Gentlemen's Clubs

Reprinted from the old Fedora Lounge:

A term that has been corrupted and perverted. You certainly won't find any gentlemen in the cesspools advertised on billboards. They are filled with men of ill repute who don't want to be recognized. Where women are barred from entering the true gentlemen's club, they pack in as many as possible females that are willing to compromise themselves for drugs or money in the new variety.

This is a crying shame. I love the rich woods and the standards held high in the traditional gentlemen's club. Only in England have I been able to find establishments for distinguished men to discuss the issues of the day over a brandy.

Here are some I found one online:



http://www.haringtonclub.co.uk/index.htm newwindow

http://www.carltonclub.co.uk/index2.htm

Here is an article that I found interesting on the subject.

Enjoy!

LONDON'S GENTLEMENS CLUBS

Offered by Kathleen O'Reilly
Author of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and TOUCHED BY FIRE

In London, starting in the Regency Period (1811-1820), and extending through the Victorian Period (1837-1901), gentlemen clubs enjoyed their heyday. The clubs were collections of men with some aspects in common. Some were political, some full of artists and literary aficionados, sports enthusiasts, or military men. They were quite exclusive, with selective membership rosters, sophisticated dinners, no women allowed, and an atmosphere of pomp and circumstance so enjoyed by true Brits.

Each club was a collection of several rooms, quite similar in design to an affluent house. There were elegant dining rooms with linen tablecloths and crystal chandeliers, flanked by waiters in starched white shirts. Some clubs had small tables placed for privacy; other had one long table with assigned seats. The walls were covered with pictures of their members -- princes, ambassadors, generals and everyday-men, side by side. A smoking room was usually included for those who chose to indulge, or a library for those who wanted to peruse the myriad volumes that lined the shelves. Great sweeping staircases flowed into expansive lobbies. Marble was quite common. The subscription rooms, billiard rooms, or card rooms were the site of gaming and wagers, fortunes made and fortunes lost. Clubs conveyed a comfortable atmosphere, the better for the members to escape their own less peaceful households. A place for men to discuss politics, the latest sports, or, yee gads, gossip!

The exclusive clubs were located along Pall Mall and St. James. The most famous of all to Regency Readers is White's. White's Chocolate House was founded in 1693 and started as a public coffee house. A fire destroyed the building in 1753, and White's was moved to St. James Street. Although politics played a part in the club's membership roster, at most times, including the Regency, White's was predominantly a social club. Beau Brummel gazed lazily out the bow-fronted window at White's and made judgments as the fashionable of London walked by, hundreds of years before Mr. Blackwell ever thought of a worst-dressed list. The club allowed cards, drinking, and dinner, and was most notable for it's betting book where gentlemen cast their wagers on anything and everything.

Boodles was a club that started in 1762 as a political club, but quickly established its name as the club without scandal. It was stodgy, refined, and completely English. Servants wore black knee-breeches, there was a "dirty room" for those who had the misfortune to attend dinner in less than the proper attire, and coins were boiled before they were given to members.

Brooks was one of the more popular clubs during the Regency. And yes, it best known as a gambling establishment. Charles James Fox, a heavy politico and gambler extraordinaire, was a frequent visitor. History has it that he played for 22 consecutive hours and lost 11,000 guineas that night. Eventually, the man was overcome by his debts, but in the true spirit of friendship, his club buddies bailed him out (presumably so they could win off him again).

The most famous of all was originated by Sir Walter Raleigh and met at the Mermaid Tavern on Bread Street in Cheapside. Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, and Donne were members. Ben Jonson and Shakespeare were frequent verbal sparring partners, Jonson the refined academic, and Shakespeare the quick-wit. Oh, to have been a fly on that wall!

Memberships in most clubs was a cut-throat business. New members were approved by a committee, and then voted on by the general membership. If a man wasn't of the right caliber, or political affiliation, he would be refused. In some families, club memberships have passed down through generations. Very few men of stature or import did not belong to one club or another. It seemed to be almost expected.

Sadly, the days of a refined gentleman's club are fading rapidly. In 1900, there were more than 200 clubs in London. Most are now gone.



Here are some in the US:



http://www.chicagoathletic.com newwindow]Chicago Athletic



http://www.therainierclub.com newwindow

Before we start waxing nostalgic on the so-called Gentlemen's Club, I'd like to give everybody a reality check.

Most likely NONE of us here would be allowed in, save to serve the port-drinking, cigar-smoking elite.

First off, I would never even be considered because I am not white. Neither would a lot of us here of other races or mixtures thereof.

