Black's reviews
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
Best members club by far - it has real character and style. Low-key and staff are friendly. Just engage your sense of humour, switch off your mobile, don't be an a**ehole and you'll fit right in.
by The Doubtful Guest, 09 Oct 2006
by The Doubtful Guest, 09 Oct 2006
I'm lucky enough to be having a party there over the bank holiday weekend and the staff have been absolutely amazing. This is the best members' club in London - it has character and style!
by Lady Jane (2 reviews), 14 Aug 2006
by Lady Jane (2 reviews), 14 Aug 2006
Wonderful place. Even though I've moved to the other side of the world, I can't bring myself to give up my membership. It's worth it for 2 weeks every 2 years.
by leobadger, 03 Aug 2006
by leobadger, 03 Aug 2006
Fantastic! Open fires, great atmosphere. Pompous city types actively discouraged by the hilariously rude and intelligent staff.
Woe betide anyone who turns on their mobile phone, or dares speak to their waiter or barman on anything other than an equal footing.
If you want forelock tugging join Whites not Blacks.
If you're lucky enough to gain membership, enjoy!
by Granville Park, 27 Apr 2006
Woe betide anyone who turns on their mobile phone, or dares speak to their waiter or barman on anything other than an equal footing.
If you want forelock tugging join Whites not Blacks.
If you're lucky enough to gain membership, enjoy!
by Granville Park, 27 Apr 2006
I can't understand why anyone would pay good money to go to this distinctly ordinary place. The staff are rude, decor poor and the whole thing seems a bit shambolic. Plus the members are pretentious, but think that they're not; the worst combination.
by Anon456, 17 Mar 2006
by Anon456, 17 Mar 2006
Maybe I am missing something but I found Black's distinctly unimpressive. I can see what they are trying to do with the decor but frankly that is not enough. The absence of music is welcome and the staff are friendly enough, but the food is atrocious.
by Anon123, 09 Mar 2006
by Anon123, 09 Mar 2006
I am a member at a few clubs, including Blacks, and it is by far the best.
If you understood the Blacks philosophy, you would not insult the staff. They are equal to the guests. If you expect to be pampered, go elsewhere. Blacks is not that sort of club and us members do not want it to be that way. However, if you want a nice, quiet respectful place to have a drink next to a roaring fire, Blacks is your place! Otherwise stay at Tramp!
by Anonymous, 06 Dec 2005
If you understood the Blacks philosophy, you would not insult the staff. They are equal to the guests. If you expect to be pampered, go elsewhere. Blacks is not that sort of club and us members do not want it to be that way. However, if you want a nice, quiet respectful place to have a drink next to a roaring fire, Blacks is your place! Otherwise stay at Tramp!
by Anonymous, 06 Dec 2005
I have been a member for over a year now, and wouldn't change it for anything. A complete retreat from the hustle and bustle of Soho. A place to hide in rather than be seen in (Soho House, Groucho's) with a very reasonable membership price too. The food in the restaurant is among the finest in London. The whole no cards thing just adds to the eccentric feel of the place. Apparently it was originally set up by Samuel Johnson in the 18th century.
by anonymous57, 24 Nov 2005
by anonymous57, 24 Nov 2005
Have we missed a great members' club in London? Let us know.
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