Black's reviews
I have been a member of Black's since the beginning, and it is far and above the best place in London to relax and enjoy good company. The drinks are excellent and well priced, the decor is wonderful as are the ghost stories, but by far the best element to this wonderful hideaway are the staff. They are bright, funny and great company. Many times I have arrived on my own and spent a fantastic evening with the staff, chatting about everything from Big Brother to Satre. I love that they are equal to the punters who go, and are not forced to wear some ghastly uniform. I came for a meal with friends last Saturday and we had a truly magical night! I sincerely hope that this small gem of a club doesn't change and lose its integrity like the rest of Soho...
by arnoldstar, 21 Oct 2009
by arnoldstar, 21 Oct 2009
I've been a member of Black's for about 10 years and have experienced the staff being rude and ever hurtful over the years, but the interior is to die for and as a visual artist this is what attracts me to the place. I keep nearly cancelling my membership and then changing my mind because it is a real gem of a place to meet people centrally.
I went to Black's today (15th October 2009) and they have made a real effort to move with the times. Realizing it's not interesting any more to chain-smoke and get rat-arsed like it used to be, the place is starting to mould into its own new form of sophistication. The new staff manage to be polite, upbeat and characterful, whilst at the same time managing not to appear like subservient idiots.
by anon6, 15 Oct 2009
I went to Black's today (15th October 2009) and they have made a real effort to move with the times. Realizing it's not interesting any more to chain-smoke and get rat-arsed like it used to be, the place is starting to mould into its own new form of sophistication. The new staff manage to be polite, upbeat and characterful, whilst at the same time managing not to appear like subservient idiots.
by anon6, 15 Oct 2009
Once again, a miserable display of rude manners at Black's. Every time I have frequented this supposedly charming refuge, I have had unpleasantness from the staff. We were virtually marshalled out rugby style by a woman who had given us no warning that we were overstaying our welcome. And my friends, who are members, were embarrassed and mortified. It looks good, the building is super, but for sheer bloody-minded disregard of the clientele every time I have been, I say it is pretty unappealing.
by Vi, 01 Oct 2009
by Vi, 01 Oct 2009
Beautiful building and decor. However, the staff were rude and you were made to feel as though you were bothering them being there. Inpatient, fake smiles that soon turned to glares and lots of eye rolling behind other customers' backs. Shame, as they let down what could be a gem of a place.
by TAV, 17 Sep 2009
by TAV, 17 Sep 2009
An oasis in crazy Soho. Chilling out with a chum in the upstairs lounge looking out at the madness of Dean Street makes you realise how rare this kind of place is now. They have tweaked some things recently - all good. Great staff and a great vibe. I wouldn't want to go elsewhere.
by ndawg, 03 Jul 2009
by ndawg, 03 Jul 2009
Visited Black's with some acquaintances and loved it. Would love to become a member.
by panosuk, 11 Mar 2009
by panosuk, 11 Mar 2009
Having visited Black's a few times now I can safely say that it is the perfect refuge from its oh-so-ho surroundings. Individual, great furniture, friendly staff, good drinks, not too expensive. What more could you ask for?
by Oscarius, 21 Jan 2009
by Oscarius, 21 Jan 2009
Been a member since the mid 90s, and like LLC below, I don't think I've ever had a bad time there. I don't understand the negative comments about the food, as I've eaten there literally hundreds of times and don't ever recall one bad meal. The wine list is very well chosen, prices are sensible, the staff (to me, at least) are very welcoming and friendly, and I love the no-mobiles and no-music policy. It's eating, drinking and talking, which is just the perfect balance. The place is eccentric, furniture a little shabby, but that's its charm. It's a great refuge from the ghastliness of Soho, and life without Black's would be very much poorer.
by screentalentagency (3 reviews), 30 Dec 2008
by screentalentagency (3 reviews), 30 Dec 2008
Have been a member since 1993 and rarely go anywhere else in the West End. Staff come, staff go; sometimes the food's great, sometimes it's a little disappointing; some members are brilliant, some members are onanists. But in fifteen years of going there, I've never had a bad evening.
by LLC, 23 Oct 2008
by LLC, 23 Oct 2008
Blacks is great. Guiseppe is a lovely man. The house is beautiful. HOWEVER: kitchen needs to be told that the food is terrible. I have been regular visitor there for nearly 6 years and the members have changed considerably. I am also older but anyway. The food was never great but now it is inedible. I have had upset stomach twice after eating there, including my last time about 1 month ago. Will never eat there again! Also now that Siobhan has left, the atmosphere is not the same.
by James Sales in The City (8 reviews), 24 Sep 2008
by James Sales in The City (8 reviews), 24 Sep 2008
The great thing about Black's is that complete wankers just don't get it. It's an ideal place to drink, eat, sleep, find an intelligent conversation, be seduced, or get lost.
