There are very few London clubs with as storied a history as Annabel’s. Founded in 1963 by nightlife virtuoso Mark Birley, it’s been one of the most important haunts of the rich and famous in the capital for over five decades. From sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll to champagne-laced hedonism, Mick Jagger to Madonna, the club’s reputation – as well as its exclusivity – has always preceded it.
Yet nothing can last forever and with London’s nightlife as ever-shifting and trendsetting as it is, it’s a miracle Annabel’s has been allowed to remain unchanged for as long as it has. It seems that now that era in the club’s life has come to an end. With a first glimpse inside the new incarnation of Annabel’s though, that’s not such a bad thing.
The relocation of the club was announced a full two years ago and, with Caprice Holding’s Richard Caring at the helm – the name behind Sexy Fish, 34 and the Ivy collective – the £55 million makeover seemed in good hands.
For some clubs, 24 months would be long enough to make it slip off the radar entirely. For Annabel’s however, it just heightened the anticipation – and now we finally have a glimpse of what it will be like.
Annabel’s Bar Concept
First off, the ‘relocation’ shouldn’t worry the denizens of Mayfair that their favourite haunt is vacating the area. The move will take Annabel’s just a few doors down to a lovely townhouse at No. 46 Berkeley Square. That particular move though should signal that this won’t be the underground den of drinking and dining that the club was in the past. Indeed Caring has taken a distinctly modern approach to what a private members’ club should be.
As clubs like Home House and Berkeley Square fellow 12 Hay Hill show pretty clearly, members’ are after more than just a place to drink and dance. The line between business and pleasure is getting increasingly blurred and they want their clubs to reflect the fact – they need places where they can have a breakfast meeting, light lunch and evening drinks with friends without having to leave.
As for what it will actually look like, all you need to do is take a gander at Caring’s restaurant empire for a good indication. Caprice Holdings’ go-to designer Martin Brudnizki is also behind the new Annabels and is bringing his uniquely glitzy cool to the club. It’ll stay the decadent destination it’s always been – especially the mirrored basement, a reflection of the original Annabel’s – but will offer far more variety. It will also have, apparently, the most beautiful ladies’ bathroom in London.
All the period features of the already-stunning No.46 will be kept (by necessity given it‘s historical importance), but Brudnizki made his reputation blending the classical with the modern, so you can expect a few intriguing twists. Behind the main club in the old mews will be a restaurant which, thanks to a 22-ton retractable roof, will offer year-round dining in the al fresco environment.
If you’re already a member of Annabel’s you might want to start getting in good with the approval committee; aside from the handful of founding members still around, nobody will be automatically approved for membership. Granted only new members will need a proposer and seconder, but no places are guaranteed.
The club seems to have little desire to grow that membership either, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Annabel’s current membership is an unwieldy list and if even a fraction were to descend on No. 46 on a regular basis it’s unlikely any work will ever get done. Still, it does mean that when the club finally unlocks it’s shiny new doors there are going to be a lot of disappointed would-be members; Annabel’s is set to be the hottest new opening for years.
