Groucho Marx famously asserted that he "didn't want to be part of any club that would accept him as…read morea member." Well, the East India Club is unlikely to accept this working-class boy into its ranks. So how exactly am I meant to feel about it? Signed in by a friend who has membership from his public school days, I instantly felt a bit out of place, sweating slightly thanks to the July heat and my thick funeral/interview/wedding suit-tie combo. But two quite-reasonably-priced drinks in, I'd stopped worrying. Three, and I'd decided that no-one in an ill-fitting double-breasted blazer could intimidate me. Four, and Tarquin was my new best friend. Eton, donchaknow? Smashing chap. Assuming you don't want to spend the whole evening lamenting the country's lack of a strong, Thatcher-esque leader - ironic given The East India Club is mostly off limits to the fairer sex - the restaurant has to be the main attraction. And oh my, the food is exquisite. Once I'd stopped giggling at "gentleman's relish on toast", I finished every last morsel of my generous duck main. And wolfed down a large slab of raspberry tart. The house wines were superb, as was the port. And while it was all pretty far from cheap, the quality well out-stripped the price. So will I be looking to weasel my way into this old boy's club and experience such fine living on a regular basis? Erm, it was nice and all, but no thanks. Besides, I'm too old to grow a floppy haircut and too young to die of gout.

The best bar in London, really friendly atmosphere and great staff. Can't recommend it enough!read more

One of the best place's in London. Great food. Posh atmosphere. Good drinks. Best on a week days…read more(Tuesday, Thursday)

We made a booking early in the week and promptly received a response and confirmation of our…read morebooking. Service was speedy and they were constantly at our table either refilling our water glasses or seeing what other drinks they could provide. Delicious cocktails! I am not quite sure what I had but one of them included honey and it was perfect.

Such a London vibe. If you have a way to get in here, you should visit. You don't want to show up…read moretoo casual, but you also don't have to be dressed to the nines. As far as I know, you can only get in here with a membership or as a guest with a member, since it's a 'private club.' They really value classic drinks here, and a classic scene; lush couches and private corners, dark and intimate, great service. The old school cocktails were delicious. There was some shady stuff going on in the bathroom...but I'm not surprised.

Invited in for a drink by a member, I couldn't help but be overawed by the club, its architecture,…read moreand its heritage. The Italian palazzo influence is clear in the marble columns and the central 'courtyard' (roofed, in deference to London's climate). The club sprawls off into various rooms, all fitted out as you'd expect with leather armchairs and floor to ceiling bookcases wherever there isn't a portrait of an illustrious club member hanging on the walls. As my host said, he likes to drop in here from time to time to escape from the 21st century (there's a strict ban on mobile phones), and it really does feel like stepping back in time. If you get an invite to visit or dine here, drop everything else, get your suit dry cleaned, and say yes!

The rooftop is beautiful and feels a little swanky, but is fairly chill, with everyone pretending…read moreto mind their own business. Good people watching for sure. And an amazing non-alcoholic drink menu! It was super cigarette smokey, though. Apparently, the non-smoking movement hasn't reached further than the U.S. yet. Disgusting. Anyway, our server was ok, but I can't comment on the food, as this was a pit stop to kick off our evening before dinner. Fun to look at all the different cool rooms, they have.

I would actually want to join Soho House just for this location if I lived in London. The…read morefireplaces and big comfy armchairs knocked my socks off. A basic need of mine is to sit in here with a novel and a cup of tea every day

I am just speaking of dining here. I was fortunate enough to be invited by a member to dine and wow…read morethis was some exceptional fine dining! Expectations management - with drinks it comes out to be about 90 to 100 pounds (assuming you get a multi course meal. It can be more depending on what you order). Guests receive the menu without prices, so you don't know what you order unless it is divulged by the host. Service - the best service I have ever had for fine dining across 19 different countries. Wine - this is what makes this place the best. The sommelier is personable, and knows ever wine off the menu pretty much (we went across the board) and gave us perfect pairing advice. Desert - to die for. Be it formages that custom served off a board or cream, perfectly put together and served.

