Walking into this discreet members club, down a side alley in Soho, is like taking a step back into the Victorian era and being presented with all sorts of intriguing and eccentric characters, braying among each other with either a delicious cocktail in hand, a book or both!
The Society Club is as unconventional as it comes in Soho, a quaint little bookshop and literary members club with a bar placed slap bang in the middle of the action – bravo to owner Babette Kulik, and her cute little Chihuahua for maintaining this delightful spot in Soho. Babette and Monty are usually found mingling among the members, engaging them and helping to ensure good conversation and drinks are flowing.
Behind the bar you are likely to find the witty intellectuals of George and Tom, who not only put together delicate classic cocktails and a selection of appropriate Absinthe concoctions, but also, they have other hidden talents. Located around the intimate venue you might spot random patches of wallpaper with fascinating designs including Greek mythological figures in not so subtle engaged positions with each other, or others displaying phallic symbols. Ask Tom nicely and he might just whip out his scrap book from behind the bar and show you some of his creative designs. If you are really lucky, you may catch George in one of his impromptu moods where he plonks himself down in the middle of the room and starts strumming away on a guitar with his nimble fingers displaying thick metal gothic rings – this charming English character can’t half sing – after my second Martini, I was engrossed in the most amazing rendition of ‘Port of Amsterdam’, enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.
Then there are the books – a rare first edition of Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psychoor Andy Warhols’ A you can find all sorts of exciting literary treats.
Becoming a member of The Society Club makes you feel part of something different and special in London and for just £125 for an annual subscription or £75 for Under 27’s for both the Soho and Shoreditch branches, what are you waiting for?
Address: 12 Ingestre Pl, London W1F 0JF / 020 7437 1433
Address: 3 Cheshire St, London E2 6ED / 020 7739 5631
For further information about membership with BENLAKE.LONDON click here
