The Devonshire’s complete guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

London has long been regarded as the heart of private clubs, ever since the first gentlemen’s clubs opened in St James’s and Pall Mall in the 17th century. Thankfully, things have moved on since then and the stuffy, single-sex establishments have been replaced by trendy venues that cater to every whim, from influential social clubs and historic concert halls to opulent private salons and hedonistic nightclubs. Here we’ve rounded up the city’s best members’ clubs.

The Conduit

18 best private members’ clubs in London: a definitive guide

Founded on the belief that bringing together a collaborative community can accelerate solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, The Conduit invites anyone to become a member – provided they are passionate about positive social change. With ambassadors such as writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, journalist Razia Iqbal and June Sarpong OBE, the association has already made a good start. These admirable values are everywhere, from the decor of the Russell Sage Studio to the kitchen: the club’s kitchen was one of the first to adopt a zero single-use plastic policy, and the menu in the restaurant open to the public and in the members-only restaurant and rooftop terrace is 75% vegetarian.

On all six floors there are spaces for members to meet and network, a bookshop and a podcast studio. The emphasis is on a programme of face-to-face and online events, which has seen industry leaders and Nobel laureates such as Christiane Amanpour and Al Gore give exclusive talks. But it’s not just about the work. Wine pairing evenings and culinary tastings are on the agenda, as well as yoga sessions and comedy nights. The establishment recently opened a new rooftop terrace, in partnership with Ruinart, which is set to be a hit in the city this summer.

Membership is £1,800 per year

6 Langley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JAtheconduit.com

MEMBERS’ CLUB

180 The Strand

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

The exterior may be brutalist, but behind the doors of 180 The Strand, the aesthetic is quite different. This is comfortable luxury at its best. No wonder when you consider that Nick Jones and his Soho House team have taken over all nine floors, transforming the former office building into a vibrant cultural hub. The main members’ area is a vision of lacquered paint, shaggy velvet carpets and a leather bar, a tribute to the building’s 1970s heritage, and as with all houses, art takes centre stage. Collections Manager Kate Bryan has worked her magic once again, with over 150 outstanding works of art on display.

Soho House knows how to create a chic rooftop pool and this one is no exception. Covered in dark blue lava stone tiles, it’s the perfect place to meet up with friends over a Negroni and admire the view of the Thames and the Houses of Parliament. The poolside restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and stainless steel bar, offers an all-day menu and late-night snacks, while the outdoor terrace and DJ booth add to the party potential of this urban bolthole for creative souls.

Local house membership costs £1,100 per year; single house membership costs £2,500 per year

180 Strand, Westminster, London WC2R 1EA
180thestrand.com

The Twenty-Two

18 best private members’ clubs in London: a definitive guide

Ever since Navid Mirtorabi – former owner of Blakes in South Kensington – and Jamie Reuben (of the billionaire Reuben dynasty) opened the doors to their members-only Mayfair club-hotel-restaurant in the spring of 2022, the city has been buzzing. Behind the beautiful Edwardian façade, designer Natalia Miyar has created a space that playfully and elegantly draws inspiration from classic 18th-century French design. Black and white tiles, sumptuous fabrics, shimmering colours, golden accents, chandeliers…. This place is opulent, decadent, indulgent, yes, but in a measured way. The atmosphere is more chic and discreet than sumptuous.

The members’ club spans the ground and lower floors, with four exclusive areas reserved for guests and hotel clients. There’s the paneled lounge with its outdoor terrace overlooking leafy Grosvenor Square, the powder blue dining room where Alan Christie’s menu is a Mediterranean take on British cuisine, the indoor-outdoor Vault bar and The Music Room nightclub, a maximalist’s dream with its leopard carpeting, dark red walls and mirrored tables where the glitterati come to let off steam. The entire operation is overseen by general manager Darius Namdar (you’ll know him from The Wolseley, Chiltern Firehouse, Mark’s Club) – so expect impeccable service.

