Last night, I went to the launch of a book about London Clubs in the Subscription Room at Brooks’s. Tonight, I have been reading it.
What comes across very vividly is how varied London clubs now are, not least in the admirable photographs taken by Laura Hodgson. Of course, there are the traditional ones in Pall Mall, still opulently palatial. Then, there are the ones established in the 1980s like 2, Brydges Place which did damage to my waistline in the 1990s, and the Groucho, now owned by Hauser and Wirth. Jones treats them not really as clubs, but as examples of interior decoration, which he writes about interestingly and with an observant eye.
It’s a bit more expensive than I thought, but beautifully produced, an opportunity to visit all those clubs of which I am not a member.
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
I wonder if Mr Jones mentions the Union Club in Greek Street? Not only a fine 1730s building but also home to a truly individual collection of art of all sorts, amassed since the early 90s primarily, I understand, by leading light Pete Cross. The members are interesting too. As is the wine list.
Yes, the Union Club is there – one of the ones I don’t know. Charles