London’s fanciest private members’ clubs

[El Presidente]

 

 

 

London’s fanciest private members’ clubs

 

The capital has a long history of private clubs, and they’re only getting better. Tom Chamberlin on London’s most in-demand memberships and why you should want to join

 

Mark’s Club bar

MILO BROWN

tom-chamberlin

 

Tuesday October 28 2025, 4.05am GMT, The Times

 

CONTINUED

[03Hemi]

Not too shabby, but my cigar lounge I'm building at my house will be more, let's say, interesting?

I'm working on my medieval style cigar lounge, it'll be finished off in an old English library/den, dark academia motif on the inside. I've recently completed my door and entrance along with the aging details.

[Havanaaddict]

Little too fancy for me, I think not really a suit and tie kind of guy when I’m smoking cigars🤣 I think you reach a point in your life where comfort while you’re relaxing is the most important thing. Comfortable chair not too cold not too hot. For me I enjoy sitting in my air-conditioned home lounge in my essentials fear of God sweatpants and hoodie watching something on Netflix.😉

[BrightonCorgi]

Sounds great to join if you live nearby.  

[JDoughty]

I'm with @Havanaaddict. Pufferating in my camo pajamas on a comfy couch next to my fireplace with my feet resting on the furniture is how I like it. You can't act up that way in a fancy club. I mean, I guess you can, but probably only once. 

[03Hemi]

I agree, chill'n is the best!

We have lounges at our houses (well, I'm working on mine), but we meet every Tuesday for cigar night. My buddy Scott (in back) and I (handsome fellow up front) have been meeting now for around 10 years every Tuesday and it's just grown from there. This is my buddy Scott's lounge and walk-in humidor at his house.

...And my upstairs, unfinished medieval lounge. I'm going ahead and buying all my furniture as I go along so it'll be ready when I finish it. That far end wall will be bookcase from floor to ceiling/wall to wall, I collect antique books too.

[ha_banos]

There's so many here. If anyone wants to take me I'll have a look. But I ain't wearing no suit!

@03Hemi that's looking mighty interesting!

 

[Fuzz AI]

3 hours ago, 03Hemi said:

 

 

Is your friend there a CIA operative, an undercover DEA agent, or Rob the Oral-B dentist? 

[03Hemi]

2 hours ago, Fuzz AI said:

Is your friend there a CIA operative, an undercover DEA agent, or Rob the Oral-B dentist? 

Yes, with one of the alphabet agencies.

[Fuzz AI]

7 hours ago, 03Hemi said:

Yes, with one of the alphabet agencies.

Damn, I was hoping he was Rob the Oral-B dentist.

[03Hemi]

10 hours ago, Fuzz AI said:

Damn, I was hoping he was Rob the Oral-B dentist.

No, but the stories he "can" share are pretty entertaining.

[03Hemi]

Major score today and mini update...
 

After several failed attempts and failed arrangements to buy my Chesterfield couch, I finally secured the perfect one! My seating is now complete. Purchasing tables and artwork now. Finished my stairs coming up, illuminated cubby holes and just about done with my insulation then it's on to the interior stone walls in the stairwell.

Moving along well...

 

[03Hemi]

The walls will be adorned with various Medievial knights helmets all the way around.

[Ken Gargett]

when i was studying/working in London, i had reciprocal membership with the Caledonian Club, which i rarely used, and The East India, Devonshire, Sports and Public Schools' Club, which i used a lot. wonderful place. would often see Keith Miller dining there for lunch with his old mates. 

[03Hemi]

6 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

when i was studying/working in London, i had reciprocal membership with the Caledonian Club, which i rarely used, and The East India, Devonshire, Sports and Public Schools' Club, which i used a lot. wonderful place. would often see Keith Miller dining there for lunch with his old mates. 

Noticed the extensive use of Chesterfield furniture looking up "The East India, Devonshire, Sports and Public Schools' Club" for reference since I'm going for a 1920's, English Gentlemen's style finished in a Medievial Dark Academia decor when done. The Chesterfield's and club chairs and old leather bound books are ubiquitous to this style of room. I had to have at least two pieces of Chesterfield like this (couch and green wingback in my photo) along with my 1920's club style chairs for my room, this was very deliberate. The back wall with the window will be a wall to wall/floor to ceiling bookcase packed with 19th century and older books, I collect antique books too. My walls will be similar to these as well.

 

Interesting? I have already procured a couple of old desk lamps like the one above.

[BrightonCorgi]

There is bookcase mural wallpaper that may help out on a wall.  Or other designs that may play to your theme!