When British Vogue interviewed Gwyneth Paltrow for their May 2010 issue, the Oscar-winning actress expressed a fondness for Mark’s Club, a celebrated London institution. She was drawn to the club’s exquisite cuisine and its timeless, ‘old-school’ charm. This year, Mark’s Club has undergone a meticulous refresh, carefully overseen by the esteemed Richard Caring, who has been instrumental in preserving its legacy. Caring explains, “The idea was to bring Mark’s Club into the present day: retain the style, retain the image, retain its heart.” This renovation aimed to breathe new life into the club while preserving its quintessential British identity, a concept closely intertwined with the legacy of the Birley family, who have long been synonymous with London’s elite social scene.
Mark Birley, the visionary behind the legendary Annabel’s nightclub, founded Mark’s Club in 1972, offering a distinct alternative to the traditional gentlemen’s clubs of the time. Caring, having acquired the Birley portfolio in the mid-2000s, has remained steadfast in protecting the club’s unique identity. Mark’s Club has always cultivated an air of discretion, with its unassuming entrance on Charles Street inviting a sense of exclusivity. The club’s interior exudes an air of refined English comfort, with Limoges china, mahogany antiques, and sumptuous Dedar velvet creating a truly captivating ambiance. The cuisine is equally alluring, showcasing haute cuisine alongside classic English fare, like the beloved Porkinson bangers and mash. As one American member aptly remarked in The New York Times, “We don’t eat at Mark’s; we dine.”
Caring emphasizes that Birley’s vision was truly “completely original.” The recent renovation has restored the club’s timeless appeal, balancing classic elegance with an eclectic, comfortable feel. Designer Tino Zervudachi, who had modernized the interiors in 2016, has shifted the aesthetic back towards a more country-house style. This is evident in the fully transformed Private Dining Rooms: the Country Room, adorned with floral accents and paintings of spaniels and terriers by Alfred Wheeler, contrasts beautifully with the Portrait Room, its bold scarlet walls showcasing a collection of aristocratic Georgian portraits.
The most striking transformation, however, is on the renovated ground floor. Caring opted for an open layout, seamlessly connecting the Lounge, Dining Room, and Greenhouse, creating a breathtaking flow that immediately captures your attention upon entering the foyer, lined with George Stubbs prints. The ground floor, now flooded with daylight, serves as the stage for Mark’s Club’s impeccable silver-service offering, featuring delicacies like Imperial Beluga caviar, côte de boeuf, accompanied by exquisite Champagne and aged Claret, followed by a delightful selection of Shropshire Blue cheese and Sauternes.
Caring concludes that Birley was “creating a home” when he founded Mark’s Club, a home that evokes a sense of stepping back in time. Caring’s masterful touch lies in seamlessly blending the club’s traditional charm with contemporary polish, creating a truly enchanting destination. Step inside the revived Mark’s Club and experience its timeless allure firsthand.
