Anyone into Gentlemen's club scene in London? =not strippers

[MPoon]

Is anyone in the Gentlemen's club scene in London?
Can anyone tell me how the food is at the East India Club or the Travelers Club?

MP

[mattdaniels]

I've never frequented either of those establishments. I was at the Savile Club just before Christmas and the food and wine were absolutely superb. They even let me in without a tie, but the maitre d had a quiet word when my host went to take his jacket off at the dinner table.

[Noger]

EID - Not been for many years (got a long membership after leaving school) but it was pretty good, pretty much the sort of food you would expect. And a fairly decent curry.

Although clearly Spearmint Rhino is the recipe of choice

[Harry Flashman]

I thought that this was my thread for a moment.

Carry on.

[chris.mapey]

Haven't eaten at the East India for a few years, but the food was great when I was last there.

[Turbodiesel1690]

Do gentlemens clubs actually still exist then? As they did in the 39 steps? Surely not

[benmc]

I have eaten at East India many years ago. Remember a great Roast Beef and well priced beer.

[Tinod]

I have been to a few on the inter-club circuit, always v impressed and had a fantastic evening. That said sophisticats is always a winner.

[MPoon]

Ahh the inter-club... yes, I have been to a few of their events, but, the last time I was at the East India Club, I found them to be very unfriendly towards reciprocal members. In fact, when the porter asked me which reciprocal club I was from, I said I was from the National Liberal Club, and he replied "Oh, never heard of it!"
Must be the conservative-ness of the place, coupled with my membership of a liberal club.

Edited by MPoon on Tuesday 22 February 12:50

[Longwool]

Farmers club is a rural oasis in Central London, not sure that there will be many on here who use it though.

[MPoon]

I use the Farmer's club too, but prefer the National Liberal next door.

[HereBeMonsters]

How does one become a member of one of these clubs? Oxbridge graduation, I guess?

[MPoon]

HereBeMonsters said:

How does one become a member of one of these clubs? Oxbridge graduation, I guess?

Oxbridge graduation would ensure the possibility of becoming a member at the Oxford and Cambridge, yes.

But none of the other clubs have alumni requirements. Just know the right bunch, and you might find a proposer/seconder who will vouch for you. Simple process really, assuming you don't get blackballed, in which case your proposer would be obliged to resign. (very shameful obviously!)

[Noger]

East India still has, IIRC, the ability to get in within 18 months of leaving "public school" with a letter from your head. You then get 7 years membership for a reduced fee. There are probably similar arrangements for others, with different criteria.

Other than that, if you pitched up as a decent chap and asked nicely, I am sure they would be very helpful.

[XJSJohn]

Have been to the East India a few times on reciprocal from Tanglin.

Food is very good, a rather nice selection of wines too, and a lovely old world style.

RAC is not too shabby either.

[Tinod]

To become a member of some of the clubs you require current members to nominate you forward and your application will then go to a selection committee.

[NDA]

Turbodiesel1690 said:

Do gentlemens clubs actually still exist then? As they did in the 39 steps? Surely not

They do. Supposedly a haven from the hustle and bustle as well as being your home in London.

Unfortunately the smoking rooms are now non-smoking, amongst other changes.

Generally the menus are very good and the wine lists excellent - the travellers is very good.

[XJSJohn]

NDA said:

Unfortunately the smoking rooms are now non-smoking, amongst other changes.

you should visit some of your reciprocal clubs in the colonies .....

[MPoon]

do they allow smoking in the Tanglin club?

[MPoon]

Tinod said:

To become a member of some of the clubs you require current members to nominate you forward and your application will then go to a selection committee.

Yes that is a good process, blackballing is a good process too to ensure that the values on which the club was founded are preserved.
Clubs which don't have restrictions aren't so desirable I think since you cannot control who your fellow members are.