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Monday 8:30am - 11pm Tuesday 8:30am - 11pm Wednesday 8:30am - 11pm Thursday 8:30am - 11pm Friday 8:30am - 11pm

The National Liberal Club

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The National Liberal Club

The National Liberal Club (NLC) is one of the UK's finest private members' clubs. Find us in the heart of Whitehall. Wells. Membership is open to all.
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Founded in 1882 by Prime Minister William Gladstone, the NLC is the international home of Liberalism and a beacon of Liberal values. Welcome to the official page for the National Liberal Club - a traditional private members club co-founded by W.E. Gladstone in 1882, to provide "a home for democracy, void of the class distinction" associated with the other London clubs of the day. The club

remains completely independent, but as the name implies, continues to be closely identified with the historic Liberal tradition and with Liberals worldwide. Overlooking the Thames, the club is in the heart of Whitehall, and is blessed with "the most splendid terrace in all of London." The NLC's roll-call of members has contained seven Prime Ministers (including Winston Churchill and Ramsay MacDonald, as well as every Liberal Prime Minister since Gladstone), while in the literary sphere, members have included G.K. Chesterton, George Bernard Shaw, Bram Stoker, Dylan Thomas, Edgar Wallace and H.G. Indeed, the NLC was the first major London gentlemen's club to admit women on an equal basis; and from its inception, it was the first to admit members without implicit or explicit racial and religious barriers, with early members including Britain's first non-white MP Dadabhai Naoroji, who joined in 1885. Members are either "Political Members" (who sign a declaration that they are Liberal in their politics) or "Ordinary Members" (who pledge that they will not use the club for any cause harmful to liberalism). More information on the club is available through our website at http://www.nlc.org.uk/ including details of the club's facilities, membership rates, and its network of over 300 reciprocal clubs worldwide. A separate members-only group exists at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nlcmembers. As members of that facebook group must be members of the NLC, group applicants will have their names checked against a current list of NLC members.

10/06/2026

Great to see our very own Jon Oates, (Executive Chef & Head of F&B) at the League of Club Chefs Young Chefs Education Dinner. A fantastic initiative. Amazing work all ❤️.

09/06/2026

A Golden Milestone: 50 Years of Women at the National Liberal Club

Join us on Friday, 26 June 2026, for a special evening celebrating 50 years since women first became members of the National Liberal Club. We are honoured to welcome Baroness Brenda Hale, the first woman President of the Supreme Court, as our guest speaker for this historic occasion.

The evening will feature a three-course 1970s-inspired menu, complete with wine and a signature cocktail, paying tribute to the decade that marked a transformative moment in the Club's history. Guests can look forward to a celebration reflecting on five decades of progress, contribution, and community. As we commemorate this golden anniversary, we will honour the women whose strength, resilience and influence have helped shape and enrich the National Liberal Club over the past half century, and continue to have today. Book you tickets through the link in the bio 🎟️.

05/06/2026

Join us on Thursday 18 June at 6.30pm for our New Members' Dinner – an evening of dining, jazz and conversation 🎼!

The evening begins with a complimentary drinks reception in the Smoking Room, accompanied by live piano music, followed by an intimate three-course dinner designed to encourage connection and conversation among members.

While created to welcome those who have recently joined the Club, longstanding members are equally encouraged to attend. Whether you're looking to expand your network, welcome new faces or simply enjoy excellent company, this promises to be a memorable evening.

Elegant evening attire is encouraged, with black tie warmly welcomed but not required. Book your tickets through the link in the bio.

03/06/2026

A big thanks to everyone who came to our recent Whitebait Dinner. A historic tradition of the Club, started by our founder William Gladstone, we are pleased to keep this tradition alive and to be able to continue this unique experience for our members. A big thanks to the Chair of the Board, Sir Stuart Etherington, for his support in making this event happen. We look forward to seeing our members at the next one!

