Annabel's

Annabel's is an exclusive private members club in Mayfair, London, located at 46 Berkeley Square.

The entrance to Annabel's
The entrance to Annabel's (left, with doorman) in 2014
44 Berkeley Square, first home of the Clermont Club, a gambling club. Today the basement is the location of Annabel's

In 2018, Annabel’s opened the doors to its much-anticipated new home, a Grade I listed Georgian mansion house at 46 Berkeley Square.[1] Set across 26 000 square feet and positioned just two doors down from where it all began in 1963, Annabel’s has been transformed into an all day and all-night private Members’ Club. At its core, Annabel’s remains a place to entertain and be entertained. With a timeless combination of comfort, glamour and intimacy, the Club continually strives to create an atmosphere that is as unforgettable and celebratory as ever, for a diverse, eclectic and cosmopolitan membership. Annabel’s has earned a global reputation founded on superb service, exclusive ambience, first class cuisine and unparalleled entertainment.

Before the club moved to its new location in 2018, Annabel's was previously located at 44 Berkeley Square, London. It was founded by entrepreneur Mark Birley and named after Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, then his wife.

Annabel's was founded in 1963, after Birley's friend John Aspinall decided that they needed somewhere to party after an evening's gambling. As a result, Birley turned the basement of Aspinall's casino, the Clermont Club, into a nightclub, and named it after his then wife, Annabel, who went on to marry Birley's friend, Sir James Goldsmith. Birley later blocked off the private staircase linking the Clermont above.

Annabel's was a members-only nightclub. In 2003, the Queen visited the club, and it is thought to be the only nightclub the Queen has ever attended. [2][3]

Entertainers who have played there include Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry and Lady Gaga.[4] The sumptuous interior which was originally designed by Birley and designer Nina Campbell, was later updated by Birley's daughter, India Jane, but the paintings from Birley's collection remained.

New ownership

On 5 June 2007, after more than a year of negotiations, Annabel's was acquired by Richard Caring, a clothing tycoon and owner of The Ivy restaurant, in a deal thought to be worth £90 million. The deal also included the purchase of three other nightclubs including Mark's Club. The original Annabel's closed its doors in 2018. A successor day and night club was opened in a building nearby with a different membership.

See also

References
  1. "The chef at the new Annabel's Club tells you what to expect". British GQ. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  2. Morgan, Ben (29 January 2015). "Mayfair members club Annabel's set to relocate after more than 50 years". Evening Standard. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  3. Mount, Harry (20 January 2015). "Why there'll always be an Annabel's". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  4. "Club Class? Past and future of Annabel's". The Independent. London. 10 August 2005.

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