Membership cost: 4,380 per year and a 1,000 joining fee, Where: 27 Poultry, The City, EC2R 8AJ Best arrive on a Saturday night when theres commotion at the door, turn around and start walking in backwards, avoiding eye contact with the hostess. To apply or arrange a show-round with a member of our team, please contact the membership team on +44 (0) 20 7499 8581 (option 3), or email membership@theartsclub.co.uk. We've rounded up a selection of London's most exclusive private members' clubs, which cost between 150 ($195) to over 6,000 ($7,816) for an annual membership. It claims to have an atmosphere of "quintessential English charm," with a "relaxed sophistication" in the day that becomes "electric" as dusk falls. For me, it is a Club that encourages debate and challenge, stimulates understanding of diverse points of view and experiences, nurtures civilised conversations and cherishes companionship. To bypass this hurdle politely tell the waiters that your member friend is playing squash downstairs. The original members of this new kind of non-partisan club, with its close connections to the learned societies, were nominated and elected because of their achievements rather than their background, family connections, professional or political affiliations. If asked, say youre a relative of late member Cecil Rhodes (Athenaeum membership is inherited). A portrait of the Irish poet, who was a Professor at both Oxford and Harvard Universities, hangs in the Clubhouse. Henry James was elected to the Club in 1882 a year after the publication of his masterpiece novel, Portrait of a Lady. My own involvement in the Club is just one illustration of this. Founded over 220 years ago by the movers and shakers of the time, The Athenaeum has been a centre of Influence within the city since its inception. With the cost of living crisis and youth unemployment on the rise, creeping into members clubs is practically the only way for youngsters to get ahead in life, quickly, without fees. For all our emphasis on luxury and maybe a little excess, The South Kensington Club is the destination to rest and restore yourself. Ease of entry: Well you need to be a woman, for starters Membership cost:252-688 per year. Prospective members must be proposed and seconded by existing members to begin the membership process. Dickens was 26 when elected to the Club on 21 June 1838. To get a membership one must be vetted by the previous class of occupiers and transfer a joining fee of 2,000 and an annual subscription fee of 1,500 (Dover Street Arts Club prices). His membership (until 1851) coincided with his artistic peak, when he painted masterpieces like The Fighting Tmraire and Rain, Steam and Speed. Expect spectacular Asian-European dishes, delicious cocktails and an intriguing event schedule. Membership of the Athenaeum is not a badge of attainment, but is often regarded as a recognition of achievement. According to the club, "the best bit is that there are no stuffy rules, in fact there really aren't any rules at all. If the skylit gym has you feeling a little weary, dont panic you can put your feet up with a host of their holistic treatments, and relax in the tea library. Process for membership is to simply apply online here. The Athenaeum isnt just a beautiful, conveniently-located dining room and bar; its a home from home for the inquiring mind. For me, it is a Club that encourages debate and challenge, stimulates understanding of diverse points of view and experiences, nurtures civilised conversations and cherishes companionship. 06/12/13 Under 28s can obtain a reduced membership of 250 ($326). Ease of entry: Members must be proposed and seconded by existing members Opening its doors at 40 Jermyn Street in December 1969, Tramp has been one of the most exclusive private members clubs in London ever since, outlasting many of the popular haunts of the past. Real Ale is NOT Available (020) 7930 4843; athenaeumclub.co.uk/ . The stylish Conduit is a sustainability-focused members' club which officially opened in Mayfair in September 2018. Membership cost: 825 per year and a 100 donation, plus 330 joining fee, Where: 1 Greek Street, Soho Square, Soho, W1D 4NQ Meanwhile, under 30s benefit from a discounted rate of 300 ($391), and those overseas can pay 350 ($456) annually. Website: www.eightclub.co.uk, Great for: Oenophiles Key membership benefits: The sports facilities are fantastic Great for: Sealing a massive city deal, celebrating a bonus, that kind of thing The passion is, of course, fine wine, which is the lifeblood of 67 Pall Mall. During daytime hours use a known members name and say they havent arrived yet. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. 