please empty your brain below
A row of flaming gas torches used to be lit outside the RAC when functions were being held, at least back in the 1990s. They're still there, but I'm not sure if they're still used.

Waterhouse | 04.04.24 - 7:18 a.m. | #

I've had the pleasure to have been inside both the IoD and the Athenaeum, and it is interesting to compare the layouts of the public rooms--which vary because the IoD entrance is on the short side of the rectangle of the building, and the Athenaeum is on the long side.

The Athenaeum interior has been used as a filming location on many occasions.

There is also a mildly funny architectural bon-mot about the Athenaeum, said of the founder of the club: "I'm John Wilson Croker, I do as I please. They ask for an Ice House, I give them—a Frieze"

MilesT | 04.04.24 - 9:01 a.m. | #

Samuel Pepys recorded his first brush with 'pelemele' this week in 1661. If you follow it via the RSS feed, you'll have see this reference on Tuesday:-

"So I into St. James’s Park, where I saw the Duke of York playing at Pelemele, the first time that ever I saw the sport."
pepysdiary.com/diary/1661/04/02/

Ken | 04.04.24 - 9:08 a.m. | #

"Pall Mall" is the square that most piqued my interest as a child, assisted by the use of a pink which was not commonly seen on the drab days of the 60's.

I'm glad that the gas lighting connection was properly highlighted in today's post.

My "idiot's guide" to Victorian architecture explains that the Florentine "palazzo" design was used this location, so the buildings could be inserted to the required length, without all the other details having to be in set Classical proportions.

cau1khead | 04.04.24 - 9:36 a.m. | #

Do Millets have branches anywhere these days?

dg writes: yes, 74 of them.

Jonathan Wadman | 04.04.24 - 10:09 a.m. | #

Nice write up. I've been in the RAC as a friend's husband is a member. The whole thing felt outdated, and the food was average at best.

As a Canadian, I've always been slightly bemused by Quebec House. On one hand, I understand the desire of Quebec nationalists to project a presence internationally. On the other, as a province without much say on international relations, what do they do all day?

Greg | 04.04.24 - 10:39 a.m. | #

I've been in the Army and Navy club, so can tick off that box.

Mikey C | 04.04.24 - 11:20 a.m. | #

I used to go to the Red Lion when I worked in the area. Lovely little tucked away pub, could get crowded sometimes but mostly a good place for a quiet pint after work.

Simon | 04.04.24 - 11:41 a.m. | #

Diplomacy: also near Berry Bros the site of the Texas Legation from when Texas was an independent nation.

Richard Morris | 04.04.24 - 11:50 a.m. | #

Perhaps you could see if the Oxford and Cambridge club offers taster sessions you could sample.

Robert Butlin | 04.04.24 - 12:26 p.m. | #

Considering the 'poshness' of Pall Mall it's surprising that it holds such a lowly position on the board!
I would have placed it after the yellows and possibly after the greens too!

Cornish Cockney | 04.04.24 - 1:46 p.m. | #

Waterhouse - they do indeed, as they do at the Oxford and Cambridge and the Travellers from time to time.

AB | 04.04.24 - 6:27 p.m. | #

Anyone any advice as to which, if any, of these Pall Mall clubs one can visit as a nonmember? Do like a nice place to have a quiet pint or a cocktail.

Michael Jones | 04.04.24 - 8:47 p.m. | #

Hey Michael, there’s a clue in the phrase ‘private members club’.

Ruth | 04.04.24 - 9:10 p.m. | #

Michael, parts of the IoD at 116 Pall Mall are open to non-members including the bar. You may need to book in advance. You could probably wangle a tour from staff at the same time.

It has a statue of the Duke of Wellington half-way up (or half-way down) its main staircase; there’s the only surviving bust of Nelson carved in his lifetime (apparently), a plaque commemorating where the Norwegian government in exile would meet during the Second World War, and one the largest collection of royal paintings outside of the National Gallery (or is it the Portrait Gallery - can’t remember?). Ian Fleming is said to have written James Bond there. It was also a location for films and TV series including Batman Dark Knight, Gandhi and Downton Abbey.

wanglr | 04.04.24 - 10:28 p.m. | #











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