Bang in the middle of Soho, itself an intoxicating mixture of posh restaurants and battered strip clubs, sits Ronnie Scott’s, one of the world’s most famous and storied jazz clubs.
Ronnie Scott’s opened in 1959 and has since hosted most of the legendary and popular names in modern jazz and jazz fusion, carving out a niche in London’s live music scene.
Inside, the club is low-lit and oozes old-school charm. The bench seats are a crimson crushed velvet, and portraits of jazz heroes adorn the walls.
Each evening an opening act warms up the crowd, and by the time they’re winding down the club is almost full.
As the main act sidles on, Ronnie’s is humming. The first notes of a wailing sax cut the air like a knife, and another late-night jam at Ronnie Scott’s gets started.
TOM STURROCK
» Frith St, Soho, W1D 4HT TUBE: Tottenham Court Rd (ronniescotts.co.uk). From £20
Verdict: The genuine article
