Women-only private members club have been around since the 1880s in London. They are a refuge from children, husbands, brothers, and male colleagues.
They are homes away from home where you can chat with remarkeable women in varying professions – women you want to meet and maybe even need to meet. They are also wonderful and safe places to eat, drink alcohol, exercise, and dance away from the eyes of men.
Each club has their own look, vibe, and “type” of member. Each offers different amenities. And each have their own rules about men.
Here are two clubs that cater to female professionals living or visiting in London….
AllBright Mayfair is part of The Allbright Collective, a large company focused on the advancement of women. It was opened in London in 2018 to provide a space for smart professional women to connect, create and collaborate in a unique environment. The company now offers platforms in 10+ countries, 170+ courses, and 100+ in-house and online events.
Allbright Mayfair is the main club house. It is located in a townhouse that spans five floors. It has a restaurant, bar, hair salon as well as private dining rooms, in-house workspaces, meeting rooms, and two rooftop terraces overlooking central London.
Albright Mayfair also offers members access to their all-day restaurant that sells items like Rocket & Parmesan Salad, Gyozas, Ceviche, Bavette, Brownies, and the Sharing Board which Includes a selection of Spanish-cured meats, italian cheeses, crackers, chili-orange jam.
Their bar menu offers alcoholic drinks as well as non-alcholic drinks. You will find items like Mai Tai, Allbright Collins, Cherry Daiquiri, Lavender Diablo, and Wignac Organic Cider next to Mint-Ginger Lemonade, Lemon-Basil CBD Tonic, and Blackberry Apple Juice.
Allbright Mayfair also offers a luxurious range of hair treatments by L’ORÉAL degree colour specialists, exclusive invites to culinary events (eg. chef’s counter masterclasses, cocktail evenings, and supper clubs), an in-house art collection plus weekly cultural programming, complimentary wi-fi, member newsletters, versatile meeting spaces, and entertaining areas.
The vibe is modem, young, fast-pace, and go-getting. It resembles more a modern office space than an exclusive traditional country club.
The University Women’s Club, once named University Club for Ladies was opened in 1886 at 31 Bond Street for 200 women.
In 1921, the members bought the freehold of 2 Audley Square from Lady Flora Russell. The change from rented accommodation to ownership of a prestigious property was a watershed for the Club, marking the increased status of women.
The University Women’s Club (UWC) is one of oldest women’s club in London. And it comes with heritage.
Many of its early members were remarkable (eg. pioneering surgeon Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the mathematician Cicely Fawcett, women’s education activist Emily Davies, and St Hugh’s College vice-principal Eleanor Jourdain). Needless to say, UWC played an important role for many suffragettes in London.
The Mayfair club house includes a library, dining room, drawing room, lobby & bar, and bedrooms.
The wood-paneled library stocks books and resources that can be borrowed and has complimentary wi-fi. The dining room serves an informal continental breakfast as well as chef-created lunches and dinner. There, you can find items like Caramelized Pear, Cambozola & Rocket Salad, Tunisian Orange Cake, Creme Fraiche, and Pan Roasted Corn-Fed Chicken on the menu.
The drawing room has hand-painted walls in a Chinoiserie design and a grand piano. It offers an elegant spot to relax and entertain friends. The lobby & bar has a good selection of wines, cocktails, specialty coffees plus light foods served throughout the day and evening.
The house offers 22 bedrooms (single, twin and double) to rent for a night or two.
The University Women’s Club offers women of all ages and backgrounds a place to meet, talk, read, enjoy each other’s company and entertain friends in comfortably appointed rooms.
They also offer talks, workshops, readings, parties and a variety of other events throughout the year for members and their friends to enjoy. This includes wine club and book club meetings.
The vibe is elegant, old world, slow pace, and intellectual. It resembles more of a traditional aristocratic home than a modern office space.
BALISSANDE FINISHING SCHOOL 