Raffles (Bar, Club)

287 King's Road, Chelsea, Chelsea, London, SW3 5EW
Cuisine: [Other/Unclassified]
Tel: 0207 351 4964
| Email to Raffles
| Transport: South Kensington
| Write review
Raffles Description
Book a table at Raffles
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
In the early 70’s the club continued to enjoy the patronage of the highest levels of English society and on one occasion the Queen herself attended, together with Prince Charles and Princess Anne, for the 21st birthday party of the grandson of the Earl of Mountbatten .
Previously described as “a darkened , noisome centre of nightlife for the better-heeled Chelsea folk” the club has always provided a combination of services, from drinks to food to dancing but dinner ceased to be served in the 1980’s and has over recent years been best known for its dancing and drinks offering.
Members enjoy the club for its exclusivity and luxury, as well as its music, which lies at the core of the club and Raffles attracts some of the best acts and DJs in the world. Under the watchful eye of the club’s owner Sachin Khanna of the Meridian group, Raffles is celebrating 45 years of existence and will mark this anniversary with a series of events and a main club room refurbishment, featuring design referencing exploration with a colonial style, and new event dining facilities.
Raffles will also be expanding this year beyond the walls of its Chelsea club to establish itself as a lifestyle choice, with the recent launch of the Raffles Lifestyle Membership scheme. The Lifestyle offers members intimate performances from the world’s leading music acts and an in-house bespoke event service. For those members heading further afield, it offers special rates with Raffles affiliate clubs both in London and abroad, as well as luxury travel with Raffles Retreats.
Refurbished in 2012 by designers Lambart & Browne, the luxurious interiors play host to their visiting members, private parties and corporate events.
Raffles is considered a household name, delivering a luxury service to its discerning members.
Customer Reviews for Raffles
Average (based on 4 votes): 4
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 Raffles.
“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...”
Atmosphere:
Value:
Quality:
Al, London (4 years 7 months 12 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.”
Atmosphere:
Value:
Quality:
Poppy, London (7 years 9 months 28 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.”
Atmosphere:
Value:
Quality:
Tim0, London (8 years 3 months 4 days ago)
Show all user reviews for Raffles
“A great night out - but be warned - you've gotta look the part i you want to get past the mean-looking bouncers. It's also the kind of venue where feet become skewered on stiletto heels so be careful. Enjoyed the music, upmarket crowd, champagne flowing!”
Atmosphere:
Value:
Quality:
Pauline, Chelsea (10 years 9 months ago)
Leave Your Review of Raffles
Your name: | |
Email address: | |
Home Town: | |
Atmosphere: | |
Value for Money rating: | |
Quality rating: | |
Your review: |
Characters remaining: 2600 |
Subscribe to the Fluid e-newsletter: | Get the hottest special offers, bar info and restaurant news first. You can unsubscribe at any time. We take your privacy very seriously and will never share your details with third parties witout your consent. |
Your review has been submitted. Once you have verified your e-mail address, it will be displayed on the site.
Raffles Opening Hours
Monday: | 10:00pm - 3:00am | Friday: | 10:00pm - 5:00am |
Tuesday: | 10:00pm - 3:00am | Saturday: | 10:00pm - 5:00am |
Wednesday: | 10:00pm - 3:00am | Sunday: | Closed |
Thursday: | 10:00pm - 3:00am |
Additional Information
- Dress Code: Smart
- Group: (Independent/Freehouse)
Nearby Venues
Nearby Pubs & Bars
-
Buona Sera at the Jam
(0.01 km)
-
JuJu Chelsea
(0.05 km)
-
Nova
(0.05 km)
-
Sushinho
(0.05 km)
-
Big Easy
(0.07 km)
Nearby Restaurants
-
Buona Sera at the Jam
(0.01 km)
-
Kurobuta - Chelsea
(0.05 km)
- Byron - King's Road (0.05 km)
-
Sushinho
(0.05 km)
-
Big Easy
(0.07 km)
Venue Managers: update this page
Edit the information we hold on Raffles or learn about upgrading today.