Opened in 1994, founded by a clutch of high net worth individuals including the late Sir Peter Parker, former chairman of British Rail, and its owner, Dieter Klosterman. The emphasis is on good food and wine — next month chef Jean Christophe Novelli opens a restaurant there — and on doing deals. In Abchurch Street, it is a place to be seen and to network in. “Very much a business person’s lunch c lub”, it has 986 members, average age 40. Membership costs £1,250 a year, although to celebrate its tenth anniversary there is a reduced subscription of £500 for anyone joining before July. Members include Michael Spencer of money broker Icap, one of the City’s richest men, and another money broker, Derek Tullett, founder of Tullett & Tokyo. Angela Knight, former Tory MP and head of APCIMS, the private stockbrokers’ trade association, is a member, as is merchant banker Oliver Pawle.

City of London Club - Old City

Founded by bankers and shipowners in 1832, the club had the foresight to buy the freehold of its Old Broad Street premises in 1989, ensuring survival to the present day.

The club’s food is public school — potted shrimps, roasts and sticky pudding — and its membership still more so. Until a year ago, its main restaurant barred women, banished to a subsidiary room. Women still cannot be members. “It began as a gentlemen’s club, and we’ve never changed the rules,” says one of its staff.

“It’s an anachronism,” says one member, though fond of the place.

The 1,250 members — whose estimated average age is 55 — pay £725 a year. Many are from insurance. David Mayhew, Cazenove chairman, is thought to belong.

The Walbrook - Flash City

A former town house just south of the Mansion House, in the Queen Anne style but dating back only to 1952. Cynics might view this mismatch between venerable appearance and prosaic modernity as symbolic. The club was founded in 2000 by Lord Palumbo and the socialite Mark Birley and chaired for a while by Rupert Hambro, the merchant banker. The chairman today is Lady Palumbo. Stuffed with antiques, “it’s like dining in a beautiful home every day ”, a member of staff enthuses. Those deemed “suitable” for membership have to be proposed and seconded by members.

Cost: £500 to join and £500 a year thereafter. Membership — 300 at present — is described as “chairmen of top city banks and companies”.

Groucho Club - Media Luvvies

Opened in 1985 in Dean Street, Soho. Mix of media luvvies and writers. Jeffrey Bernard used to hang out here. Offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Some 20 bedrooms available to members and their guests. Holds media receptions, as last autumn, when J. K. Rowling, Helen Fielding, and Joanna Trollope backed a Greenpeace publishing campaign. The name was inspired by Groucho Marx’s quip: “I wouldn’t want to join any club that would have me as a member. ”

Definite age bias, with cheapest memberships for under-28s: £100 to join, plus £250 annual fee. Standard membership is £500 plus £500 a year. The club has 4,000 members and an 18-month waiting list.

Harry's Bar - Old Money

Private dining club in South Audley Street, Mayfair. Regulars include Lord Hanson and Stuart Rose, the former Arcadia chief executive. Opened in 1979 as a partnership between James Sherwood, the president of Sea Containers, and Mark Birley, founder of Annabel’s. A discreet establishment favoured by the great and good of business, and by ladies who lunch. Harry’s Bar is sister venue to Birley’s other ventures, Annabel’s and Mark’s Club. Few details are disclosed, but Annabel’s reputedly has 7,500 members.

Each club costs £250 to join, with annual membership £750. There is a waiting list of six to 12 months. Applicants need to be proposed and seconded by members.

Monte's - Chelsea Set

Private members’ club on Sloane Street in Knightsbridge, opposite Harrods. A relative newcomer, it was opened in 1995 with £5 million backing from a private Dubai investor.

Restaurant opened under the direction of Alain Ducasse, the three-star Michelin chef. Jamie Oliver did a stint.

Launched with a cigar theme, boasting more than 10,000 cigars, but the cigar shop has closed.

About 1,500 members, including “international” and Chelsea set. Regulars include Kylie Minogue, Victoria Beckham, Pierce Brosnan and Meg Matthews.

Facilities include bar, restaurant, private dining and nightclub. Open to non-members during the day. Costs £250 to join, plus £500 annual fee.

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