51.5068 . Use of mobile phones and laptops in the main rooms is often banned. 2023 Athenaeum Club. Read more: The 10 most expensive cities to live in around the world in 2019. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Even better the club is dog-friendly in all areas, at all times of the day, making it the perfect members club for fur parents. Based in the beautiful Richmond Upon Thames, in a gorgeous converted building, The Richmond Club is a break from the norm with its quirky features and tailored spacetomeetmembers needs. Spread across three Georgian townhouses in Marylebone (19, 20 and 21 Portman Square) Home House fuses 18th century opulence with 21st century design and a quintessentially British sensibility. As this went on for a number of months, the clubs porter eventually asked if he was a member. MEMBERSHIP COST: 800 PER YEAR FOR UNDER 30s, FROM 1,015 PER YEAR FOR SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP, AND 1,240 PER YEAR FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The eccentric English "Alice in Wonderland" style decor alone makes it worth a visit to its restaurant, bars, garden terrace, private dining rooms, spa, and cigar room think bespoke chandeliers, pink ceilings, and a seriously Instagram-worthy bathroom. With its vogueish dcor, airy spaces big enough to make you feel miles from the scrum of Soho, this private members club is a real sanctuary. Website:www.therichmondclub.uk. The Club is a wonderful place to meet friends for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, with good food and a relaxing atmosphere. So your four-legged friend can laze in front of the open fire while you enjoy all the spoils of the dinner menu. The Hospital Club is a unique private members' club targeted at the world of creatives located in the heart of Covent Garden. A Hall Porter is on duty 24 hours a day for assistance, except at Easter and over the Christmas and New Year period when the Club is closed. Often described as the founder of modern Conservatism, he went on to serve as Prime Minister twice. Launched in the 80s, the club takes its name from Groucho Marx, who famously exclaimed that he wouldnt be a member of any club that would accept him as a member. It may not be the oldest, the grandest or the most exclusive, but its one of the best-known clubs in London and the swish private members club really is at the very top of its game at the moment. Even a passing conversation can help spark new ideas and open up fresh insights; so for me, its a place of constant inspiration.'. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. The application process involves submitting your membership enquiry online here. You've successfully entered this competition! Ease of entry: Ideally two proposers, butcoffee with the membership team will do instead The only club with a dapper dancefloor. It offers a unique "Voyager Programme" headed up by polar explorer Christina Franco. modeled after The Athenaeum in London. Ground zero in the seemingly exponential explosion of Soho House as it spreads its achingly cool appeal across the globe one rooftop pool after another, Soho House Greek Street really is where it all started. comedy club, and themed experiential dining events, to the relaunch of Londons original nightclub restaurant, and partnerships with some of Londons most exciting brands. His later works heralded the modern 20th century novel. Ease of entry: Members must be proposed and seconded by existing members Declare your tab was in the bar upstairs you were there with Poppy Delevingne and Caroline Flack. Once home to Charles Fortnum (of and Mason fame), this Soho townhouse now plays host to Blacks Club, an institution thats enjoyed something of a recent revival. The Devonshire Club, located in the heart of the City, opened its doors in 2016. Its a bar and a restaurant and a place to listen to live music and see stunning art its the whole experience that makes it what it is. Eight have expanded their private members club offering and now cover two locations, the subterranean cool of Bank but another clubhouse in Moorgate as well a new, world-class, gym offering dubbed Eight Core. It's made up of an events floor, rooftop lounge with terrace, restaurant with terrace, speakeasy, and areas for working and dining. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Pay your bill, take back your Visa card, just before you do that order some tonic water with a different debit card, while leaving it open. Spread across two floors, the main bar area offers the perfect drinking and dining experience, while the second floor Pineapple Room plays a great host for events and business meetings. Unassuming, its easily mistaken for someones actual house from outside, but inside is cosy and welcoming with a genuine home-from-home feel. The discreet entrance has seen the comings and goings of everyone from Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, to Hollywoods major players. There is an air of eccentricity to the club which offers its members access to a series of private rooms, including the salon noir, salon bleu, and salon rouge, which regularly host performances and general debauchery. Part of the ever-expanding Ivy empire, The Ivy Club is a newcomer but one worthy to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best of Londons nightspots. Ease of entry: Two proposers required, more popular clubs are trickier to get entry to Enter your password to log in. F .E Smith, Member of Parliament and a Secretary of State for India, used to make a habit of relieving himself at the Athenaeum Club on his way back from the House of Commons. Quo Vadis underwent substantial refurbishment in 2016 and the new interior is a gorgeously lit masterpiece of lush carpets and moodily painted walls, giving an old-school luxury feel. The Athenaeum is a private members' club in London, founded in 1824. Founder Harry Mead says of the members' club: "We have a wide range of characters on the members'panel so that we can curate an interesting and diverse membership. Considered one of the great violinists of the 20th century, Yehudi Menuhin joined the Club in 1969. Main reception should never see you leave. ", "We don't care who your parents are," its website reads. Membership suitability is judged by reference to the objectives of the Club as an association of individuals in any field in which their work is of an intellectual nature and of substantial value to the community and, in the case of younger members, demonstrates promise as well as attainment. You can start an online application form here. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. Meanwhile, theDaily Mailsuggests that new members must be vouched for by some 35 signatories. Plus a willingness to constantly nod and bow. Its parties are said to be "legendary.". Number five has a genuine lived-in feel to it, scattered with armchairs and deep, plush, carpets, the Mayfair townhouse club is tardis-like, withmultiple restaurants and bars, a cigar room, cinema, and the jewel in its crown, nightclub Loulous. Thats not to say, however, that The South Kensington Club doesnt offer splendour quite the opposite but the clubs pleasures are health-oriented, seeking wellness and relaxation. Key membership benefits: Entry via a special lift at The Ivy (not a benefit as such, but has a real hidden away feel) Process for membership is to simply apply online here. It is located in the former BBC London headquarters in West London. He attended many Club dinners and sponsored Rudyard Kipling's membership. Home House has lasted the course and is well on the way to becoming a London institution. Below, another gallery showcases a selection of our most celebrated members of the past. From the outset members were encouraged to donate works to the Library and many of the Library's 70,000 volumes are donations. The club centres around the billiard room, the dining room, and a secluded garden. Picture by Daniel Hambury Home House has a policy of not asking members to leave their friends name at the door. When it was founded, in 1824, the Athenaeum broke the mould. The original members of this new kind of non-partisan club, with its close connections to the learned societies, were elected on the basis of their achievements rather than their background or political affiliation. 258.00. Who goes here: Well heeled bankers and city folk There is plenty of headed paper to write letters on. Five hundred quid. Medical consultant Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. One of six children, he travelled by boat with his family from Jamaica to London in 1919 in pursuit of an English education. Beautiful surroundings and interesting members The imposing house and manicured gardens are only as impressive as their waiting list. The Athenaeum Club Is A Prestigious Health Club and Day Spa located on Cherry Orchard Way, Southend We want it to be the place where you can have dinner with an artist and a tech entrepreneur while listening to great live music and sipping an incredible cocktail. From live music nights, an exclusive comedy club, and themed experiential dining events, to the relaunch of Londons original nightclub restaurant, and partnerships with some of Londons most exciting brands. 