There are many places in London that are difficult to get in and join. It can be more difficult than get the Queen’s Appointment. Of course, the most of the gentlemen clubs try to stay far from women and occasional visitors. Do you want to know how the things go? Meet TOP English private clubs of the lux class! Never come there on foot. Try to hire a car in London, the most prestigious one, and knock the door
THE GARRICK CLUB
Founded in 1831
In-payment: secretive
Address: 15, Garrick Street, Covent Garden
Honorable members: Stephen John Fry, Charles Dickens, Herbert George Wells
The Garrick Club is located in the center of West-End, the analogue of the American Broadway. You can have a dinner here before the Hamlet opening, hire a room, if you are not a Londoner and read the ancient books of art, theater history. The polished wood, silverware, massive leather armchairs, fireplace, plush curtains, cigar terrace and winery – it makes the club the most atmospheric place. This club is not available for women. The color of the club tie is green and salmon-colored.
BOODLE’S
Founded in 1762
In-payment: secretive
Address: 28, St. James’s Street
Honorable members: Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, Ian Lancaster Fleming
Boodle’s Club was founded by the respectable man, the UK Prime Minister, William Petty, Earl of Shelburn. It is considered to be the most prestigious place in the city. The club got its name due to the chef waiter, legendary Edward Boodle. As the rest of the TOP London clubs, this one is also connected with the Conservative Party. So, to get membership here is even more difficult than join the party.
WHITE’S
Founded in 1693
In-payment: £850 per year
Address: 37, St. James’s Street, Piccadilly
Honorable members: Lord King, Charles, Prince of Wales, William, Prince of Wales
Oh, this is the place where the Prince’s stag night was organized. Nobody knows the details. All that it is knows is the sea of Champaign. This old club is still the most respectable one. There is a private dining hall, billiard room, reading room with the high aristocratic armchairs. Actually, this is the small and cozy place with the compact bar and tasty menu.
SAVILE CLUB
Founded in 1868
In-payment: £1061 per year or £362 for Londoners
Address: 69, Brook Street, Mayfair
Honorable members: Robert Louis Stevenson, Herbert George Wells, Thomas Hardy, Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh
This club boasts the reputation of one of the most old-fashioned and old-tradition. You can have Brandy at the oak-wooden counter and spend time in the special room with the PlayStation. This is the unique combination of old and new, honorable and up-to-date all together.
BLACKS
Founded in 1764
In-payment: secretive
Address: 67, Dean Street, Soho
Honorable members: Keira Knightley, Joshua Reynolds
Blacks is one of the real bohemia clubs in London that was founded at the reverse to White’s. So, it is dark inside. You may have a glass of wine and seat at the fire place in the living room. The design is true Italian. The club members are mostly writers and journalists. So, there is another small club here – the Authors’ Club. The main Blacks membership condition – you must be extra-interesting to join.
THE GROUCHO
Founded in 1985
In-payment: £695 entry and £695 year
Address: 45, Dean Street, Soho
Honorable members: Keith Allen, Bill Clinton, Stephen John Fry, Lily Rose Beatrice Allen
The club is pretty young. It was named after the popular comic actor Groucho. The club is young but the public here is solid and respectable. You can drink wine, play billiard and play the piano. The club members can take their guests to the club if they could get the club’s permit. The club also organizes the outdoor parties: you can go to Ibiza or Wales Music Festival.
THE TRAVELLERS CLUB
Founded in 1819
In-payment: secretive
Address: 106, Pall Mall
Honorable members: the Duke of Wellington, William Baldwin, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The club of this kind was founded specially for the travelling gentlemen. The building is made in the Florentine style – the oldest in the city. If you want to join the club, you must be recommended by one of the honorable club members. You must be also a traveller or diplomat. You must visit at least four countries. If not, you cannot join in. It is prohibited to use telephones in the club.
THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB
Founded in 1897
In-payment: £100 to join
Address: 89, Pall Mall
Honorable members: John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
The club is the best place for automobile lovers. This is the only one club where you can see the big swimming pool, post office and sauna. You cannot wear jeans, only suits. There is also a country house with the golf field and beautiful park. The members of the club participate in racing and excursions.
THE IVY
Founded in 2008
In-payment: £1000 to join
Address: 9, West Street
Honorable members: Kate Moss, Kevin Spacey
The private club is the favorite place for all famous Londoners to gather together. Actually, there is a restaurant on the first floor. It was time when you need to have a special invitation to join. You can join the club every day after 8 p.m. by paying the entry fee.
THE ARTS CLUB
Founded in 1863
In-payment: £2000 to join
Address: 40, Dover Street, Mayfair
Honorable members: Ronald Wood, Charles Dickens, Gwyneth Kate Paltrow
Of course, this is the place for all creative Londoners: musicians, actors, artists. This is a place for all art lovers. Look around: bright lamps, modern pictures on the walls, gin and tonic in the glass. The club cultural program boasts the cabaret, poetic and literary reading, exhibitions. The Arts Club is like the favorable concert platform only for special members. You must be a famous person in London to join the group. The entrance fee is too high to join the club for fun.
