London’s Legendary Club Turns 60

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Since opening its doors on June 4th, 1963, Annabel’s—the fabled social club in London’s Mayfair—has played host to the crème de la crème of society, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Princess Diana. With a glamorous allure that draws members and guests from across the globe, Annabel’s delivers an extravagant experience that is simply unparalleled. This year, we’re toasting its 60th anniversary. The club was founded by the late entrepreneur Mark Birley, who named it after his wife, Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest Stewart. It was orig- inally situated in the vaults of a Georgian mansion at 44 Berkeley Square. The basement, designed by Nina Campbell, quickly rose to prominence thanks to Birley’s impeccable taste, earning him the nickname of the “King of Clubs.” Descending the grand canopied staircase embellished in blue and gold stripes, visitors were treated to a double delight. The Buddha Room, adorned with Birley’s collection of equestrian and canine artworks, provided an intimate setting for sipping cocktails and puffing cigarettes, while the boisterous dancefloor offered a lively and fun atmosphere. Frequented by luminaries like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes, and even Richard Nixon, the club exuded sophistication and a sense of refined London aristocracy, where cultured and like-minded guests gathered to mingle. It even has the honor of being the only nightclub that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has ever visited.

In 2007, however, British restauranteur Richard Caring acquired the club from Birley and, in 2018, its location at 44 Berkeley Square closed. The club reopened later that year two doors down at a four-story, 26,000-square-foot space at 46 Berkeley Square, after undergoing a $90 million dollar renovation. Caring hired acclaimed interior designer Martin Brudnizk to design the over-the-top whimsical interiors, including hand painted de Gournay wallpaper and pink onyx and jade crocodile sinks (an Instagram favorite).

The “new” Annabel’s includes an underground nightclub—a replica of the original—as well as multiple bars and six restaurants, a cigar salon, private dining rooms, and a separate Mews house. The exterior is equally impressive, with its everchanging themed facades always drawing a crowd. But it’s not just the building that has experienced a transformation. Under Caring’s stewardship, Annabel’s has undergone a cultural overhaul, shedding its old-world glamour for a contemporary and hip vibe while keeping intact the club’s rich legacy of grandeur. While the club is still private, gone are the days when blue blood was the golden ticket to membership. The new Annabel’s welcomes a diverse and dynamic crowd that includes influencers and a fresh generation of trendsetters. You might even catch a glimpse of Hollywood’s A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Dua Lipa, or Naomi Campbell sauntering through the halls. Annabel’s has evolved with the times, representing a new era for the storied club.

As always, it continues to be known for its over-the-top parties, at which some of the greatest entertainers of all time have performed, including Lady Gaga and Elton John. On June 8th, Annabel’s will celebrate its 60th birthday with what it does best – an extravagant bash. “60 years ago, Mark Birley invented Annabel’s; new, fresh, original, classy, and exciting. She has become a woman of beauty, quality, and uniqueness. The excitement has carried on and grown over all those years into, what must be, the ultimate private members club in the world. We wish her the happiest of birthdays with many, many more to come,” said Caring. A legacy of fabulousness lives on.