From £750 per annum, with no registration fee

22 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K 6LFthe22.london

Annabel’s

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

As any recent visitor to Berkeley Square will know, it is almost impossible to miss Annabel’s. Throughout the year, its instantly recognisable façade undergoes a number of extravagant transformations, adorned with a huge Christmas tree during the festive season or adorned with lush foliage and exotic birds for theChelsea Flower Show. The club’s interiors are equally gloriously over-the-top, a riot of prints and vibrant colours devised by maximalist maestro Martin Brudnizki.

Annabel’s is steeped in history. First opened in 1963 by Mark Birley as a basement nightclub for London’s elite, everyone has enjoyed a cocktail or two – it’s even said to be the only nightclub the Queen ever visited. After being bought out by Richard Caring, the club reopened in 2018 in a beautiful Georgian mansion two doors down from its original location. Today, members have access to four floors including bars, terraces, a cigar lounge and spa, as well as six restaurants, including the latest, The Japanese, where you can feast on sushi and sashimi accompanied by the world’s best sake. This is Mayfair’s hedonistic glamour at its best.

Membership is £3,250 per year

46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5ATannabels.co.uk

Pavilion Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

When you think of Knightsbridge, you may have images of department stores and even more prestigious hotels. But sophisticated members’ clubs? Less so. But all that changed last year, with the arrival of Pavilion. A clever combination of private office space and beautifully designed lounges and bars (the group also runs fine business clubs in Kensington and the City), there’s a lot to like here, from the rooftop terrace overlooking Hyde Park to the menu helmed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge.

The interiors are no less impressive. Designed by Russell Sage Studio, the team behind the Goring’s Royal Suite, they’re opulent without being flashy – a mix of velvet tassel stools, ruby-red meeting rooms and chinoiserie-style wallpaper. There are also plenty of original touches that hark back to the building’s history: mosaic tiles and traces of copper and brass ironwork mingle with planters and rattan furniture to create a space that perfectly blends modern style with art deco accents. If this is the future of business, it looks bright.

Membership from £150 per month

64 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JF
pavilion.club

Arboretum

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Few private clubs can boast an indoor forest, but Arboretum is the exception. Billed as an escape in an ecological oasis, its verdant interiors grow discreetly behind the busy streets of Covent Garden to create a creative ecosystem for members. Here, it’s all about bringing together like-minded, environmentally conscious Londoners looking for a calm and tranquil sanctuary for work and well-being.

As well as facilities for podcasts and vlogs, the Arboretum offers workspace solutions ranging from open plan offices to owned offices that can be purchased with membership, making it an ideal place for agile entrepreneurs and freelancers. Meanwhile, a luxury gym allows members to recharge and re-energise, while events range from wellness offerings to networking opportunities, with soothing soundbaths hosted one night and inspiring roundtable discussions the next.

Membership is £450 per year

2A Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, London WC2H OHFarboretumlondon.com

Sessions Arts Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

It has taken six years of meticulous restoration, but the Sessions Arts Club was well worth the wait. Located on the fourth floor of the 18th century Old Sessions House courthouse in the heart of Clerkenwell, this unique space has been transformed into a stylish restaurant, wine bar and art gallery, all overseen by Swedish brothers Ted and Oliver Grebelius of Satila Studios, known for their urban-chic warehouse projects.

The interiors are stripped back – ramshackle walls, stucco colonnades, scrubbed wood floors and original fireplaces – and the mismatched furniture comes from salvaged markets and building sites. The airy gallery and performance space provides the perfect setting for the club’s progressive programming of exhibitions, workshops and events, while Florence Knight, formerly chef at Polpetto in Soho, brings her clean, seasonal style to the Art Club’s kitchen. While the club retains its air of exclusivity with a guest area, no paid membership is required, meaning anyone can join in.