My friend has access to the club and took me there for afternoon tea. We sat in a beautiful parlor…read moreroom for tea that basically made me feel like Ron Burgundy - I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. Tea is reasonably priced at 25 GBP per portion - and each portion was huge. The server very wisely recommended the three of us to order two afternoon tea servings instead of three, and even two servings were too much. Each order came with four scones, eight large pastries, four finger sandwiches, and a tasty prawn tartlet. Definitely recommend the tea service if you get a chance to visit the Royal Automobile Club!

The Arts Club is one of the best, and liveliest, private clubs in London. Given the number of…read moreprivate clubs in London that is certainly saying a lot. Beyond the bars and dining, there is the history of the Club. The Arts Club was founded by Charles Dickens and Anthony Trollope. It is of course interesting to dine anyplace where Charles Dickens once dined, but to dine at a club which Dickens founded is an entirely new level of connect.

The Arts Club is a great spot for a quick drink, breakfast or dinner. The food menu is large so you…read morecan satisfy about any requirements with plenty of variety. The bartenders have a regular contest for cocktails so those are always fun to try. Their bar snacks are also excellent with both olives and nuts.

My dearest seeker of the London and England of yore: this is the answer to your prayers…read more No tourists. No yuppies. No pretention. Just a remarkable crowd, a historic setting, a kitchen one could be excused for believing God managed himself and the standard of service inherent in places where the patrons know exactly what they desire will greet you beyond the seemingly unremarkable door of the Carlton Club. One day a good friend of yours will offer to take you to this wonderful club. Treat it as a honour second solely to meeting Her Majesty. You will come close to begging to go back, realizing soon enough that a good friend, a "please" and a mutually convenient time are all it takes. Because there's no pretention. It's a private members club, not a celebrity-spotting night joint. Which is exactly why the Carlton Club is the place to go and hang out with some of the world's most remarkable people. If you're having dinner your friend will know the drill, the menu and the best options. I recommend choosing the main courses from the daily menu (not the big a-la-carte one) and a dessert from the full menu, with house wine. Following that, do ask your friend for a small tour of the place, then chill next to the fireplaces in the drawing room with a glass of port or sherry. Have an intellectual conversation and wonder how, by what twisted turn of fate has the world fallen from the grace, class and composture this club still thankfully embodies.

Hot DAMN, this place is old school. Lovely though, and with such class that's not pretentious at…read moreall. I did rather feel that as a woman, I shouldn't be allows to 'roam the halls' unattended, but that didn't make me feel uncomfortable. I went to a breakfast event here, which was really fun. The central location made it easy to get to, the staff were all really attentive and polite, but the coffee and pastries? Hmm. Not so good. In fact, quite poor. For such a grand place, I think they either need to change their suppliers or start cooking in-house.

I came here for a work dinner and I always feel a bit mystified with members only clubs. Funny…read morething is that for all the ones that I've been to, they just seem like regular bars and places but with less people. I've never been to a place where there is a dress code where the men have to wear a jacket and tie! Lucky for me being a lady it's a lot easier and more comfortable. Now, this place is really old school English hang out. I went to the ladies and was puzzled with this brush that looked like something you'd use on horses. I asked one of my colleagues and turns out to be a clothing brush (who woulda thunk it?). We were in a private room which kind of reminded me of something out of Downton Abbey. Non vegetarians had this lobster and crab cake like thing which was delicious which was paired with a white wine. Once we were done with that, we had roast lamb with seasonal vegetables. Now this is where I felt like I was dining at someone's home. The servers first distributed the plates then had a hug platter of lamb and served each person - then the vegetables, then last gravy. I'm probably making a big deal out of something quite common but I was soaking it all in. All of it was deliciously prepared and presented. If I get another chance to piggy back my way in here, I'd totally go back!

Like most of the gentleman's clubs of old, this place has a unique charm and effortless style that…read morecomes from being a members only establishment. Some of the rooms were recently updated by the man who did the Downing Street interiors. One of the few Gentleman's Clubs that actually still only admits men to most of its rooms, the Travellers' is a unique place with a friendly and pleasantly formal atmosphere. The food is good, the service immaculate, but different from commercial places. I agree with the other reviewer that the smoking ban is regretful, but I suppose times move on. If you have a chance to be invited to this establishment you will not be disappointed.