The wide interests of the Club's membership are reflected in the Athenaeum Library, regarded by many as the finest club library in London. Below, another gallery showcases a selection of our most celebrated members of the past. 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. . Poet, Playwright and Critic Membership cost: 3,250 per year + 1,750 joining fee. Congrats! All rights reserved. The majority of The Curtain's members work in creative industries film, fashion, advertising, music, art, and media. I also use it as a place to meet and interact with work colleagues, to study and somewhere I can retreat to. Great for: Sealing a massive city deal, celebrating a bonus, that kind of thing You can start an online application form here. Quo Vadis The restaurant and private members club, housed in a former brothel that was once the home of Karl Marx (presumably not at the same time), combines a triumphant Soho restaurant with a private members club. Its members are almost without exception bright and companionable, its talks are second to none, its library is enviable and the hospitality exceptional. Who goes here: Yummy mummies, upmarket healthy international types and South Ken locals The only club to get married in. Founders [ edit] John Wilson Croker (1780-1857) (founder) [1] James Burton (property developer) (1761-1837) (founder) [2] Decimus Burton (1800-1881) (founder, designer of Clubhouse) [3] [4] Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) (founder, first chairman) [1] The club's art collection remains at its very core, highlighting international trends, as well as maintaining a focus on British-based artists. 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. This year, the private members club has an exciting new calendar of events. The Roof Bar features a retractable roof and heaters, and offers views of the City and St Paul's Cathedral, with an international menu prepared on the rotisserie grill and wood oven. ft. facility. Key membership benefits: Theres no pool but there is a gym and wellness suite. Meanwhile, under 30s benefit from a discounted rate of 300 ($391), and those overseas can pay 350 ($456) annually. The Ned is something totally different. Also, good co-working space Today, perhaps with the wisdom of age, it has a more wholesome reputation and with the building restored to its original Georgian glory the private members club celebrates its supper club roots. Still legendary for its parties, the Chelsea Arts Club also hosts a more reputable series of exclusive exhibitions, talks, screenings and performances from its artistic members. The Club has played host to just over 20,000 members since it was founded 200 years ago. its no surprise that Tramp fast became Londons favourite place to let loose. Perhaps the biggest members' perk has to be the access to the spa at Four Seasons, where guests can enjoy an indoor swimming pool, vitality pool, sauna, hammam, steam room, and gym. Sat Nav Reference. To add to all of this, the staff are unfailingly helpful. 258.00. 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. 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. 'The Athenaeum has become a valued part of my life. Stick around for long enough and you're sure to spot a celebrity. ', Interior and Furniture Designer 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. If you havent got a copy of OK Magazine to hand then dont worry, simply head to The Groucho Club and see anyone whos anyone in the flesh instead. Henry James was elected to the Club in 1882 a year after the publication of his masterpiece novel, Portrait of a Lady. The Soho House group offers two kinds of yearly memberships "local" and "every house." Process for membership is to simply apply online here. Unassuming, its easily mistaken for someones actual house from outside, but inside is cosy and welcoming with a genuine home-from-home feel. Applicants can have up to two referrals, but it's not compulsory. Like the Club's first Secretary Michael Faraday, he was a great experimentalist who received the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his "investigation into the disintegration of the elements and the chemistry of the radio-active substances". 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 application process involves submitting your membership enquiry online here,before meeting with one of the team for a tour of the house. Who goes here:Anyone who is anyone in South West London The imposing house and manicured gardens are only as impressive as their waiting list. Artist and Royal Academy professor Joseph Turner became a Club Member in 1824. The smoking rooms may be gone, but London's historicclubhousesare still open for business Named after a former headwaiter, Boodles is one of the most written-about clubs in London. Soho House and New York's Sydell Group joined forces to create The Ned which opened in London in May 2017. Inside, order booze and food freely (they sell to anyone). The following are known to be, or have been, members of the Athenaeum Club, London . Key membership benefits: Access to Londons most exclusive The only club with a dapper dancefloor. There is, however, a rule book for members. Election is by ballot in committee. Membership cost: 250 joining fee and 525 per year, Great for: The health conscious The walls of The Groucho Club are adorned with art from over 140 acclaimed artists, including Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and David Shrigley. Naughtiness, on the other hand, is de rigueur.". If you ever get inside, you will see that the Athenaeum gentlemen's club is a building designed in a neoclassical style. 