In Soho, the iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club has reopened its first-floor space as Upstairs at Ronnie’s, introducing a refreshed setting for live music within one of London’s most established venues. The 140 seat room, long known for close-quarters performances and late-night sessions, has been reworked to offer a more considered environment while maintaining the character that has defined the club for decades.
The redesign, by Archer Humphryes, draws on familiar jazz-club cues, refining them through a restrained, contemporary lens. Golden-velvet banquettes run along the perimeter, paired with tassel lamps and antique mirrors that diffuse a low, ambient light. Above, a domed ceiling lined with Zimbabwean fabric introduces texture and pattern, shifting from daytime brightness to a more focused evening atmosphere as overhead panels give way to artificial light.
A newly configured auditorium forms the centrepiece of the space. Tiered seating improves visibility across the room, while acoustics have been calibrated for balance, and a Yamaha S3X grand piano adorns the stage. Material choices shift between marble, velvet, polished metals, and darker wood, establishing a palette that references mid-century interiors without feeling overly nostalgic. Curved banquettes and subtle art deco detailing guide the layout, connecting the bar area to the performance space.
The focus throughout is on the experience of live music. From seating arrangement to acoustic treatment, each element supports both performer and audience; creating an exquisite setting that feels composed and functional in equal measure.
With Upstairs at Ronnie’s, the club revisits one of its most recognisable spaces, shaping a venue that aligns with its history while adapting to present-day expectations of comfort, sound, and atmosphere.
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@archerhumphryes
Photography, courtesy Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s.