24 and under. ive a man a fish hell eat for a day, take away his club membership and he might die. Sinceopening in 2012, the clubs already achieved legendary status, and is a firm favourite of blue-bloods and A-listers alike. Many of its members come through referrals, andevery potential applicant is put forward to the membership committee. 2023 Athenaeum Club. Elected to the Club in 1937, Noel Coward was already one of the country's most celebrated playwrights, having penned hit comedies like Hay Fever, Blithe Spirit and Private Lives. The club boasts a cocktail bar, library and lounge, exhibition space, and bookable meeting rooms. This gallery features some of our extraordinary current members, alongside their comments about life at the Club. The Athenaeum is a private members' club in London, founded in 1824. Also, if youre entrepreneurial you can use them as a business address HomeHousehas recently introduced a daytime to playtime concept, with the interiors ofHouse21 designed byRussel Sage Studiosand a new, high-tempo late dining offer in an elegant, British epicurean-inspired setting. This is an updated version of an earlier story by Rosie Fitzmaurice. Observatory, envisioned a club modeled after The Athenaeum in London. Membership starts at 365 ($475) per month, plus a 1,000 ($1,303) joining fee, while an under 30s rate begins at 228 ($297) per month, with a 500 ($651) joining fee. The Athenaeum opened in 1930 with a grand dinner in honor of Albert Einstein's visit to the California Institute of Technology located in the city of Pasadena, just outside Los Angeles in Southern California. Say youre meeting a person whom you know is in. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. There are a number of founding membership packages available, from a full founder to a "Homecoming" membership with just 30 visits a year for 1,000 ($1,303), or a "Unicorn" who also have access to 20 bedroom nights and two half days in the pitch room each year for 4,000 ($5,211). One of the most significant acts of Parliament in the 19th century, the 1832 Act saw the abolition of the rotten boroughs and an expansion of the electoral franchise. GREAT FOR: Celebrity spotting, dining, and partying til the early hours Who goes here: City boys Where: 38-42 Harrington Road, South Kensington, SW7 3ND Disrepute, a "hidden gem" nestled within an opulent Soho basement, offers a carefully curated cocktail menu and an atmospheric space perfect for secret late-night sessions. In this club they do not bother asking who you are at the door. The restaurant, small and nearly perfect, is available to muggles, but members upstairs can enjoythe Dean Street clubs private dining room, as well as the homely snug room and two bars, making it an ideal respite from the carnage of a Soho evening. Who goes here: A smart but discerning set Breeze in with confidence, in a three-piece suit (no denim, no sneakers), walk straight down to the changing room. It encourages "individuality and fabulous party dressing," and claims its members are made up of "a hand-picked alchemy of like-minded people who share a passion for the best things in life. Never collect it. 'The Athenaeum has become a valued part of my life. Membership is limited to. It was one of 20 novels he wrote, many of which centred on a clash of cultures between America and Europe. For more details, please contact the Membership Department on 020 7321 5110 or email membership@oandc.uk.com. The Clubhouse is open on Monday to Friday from 7am to 12 midnight. Author, Journalist, Editor Wave more friends in as if you belong there. One of the foremost scientists of his generation, he wrote that he was "full of admiration at the Athenaeum, one meets so many people there that one likes to see". Ease of entry: No need for proposers etc 'If you like being surrounded by clever people who bring both joy and curiosity to every conversation, and who will surprise you with the things theyve seen and done, this is the place for you. MEMBERSHIP COST: This is Tramps best kept secret youll need to enquire to find out. Pre- and post-theatre suppers are available from 6pm until midnight. It resembles a country estate. A top-floor restaurant and rooftop pool with iconic views across London. And fun there is, because theyve got pool tables to prove it. It is a collaboration between French wine estate Chteau Latour and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall - Eminence in, or patronage of, science, literature, or any branch of the fine arts, are the qualifications for membership of this club. 67 Pall Mall says it isLondon's first private members' club for wine lovers, born from "a passion for fine wine and a frustration at the egregious mark-ups on the capital's wine lists." The Athenaeum is a private members' club in London. St James's