The Arts Club is one of the best, and liveliest, private clubs in London. Given the number of private 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. read more

Arts Club - Social Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

The Arts Club is a great spot for a quick drink, breakfast or dinner. The food menu is large so you can 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. read more

I have been a member of this club for many years. It used to be ok, but is has now become totally overrated. The wine is ridiculously expensive (ave 4x markup), and the meal is good - but no better than any other decent Mayfair restaurant. The membership also seems to now have slipped to mainly being elderly middle eastern men that have often had too much to drink. They also treat members like rubbish. Really, there are much better clubs around! read more

The Arts Club is a London private members club founded in 1863 by, amongst others, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, and Lord Leighton. My Tony Award winning nephew-in-law is a member (they're trying to get young blood) so he suggested having drinks & dinner here on one of our few nights in London. We arrived a bit before our reservations so we headed to the bar for a drink. We ordered some martinis & sat back to enjoy some people watching & conversation. This place is old school service (top notch) & very pleasant. We were notified that our table was ready so we headed to the dining room & were sat by a window overlooking their lovely garden. Very art-deco making you feel like you are in an old Hollywood film. The service was top notch as was the food. We ended up staying over 4 hours! H had the steak (duh) which he enjoyed (he did mention it tasted a bit different than here in the states) and I had the dover sole. We shared sides with the table. It's kind of hard to remember what we had since it has been several months since our visit. I do remember the experience was wonderful. Looking forward to visiting again. read more

There's no doubt this place has atmosphere, class, an ideal location, interesting and fabulously dressed clientele. The walls are covered in drawings and art work, there's a club in the basement hosting all kinds of events (Rudimental featured last night). A great place for drinks across two bar areas (it's heaving on week nights) and plenty of lounging area on comfortable sofas and reclining chairs. I had the pleasure of dining here for dinner in the ground floor restaurant with a friend who is a member. Very attentive waiters, great wine list and a varied menu featuring Italian, British and French dishes. 1. Foie gras with maple syrup served with toasted brioche slice - delicious! the maple syrup perfectly complemented the sweet, smooth foie gras. I thought one slice of tiny brioche was a bit stingy given there were two of us and the foie gras was enormous. 2. Caesar salad with chicken schnitzel - where were the bacon bits? where were the parmesan flakes? Loved the crispy schnitzel. 3. Lemon veal with capers - oversalted which was a shame because the veal was tender, flavoursome and cooked to perfection in a lemon sauce which was divine. 4. Potato dauphinois - perfectly creamy yet not overdone and the potato flavour came through 5. Venison - medium rare, tender and juicy chunks, exactly how it should be 6. Apple tart with vanilla ice cream - a thin apple tart with a lovely crunchy base but the vanilla ice cream tasted very bland and had an odd syrup through it. Great venue, great atmosphere despite lacking some warmth from its staff in the foyer and bar area, and food was borderline great - surprising given the exclusivity and price. read more

Arts Club - Social Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

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I am lucky that I have a friend that is a member so been here a few times. You may think going through the front door that this is a small place but you will be mistaken as there are several areas to enjoy, from the ground floor indoor restaurant and outdoor courtyard to the restaurant and lounge areas upstairs. I really enjoy going and would consider membership sometime in the future. I will have to do another review once i try the food to be honest so i am sorry for the short review this time but i will try to cover this spot again and do a much fuller review. Please note you need to be a member or invited by one to enter. read more

Class. Style. This place has got it. The Arts Club is currently getting refurbished, so it's a bit messy upstairs. However, they just renovated the downstairs into an awesome lounge area. The walls are covered in local artists work and are constantly changing and being painted over with new art. The room is decorated so tastefully in bookcases up to the ceiling, old chesterfield couches, and spotlights. There is also a television (actually 9 screens put together) to watch that is always playing an eclectic set of music videos, television, and films. This is the perfect place for members to bring a friend or lover to enjoy a drink or two, some light hors d'oeuvres, and pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper or whatever strikes your fancy. read more

The supper club downstairs is where we dined. Unfortunately they were fresh out of caviar. Service was very slow but picked up. Food quality was on point. The live music was pleasant. read more

Arts Club - Dinner. Glazed carrots. Ribeye. - Social Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

