Findarticles.com has an interesting old story about "The Black Club" here: " For a night of genuine 18th-century-style roistering, try Blacks, 67 Dean Street, W1. Founded in 1992, the club occupies the site of a former tea-room frequented by Samuel Johnson. Restored to its rambling Georgian splendour, complete with the largest collection of Hogarth prints in the world, by former Norfolk poacher Tom Bantock and Guiseppe Mascoli, the building offers "a refuge from the disgusting political correctness" of today.

"It's hard to sum up a typical Black's member. However, it's difficult to find one with an IQ of less than 140," says Bantock, who describes himself as "a completely irresponsible drunkard".

Prospective candidates first need to be approved by a 150-strong all- female committee, all allegedly hand-picked by Bantock. Once in, the new member is free from the strict rules imposed by nearby clubs like The Groucho, as long as they respect Bantock's ban on ponytails (Bantock claims to have cut off seven so far), mobile phones and chewing gum. "Apart from these rules my only problem is with people who haven't had a drink too many," he adds. For the morning after, breakfast (full English, of course) is available for members and non-members alike. Open 11am-2am, membership (London) pounds 200pa."