St James’s Clubland: 5 of the Best
Words: James Somper
From the Chesterfield adorned Billiards Room at Whites to the Long Bar at the In & Out, London’s clubland has acted as a timeless refuge to the gentlemen. Since the establishment of Gentlemen’s Coffee Houses in the 1700’s, clubland and its strict code of formality and eccentricity has led it to remain a timeless sanctuary for the modern man. So, we’ve sorted the wheat from the chaff so that you can commence those all-important application forms and network building.
WHITES, , ?, Disraeli said that there were “two things an Englishman cannot command-being made a Knight of the Garter and a member of Whites”. After you’ve passed the members ballot and obtained the support of at least 35 existing members, you’ll have access to the oldest and most exclusive institution in clubland. One catch though. Men only and members are forbidden to discuss business on club premises. That doesn’t seem to deter the current membership though which reads like a page out of Debretts: even HRH himself had his 1981 stag party here.
Membership process: Election by at least 35 existing members.
THE CARLTON CLUB,
?The long seasoned outpost of the Conservative Party, the Carlton is one of the most actively political clubs in London. Most senior Tory officials are granted honorary membership whilst the club continues to fundraise and host functions on its behalf. Much larger than Whites, the Carlton offers access to one of the most unique club houses in London.
Membership Process: Recommendation by two existing members then election by a Scrutiny Committee.
BOODLE’S, , ?, Reputedly the site of Beau Brummel’s disastrous final bet before his escape to France, Boodle’s has always had an air of defiance and adventure. Originally founded as a meeting place for supporters of the Marquess of Lansdowne, the club’s membership is formed around most established landowners as well as the odd adventurer or two. Wellington was one its earliest members whilst Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming were known to munch away at the club’s “Orange Fool”.
Membership Process: Recommendation by two existing members then election by a Scrutiny Committee.
THE GARRICK CLUB, , ?, A motto of “All the world’s a stage” aptly describes what this club is all about. From Gielgud and Mills to Dickens and Thackeray, the Garrick has lived up to its aim of being a place where “actors and men of refinement and education might meet on equal terms” and where “patrons of the drama and its professors were to be brought together”. Founded in 1831 and named after the famed 18th century actor David Garrick, the Garrick boasts one of the most sumptuous club houses in London with its enormous art collection and theatrical library. This really is the place to escape to if one wants nothing more than a good gin and tonic and excellent company.
Membership process: Recommendation by two existing members.
THE IN & OUT CLUB (NAVAL AND MILITARY), , ?, The haunt of old comrades and adventurers alike, the “In & Out” is a time capsule with an immutable Imperial air. Established as a meeting place for officers of the Empire, the club now accepts applications from civilians and is one of the few with a mixed gender membership. Sit in the Long Bar with an amply sized club malt and you could honestly be in 1915, eagerly waiting for news from the Dardanelles.
Membership process: Recommendation by a proposer and seconder.
By James Somper
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