29/05/2026

Have you ever noticed this vibrant portrait as you walk into the Smoking Room from the bar entrance? It depicts Sir William Allan (1837–1903), Liberal MP for Gateshead, pioneering engineer, and one of our more colourful former members.

Born in Dundee, Scotland, Allan had a difficult childhood and was forced to begin an engineering apprenticeship at the age of 10 following the collapse of his father’s business. While relatively little is documented about his early adult life, his experiences after emigrating to America in 1861 were particularly eventful. During the American Civil War, he worked as a steamship engineer and became involved in dangerous blockade-running operations, later spending over a month imprisoned in Washington.

After securing his release with the assistance of the British Ambassador, Allan returned to Britain and established a successful engineering business in Sunderland, where he contributed to major developments in cargo vessel manufacturing. The Freemason Palatine Lodge No. 97, which he joined in 1890, described him as a Radical who “had the working man at heart”, and he was recognised as one of the first industrialists to introduce an eight-hour working day.

In 1893, Allan won the Gateshead by-election, serving as MP until his death in 1903. Knighted in 1902, he left behind a legacy of innovation, reform, and public service. Make sure to take a look next time you’re in the Club, and below, you’ll find a typical stylistic caricature of Sir William.

28/05/2026

Gourmet Dinner with Maison Gardet 🥂
Join us for an evening of fine dining and Champagne at the Club!

The evening begins with a reception featuring Club Champagne and canapés, followed by a four-course dinner paired with Champagnes from Maison Gardet.

Christophe Prieux, President of Gardet, will guide guests through the tasting, with each Champagne selected to complement the summer menu. Guests will also have the opportunity to try Champagnes not currently available in the UK, brought to us by Jackson Nugent Vintners and Maison Gardet. Get your tickets through the link in the bio 🎟️.

21/05/2026

Celebrate Father’s Day in style at the National Liberal Club 🌟

Open to all, treat your father to an unforgettable day in the elegant surroundings of the National Liberal Club, nestled beside the River Thames with stunning views of the London Eye from our beautiful Dining Room.

We invite all of the family to enjoy one of our four sittings for a special lunch and make the most of the occasion by arriving early or staying on afterwards to relax with drinks on the NLC Terrace, London’s largest private terrace, or unwind in our Bar or grand Smoking Room.

🕦 Club open from 11:30am – 7:00pm
📍 Elegant riverside setting in the heart of London
✨ Perfect for family celebrations

Spaces are limited, so book now to celebrate Father’s Day in style at the NLC. Book through the link in the bio 🎟️.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family! 💙

20/05/2026

Dining on the NLC Terrace reopens tomorrow! Just in time for the sunny weather that is coming. Come into the Club to dine on the Terrace with your guests and enjoy newly improved views across the Thames looking out past Tyburn Quay. Check out the website for our latest menus. See you at the Club soon!

18/05/2026

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for Europe Day at the National Liberal Club. This year was another great success as we celebrated the EU and our ongoing pursuit to be at its heart. Until next year 🥂.

14/05/2026

Join us on Friday 5 June for a special event commemorating Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone’s long, complex, and often contentious relationship with Ireland. This is the third event in our Gladstone series celebrating the life and times of one of the UK’s greatest leaders and founder of the National Liberal Club.

This special event will be hosted by Club President Lord Alderdice, with speakers Lord Bew, Professor Jon Parry (Cambridge University), and Francis Gladstone (great-grandson of William Gladstone). The evening will commence with a drinks reception in the Smoking Room. Following the talks, our excellent kitchen team will present a specially curated three-course Irish-themed menu, designed for the occasion and showcasing the best of seasonal ingredients with a distinctive Irish influence. Get your tickets through the link in the bio 🎟️.

Address

1 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A2HE

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 11pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 11pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 11pm
Thursday	8:30am - 11pm
Friday	8:30am - 11pm

Telephone

020 7930 9871

Website

https://linktr.ee/nationalliberalclub

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