1. London’s historic members-only clubs, some still excluding women after 300 years, face renewed scrutiny as the Garrick Club recently allowed female members while others like the Savile Club voted to maintain men-only policies.
2. A new book by Dr. Seth Alexander Thévoz explores these clubs’ evolution, noting their role in British social culture from Georgian-era gambling dens to modern establishments like Soho House.
3. Despite declines in the 20th century, clubs endure by catering to niche interests, with recent controversies highlighting ongoing tensions around gender inclusion.
4. Royal connections persist—King Charles is a member of men-only White’s Club—and literary inspirations include Ian Fleming’s James Bond settings.
5. The article frames clubs as reflections of societal shifts, concluding they’ll remain fixtures due to Londoners’ enduring appetite for exclusive social spaces.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250708-the-controversial-uk-clubs-that-kept-women-out