Raffles (Bar, Club)

Raffles named after the colonial mogul Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles has a long and vibrant history. Founded in 1967 by Peter Evans, an established restaurateur who was accredited with bringing steak houses to London, its Kings road location was the stamping ground of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Vivienne Westwood.

The club has numbered amongst its former members Royalty, Politicians, celebrities and several generations of established families and has welcomed everyone from Princess Margaret, Earl Snowdon and Lichfield, the world-renowned American singer Barbara Streisand to the Canadian

“Firstly, if you're considering going to this pretentious hole "DONT!!" I think the door staff must get their people training skills from ISIS! To the lady (or should I say daughter of Satan) who wields the clipboard and supposed power of entry; if you gain 1% more people skills that will be a 100% improvement on your current approach! In short, you are possibly the most ill mannered, discriminating human being (if I could even call you a human being) that I've met. If the owner of the club actually knew how you treat potential clients, he/she would be disgusted. Keeping you as their 'host' is quite simply 'loosing them business'. Whilst accepting this is a members club, perhaps you don't need any more clientele?! In which case you should retain 'Cruella de Vil' on the door as she will certainly ward-off any potential future customers!! PS - Never judge a book by its cover. You never know, one day someone might open another club across the street just to put you out of business! Enough said...”
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Al, London (4 years 4 months 11 days ago)

“After a decade since I last visited Raffles, I was very surprised by how the space has changed! The club has recently undergone a refurb (according to one of the bar staff) and looks fantastic. The drinks are still quite pricey, but the atmosphere was still very familiar - A very friendly and beautiful crowd ready to party the night away!! Would definitely make the journey again (Notting Hill)... A definite 4/5.”
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Poppy, London (7 years 6 months 27 days ago)

“We waited 15 minutes in the queue to be told there were too many men in the club already, but were then asked if we had a credit card. We did and were allowed in and shown to a table. We were put off by the fact the place was virtually empty, the ambiance (lack of), clientele (flash the cash brash), price list (£100 - £18K!) and staff, so decided to leave (after about 2 minutes). On trying to do this, the extremely camp, primadonna maitre'd told us they would have to apply the entrance fee to our card as we had entered the premises and proceeded to ask 'if we had been out in London much?' (we have) in superciliousness tones that will guarantee I never set foot anywhere near the place again. He then refused to return our card... The issue was resolved easily, amicably and quickly by the manager, who was the only person in the place who wasn't entirely rude. I cannot recommend strongly enough that others do not go here - it is dreadful; the very worst that Chelsea has to offer.”
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Tim0, London (8 years 3 days ago)

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