Palace. Part of the Soho House empire, unusually membership to this private members club doesnt automatically give you access elsewhere, as The Ned stands apart from the rest of the Soho House structure. Local membership to Soho House Dean Street and Greek Street, Those interested in a founding membership can apply online. Those interested in a founding membership can apply online, and those accepted before the opening will have their joining fee waived. To become a member, candidates must be proposed and seconded by two existing members. A four-minute introduction to the Athenaeum, as Members Sir Michael Palin and Professor Michael Wheeler speak briefly about the history of their Club before the publication of Professor. Website: www.hosb.org.uk. South Kensington Club is a health and fitness sanctuary inspired by the spirit of adventure. Home to yoga and boxing classes, Russian saunas, a plunge pool and Reformer Pilates, the private members club is essentially a masterclass in the art of the detox. Set in the former Midland Bank building, it boasts 252 bedrooms channeling 1920s and 1930s design, nine restaurants, a range of grooming services, as well as "Ned's Club," a social and fitness club where members have access to a rooftop pool, gym, spa, hammam, and late-night lounge bar. Associate Member 2: Per Visit Fee (must reside more than 60 miles from The Athenaeum to qualify) Other . It boasts two floors of member spaces, a 17-metre rooftop pool and bar, steam room, sauna, hammam, cinema, screening room, huge gym, and 45 bedrooms. Those interested in applying can visit the website. Key membership benefits:The art and the events are noteworthy, the health club costs (a lot) extra, but it does have its own MRI machine! ', Physician and Academic The original members of this new kind of non-partisan club, with its close connections to the learned societies, were nominated and elected because of their achievements rather than their background, family connections, professional or political affiliations. Personally, the talk dinners are the highlight. This account already exists. Annabel's is truly iconic. Membership grants you access to all three, making it excellent value, particularly if youre local. Membership cost:1,750 joining fee and 2,000 per year. Lifetime membership can be obtained for a one-off payment of 2,500 ($3,257), or annual membership is 650 ($847) with a 250 ($326) joining fee (or 500 ($651) for under 30s). He described the Athenaeum as the setting for "productive leisure: the spaces between duties, the borderlines between people Then, in conversation, cross-fertilisation occurs quite naturally as the blissful fulfilment of an effortless higher duty - to the future, to our fellow man, colleagues, society". More information on membership at Albert's at Beaufort House can be found here. They also come to enjoy concerts, talks, quizzes and films. Where: 20 Portman Square, Fitzrovia, W1H 6LW Ease of entry: Tricky, members mustve achieved something significant in the arts, be proposed and seconded by members and considered by a discerning membership committee Ease of entry: Members must be proposed and considered by the committee (tip: take special note of the You and the Ned section) Non-members are also welcome to book a table, subject to availability. The only club with a huge swimming pool, spa, Turkish bath, post office and florist. But AllBright Mayfair is more than a clubhouse or a place to hang out, theres a real mission too. The beautiful, spacious garden and Pagoda is definitely the place to be for the upcoming summer months, the perfect space to enjoy one of your favourite tipples in. Forget the racy Soho private members clubs, leave the fusty St Jamess clubs to grandpa, grab your tennis whites, were going to The Hurlingham. So Travellers was established with a very specific remit, to provide a place of sanctuary to gentlemen who had travelled out of the British Isles to a distance of at least five hundred miles from London in a straight line. 6,611 were here. Website: www.allbrightcollective.com. While in the UK Ali has previously been editor of The Daily Muse by Fenwick and sports, food, and drink reporter at Marketing Week. Its members are almost without exception bright and companionable, its talks are second to none, its library is enviable and the hospitality exceptional. Composer, Playwright, Actor It was designed by Club member Decimus Burton in 1830 in the Neoclassical style. A lifetime membership is priced at 15,000 ($19,540). To get a membership one must be vetted by the previous class of occupiers and transfer a joining fee of 2,000 and an annual subscription fee of 1,500 (Dover Street Arts Club prices).