Ronnie Scott's: World-famous jazz club unveils plans for 'intimate' new music venue
Launching in February 2026, the newly designed Upstairs at Ronnie’s marks a new era for the popular music venue.
Ask any music lover where to visit in London and they will point you towards Ronnie Scott’s. Earlier this year, the celebrated jazz club was named the best independent music venue in the UK.
Over the years, the likes of Lady Gaga, Prince, and Amy Winehouse have performed at the world-famous Soho institution. But tides are changing over at Ronnie Scott’s, and come the new year, it will have a different look (and a bit of a different vibe too!)
The jazz club announced the opening of Upstairs at Ronnie’s, a newly reimagined 140-capacity music venue on the first floor of the world-famous bar.
Set to open in February 2026, the upstairs space, which for many years hosted a vibrant live programme before closing for refurbishment in 2024, has undergone a complete transformation as part of a significant revamp of the entire building.
Now rebuilt as a purpose-designed, intimate auditorium, that pays homage to the club’s six-decade legacy while looking ahead to the future. Upstairs at Ronnie’s features a 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.
Newly appointed executive chef Steven Connolly will deliver a culinary offering to match the club’s world-class musical reputation.
Honouring the long-standing Ronnie Scott’s reputation, the new venue will present the finest jazz and jazz adjacent acts, alongside genre-crossing performances in contemporary soul, acoustic R&B, gospel, hip-hop, global music, and classical.
Upstairs at Ronnie’s will also host its own version of the celebrated Ronnie Scott’s Late Late Show, providing more opportunities to showcase emerging grassroots talent at a range of ticket prices to keep shows accessible to all.
For the first time in its history, Ronnie Scott’s will also be opening its backstage spaces to the public.
Transformed into The Greene Rooms – named in honour of owner Sally Greene – a brand new “club within a club” will serve as a members’ lounge and artist space.
The secluded, first-floor setting provides a quintessentially Soho retreat for pre- and post-show gatherings, intimate events, artist meet-and-greets, and exclusive talks and workshops.
This redevelopment marks the most significant transformation of Ronnie Scott’s since its 2005 acquisition and reopening by Sally Greene and Michael Watt.
Fred Nash, Managing Director of Ronnie Scott’s said: “With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, we set ourselves the somewhat audacious goal of creating the greatest small live music venue in the world. In all seriousness, it’s about creating a beautiful, intimate space where audiences can experience extraordinary performances, and where artists feel truly valued. 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.”