POA

The Old Sessions House, 24 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0NAsessionsartsclub.com

Reception House

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

This Marylebone club is straight out of a fairy tale Bridgerton-spread across three impressive Georgian townhouses and resplendent with 18th-century opulence. That’s not to say it doesn’t have plenty of modern touches, as Russell Sage has added a 21st century twist to the interiors that perfectly complements the gilded ceilings and glittering chandeliers. The club has two restaurants, five bars, an intimate garden, gym and spa, as well as 23 rooms and several spaces to host wild parties.

In fact, its parties are so legendary that they were the basis for the creation of its new branch, House 21, which is younger, livelier and entirely dedicated to hedonism, inspired by the sumptuous parties of the famous Countess of Home. This is where you’ll find London’s brightest young people drinking cocktails and eating plates of seared tuna and octopus carpaccio, before settling in for a night of drag bingo or dancing on the tables while a DJ spins the decks until the wee hours.

Membership is £2,250 per year

20 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 6LWhomehouse.co.uk

Kindred

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Located in a Grade II listed building in the heart of Hammersmith, Kindred offers a range of inspiring cultural events and conferences in its airy workspaces and all-day café-bar. Each of these events is designed to help you amplify your work, make meaningful connections and build a functioning social network. Events are eclectic and feature live music, from showcasing emerging R&B artists to hosting a jazz night to hosting weekly outdoor concerts on the terrace. No wonder the members are described as ‘passionate, curious and forward-thinking’.

Much of this culture comes from the club’s founder, Anna Anderson, whose experience in social work made her realise the importance of organisations that put people at the centre of their concerns – hence Kindred’s emphasis on promoting genuine human connection. Much of this contact takes place in the club’s popular restaurant, Cellar, run by celebrity chef Andrew Clarke (former chef-director of Brunswick House). Here, the focus is on seasonal produce and local suppliers, such as Kiss The Hippo coffee and Two Tribes Brewery craft beer, which helps to build a sense of community.

Membership is £700 per year

Bradmore House, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9BWwearekindred.com

The AllBright Mayfair

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Founded by former Hearst CEO Anna Jones and serial entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow OBE, AllBright aims to be a community created for women by women, and its Mayfair club is the embodiment of that philosophy. Located in an elegant five-storey townhouse, the interior was designed by London-based stylist Suzy Hoodless, who transformed the space using a colour palette of soft greens, pinks and sleek white walls to display the collection of women-focused artworks chosen by resident curator Beth Greenacre. On the first floor, members can dine in the 80-cover restaurant, with a menu of sharing plates and zesty salads, while the second floor is home to the L’Oreal-run hair salon, where you can go for a pre-meeting blow-dry.

But the emphasis is on creating work spaces for women. So upstairs you’ll find huge oak communal tables in the co-working space, as well as a programme of inspiring events hosted by industry experts, from CEOs and founders to celebrity chefs and authors. The highlight of the club is undoubtedly the stunning fourth-floor rooftop terrace overlooking the Mayfair skyline – the perfect place to sip rosé in the sun or host a summer party.

Membership is £1,650 per year

24-26 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1S 1PPallbrightcollective.com

MEMBERS’ CLUB

5 Hertford Street

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Hidden behind an anonymous door in Shepherd’s Market is one of London’s most exclusive members’ clubs. Founded by Robin Birley – son of Mark Birley of Annabel’s fame – in 2012, it boasts an illustrious clientele – it’s said to be where Harry and Meghan had one of their first dates, and Kate Moss, Mick Jagger and Daphne Guinness are all known to frequent the legendary parties at the ground floor nightclub, Loulou’s, which was named after Birley’s cousin, the late designer and muse ofYves Saint Laurent Loulou de la Falaise.

With opulent Parisian-style interiors designed by Rifat Ozbek, known for his love of mismatched prints and textures, the vibe is that of a bohemian estate, with comfy Chesterfield armchairs for lounging in, snoring fireplaces and photos of family members lining the walls. There’s a cigar shop and a restaurant where you can bring your dog for lunch, as well as plenty of mood-lit corners to get lost in. Once described as “like a fairy tale”, there is definitely something magical about this place.

