SCOUNDREL: White’s

Anthony wins the Ladies’ Fashionable Cabinet while gambling at White’s.

  • The premier gentleman’s club of the Regency is also the oldest in London, and has its origins in White’s Chocolate House, which opened in 1693.

    White's Club

    White’s Club. Illustration from Old and New London by Edward Walford (Cassell, c 1880).

    In 1736, White’s began to operate as a private club on St. James’s Street in the site now occupied by Boodle’s. Four years later it moved across the street to larger premises, which burnt down in 1753. The club then relocated in a building at the top of St. James’s, where it still stands. Shortly after the original club was formed, everyone wanted in and the rush for membership became overwhelming. A second club was formed called the “Young Club.” Vacancies in the original “Old Club” were filled by members of the Young Club. The two clubs were finally merged into one in 1781. White’s and other exclusive gentlemen’s clubs in London used a method of voting for proposed new members whereby a system of black and white balls were deposited, in secret by each election committee member, into a special box. A single black ball was sufficient to deny membership. Hence the term “blackballed.” In 1811 a bow window was added to the facade. It was in this window that Beau Brummell sat and held court until his downfall  in 1816, passing judgment on passersby, with his inner circle, including Lord Alvanley, seated beside him. After  Brummell left England, Alvanley took over the seat of privilege in the bow window.

    whites_club_today2

    Photograph by Candice Hern.

     

    White’s continues to be an exclusive club. King Charles is a member, as is William, Prince of Wales. Former Prime Minister David Cameron was a long-time member, but resigned in 2008, ostensibly in protest at the club’s refusal to admit women, though he still visits the club from time to time. Queen Elizabeth was allowed inside in 1991 and 2016 (how terribly modern of them), and in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the Club actually held special dinners where wives of members were allowed. Other than that special occasion, which caused considerable controversy among some members, it is still a males-only stronghold.