/ About

116 Pall Mall opened in 1828 as the United Service Club, built to John Nash's design for the officers who had come home from Waterloo. It has been the clubhouse of the Institute of Directors since 1978, and the Grade I-listed building now runs a second life as one of St James's larger private event addresses: five floors, fifteen or so bookable spaces, and a central staircase that rises the height of the house beneath a domed rooflight.

The rooms are unusually varied for one address. The Nash Room is the marquee space at 3,000 sq ft, pale blue and gilded, hung with royal portraits and lit by chandeliers; it takes 350 standing or 250 on round tables and opens through to the Waterloo Room for a larger footprint. The Directors' Room, which stitches together Nash's original structure, Decimus Burton's 1858 addition and a 1912 extension, is the biggest single room in the building at 400 standing. Below ground, the Champagne Bar occupies the former wine cellars of the Prince of Wales and the club itself, entered through the original iron cellar gates: brick vaults, low light, and a bar that reads nothing like the state rooms above it. Café Duke, the old officers' washrooms, has a checkerboard floor and a film-crew following. There is also a walled garden and terrace, which is not something most of Pall Mall can offer.

Hire runs directly through the venue's events team rather than through a member, and the house is used for parties, weddings and product launches as readily as for board meetings. Staging for bands and DJs, a dance floor and lighting are arranged through the venue's production partner rather than installed in the rooms, so a music-led event is built for the night. Searcys holds the catering. The whole building can be taken at weekends.

/ Rooms Available

Whole Venue (Exclusive Hire)

Exclusive Hire
Seats 350 / Up to 1,000

The full building, taken at weekends: five floors, the state rooms, the garden and the cellar bar, entered through the Grand Staircase. Booked through the venue's events team.

Period ArchitectureFlexible LayoutPrivate BarCocktail Bar

The Directors' Room

Private
Seats 250 / Up to 400

The largest single room in the house, combining Nash's original structure, Burton's 1858 addition and a 1912 extension. High ceilings, long Chesterfield-style banquettes and floor-to-ceiling windows onto Pall Mall. Listed by the venue for dinner dances and gala dinners.

Period ArchitectureNatural LightLounge SeatingDance FloorPrivate BarFlexible Layout

The Nash Room

Private
Seats 250 / Up to 350

Named for John Nash, who designed the building in the 1820s. Three thousand square feet of pale blue and gilding, hung with royal portraits under chandeliers, with a balcony over the garden. It connects through to the Waterloo Room, and takes sets and staging for a performance.

Period ArchitectureNatural LightStageFlexible LayoutLighting Rig

The Carlton Room

Private
Seats 180 / Up to 300

The former Smoking Room of the United Service Club: Ionic columns finished in marble-esque scagliola, gold leaf on linen walls, and south-facing doors onto the private garden terrace. Available evenings and weekends, and the venue lists it for dinner dances.

Period ArchitectureDance FloorNatural LightFlexible LayoutPrivate Bar

The Burton Room

Private
Seats 100 / Up to 160

Georgian in character and one of the house's most-used daytime rooms, though it lights well in the evening. Pairs with the adjacent rooms for a larger footprint, and is licensed for wedding ceremonies.

Period ArchitectureNatural LightFlexible LayoutLighting Rig

The Waterloo Room

Private
Seats 80 / Up to 160

A bright double-aspect room looking out over Pall Mall and Waterloo Place, with a fireplace and period detail. Opens through to the Nash Room.

Period ArchitectureNatural LightFlexible Layout

The Champagne Bar

Private
Seats 20 / Up to 150

An underground cellar bar in the old wine vaults of the Prince of Wales and the United Service Club, reached through the original iron cellar gates. Brick vaults, exposed arches and two annexes that can be opened up or kept separate.

Cocktail BarPrivate BarLounge SeatingPeriod Architecture

Café Duke

Private
Seats 60 / Up to 120

Once the officers' washrooms, now a checkerboard-floored room full of original fittings, and a regular film location.

Period ArchitectureNatural LightFlexible Layout

The Morning Room

Private
Seats 70 / Up to 120

Bright and dual-aspect over Waterloo Place, sitting directly beneath the Grand Staircase and its fifteen-foot chandelier. A neutral palette, and the room the house uses for private dinners.

Natural LightPeriod ArchitecturePrivate Service

The Link (Meeting Rooms)

Private
Seats 40 / Up to 100

Six meeting rooms on the third floor, sharing a networking and catering space. Sizes run from five to forty; the whole floor takes up to 140.

Flexible LayoutNatural Light

The Terrace & Garden

Semi Private
Up to 100

A walled garden and colonnaded terrace behind the building — a rare thing on Pall Mall. Used for summer parties and drinks before dinner indoors.

Natural LightFlexible Layout

Trafalgar 1 & 2

Private
Seats 50 / Up to 70

Two interconnected rooms opposite the Burton, full of original detail, with natural light and a neutral scheme. Hired together or separately, and often used as break-out space.

Natural LightPeriod ArchitectureFlexible Layout

St James 1 & 2

Private
Seats 40 / Up to 60

Two interconnected rooms overlooking Pall Mall, opened up into one or used apart, and usually taken alongside the other rooms around the balcony.

Natural LightPeriod ArchitectureFlexible Layout

The Spears Room

Private
Seats 23 / Up to 40

The small room adjoining the Morning Room, taken on its own for a board meeting or a private dinner, or opened up to extend the Morning Room.

Natural LightPrivate Service

The Grand Staircase & Gallery

Semi Private

The heart of the house: twin flights rising under a domed rooflight and a fifteen-foot chandelier, with a gallery running around the first floor. Available for evening and weekend events.

Period ArchitectureNatural Light

/ Perfect For

CorporateWeddingCelebrationLaunchPrivate Dining

/ Features

AV Equipment

  • – Stage
  • – Lighting Rig
  • – Projector
  • – Microphone

Catering

  • – In-House Luxury Dining
  • – Private Bar
  • – Sommelier Service

Licensing

  • – Full Alcohol Licence

Venue Specs

  • – Dedicated Events Team
  • – Cloakroom
  • – Wheelchair Accessible
  • – Air Conditioned
  • – Wi-Fi
  • – Outdoor Terrace

/ Getting Here

116 Pall Mall

116 Pall Mall, St James's, London, SW1Y 5ED

Open in Maps

/ You May Also Consider

The Drawing Room

The Athenaeum Club

Members' Club

St James's
The Library

Reform Club

Members' Club

St James's