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. Unlike swanky parties, where its easy to bluff the guest list by mentioning someone elses name from Twitter, members clubs require a membership card. But theres no point in being a member of just one club you want to be admitted to all of them. The application process involves submitting your membership enquiry online here. Who goes here: City boys London's private members' circuit has come a long way since the days of the stuffy gentlemen's club. Show Map Tel: 0207 930 4843 Email: porters@hellenist.org.uk Dress Code: The Athenaeum has a formal dress code - jacket, collar and tie. The Clubhouse is located at 107 Pall Mall, at the corner of Waterloo Place. Members can take advantage of 12 meeting rooms, a private screening room, a library, members lounges or restaurant, and some Championship pool tables. To add to all of this, the staff are unfailingly helpful. Key membership benefits: Annual calendar of exhibitions, talks and events "We want members that have something in common: namely, a creative soul.". The discreet entrance has seen the comings and goings of everyone from Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, a multitude of rock gods and goddesses, the worlds royalty, Hollywoods major players and the highest echelons of international business and society. Membership grants you access to all three, making it excellent value, particularly if youre local. The club is a career network for women to connect, to launch a business or find friendships and unwind. 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. Associate Member 2: Per Visit Fee (must reside more than 60 miles from The Athenaeum to qualify) Other . ', Business Psychologist Our nearly 2,000 members are drawn from a wide range of professional worlds including literature and the arts, education, business, law, medicine and healthcare, public service, politics, science, engineering and technology. While the "Resident" membership, which gives members unlimited access to communal floors, meeting rooms, the gym, and events programmes any day of the week, will set you back 500 ($651) a month (6,000 or $7,816 a year), there are a few other options, including a "Club" membership for 80 ($104) a month where you can only visit on evenings and weekends for social events, "Traveller" for 250 ($326) a month which gives you access to all floors on evenings and weekends and five days a month, or a "Home" membership, which, from 1,000 ($1,3030) a month, gives you a dedicated workspace. 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". The club's facilities include a boutique health spa, a garden for al fresco dining and drinking, two restaurants, numerous bars, The Vaults decadent party rooms, elegant bedrooms and suites, as well as a full calendar of social events throughout the year. As we approach our bicentenary in 2024, it is fitting that this distinctive characteristic prevails today. 06/12/13 Where: 46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 5AT Say youre meeting a person whom you know is in. There are discounted memberships for students or those under 33, anyone living overseas, or those joining as a not-for-profit or social enterprise. Great for: Food and drink, while the disco upstairs is pretty good too Musician Soho dwellers now have a choice of Soho House establishments to hang out in as earlier this year the original house 40 Greek Street also reopened its doors following a major renovation. Duncan Bannatyne and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales are members. EASE OF ENTRY: Prospective members must be proposed and considered by the committee The revamped look is pretty slick too. Beautiful garden. Seamus Heaney became a Club Member in 1996 - a year after he received the Nobel prize for literature. ', Gardener, broadcaster, author Application for Membership - The Athenaeum Liverpool Application for Membership The number of Proprietors (full members) is restricted to 500, of whom those under 40 years of age, Ministers of religion and those who have retired from active professional or business life (and have reached state retirement age) pay reduced subscriptions. It currently has around 4,500 members and a membership fee of more than 1,000 a year. They will apologise for not finding any record of last night. Website: www.the-ivyclub.co.uk. Over 21 years olds only Membership - The Athenaeum Membership The Club has an upper limit of 2,000 members. As it's outside of central London, it's surrounded by luscious green manicured lawns, offering the perfect spot for an afternoon game of petanque, bowls, or croquet. American-born writer KEY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: A CHIC CO-WORKING SPACE, ROOF TERRACE, AND 100+ AFFILIATE MEMBER CLUBS AROUND THE WORLD. Membership privileges include priority reservations, the ability to book in parties of up to 12 people, and free access to special events, talks, and masterclasses. It says that the club's mission is to make the world's finest wines accessible to its members at sensible prices. A holocaust survivor, Eva Maria Kohner came to England in 1949 as a refugee from Soviet-run Hungary. Known for his wit and flamboyant style, he also wrote around 300 songs, with Mad Dogs and Englishmen and A Room With A View among the most notable. Chelsea Arts Club is undeniably an institution of the private members club scene, just one thats a bit tricky to pigeon hole. 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. 107 Pall Mall St James's London SW1Y 5ER. He secured an open scholarship to study modern history at Oxford and became president of the Oxford Union. Even a passing conversation can help spark new ideas and open up fresh insights; so for me, its a place of constant inspiration.'