Most likely to be a gentlemen's club in the Victorian period; The Arts Club is a thriving social hot-pot for those in the creative and design industry. Anybody and somebody can step in to banter and gossip. An alumni, I've had pleasant drinks with colleagues and met likeminded people whose interests are varied as the make up of a garden. You've got to be a bit loaded to enjoy this suave air. Importantly bags and coats need to be checked in. But do come on Mondays between 6.30 - 8.30 pm and enjoy some festive mince pies and mulled wine. read more

This place is very cool and chic and you can only visit if you are with a member. We danced the night away in the lower floors with an amazing DJ and great cocktails. The top floor is a lounge with live music, full bar and beautiful views. The middle floor has dinner that I've heard is amazing although we did not dine the one time we went here. IF you can figure out how to get in here- do not miss this place while in London. You need to dress appropriately- no sneakers and dress chic. Super fun night! read more

I really enjoyed our dinner here. The food selection was great and each dish I tried was delicious. I liked the fact that we could go straight to the club afterwards and enjoy live entertainment, followed by a DJ later at night. This was the perfect spot for a birthday celebration! read more

Arts Club - Amazing burrata dish - Social Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

We celebrated New Year there, it was great! Drinks affordable, music very pleasant, all dressed up and welcoming 2012 together. Curious of going back there in the fall. read more

Well Appointed + Great Service Style // Sophistication Italian, British, French Dine in style, whether you are dressed business casual, or to-the-nines -- come grab a drink at the arts club. A friend who is a member invited me to join their group. We had a lovely dinner, drinks, and joined some other friends of a birthday party in the lounge. Beautiful interior, tasteful menu. Elegant details and a thriving social hot spot. The Scene: Elegant, Dressy Destination Rating: 9 Date Rating: 8 Hob Nob Potential: 8 Note: Enjoy! read more

Very nice place. Quite a venue. Outstanding service with a smile. Welcomed from the doorman the table. Decor is amazing an the refurbishment on the building 100%. Has a long great history. Had Dover Sole, a slight spin on the classic which was very nice indeed. Creamed Spinach was different as was the de-constructed carrot cake. Yes !! Hopefully receive another invite as is a private members club and i live 1000's of miles away. SC. read more

Been here for lunch and dinner, last time wa last Tuesday evening. I have never given anything 5 starts but this place really deserves the rating. The decor is not to everyone's taste, and certainly not mine, but it doesn't matter. It all adds to the general ambience of a relaxed, comfortable place to take your friends, where the staff can't do enough for you. As for the food, it's just fantastic. My guests and I have tried all kinds of dishes, and no-one has ever made a negative comment. I had fish, beef, snails, scallops, amongst others; and I have nothing but praise for them all. The only slight downside is that the kitchen has a policy of bringing out the meals when they're ready, regardless of the state of other food. So you could be eyeing your companion's plate for a good few minutes before your own arrives, but it's always well worth the wait. The wines are excellent, but some cheaper ones would be appreciated. Having said that, you don't go to the Arts Club to scrimp. I have eaten in the restaurant downstairs as well as the bar upstairs. The full menu is not available in the bar, but the main dishes are, and the service is no different. Whilst everything is this good, I'm going to continue to come here as often as I can. read more

Came as guests of a member and could not be more impressed. From the white glove handling at the front doors to the elegant appointments between floors, we were considering applying by evening's end. We dined in a corner table and always felt like there were at least two servers responding to us. We had champagne to start, and a host of starters that included the sea bass ceviche, caprese, and others that overwhelmed the table for us three. After feasting on the more delicate items, our mains came - steak, prawns, and another sea bass, accompanied by red and white wine per entree. The art, on the walls and on our plates, are very tasteful. Cannot wait to come back to try the Japanese supper and catch some musical sets. read more

Well the Arts Club reminds me of an "old boys club" where men in tweed jackets sit and smoke cigars while reading the paper and discuss politics. The atmosphere is a bit like that but they actually let women in now, and is very open to younger people attaining membership (around £500 per year). The Arts Club was founded by Lord Leighton and Charles Dickens in 1863 and is now supported by HRH Prince Philip. There are clubs with in this club such as the University of the Arts Alumni Association (how I get in) was well as the Writers Club and the Dutch Club with individual dues and memberships. This is an excellent place for networking within the arts and meeting some very interesting people. Weddings, meetings, parties, and exhibitions of all sorts can be hosted within the Arts Club, but mainly it is a wining and dining experience but it is imperative that BRING YOUR CREDIT CARD! read more

