Whoa, tricky question because they're all good in their different ways. For sheer apex predator awesome it has to be White's. If you're a Prime Minister or own half the planet you may be invited to join. I'm not a member, oddly, and that's curious, because I am the Commandant of an irregular troop of light horse, the DLC (Dallas Light Cavalry). Huh.
White's being shut to us, we move down St. James by a few hundred yards and land at Boodles. What a beautiful and comfortable Club! Winston Churchill used to sit in its storied bay window and watch passers by. I love that place and used to sit in its famous window, imagining Churchill's shade, but haven't been there in many years; I always think of the smell of coal fires when I remember it. It has, by the way, an amazing 18thC dining room and outstanding wine, obvs.
So, walk across the road and what d'ye see? Brooks. I know nothing of Brooks. Keep walking and lo and behold, the Carlton Club. I used to enjoy that place in the '90s, when you could smoke in its Smoking Room and everything was cool and cashless. Just sign a chit, sorta thing. Haven't been there in ages. Still, you know it's good, there was a weighing machine next to the member's dining room. Perhaps there still is.
Next up. Carlton Club reverie over, stride forth into St. James Square, and what do you find? A veritable cornucopia of Clubs. The East India ain't shabby and offers a great Sunday lunch; order salmon and roast beef from the trolley if you're smart, and you won't be disappointed.
Replete, walk across the way to the Naval & Military (In & Out) to enjoy well-priced cocktails before heading over to the Reform Club on Pall Mall (not open on weekends apart from accommodation and an excellent breakfast). Excelsior. Of course there's others on that strip, notably the Travelers (Trav) and the Athenaeum, which I strangely haven't been to, all in good time.
Speaking of which, there used to be place called the United Services Club, opposite the Athenaeum, which apparently set the officers mess tenor of Clubland. It's now something awful, the Institute of Directors, where people have business lunches and learn how to do Powerpoint when not checking the market on their phones. It is not a club, sadly, so don't be fooled.
Pall Mall and Waterloo Place aside, you might want to keep walking towards Trafalgar Square, only to end up at the jolly old NatLib. Yes, the National Liberal Club, founded by Gladstone and still very much alive today. I like it for its exceptionally high ceilings and spectacular terrace overlooking the Embankment and its gardens. Most congenial and hardly snobby at all.
Now, dear readers, all five of you, there are many more clubs and they're all awesome, but this quick shoot-out's based on the ones I mostly visit, apart from White's, and these days Boodles and the Carlton. My favorite?
Unfair question because they're all most excellent, but I love the East India for Sunday lunch, the Reform for all 'round greatness, not least garden and architecture, the In & Out for a great courtyard where and for being in "Nancy Astor's place," not shabby, and the NatLib because rough and ready Gladstonian greatness, and you can smoke, eat and drink on its enormous terrace. So, each one is best in its particular way and what you want it for. Overall? I vote the Reform as the best on this list, but that's just me, I like them all.
So there you have it.
Clubland Forever,
LSP
4 comments:
Crusty Old TV Tech here. Excuse the ignorance, but what sort of entrance requirements are levied on the London clubs you mentioned? They sure seem like wonderful places, and to keep them so must entail some effort and discretion in allowing entrance, one might opine. I mentally try to put something like those establishments in, say, Snook, Texas, and the outcome is more ZZ Top than St. James's!
Ah, Tech. Entrance is typically a matter of being a member or a member's guest. Again, typically, there's a dress code, dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman or you don't get in.
Saying that, I remember a crew of pretty rough looking individuals at Boodles, enjoying a long lunch. One of them had brought in a large snake and I asked my host, "Why the snake?" He replied, "I expect they'll send it to the kitchen and have it for lunch," and so they did.
Hey, that's Boodles for you. But of all the Clubs I know, the NatLib's probably easiest because it's pretty relaxed, perhaps too much so, it's caused a stir in Clubland.
Here in Texas? I like to imagine my town's courthouse being a club, call it "Parsons," if you like. Would there be front hall porters (bouncers)? Yes. Would Willie be a member? Doubtless. Would Bob Weir be allowed in?
"I'm awfully sorry sir, not with those shorts."
Crusty Old TV Tech here. Bob Weir in the Parson's Club, now that's a funny sight! I think I fit in Groucho's criterion for a club, "I refuse to join any club that'd have me as a member!". That having been written, I would definitely sign up for The Parson's Club, it sounds like a cross between a London club and the Gruene Hall (or maybe Luckenbach, Texas)!
Tech, I think you'd enjoy it and, of course, automatic membership.
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