. Its also dog-friendly a major plus for fur parents. The Grade II-listed building overlooks the length of London's exclusive Berkeley Square. The only worthwhile blag in Soho, as Soho House is becoming too accessible. All this is made all the more comfortable by one of the clubs key perks: its dog-friendly! Ease of entry: Ideally two proposers, butcoffee with the membership team will do instead ", It's a place to "create, work, and unwind in equal measure.". ', Architect Ten Trinity Square opened its doors in London in September 2017. Meanwhile, under 30s benefit from a discounted rate of 300, and. Morton's head chef, Dario Avenca, has devised a Mediterranean-inspired menu and the club claims to boast the largest wine list above any of its competitors. Key membership benefits: Members events and private dining From the outset members were encouraged to donate works to the Library and many of the Library's 70,000 volumes are donations. Great for:Just being bloody cool They get access to three restaurants (including one on the roof which comes complete with a pool), three bars, a 24-hour gym, dedicated co-working space, and access to events including gigs and quiz nights. And if theres one thing more frustrating than bastions of elitism, its not being a part of it. Ease of entry:Difficult. The Athenaeum is a private members' club in London. 107 Pall Mall St James's London SW1Y 5ER. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. Membership cost: Annual full membership at Home House is 1,450 for under-35s, 2,250 for those over 35, plus a 399 joining fee. Annabel's is truly iconic. and the highest echelons of international business and society. At the time of its construction, the clubs founding members had wanted the money spent on the frieze to go towards an ice house for storing chilled foods. It was painted by fellow Member Fiona Graham-Mackay after they met at Heaney's 2012 Poetry Evening at the Athenaeum. '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. Founded in 1824, our nearly 2,000 members are drawn from a wide range of . And fun there is, because theyve got pool tables to prove it. Often described as the founder of modern Conservatism, he went on to serve as Prime Minister twice. The sometimes discreet, sometimes outrageous Soho private members club is a mecca for Londons media types, with no visit complete without meeting at least a handful of your heroes from stage and screen and at least one popstar to boot. Members can store up to 36 bottles of their own wine in the club, to be enjoyed at will, or can dip into the 5,000 bottles on the club list the most valuable being safely stowed deep in the clubs vault. 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 The speakers are always at the top of their field and the debate that follows each talk is always thought provoking, lively and engaging. If youre the sort of person who refuses to watch the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair or Oceans Eleven, then youre probably after the original Soho House too. Home House is an exclusive private members' club in London's Marylebone, which "fuses 18th-century splendour with 21st-century style.". White's, London's oldest club, today counts both Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge as members (the heir apparent even had his stag do here). Key membership benefits: Two fantastic restaurants and one of Londons most exclusive hangouts, plus the club aims to counter male culture by maintaining a majority women membership 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. But it is also a stimulating place, with many interesting events and activities, taking me down avenues I would not have thought of by myself., Broadcaster You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. The team behind Home House will open Home Grown, a new club for "high-growth entrepreneurs," on April 3, 2019. ', Physician and Academic Application forms should be submitted along with a letter explaining why you want to join, and letters of support from the proposer and seconder. For all our emphasis on luxury and maybe a little excess, The South Kensington Club is the destination to rest and restore yourself. The various rooms in the Club provide convenient spaces for discussion, reading and research. It is one of the most reasonably priced members' bars in London. 'Along with the Athenaeums architecture, interiors and gardens, what I most enjoy is sharing this convivial environment with members from diverse walks of life and a unique breadth of knowledge. The Athenaeum: More than just another London Club Michael Wheeler Yale 35 (978--300-24677-3) Church House Bookshop 31.50. He also proposed younger brother William, a Tory politician, for membership. To bypass this hurdle politely tell the waiters that your member friend is playing squash downstairs. 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. Alberts, the South Ken club, is a South Ken club no more, because now its a Chelsea private members club, having come to settle in Beaufort House. 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. Soho newcomer The Court, situated on Kingly Street, is set to open in spring 2019 with a 24-hour license, making it one of the latest nights in the neighbourhood. Prince William, Charles, and the Duke of Wellington, as well as David Cameron, have all reportedly been members at some point. The club offers a number of different membership packages, including an under 35 annual rate of 1,275 ($1,661). I am the current Chairman of the General Committee. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Home House has a policy of not asking members to leave their friends name at the door. The Athenaeum gentlemen's club. They share in having contributed significantly to society through their involvement in their chosen sphere. Say youre there to inspect some exterior paintwork on the first-floor terrace, which looks dirty and unkempt when looked at from the Institute of Directors opposite. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Who goes here: Well heeled bankers and city folk Who goes here: People who actually know about and care about fine wine Members have access to the Ministry of Sounds Does Fitness gym, a calendar of events, and even a tequila and mezcal bar in the toilets. The discreet entrance has seen the comings and goings of everyone from Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, to Hollywoods major players. If you stumble upon a member (make sure hes not another blagger) try not to discuss horse racing, only motor racing. Its members are almost without exception bright and companionable, its talks are second to none, its library is enviable and the hospitality exceptional. Website: www.annabels.co.uk, Great for: People watching, celebrity spotting and dining in style Ease of entry: A proposer and seconder must put you forward (they need to have known you for more than two years). He secured an open scholarship to study modern history at Oxford and became president of the Oxford Union. Membership cost: 950 joining fee and 3,900 per year. Members come to exchange ideas, to read or research, to listen to talks by leading experts in their field or to meet friends or colleagues over lunch or dinner. . His later works heralded the modern 20th century novel. Artist and painter 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. Website: www.67pallmall.co.uk. American-born writer Where: 67 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 4QH Great for: Enjoying the art collection Wave more friends in as if you belong there. Quo Vadis, easily recognisable by its iconic neon street sign, is another of Soho's members' haunts. Membership cost: 2,000 joining fee, 2,500 annual membership, Where: 40 Dover Street, Mayfair, W1S 4NP Notable former members include William Pitt the Younger, Joshua Reynolds, Robert Peel and Alan Clark. Theres no interviews or esoteric initiations in the membership process its billed as a homefromhome, albeit a supremely exclusive one. The biggest challenge facing social climbers today is entering an array of society strongholds called private members clubs. Forget the racy Soho private members clubs, leave the fusty St Jamess clubs to grandpa, grab your tennis whites, were going to The Hurlingham. Annabels is legendary on the London club scene. a residency by Massimo Bottura, the best chef in the world. Charles Darwin was elected to the Club in 1838 two years after his return from the HMS Beagle expedition that inspired his theory of evolution through natural selection. When it was founded, in 1824, the Athenum broke the mould. This account already exists. She graduated from the MA International Journalism course at City University London and is proud to be Canadian. It's a secretive hideout away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. The club centres around the billiard room, the dining room, and a secluded garden. It boasts four floors of members' club fun, including Soho's largest roof terrace. Its parties are said to be "legendary.". The membership application process is the same for all Soho Houses you applyonline herewith some information about yourself and two current members as proposers. Never collect it. Where the class system of yesteryear left off, private clubs stepped in, and Londons private members clubs are world famous both for the sheer number of them, and their exclusivity. Ease of entry:Pretty simple The collection is augmented by a steady stream of new acquisitions. In addition to offering a discounted rate of 21 ($284) for under 30s, the club distinguishes between "town" and "country" memberships, with the latter benefitting from a reduced rate of 435 ($567). Being a member of the Athenaeum allows me to continue to learn and debate ideas, to be able to explore the design fascination I have for the Regency world and its continued influence on contemporary art and design that still surrounds the club today. Physicist 51.5068 . Membership discounts apply for under 35s, under 30s, and "wine professionals.". Who goes here: Mainly youngish, Chelsea types Over the centuries theyve become a repository of stories, curiosities and traditions. All members are required to be proposed by a current member, or to come in for a quick tour with the membership director. 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. Jay Electronica, Gwyneth Paltrow and architect David Chipperfields son Gabriel are members. The Club is a wonderful place to meet friends for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, with good food and a relaxing atmosphere. Known for his wit and flamboyant style, he also wrote around 300 songs, with Mad Dogs and Englishmen and A Room With A View among the most notable. His membership (until 1851) coincided with his artistic peak, when he painted masterpieces like The Fighting Tmraire and Rain, Steam and Speed. Website:www.therichmondclub.uk. 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. From talks frominspiring female founders, to restaurant residencies and networkingopportunities, the beautifulsurroundings are justthe start. Those interested in applying should get in touch with the club to be sent an application form. Associate Member 2: Per Visit Fee (must reside more than 60 miles from The Athenaeum to qualify) Other (please specify) . As it is, theyll have to make do with probably the most impressive private members club in the world instead, filled with A-listers, the great and good. They generally observe strict dress codes, if not a suit and tie then at least a jacket. 1,150 ($1,512) plus a 300 ($394) admin fee (or 750/$986 and 250/$329 fee for under 30s) will get you access to all three clubs, while the Bloomsbury Club is 700 ($920) plus 300 fee, and Mayfair is 900 ($1,183) plus 300 fee. Ease of entry: Members must be proposed and seconded by existing members Under 27s benefit from a discounted annual membership of 475 ($619), and a joining fee of 100 ($130). Where: 79-81 Borough Road, Southwark, SE1 1DN Like the Club's first Secretary Michael Faraday, he was a great experimentalist who received the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his "investigation into the disintegration of the elements and the chemistry of the radio-active substances".
