The quiet end of London gaming, and a bed nearby.
A short, unhurried guide to the private casino clubs of Mayfair and St James’s, written for anyone who prefers a hushed room to a loud one. We say what each house is like, and where you might sleep afterwards, a short walk away.
An evening, properly finished
The old Mayfair clubs were built for a certain kind of night: dinner, a few hands, a quiet word, and a short walk home. We keep that shape, and add the one thing the clubs rarely advertise, which is a decent place to sleep close by.
Each club has a character you can feel from the door: panelled and low-lit, or brighter and more modern. We describe the room before anything else, because it decides whether the evening suits you.
Most of these houses are members’ clubs, with their own rules on entry, guests and dress. We note the etiquette plainly so you arrive prepared rather than turned away.
Mayfair is compact. For every club we name the kind of hotel within easy reach, so the night ends in a lift and a quiet corridor rather than a cold wait for a cab.
Six rooms of Mayfair and St James’s
Listed by character rather than rank. Entry policies and dress codes change, so confirm with each club before you set out.
Crockfords
Crockfords carries one of the oldest names in British gaming, and its Curzon Street home leans into that history with a restrained, well-upholstered dignity. It is a room for people who like their gaming served with a measure of ceremony.
“The grand name of the street: formal, polished and unmistakably Mayfair.”
Les Ambassadeurs Club
Les Ambassadeurs sits quietly near the top of Park Lane, in a setting that feels more like a private house than a casino. It has long been associated with the more discreet, international end of London gaming.
“Discreet to the point of anonymity, set in a townhouse just off Park Lane.”
Aspinalls
Aspinalls grew out of the swashbuckling spirit of 1960s London clubland, and it still feels more like a private club with a casino inside than the other way round. The mood is warm, social and quietly confident.
“A clubby, personality-led house with a reputation for hospitality.”
The Ritz Club
Occupying the lower levels of the building on Piccadilly beside the famous hotel, The Ritz Club borrows some of that address’s sense of occasion. Gilt, marble and soft lighting set the tone before a single card is dealt.
“Gaming with the glamour of its famous neighbour, and arguably the most atmospheric address to finish on.”
The Clermont
The Clermont is closely tied to the story of London gaming, and its Berkeley Square setting is among the most atmospheric in the capital: tall plane trees, Georgian fronts and the hush of a square that rarely raises its voice.
“A Georgian square, a famous old name and a gaming tradition that predates most of its neighbours.”
Palm Beach Casino
Palm Beach brings a brighter, more accessible mood to a street better known for formality. It is a pleasant counterpoint to the club-first houses elsewhere in this guide, and a good first visit for someone new to Mayfair gaming.
“The more relaxed Mayfair option, with the area’s address and a less formal manner.”
The six, in one view
| House | City | The floor | The stay | Dress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crockfords | London | Tables · slots · private rooms | Short walk to Park Lane hotels | Smart; jacket advised |
| Les Ambassadeurs Club | London | Tables · private salons · dining | Park Lane hotels close by | Smart; formal for events |
| Aspinalls | London | Tables · private gaming · bar | A few minutes to Mayfair hotels | Smart; jackets common |
| The Ritz Club | London | Tables · slots · restaurant | The Ritz London is a few steps away | Smart; jacket advised |
| The Clermont | London | Tables · private gaming · salons | Hotels around Berkeley Square | Smart; jackets welcome |
| Palm Beach Casino | London | Tables · slots · late hours | Mayfair hotels a short walk away | Smart casual to smart |
Four quiet questions
There are no scores, no stars and no sponsored ribbons here. We simply describe each club as we would to a friend who asked where to go.
The room
Is the atmosphere hushed or lively, formal or relaxed, and does it feel like somewhere you would want to linger?
The welcome
How straightforward is entry for a first-time guest, and how clearly are the house rules explained?
The evening
What else is on offer besides the tables: dining, a bar, a place to talk, a sense of occasion.
The walk home
How near are good hotels, and is the route back pleasant at the end of a long night?
The best players know when to leave
Decide what the evening is worth to you before you arrive, and stop when it is spent. Gambling is entertainment, never a way to earn money; if it stops feeling that way, GamCare offers free, confidential help on 0808 8020 133.
18+ · GAMCARE 0808 8020 133 · BeGambleAware.org · GAMSTOP self-exclusion