When Black's was launched the membership committee was made up of 100 of London's most interesting, intelligent and attractive women. Each could invite just 10 people to join, so they thought quite hard about who to choose. Membership was full within a week. The result is a place with great members and staff who don't suffer fools gladly.
Bring a brain, a sense of humour and relax.
by katmandu, 01 Jan 2008
When Black's was launched the membership committee was made up of 100 of London's most interesting, intelligent and attractive women. Each could invite just 10 people to join, so they thought quite hard about who to choose. Membership was full within a week. The result is a place with great members and staff who don't suffer fools gladly.
Bring a brain, a sense of humour and relax.
by katmandu, 01 Jan 2008
Been a member since I organised the first ever Q Awards aftershow party here in '93. It's wonderful, so glad it's never changed. Some of the best nights of my life have been inside its Georgian walls.
by barbicanduck, 09 Oct 2007
by barbicanduck, 09 Oct 2007
I'm sitting there one evening with a bunch of friends, glugging down a good bottle of organic red (one of the managers is a wine buff supremo), when in walks someone wearing equestrian riding clothes and guitar case in hand. Next minute she's standing up on the long table and belting out Johnny Cash and Elvis songs! Now we're all singing along and clapping, some were dancing even! Priceless. You couldn't have made it up. Me, I'm thinking, "How do I get to become a member?" Such was/is Blacks...
by bonnieboots, 08 Sep 2007
by bonnieboots, 08 Sep 2007
I've always found it welcoming and comfortable and have become involved in some interesting conversations with random strangers and even made a date/friendship there as a result. The wine is good and well-priced, the food I've always found excellent (and at £20 fixed price for 3 courses, very reasonable) and there's even a miniature 'boudoir' room with bed-like sofa where you can get a little more privacy. Convincing 'real' fires too, for the winter months.
by AlvySinger, 21 Jun 2007
by AlvySinger, 21 Jun 2007
Joined 2 years ago. Love the atmosphere and the bohemian aspect. Great staff - you join a private club as a refuge, the people get to know you, it's like another home. Not a place for everybody, but you don't go there to pose or be seen (like the place across the street) or to drop a lot of dosh. The food's always good and the wine list is great and reasonable. Good coffee, and a real bonus is the quarterly tabloid called The Drawbridge, which proves people still have brains. And a toast to informality. As for the earlier remark about navigating drunks, have you ever been to a London club that didn't have them?
by El Yanqui, 16 May 2007
by El Yanqui, 16 May 2007
I love the air of louche scruffiness, but suspect that it's not to everyone's taste - my guess is that most people would know if they like it within 5 minutes. Food is very reasonable and generally good. I think it could do with opening slightly later than 1am.
by Anonymous, 21 Mar 2007
by Anonymous, 21 Mar 2007
The atmosphere is quiet and relaxed (although I've only been during the day). I don't quite understand the no cards policy - cards are hardly the preserve of the 'pretentious city types' referred to so frequently below. There can't really be anyone who goes there who doesn't have a card...
Plus the food is poor, if not unreasonably priced.
by Anonymous, 07 Feb 2007
Plus the food is poor, if not unreasonably priced.
by Anonymous, 07 Feb 2007
Black's is, without doubt, one of the most civilsed corners of London. The staff are delightful and the interior is glorious. It is a great place to lose oneself in a quiet corner for a snooze in the midst of a busy day in the West End. I was recently taken to Soho House for the evening and am pleased to say that I came running back to Black's with my tail between my legs. I think that posing is very important but it must be done with great subtlety as it is in Blacks. The food is a bit hit-and-miss but that only seems to add to its charms.
by spw, 27 Oct 2006
by spw, 27 Oct 2006
Have we missed a great members' club in London? Let us know.
