Cobden Club Review

The expressions 'Kensal Rise' and 'cool members bar' don't sit too comfortably in the same sentence, but throw away your preconceptions. Formerly a die-hard workingman's club, the Cobden has been transformed, though the grade II listing ensures the original features remain in tact.

A light and spacious first floor restaurant and bar is where it all kicks off for the night, but it is in the Grand Hall at the top of the club, with its bohemian grandeur, that the party really rocks. Purples and reds are the prominent colours with velvet drapes, luxurious armchairs and a throne-like stage at the back, on which to recline, casually enjoying the revelry below. The music policy is easygoing and not too serious and the crowd reflects that refreshing attitude.

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27 Oct 2000

Cobden Club Description

The Cobden Club is West London's best known private members' Club. It combines the comfort and privacy of an old style club with high quality food, good service and an exciting programme of contemporary events in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Club is located on the first and second floors of the old Cobden Working Men's Club on Kensal Road, a wonderful grade II listed building. The first floor cocktail lounge and restaurant has a 1920's 'Ocean Liner' ambience. The second floor is a magnificent Victorian hall with floor to ceiling mirrors and has a stage at one end and a thirty-foot bar at the other. It is the Clubs main bar and has been decorated in Neo-Gothic splendour, housing a state of the art sound system, a full lighting rig and a large film projector.

The Club opened in November 1996 with 800 founder members chosen by a high profile Membership Committee including: Bella Freud, Nicholas Coleridge, Jade Jagger, Kate Moss, Alexandra Shulman, Malcolm McLaren, and other prominent figures from the art, fashion, music, literary and media professions. Since opening, the Club has increased it's membership to around 2000.

After nearly six years, the Club is firmly established as one of the most stylish places to hang out in London, with its members coming from far and wide to use it. Its raffish mixture of artists, musicians, boho Notting Hillites and decadent aristos has created one of the most interesting ambiences in London. You never know who's going to be there....read more

Customer Reviews for Cobden Club

Average (based on 1 votes): 1 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Cobden Club.

“Went to a gig last night, which turned out to be very disappointing. First I found out that the band I was coming to see was moved from upstairs to the ground floor, which in itself is no problem, but then finding out that a beer costs 3.60 and spirits (single) 5.80 very much dampened my moods. The band was delayed for a whole hour due to very poor organizing skills by the promoter and didn't fit in with the other acts at all, which makes me wonder does the promoter even listed to any of the acts he books? The band I came to see eventually came on at 11:30 (when they were supposed to play at 10:30) and had to cut their set short to be able to get home, weeknight and tubes stop running fairly early... Not impressed at all, I will not be going to see any gigs at this place ever again!”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Nathalina Backman, London (4 years 3 months 10 days ago)

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Bar
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Music Style:
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)