29 Market Street, Tamworth, B79 7LR
Albion Road, Marden, TN12 9DT
Riviera Centre, Torquay
11-13 April 2025
23 Haltwhistle Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5ZA
Unit 11, Valley Point Industrial Estate, Beddington Farm Road, Beddington, CR0 4WP
Argyle Place, Love Road, Lowestoft, NR32 2NZ
116, Foregate Street, Chester, Chester, CH1 2HH
This is a club, which means that the bar may be only open to members.
Founded in 1849 for The East India Company’s senior employees, the club's original members, the subsequent loss of its Indian possessions ultimately led to mergers with the Sports Club in 1939, the Public Schools Club in 1972 and the Devonshire in 1976. Nowadays, the public school membership is the most important element. Public school leavers may join the club on advantageous terms, which helps ensure its future, and the club is described as one of the less snobby ones in central London with a much younger average membership-age than most. Sebastian Coe and Nigel Farage are both cited as current members.
Retaining elements of previous buildings on the site, numbers 16 & 17 were rebuilt in 1865 to the designs of Charles Lee, with two stories added in 1939. Club facilities include dining rooms, several bars including an American Bar, a library, card room and billiards room, and a gymnasium. The main dining room has portraits of India's British administrators and its military heroes, with a definite ambience of imperial nostalgia. There are 66 bedrooms.
The club is gentlemen-only membership, would-be lady members are directed to another club’s website. However, ladies are allowed into certain club rooms at certain times. A members' vote in late 2023 re-confirmed the gentlemen-only membership policy.
The club was rocked a few years ago by the theft of half a million pounds by one of its financial employees, described by the club secretary as an “unfortunate event”!
The cask ale on offer is sold at what is described as a ridiculously low price!
Historic Interest
Grade II listed, Historic England entry 1235827. Late in the evening of 21 June 1815, 16 St. James’s Square found its moment in history when Major Henry Percy, aide to the Duke of Wellington, burst in with news of the victory at Waterloo. The Prince Regent was in the building attending a ball given by Mrs. Edmund Boehm, wife of a wealthy West India merchant. The Prince reportedly fell into hysterics at the news and had to be revived with water and then wine thrown in his face. Mrs. Boehm was of course furious that her prestigious and expensive ball had been ruined!
This Club serves no changing beers and 1 regular beer.
East India Club, London
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Accommodation
Events
Function Room
Games
Restaurant
Wi Fi
Real Ale
Love Cask Beer?
Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.
Become a member