Secondly, if you weren't of a certain social pedigree, you'd never make the cut.

Thirdly, THAT could be overcome IF you were exceedingly rich. Even then, you would be sneered at behind your back as being neuveau riche ... how very gauche.

I'd rather be at the clubs with the naked chicks. At least there everybody's equal (if you've got the cash), the scenery is nicer (than looking at a bunch of old white men), and it's all about having a good time.

The true "Gentlemen's" clubs are the ones that do something. The ones that make a difference. The Masons, The Knights of Columbus, The Shriners, The Mystic Knights of the Sea, etc.

Glorify men's organizations that help people, not the small, powerful, racist elite who only further their own agenda and seek ways to maintain and increase their power.

The Old Boy's Clubs are still around ... just better hidden.

So before you all start lamenting of the sad, sad loss of bygone days, remember: you would have been turned away at the door.

Speakeasys, on the other hand, would have let you in ... with the proper password.

Geees! You DO need that vacation.

You KNOW I do!

I'd also like to add that those old clubs depended on a social heirarchy that, if you think about it, goes against our basic American beliefs ... or at least the ideals we aspire to ... that ALL men are created equal.

We'll start our own club

Thought the Fedora Lounge was a Gentlemen's (and Ladies) Club?

Best,

Chris

It is....and a great club at that.

My good friend Mister Chamorro likes to stir the pot from time to time. If you sift through his pessimism....he has some valid points.

The gentlemen's club of old did have it's faults due to the society of the times. Much like pornography, racism is a social disease. He is correct that the clubs had this ugly problem.

Your bank account had a lot to do with your status....and to a certain degree affected eligibility. That is still in practice today. I have wealthy friends who belong to golf clubs that I can't afford even if I was interested in hitting a ball with a stick.

To see only the negative is throwing the baby out with the bath water. There were/are many redeeming qualities to the clubs.

One of the benefits of the good old boys club is that they looked out for each other. He is right to say they supported each other in business. That is a good thing. Did they give to charity or chose to help out certain individuals not in their club? I don't know about the old clubs, but the golf guys of today do.

Everyone dressed nice. In California people show up to nice restaurants dressed like total bums. I am hard pressed to think of a place I can take my wife out to dinner without there being guys in shorts and sandles.

In our day, wholesome is not a desirable quality amoung most guys...or at least that is not the story the media is telling. Just look at all the cartoons on the back of cars with the little kid pissing on things. I find that a sad commentary of where how far our culture has fallen.

In some areas society has improved. I don't consider race. It doesn't even occur to me.....until someone points it out.

My fondness for the gentlemen's clubs from back in the day are for the good qualities it had to offer. Can you have a club without race or wallet being an issue?

I believe so. Then again.....I could be wrong. I am an optimist you know.

I think you are on to something.

That night at Sir Winston's Bar before dinner is what I imagine a club outta be.



Everyone was just sitting around drinking cocktails and enjoying each other's company.

Many establishments are so anti-smoking it's almost no fun to visit. I don't smoke daily but I do enjoy a cigar or my pipe every now and then.



The photos Min. Jones has on his site that really capture the atmosphere of what I am looking for.


Just some thoughts,
Pyro

Well said.

Now we just need to raise the funds to buy Sir Winston's.

Dues?

Originally posted by Chamorro
Before we start waxing nostalgic on the so-called Gentlemen's Club, I'd like to give everybody a reality check.

Most likely NONE of us here would be allowed in, save to serve the port-drinking, cigar-smoking elite.

First off, I would never even be considered because I am not white. Neither would a lot of us here of other races or mixtures thereof.

Secondly, if you weren't of a certain social pedigree, you'd never make the cut.

Thirdly, THAT could be overcome IF you were exceedingly rich. Even then, you would be sneered at behind your back as being neuveau riche ... how very gauche.


Speakeasys, on the other hand, would have let you in ... with the proper password.

