Walk into 20 Portman Square and you’ll notice it immediately. The smell of old beeswax, expensive perfume, and maybe just a hint of mischief. This isn't your standard, sterile corporate lounge. Home House private club is something else entirely. It’s a sprawling, three-building masterpiece in Marylebone that feels like a cross between a royal palace and the most exclusive house party you've ever been invited to. Honestly, it’s a bit of a labyrinth.
Most people think private clubs are all about dusty armchairs and hushed whispers. Home House laughs at that. It’s vibrant.
The history here is real, not some marketing fluff. George III’s architect, James Wyatt, started the job in 1773, but it was Robert Adam who really finished it off for the Countess of Home. Elizabeth, Countess of Home, was known as the "Queen of Hell." You can kind of feel that energy in the walls. She wanted a "palace of pleasure" to entertain her friends and annoy her rivals. She succeeded.
What Actually Happens Inside Home House Private Club?
If you're looking for the heart of the club, you head to the Bison Bar. Or maybe the garden in the summer. The garden is a rare beast in Central London—a private, walled sanctuary where the city noise just... vanishes. It’s where you’ll find people drinking Rosé at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday while pretending to answer emails. It's lifestyle at its peak.
The club isn't just one vibe. No. 20 Portman Square is the grand, Neoclassical side. Think sweeping staircases and the famous "Imperial Staircase" that rises through the full height of the house. It's spectacular. Then you have No. 21, which feels a bit more contemporary, and No. 19, which houses the gym and bedrooms.
Membership isn't just about having a fancy address to sit in. It’s about the access. There’s a gym that doesn't feel like a basement dungeon, a sauna, and bedrooms that make five-star hotels look a bit "basic."
The Membership Maze
Getting in isn't as simple as just writing a check. You need a proposer and a seconder. That means two current members have to vouch for the fact that you aren't a bore. The committee meets regularly to review applications. They're looking for "interesting" people. That's a vague term on purpose. It means artists, entrepreneurs, fashion designers, and the occasional aristocrat who actually knows how to hold a conversation.
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There are different tiers. Under 35s get a bit of a break on the pricing, which is smart because it keeps the energy from getting too "retirement home." You also have "Social" memberships and "Full" memberships.
- Full Membership: Gives you the whole run of the place, including the gym and spa.
- Social Membership: Perfect if you just want to drink and dine without the treadmill.
- Life Membership: For those who know they aren't going anywhere.
Is it expensive? Yeah, kinda. But when you compare the annual dues to the cost of renting a mediocre office space or paying for a high-end gym in W1, the math starts to make sense for a certain type of professional.
The Design Language of a Palace of Pleasure
Robert Adam’s influence is everywhere. The ceilings are intricate works of art. If you look up in the Front Parlour or the Eating Room, you're seeing some of the finest examples of 18th-century design in the world. It’s protected stuff. You can’t just go around hammering nails into the walls.
But the club doesn't feel like a museum. That’s the trick.
They’ve mixed the historic architecture with bold, sometimes slightly eccentric furniture. Velvet sofas in deep jewel tones. Dim lighting that hides a multitude of sins. It’s designed for lounging. It’s designed for long lunches that turn into even longer dinners.
Dining and the "New" British Menu
The food at Home House private club has gone through a few iterations over the decades. Currently, it leans heavily into seasonal British produce but with a bit of a global wink. You can get a proper Sunday Roast that would make your grandmother jealous, or you can go for something lighter like sea bass with fennel.
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The service is what you pay for. The staff remembers your name. They remember that you hate ice in your sparkling water. It’s that level of "invisible" service that makes you feel like you actually own the place, which is exactly the point of a private club.
Why the "House" Concept Changed London
Before Home House redefined things in the late 90s, London clubs were mostly "gentlemen's clubs" in St. James's. They were stuffy. They were male-only. They were, frankly, a bit dull.
Home House was different from the jump. It was always inclusive of women. It was always more about the "creative" class than the "old money" establishment, though both coexist there now. It paved the way for the Soho House explosion, but it kept a level of grandeur that the more "shabby-chic" clubs can't touch. You feel like a titan of industry when you're standing under those chandeliers.
The Rooms You Never See
Most people only see the bars and restaurants. But the bedrooms—the "Chambers"—are the best-kept secret. Each of the 23 bedrooms is named after a person associated with the house’s history. The Duke of Atholl suite is massive. We’re talking hand-painted wallpapers, original fireplaces, and bathtubs that you could practically swim in.
Staying there feels like being a guest in a very wealthy, very eccentric uncle’s country estate, right in the middle of London.
The Social Calendar and Why It Matters
A club is only as good as its programming. If nothing is happening, it’s just a very expensive lobby. Home House does this well. They have "Club Nights" where the DJ actually knows what they're doing. They have talks, tastings, and parties for everything from Halloween to the summer solstice.
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The Halloween party at Home House is legendary. People spend months on their costumes. The whole house gets transformed. It’s one of those nights where the "Queen of Hell" would definitely approve.
Is It Still Relevant in 2026?
With the rise of remote work and digital nomadism, you'd think physical clubs would be dying. The opposite is true. People are starved for real connection. You can only do so many Zoom calls from your kitchen table before you start losing your mind.
Home House provides a "third space." It’s not home, it’s not the office, but it’s a bit of both. You see people on laptops in the morning, shifting to cocktails in the afternoon. It’s an ecosystem.
The "vibe shift" of the mid-2020s has leaned back toward maximalism and history. People are tired of the "IKEA-plus" look of modern coworking spaces. They want character. They want floors that creak. They want a sense of belonging to something that has a story.
Navigating the Etiquette
Don't be the person who takes a phone call in the middle of the drawing room. Just don't. There are designated areas for that.
The dress code is "effortlessly chic." It’s not necessarily suits and ties anymore—though you’ll see plenty—but it’s definitely not gym gear and flip-flops. If you look like you tried, you’re usually fine. The club is more interested in your personality than your cufflinks.
Practical Next Steps for the Curious
If you're thinking about joining or just want to experience it, here is how you actually play it:
- Book a Tour: You can usually request a tour of the facilities before you even start the application process. Do it. See if the "energy" fits you. Some people find it too grand; others find it just right.
- Find Your "In": Look through your LinkedIn or Instagram. Chances are, someone you know is already a member. The "proposer" requirement is a lot easier to fulfill when you realize how many people in the London creative and business scenes are part of the fold.
- Check the Reciprocal List: If you travel a lot, check their reciprocal club list. Home House has deals with clubs all over the world. Your London membership might get you into a club in New York, Paris, or Tokyo. That’s where the value really adds up.
- Attend an Event: If you’re a guest of a member, go to one of the organized events rather than just a quiet drink. It’s the best way to see the club in its full glory.
Home House isn't for everyone. It's bold, it's expensive, and it's unashamedly British. But in a world that’s becoming increasingly homogenized and digital, a 250-year-old house that knows how to throw a party is a rare and beautiful thing. It's a slice of London history that you can actually live in, provided you know the right people.