Membership is £1,800 per year

2-5 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7RB5hertfordsreet.com

St Barnabas House

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

This is a members’ club with a difference – as well as bringing like-minded people together, it was also set up as a social enterprise with a mission to break the cycle of homelessness. Located in a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse in Soho Square, the iconic building has been providing help and shelter to London’s homeless for over 150 years and continues to do so today through its innovative Employment Academy, which runs eight to 12 week programmes for people who have experienced homelessness.

With inclusion and community at the heart of the club, the aim is to change society while having fun. The founding members, including actor Peter Capaldi, DJ and record label founder Gilles Peterson and musician Jarvis Cocker, embody these values. The same philosophy applies to their cultural events: for every ticket sold at their recent Embassy Festival, one was donated to someone who could not afford it. Works by artists such as Tracey Emin and David Shrigley line the walls, while summer is spent in the club’s charming walled garden, the largest private garden in Soho.

Membership is £825 per year

1 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 4NQ
hosb.org.uk

The Curtain Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

The space formerly known as The Curtain Hotel has undergone a major refurbishment to open as Mondrian Shoreditch in 2021, marking the brand’s much anticipated return to London. The interiors are witty and imaginative across the 120 rooms, reception, lobby, double-height ground floor bar, all-day cafe and cocktail bar Christina’s Shoreditch, and BiBo, Dani García’s Michelin-starred tapas restaurant. Connoisseurs, however, will prefer to take the lift straight up to The Curtain members’ club.

Although it has kept its name, the club has undergone a sparkling refresh. Particularly in the Rose Bar and Lounge, where the rose gold ceiling and pillars sparkle alongside the jewel-toned velvet furniture and wooden walls, giving the space an Art Deco feel. This is the floor where the gym is located, with 24-hour access standard for members.

Further up, you’ll find Laurel’s on the Roof bar and restaurant, inspired by 1970s Los Angeles. For icy, spicy margaritas and a laid-back ballroom soundtrack, it’s hard to beat. It’s hard to beat, especially when you add a pool.

This is the ideal spot to unwind after a demanding day in the city and is situated inside the Mondrian London hotel on Curtain Road in Shoreditch. With the Design Studio, Rose Lounge, and Rose Bar, The Curtain Club has a chic interior.

There is a sizable variety of food and beverages, which features both conventional and contemporary cuisine.

For us, Laurel’s On The Roof, a gorgeous rooftop pool, is the most remarkable feature. Members also get access to a 24-hour gym, as well as activities like cabaret shows and wellness courses.

Membership is £1,000 a year

45 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3PT
sbe.com

The Arts Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

This Dover Street institution focuses on the world of arts and culture, with members drawn from the creative industries around the world. It’s not hard to see why they love it here: the permanent art collection of established and emerging artists rivals most London galleries, and the eclectic list of events covers topics ranging from the future of fashion and NFTs in the music industry to energy healing sessions and relationship astrology.

There’s a Mediterranean-inspired brasserie as well as a chef’s counter serving Japanese cuisine, and a late-night cocktail bar, Leo’s, where you can listen to live music every Friday and Saturday. But one of the biggest attractions is the exceptional Lanserhof Wellness Clinic, known as one of the best in London. Spread over six floors, members have access to a state-of-the-art fitness offering – which includes a high-tech gym, studio classes and personal training sessions – as well as treatments such as cryotherapy, healing massages and regenerative facials.

Membership is £2,500 per year (excluding Lanserhof membership)

40 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4NP theartsclub.co.uk

Oswald’s

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Not much is known about this highly secretive Mayfair club, which is owned by the same team as 5 Hertford Street – it doesn’t even have a website. But that’s precisely why its members love it so much. Robin Birley’s favourite spot is popular with celebrities – such as Dame Joan Collins, who regularly visits with her husband Percy – and politicians, with Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Nadhim Zahawi all spotted here in recent months.

