Funky Venues

Venue Review

Character: Exclusive but unpretentious West End media institution

Funky Features: Central Soho location, VIP entrance, contemporary artwork adorned walls, en-suite bedrooms, views over Soho, snooker table, entertainment centre, private cloakroom

Location and History

Situated on Dean Street, The Groucho Club is equidistant from Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus, so it’s easily accessible by tube or bus.

The name of the club came from a Groucho Marx’s quip: “I don’t want to join a club that will accept me as a member”. The original board of The Groucho Club, included the two leading female publishers of our time, Liz Calder of Bloomsbury and Carmen Calil of Virago. From the start, The Groucho Club had to be somewhere different. The club quickly became the place for arts and media folk to go and has inspired a horde of imitators since it was founded in 1985.

Interior and Spaces for Hire

The Groucho Club has an invitingly relaxed feel which the manager is happy to characterise as ‘shabby-chic’. All rooms have a contemporary flavour with art on display featuring Marc Quinn, Mark Wallinger, Catherine Yass, Damien Hirst and Ian Davenport.

The Groucho Club has six function rooms available for exclusive private hire. Nineteen bedrooms mean that whatever event you are holding - launch event, wine tasting, audition, party, reception, meeting or dinner - there will be somewhere for you and your guests to stay.

The slick Soho Bar has its own VIP private entrance and cloakroom and features a well stocked bar, artworks, a plasma screen, CD, stereo with ipod connection and internet. Capacity: 150 (Drinks)

The Dining Room features a dramatically vaulted glass ceiling and is a great space for a memorable reception. A connecting door leads to the Mary-Lou Room which can be hired in conjunction with this space. Capacity: 60 (Dinner), 100 (Drinks), 70 (Theatre)

Despite the magnificence of its domed ceiling, the Mary Lou room is an ideal space for intimate dinners, fine dining, wedding receptions and parties. Featuring its own bar and an Ian Davenport wall installation among other artworks, it makes an exceptional party backdrop. This room can be used in conjunction with the complete entertainment system. Capacity: 40 (Dinner), 60 (Drinks), 50 (Theatre)

The Mackintosh Room is a cream painted room with large windows overlooking Soho rooftops. It has a wall-mounted plasma screen, CD, stereo with iPod connection and laptop attachments. Perfect for small meetings and luncheons or private dinners. Capacity: 20 (Dinner), 25 (Drinks), 25 (Theatre)

The Gennaro Room is a versatile ‘blank canvas’ space for media events or wine tasting. It includes a 40” HD Plasma Display, CD, Stereo with iPod Connection and laptop attachments. Capacity: 40 (Dinner), 70 (Drinks), 50 (Theatre)

The Snooker Room can be adapted into a dining space with the simple addition of a special top. It also features a plasma display, CD and laptop attachments.
Capacity: 18 (Dinner), 35 (Drinks)

The Club Room is a perfect private events room as it is partitioned off from the Soho Bar, comes complete with aaudio and Internet connection and can be used for meetings, brainstorming sessions and workshops. Capacity: 20 (Drinks)

Skilled chefs are on hand to cater to client needs and produce bespoke menus or offer a variety of canapés depending on requirements. The bartenders are renowned for cocktail recipes including ‘Fish House Punch’, featuring Myers Rum, Martel Noblige and Peach Brandy and the, ‘Bees Knees’, long drink, created with 42 Below Manuka Honey Vodka, Ginger Wine, Lime & Apple Juice and Fresh Ginger.