A Gentlemen's club is a members club, originally for male members of the English gentry. The original gentlemen's clubs were established in the West End of London and the area of St James's is still referred to as 'clubland'. Clubs took over the role occupied by coffee houses in 18th century London to some degree and reached the height of their influence in the late 19th century. They were formed by groups of acquaintances who shared some interest or pursuit. Gambling, usually on cards, was central to the activities of many. Others were characterised by their members interest in politics, literature, sport or some other pursuit. In other cases, the connection between the members was membership of the same branch of the armed forces, or a background at the same university. Some of the older clubs were highly aristocratic, but over time more and more were founded, and eventually any man with a credible claim to "gentleman" status was able to find a club willing to admit him, unless his character was very objectionable in some way. This came to include professionals who had to earn their income.
It should be noted that entertainments, such as musical performances and the like, were not a feature of this sort of club. They were in effect "second homes" where men could relax, mix with their friends, play parlour games and get a meal. They allowed upper and upper-middle class men with modest incomes to spend their time in grand surroundings; the richer clubs were built by the same architects as the finest country houses of the time, and had the same type of interiors. They were also a convenient retreat for any man who wished to get away from his female relations.Many men spent much of their lives in their club. Some even offered overnight accommodation.
The social class requirements softened gradually throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In addition some of the clubs opened to women from the late 20th century. This was partly to help keep up membership levels; the clubs are no longer as popular or influential as they once were.
In the late twentieth century the phrase came to be extended to include venues offering exhibitions of female nudity, but the people who use either sense are unlikely to use the other.
Outside the United Kingdom
Clubs of this kind are found in a number of other countries, including many Commonwealth countries and the United States.
See also
List of London's gentlemen's clubs
References
Anthony Lejeune, Gentlemen's Clubs of London, (London: Macdonald And Jane's, 1979) (ill. Malcolm Lewis) ISBN 0831738006