Named after Mr Birley’s grandfather and originally billed as a club for wine lovers, customers can cellar their own wine or buy some on the premises before enjoying it on the small terrace at the back. But the main benefit is that you can enjoy your wine in peace and quiet, without anyone watching. With members such as David Beckham, the Earl of Snowdon and George Osborne, this is worth its weight in gold.

POA

25 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4HUoswaldsclub.com

Koko’s House

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

After a £70 million top-to-bottom renovation, Camden’s legendary Koko concert hall reopened with great fanfare in the spring of 2022. The three-year wait was more than worth it, as as well as restoring the magnificent 19th century building to its former glory, the refurbishment has created a stylish new club, House of Koko, where members have access to four floors of private spaces, all of which – unsurprisingly – focus on music.

There are two restaurants run by chef Andreas Engberg, a cocktail bar and a speakeasy, as well as a rooftop terrace where members can enjoy late-night acoustic performances. Several areas also celebrate the venue’s musical history, including a recording studio, piano room and secret vinyl listening rooms. There’s even a hidden jazz club, Ellen’s, where you can catch impromptu performances by renowned musicians.

Membership is £1,500 per year

74 Crowndale Road, Camden, London NW1 1TPthehouseofkoko.com

Mark’s Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

Part of the Birley Club group which includes Annabel’s, Mark’s Club was opened in 1972 as an alternative to the St James’s gentlemen’s clubs. So you can expect the same refined, old-fashioned atmosphere, without anything stuffy. Unlike some of the hipper new offerings on the London scene, Mark’s revels in its timelessness, which acts as a comforting antidote to the hustle and bustle of life in the capital.

The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, and customers are likely to be greeted by one of the club’s three dogs, Panda, Tonka and Mark IV, who often lounge by the fireplace. The food is excellent, run by Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Laridan, who was previously chef at Le Gavroche, and the club’s annual series of guest chefs is legendary, having attracted names like Margot Henderson, Elizabeth Haigh and Nieves Barragan in the past. But its members love it most for its otherworldly charm and unfailingly discreet staff.

POA

46 Charles Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5EJmarksclub.co.uk

South Kensington Club

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

One of the first members’ clubs to focus on fitness and wellness, lucky members of this club enjoy private access to one of London’s best spas. Most famous is its communal banya, a traditional bath that includes saunas, steam rooms and ice pools for a truly invigorating experience. There is also a Turkish steam room, an impressive list of treatments and a tea library where members can relax and de-stress after a massage or facial, as well as a beautiful daylight gym and numerous studios where daily fitness classes include pilates reformer, boxing, dance, HIIT, strength and conditioning, yoga and meditation.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood owned the building to display his art collection, while the baths are in the former home and studio of artist Francis Bacon. The Club Lounge is designed as a space for socialising and teamwork, while the Voyage Room hosts the club’s ever-changing events, which feature panel discussions, talks and workshops on a range of topics including health and wellness, biohacking, entrepreneurship, travel and more. The hidden gem is the large south-facing roof terrace, perfect for breakfast and lunch.

Membership is £3,930 per year

38-42 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3NDsouthkensingtonclub.com

Mortimer House

<em>The Glossary</em>’s definitive guide to the best private members’ clubs in London

With its prime central London location – right in the middle of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Goodge Street – and its stylish, open-plan workspaces and offices, it’s no surprise that this members’ club has become a favourite with the capital’s creative freelancers. Housed in a six-storey Art Deco building, it focuses as much on wellbeing as work, with a state-of-the-art 24-hour gym, a relaxed lounge with bar, a welcoming library and even a meditation room on the top floor.

The atmosphere is vibrant, whether you’re having an energising breakfast at Mortimer House Kitchen on the ground floor, where the cuisine combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours, or sipping post-work cocktails on the rooftop terrace, which offers stunning views of the city. The programming on offer is as varied as the membership, from book clubs and wellness weekends to psychology workshops and productivity classes.

Membership costs GBP 80 per month

37-41 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3JHmortimerhouse.com

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