Absolutely beautiful space! The food is stellar. The Chef is from La Petite Maison?? The service is great. and the art is fun and fresh (Condo...) read more

I don't think I fully understand the London social scene with its "clubs," but this one seemed as good as any. My friend was a member although no one really asked me about it (I think some others did have trouble at the door). The food was nice as were the wines, but there didn't seem to be anything too special about the place other than ambiance. read more

An extraordinary experience from beginning to end. The staff here will go to no end to accommodate the member and guests. The bar staff are very skilled, the wait staff could use a bit more personality, but they know what they're doing and have offer spot on suggestions if you're stuck. The lounges are neat ad provide an amazing platform for some great people watching. Food, drinks and staff were top notch. read more

Significant refurbishment has left this very elegant establishment more trendy than classy, but the overall effect is still impressive. Service is impeccable and food is delicious, with extensive wine list and good cocktails. Overall expensive, but within expectations of this genre. Good outside area as well. Diners have to be Members/guests and a number of the more long-standing Members have started to leave with the influx of 'new money', sadly there is a view that this could be headed the same way as Annabel's. read more

I think The Arts club is a beautiful building, the decor still a bit like the decor of a fancy hotel but it feels very spacious. The staff are friendly and helpful, drinks are expensive but very strong. Unfortunately this members club has too many bosses wanting to run the show, there are at least 5-7 managers, all of them wanting to rule, so they stress everyone around making the place quite stiff. This place could have potential of becoming The best Arts Club in London, in terms of getting great live shows, culture, artist, but it seems to be a disagreement between owners. So it is in danger of becoming another Boujis, Cuckoo Club or Mahiki which is around the corner. So as a customer I still don't know what they are trying to do with this place. It might as well turn out to be like any members club in London with wanna be spoil people who like to be seen around few celebrities. I think Mark Ronson as music director is smashing. He can bring culture and real people and talent to this place. He could make The Arts Club of Mayfair a unique experience, but its is up to may be too many uncultured people to make decisions on behalf of his role. The live bands we have seen so far been amazing, its been a very different experience, and we hope that this Beautiful ARTS CLUB in Mayfair keeps its charms and unique set up in where people enjoys a wide range of great culture and music. Dj's that play all night Beyonce or Disco at clubs are many around, usually they are too loud and obnoxious. The Arts club's members club has a very high number of members that are an older crowd who go there with friends for dinner and drinks to enjoy live music and a little dance. I really hope that Mr Arjun Waney and Brian Clivaz let Mark Ronson do his job as music director and give us customers the opportunity to enjoy the shows being presented at The Arts Club. Lets hope Mark Ronson can stay and do his job. If you are thinking to become a member I would wait for few weeks to see if this place will become a great unique place or another of those posh private members club. read more

Fantastic atmosphere and great people! What more can you ask for?

Cancelling my membership here - the place just disappoints at every level. It used to be a charming old club (in some need of updating) with an old library upstairs and a fairly unique atmosphere (5-6 years ago). Now, after the refurbishment, it looks like a blank 4+-star hotel - and nothing like an 'old gentlemen's club'. Used club facilities only twice in the past two years - the first time, before the refurbishment, was very disappointed at the service and the quality of food (which used to be very good years ago). There were lots of people in jeans and t-shirts around the dinner time, and the overall experience was just very mediocre. Felt awkward in front of my guests who had dressed up and expected something much better. The second time invited some guests for a Sunday brunch. The interior is all new but has lost its charm, the service remained very bad: my guest was waiting for his mini burgers for about 40 mins (!) while other people at our table had to start eating their entries. He had to cancel the order at the end and left the club hungry and very disappointed. No apologies or effort from the staff. My dish was ok, nothing special, and had to be eaten cold after waiting 20 mins for my friend's entry. There were many people at the club on Sunday, however, I doubt they all had to do with the arts world as the atmosphere was just like in a hotel (plus a very bad service!) or at my gym's restaurant. Many of members whom I knew had left the club. The management keeps frustrating every time - nothing they promise works, everything is inefficient. Had to call many times to discuss my membership, never called me back. When I finally reached someone, was not even asked for my reasons to leave or what they could do to improve (and this made me certain I had to cancel). I work in the arts so could have contributed to the club activities once it re-opened, but doubt they can offer anything worthy in return. Will join another club in London. read more