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Let's face it Chamorro,
In those days if you were not wealthy and white, you couldn't do much of anything! There were a lot of really great aspects of the Golden Era but unfortunately there were just as many things that were terrible. Bigotry and ignorance, the Nazi party, the geat depression etc.
I think that we may have touched on something here. Even though we don't like to talk about it, I think that maybe The Golden Era should have a section devoted to these terrible aspects of our history. These two sites do have more of an adult nature but there may be some youngsters seeing some of the content. It is important for them to see the good along with the bad, otherwise they may think that all was great "in the old days". They certainly are not getting the whole story in school.
Anyway it was just a thought.
PBG

I really don't see any problem with the types of clubs Chamorro is so bitter about. I don't see anything wrong with anyone forming clubs that keep those not on the "worthy" members list out. Everyone has their right to socialize with whomever they want. Even if it is racist and elitist. Only when those qualities begin harming others does it become a problem. But I don't see anything wrong with rich, white men wanting to form their own private club. I don't see anything wrong with rich or poor or middleclass, black men, professionals, women, Asians or whomever forming their own private clubs either. What's the big deal? If you can't get in go somewhere you can. Don't complain about it. Let people do their own thing no matter how unfair it may be.

I ain't bitter about nothin.' Everybody has the right to form and be a part of their own private group. The K.K.K. has every right to exist if the exclude their "extra-curricular" activities. Hell, even this club is exclusive, in a way.

I think women shouldn't be forced upon V.M.I., I think the NAACP should exclude all peckerwoods, and the Water Buffaloes should not accept people who wear shoes.

That's not the point I was trying to make. I was just pointing out that "the Good Old Days weren't always good and Tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

PBG hs a good point. We look at the past through rose-colored glasses sometimes and forget how far we've come. We shouldn't re-write history but rather show the Golden Era as it actually was.

My father was in the Air Force in the 50's -60's. In his travels across the country and around the world, he couldn't eat at certain places and couldn't ride in the front of the bus at others. He COULD, however, die for his country in battle. Today, I drive a Japanese car, work for Jews and date white women. (Well ... not LATELY but I have in the past) Brothers is movin' on up.

Okay, so maybe bitter was the wrong word. Just to be clear, I wasn't attacking you personally. I was directing my thoughts in a more general direction. I just get tired of some folks feeling they are entitled to everything and deserve it even if it really isn't meant for them. I certainly don't believe you are this type of person, Chamorro.

Good thought provoking stuff guys. As a typical white male who is married to someone of "color", I always find it interesting to hear racist comments when people think they are safe discussing their views with me. Views that would not be expressed openly if they new me better. For the record, I ALWAYS set them straight.

Originally posted by Herr Doktor
Thought the Fedora Lounge was a Gentlemen's (and Ladies) Club?

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If that's the case, how did I get in here? Now that I think of it, how did Michealson get in here? Oops ... did I type that out loud ...

Originally posted by CoffeeDude
If that's the case, how did I get in here? Now that I think of it, how did Michealson get in here? Oops ... did I type that out loud ...

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Hey...they let me in, and what do I do? Post about "Oscar" with Sylvester Stallone. I'm just waiting for my membership to be revoked, then I'll wind up like Dan Aykroyd in "Trading Places." LOL

I'm certainly glad I found this (and IndyGear)...I've always loved the style of the Golden Era. Now I just have to start acquiring the wardrobe I want.

Best,

Chris

I meant to reply to your post about Oscar. It' is, im my opinion, the best film Stallone has ever done ... with the exception of the first Rocky and Copland. It's based on a popular play, as I recall. The only thing I don't buy is that he was too buff and young looking to be a 30's mafioso.

I still quote some of the lines from the film. They are classic.

"Little Anthony and his Imperial" still cracks me up ... I don't know why.

And Marissa Tomei ... aye caramba!

Originally posted by The_Edge
Okay, so maybe bitter was the wrong word. Just to be clear, I wasn't attacking you personally. I was directing my thoughts in a more general direction. I just get tired of some folks feeling they are entitled to everything and deserve it even if it really isn't meant for them. I certainly don't believe you are this type of person, Chamorro.

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The pendulum has definitely swung too far the other way at times. I despise political correctness of all kinds.

For example:

The Supreme Court this week refused to hear a case dealing with the Second Ammendment's legal definition. (Yes, I am an NRA member and proud of it) It could have settled the debate once and for all but chose not too.

However, one of the cases they are looking at deals with banning the mention of "One Nation Under GOD" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sometimes I think the whole world has gone completely nuts.

Hey...they let me in, and what do I do? Post about "Oscar" with Sylvester Stallone. I'm just waiting for my membership to be revoked, then I'll wind up like Dan Aykroyd in "Trading Places."

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Yeah, why aint he gone yet?
You break the rules and discuss stuff that aint pertainin' to stuff that we should be discussin', we usually have Vinny and Guido escort you to the door.

we usually have Vinny and Guido escort you to the door.

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As a half-Italian, I resent that remark! Just kidding. I think being P.C. for the sake of being P.C. is L.A.M.E.

Regards,

Dr. J