Private members' clubs

It’s the time of year when the temptation to join a health club looms large. But why waste pounds trying to shed a few pounds, when you’ll only give it up in a few weeks’ time? Instead, why not join an altogether more exclusive club? Here we take a trawl round some of the best private members’ clubs, to help you decide which one is right for you

Eight
What is it? A City-based members’ club boasting two full-size US pool tables, a perfectly formed private cinema and some of London’ best private rooms.
Where is it? Change Alley, in the heart of the City, opposite the flourishing Royal Exchange.
Who else is there? City workers mixing with media types over a game of pool, relaxing in the stylish surroundings of the main bar or blowing their bonus in a private game of high-stakes poker while enjoying a well made cocktail.
What’s the damage?  £500 a year 
Star drink? The cocktails
What else? There’s a private cinema/screening room and F1 simulator downstairs and another City-based club is due to open in 2007.
www.eightclub.co.uk

Milk & Honey
What is it? Relaxed bar for members (and non-members at certain times) with excellent cocktail credentials and amusing house rules.
Where is it? Poland Street, just away from the January sale madness of Oxford Street.
Who else is there? Who cares? Those rules forbid namedropping and posing isn’t encouraged.
What’s the damage?  £250 a year
Star drink: Classic cocktails made to perfection or check out the reserve wine list
Best bit: For a truly relaxed evening, check out the Red Room, membership also includes access to other clubs in the group including Milk & Honey New York (where it all began), the Player and the Clubhouse, in Chamonix.
www.mlkhny.com

M1nt
What is it: An early re-incarnation for the controversial “shareholders’ club”, which is “owned” by 250 members, who all take a share of the profits. Other members can join a waiting list to become shareholders.
Where is it? Jermyn Street, just off Piccadilly
Who else is there? The impressive shareholders list includes several billionaires, although the arguments about who is and who isn’t a member continue to rage in the society pages. A couple of certain absentees are Gordon Ramsay and Duncan Bannatyne, who have both had very public spats with the club’s founder.
What’s the damage? Who cares, it’s almost an investment
Star drink: Excellent cocktails
Best bit: Lively atmosphere, where you are able to drink as an investment. How cool is that? A second club is also open in Hong Kong.
www.m1nt.co.uk

Century
What is it: Celebrity endorsed central London club with lovely, relaxed atmosphere and a focus on excellent food
Where is it? Shaftesbury Avenue, in the heart of “Theatreland”
Who else is there? Media types, TV stars and a smattering of well-heeled, champagne-sipping PRs
What’s the damage? £500 a year
Star drink: The wine and champagne list is pretty reasonable. Surprisingly good beer, too.
Best bit: The staff and the food are good, but the rooftop terrace is the clincher in the summer.
www.centuryclub.co.uk

Morton’s
What is it: A good, honest old-fashioned (but very stylish) member’s club offering great food and wine in comfortable surroundings.
Where is it?  Berkerley Square, in the heart of Mayfair
Who else is there? Old money, either enjoying the quality food and exceptional wine cellar or relaxing upstairs with other old money.
What’s the damage? £800 a year
Star drink: Something ancient and deliciously expensive from the wine cellar
Best bit: The club humidor offers several very rare vintage cigars; alfresco dining in the summer.
www.mortonsclub.com

The Blue Bar
What is it: One of the first private member’s clubs in Liverpool
Where is it? Slap in the heart of the revitalised Albert Docks.
Who else is there?  Expect local celebrities and other well-heeled young things
What’s the damage? £250 a year
Star drink: One of the classic cocktails or something from the very reasonable wine list
Best bit: The huge balcony with views over Albert Dock is great in summer. Good selection of events. 
www.jientertainment.co.uk

The Sussex Arts Club
What is it: Described by the Observer’s as “the Groucho Club by the sea”, it’s nominally a club for Brighton’s artists.
Where is it? Just off the seafront by the old Lanes, not far from the pier. 
Who else is there? Struggling Brighton artists and associated media types
What’s the damage? A very reasonable £50 a year
Star drink: With all these artists around it’s either cheap red wine or whisky and coke
Best bit: There are rooms available so that out-of-towners can stay and join in the fun for a weekend
www.sussexarts.com

QI Club
What is it: Described by founder John Lloyd (producer of the TV quiz of the same name) as “not cool and not for people who want to be hip”, the Quite Interesting cub is a quirky backlash at all those painfully hip London member’s clubs.
Where is it? In a small townhouse in Oxford, also home to a bookshop and a cafe
Who else is there? Local literary luminaries, rural living TV types and, according to Lloyd, “farmers and students” as well.
What’s the damage? A small head of cattle or an appearance on the quiz show should do it
Star drink: Something that’s quite interesting and possibly very clever
Best bit: The quite interesting conversation.
www.qi.com

The Cameo Club
What is it: Cardiff’s best private member’s club.
Where is it? In the media-friendly Cardiff suburb of Pontcanna
Who else is there? Local media types.
What’s the damage? Contact the club for current membership deals
Star drink: A strong wine list, with some well priced favourite Champagnes
Best bit: The upstairs bar; a great venue for watching sporting events. 
www.cameoclub.co.uk