Oriental Club

About

The Club was founded in 1824 for officers and officials who had served in the East. The founding committee included figures such as Major-General Sir John Malcolm, and the Duke of Wellington was the Club's first President. The Club historically occupied Hanover Square and moved to its current home at Grade I listed Stratford House in 1962. More details can be found on the Club's history page.

Facilities

The Club features a variety of facilities including the Stratford House clubhouse, Dining Room, Calcutta Light Horse bar, Hill Station & Terrace, Members' Bar, multiple Drawing Rooms, Smoking Rooms, Billiards Room, Boardroom, Business Room, library, art collection, and a walled courtyard with an all-weather Shamiana. Accommodation includes bedrooms and suites, along with laundry/dry-cleaning services and high-speed Wi-Fi. More information is available on the Club facilities page.

Dining

The Club offers a full dining programme that includes breakfast, weekday lunch, and dinner in the Dining Room, as well as an informal all-day menu and cocktails in the Calcutta Light Horse Bar. The menus feature seasonal, Eastern-influenced, and British dishes, along with an extensive curated wine list. Private dining menus and event catering are also available. More details can be found on the dining facilities page.

Membership Options

The Club provides multiple categories and age-banded subscription rates, including Town, Country, and Overseas memberships. There are also Associate memberships and schemes for families, some of which have waived entrance fees. Applicants must be proposed and seconded by two existing Members and are elected by the Club, with a limited intake each year. Further information is available on the membership options page.

Networking Opportunities

Members have access to business and social networking opportunities through the Club's Boardroom and Business Room facilities, weekly events, and an active programme of Member Societies and talks. The Club also promotes reciprocal-club relationships for members visiting other clubs worldwide. More details can be found on the networking opportunities page.

Dress Code

The stated dress code is 'Elegantly Casual' in the Dining Room and Members' Bar, where a tailored jacket is required except for Planters' Orders. 'Smart Casual' is acceptable elsewhere in the Club. Prohibited items include sportswear, shorts, T-shirts, vest tops, large logos/branding, scruffy or dirty trainers, and flip flops. More information is available on the dress code page.

Events Calendar

The Club publishes an online events calendar that includes Club talks, society meetings, music recitals, wine tastings, society dinners, and seasonal banquets. Examples of events include Music Society recitals, Wine Society tastings, and the Chinese New Year banquet. More details can be found on the events calendar page.

Special Events

The Club stages seasonal and special events, including Chinese New Year banquets, Sunday Curry Lunches, First Thursday Dinners, and Summer Cocktail Parties. Members' society dinners, recitals, and lectures are also organized. More information is available on the special events page.

Leisure Activities

The Club offers a wide programme of Member Societies and leisure activities, including Music, Wine, Library, Chess, Battlefield Tours, and Racing/Cricket/Snooker & Billiards societies. Weekly live music is featured in the Dining Room, along with access to the Club library and regular seasonal terrace events. More details can be found on the leisure activities page.

Sports Facilities

Onsite indoor cue sports are available, with a Billiards Room provided. The Club also hosts sports-focused societies, such as Cricket and Racing societies, although dedicated outdoor sports facilities are not advertised on its public pages. More information can be found on the sports facilities page.

Member Accommodation

Bedrooms and suites are available to Members, their Guests (when staying with a Member), and Reciprocal Club Members. Rooms include en-suite bathrooms, TV, tea/coffee facilities, hairdryer, toiletries, and complimentary water. A complimentary continental breakfast is provided for residents, and published room rates and terms can be found on the member accommodation page.

Venue Hire

The Club offers private dining and event hire for Members and Member-sponsored functions. The Boardroom and other rooms can be hired, equipped with video-conferencing and plug-and-play equipment. Published facility fees, minimum spends, booking conditions, deposit, and cancellation rules apply, with bookings handled via the Club's functions/events team. More information can be found on the venue hire brochure.

Affiliations

The Club maintains a curated list of Reciprocal Clubs worldwide, allowing members to request letters of introduction for visits. Its history reflects connections to figures and institutions involved in the British administration of the East. More details can be found on the affiliations page.