Modernisation creeps on as London gentlemen’s clubs open to women

Pratt’s is the latest establishment haunt to allow female members but others are still resistant to change

Mild signs of a potential willingness to modernise have been observed in some of central London’s establishment clubs in the past few weeks, led by the announcement that, after a wait of 166 years, women will finally be allowed to become members of Pratt’s.

The decision by the owner of Pratt’s has been met mostly with resigned acceptance by the club’s membership, which includes at least a dozen MPs, and has triggered renewed discussion of possible reform at the remaining hardcore handful of gentlemen’s clubs that refuse to admit women.