The History Behind London’s Private Members’ Clubs

Club culture took off in London in the 18th century, and by the early 20th century, the whole of St. James’s—the swanky area between Piccadilly and Buckingham Palace—was occupied by grand buildings dedicated to the various interests of the great and the good. Collectively known as gentleman’s clubs, these establishments have, amazingly, nearly all survived, and despite archaic and convoluted membership processes, they are very welcoming to any visiting American who has taken the…