Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho, which has been a pivotal part of the UK Jazz scene for over 65 years, is set to open a brand new music venue that is a purpose-designed, intimate auditorium boasting a striking new interior.
It’ll be home to everything a good music venue needs; enhanced acoustics, high-spec Yamaha and D&B Audio sound and lighting systems, an upgraded stage, a Yamaha S3X Grand Piano, and a brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen. Upstairs at Ronnie’s is set to be the perfect upgrade for any jazz lovers and will open in February 2026.
Who will be performing at the new Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club venue?
The new space will, of course, play host to the finest jazz and jazz-adjacent acts, with the opening programme featuring a Piano Trio Series spotlighting some of the leading lights of UK jazz including Ashley Henry, Reuben James, and Charlie Stacey.
There will also be something for the Soul and R&B lovers, as Vula Malinga, Vanessa Haynes, and Tony Momrelle are also on the roster. For the first time, there will be a Ronnie Scott’s Classical Series, featuring the Ronnie Scott’s Classical All Stars and a hand-picked line-up of acclaimed classical acts. Another highlight will be the brand-new Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir, which is sure to raise the roof on the building. You can also expect to see genre-crossing performances in hip-hop and global music.
Access to backstage spaces
Not only does Upstairs at Ronnie’s provide more opportunities to showcase emerging grassroots talent, it will also incorporate a brand new “club within a club” to serve as a members’ lounge and artist space.
Named The Greene Rooms, in honour of Ronnie Scott’s owner Sally Green, the secluded setting provides the ideal area for pre- and post-show gatherings, intimate events, artist meet-and-greets, and exclusive talks and workshops. The new spot will have its own version of the celebrated Ronnie Scott’s Late Late Show, where you can buy tickets at a range of different prices to keep the shows accessible to all.
A big move for live music in London
With over 16% of grassroots venues closed in 2023 and 40% operating at a loss in 2024, according to The Music Venue Trust, this new opening is a major move when it comes to London’s music scene. Fred Nash, Managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s, says “At a time when so many venues face uncertainty, we’re proud to be investing in live music, championing grassroots talent, and supporting Soho’s vibrant cultural community.”
Ronnie Scott’s was recently named the UK’s most popular independent music venue based on social media review data and Google search volume, and it’s not hard to see why.
