
/ 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 HireThe 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.
The Directors' Room
PrivateThe 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.
The Nash Room
PrivateNamed 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.
The Carlton Room
PrivateThe 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.
The Burton Room
PrivateGeorgian 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.
The Waterloo Room
PrivateA bright double-aspect room looking out over Pall Mall and Waterloo Place, with a fireplace and period detail. Opens through to the Nash Room.
The Champagne Bar
PrivateAn 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.
Café Duke
PrivateOnce the officers' washrooms, now a checkerboard-floored room full of original fittings, and a regular film location.
The Morning Room
PrivateBright 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.
The Link (Meeting Rooms)
PrivateSix 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.
The Terrace & Garden
Semi PrivateA walled garden and colonnaded terrace behind the building — a rare thing on Pall Mall. Used for summer parties and drinks before dinner indoors.
Trafalgar 1 & 2
PrivateTwo 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.
St James 1 & 2
PrivateTwo interconnected rooms overlooking Pall Mall, opened up into one or used apart, and usually taken alongside the other rooms around the balcony.
The Spears Room
PrivateThe 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.
The Grand Staircase & Gallery
Semi PrivateThe 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.
/ Perfect For
/ 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
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