Anyone here a member of this wine-centric private club in London? Would be interested in any thoughts - feel free to PM me if you prefer.
No, but my parents smoked those in the 50’s and 60’s.Sorry David ,I couldn’;t help myself.
My wife and I are founder members and I’m good friends with the 2 guys who founded it. Full disclosure aside, I’m a big fan.
I’m a member and it’s an awesome place. Nowhere quite like it!.
Not a member but have been as a guest a few times. It’s a fabulous place and I would be a member if I was in London more.
We are members. We are Americans living in the UK. It costs £1500 a year for the privilege to belong. In general, it is worth it for us - middle aged and “comfortable”. I can’t say for others. The restaurant and club room dining are good quality (less so in the summer) but pricey and the menu gets to be a bit of a drag after a few visits. The service is excellent though. In addition, the staff and site are exceptional. Now on to wine. Great list in the rooms, tastes and glasses by Coravin that are hard to beat, always changing list, superb stewards and fantastic events.
Thanks to all for the input! If anyone willing to sponsor and/or second me, drop me a PM!
Topical since I am moving to London next year. Red up on this place and it sounds fantastic.
I saw the sponsorship bit. How does that work? Is it like some country clubs where you can apply and they will ‘match you with a sponsor’? Or do you simply have to know someone there who will sponsor you? Note: not asking for anyone here to do that. Just trying to understand the process.
A friend of mine was sponsored by a merchant I do business with. He spends maybe one week in four in the UK and loves it.
It’s a common feature of London’s private clubs. In essence they are seeking someone who is prepared to “vouch” for you. The simplest viewpoint of this process is them ensuring you’ll be good company for the other members.
I’ve been a few times. Though I enjoyed it, you can go through a great deal of money very fast, sampling “must-try” wines.
Honestly, I prefer sharing fewer wines with friends at a good restaurant. To me, watching the evolution of a single great wine over the course of an evening is more enjoyable than small samples of several great wines.
That said, I enjoyed each of my visits, and they do what they do very well. It really is horses for courses.