Numbers]

I love it there, last time was for Alice Russell who we both love and it was a fantastic night, had food and sat in the very front table.

Going again end of October to see the Marquis Hill Blacktet, with Makaya McCraven on drums, seen them at Love Supreme festival and loved the set so can't imagine what it's going to be like in such an intimate venue.

 

[cybershot]

Birmingham misses it.

 

[rubbershoes]

Went to see Cuban band Irakere in the late 80s. They were ok but nothing special for the first half.

Then a bloke, who looked the band's accountant wandered on stage , got his trumpet up and blew the place apart