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Similar Blow Up (club night), The Cave of the Golden Calf, Chinawhite (nightclub) | ||
Annabel's is a London nightclub, located at 44 Berkeley Square, London. It was founded by entrepreneur Mark Birley and named after Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, then his wife.
Annabel's was founded in 1963, after Birley's friend John Aspinall decided that they needed somewhere to party after an evening's gambling. As a result, Birley turned the basement of Aspinall's casino, the Clermont Club, into a nightclub, and named it after his then wife, Annabel, who went on to marry Birley's friend, Sir James Goldsmith. Birley later blocked off the private staircase linking the Clermont above.
Annabel's is a members-only nightclub catering to an exclusive clientele, including the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, US President Richard Nixon, Aristotle Onassis and Frank Sinatra. In 2003, the Queen visited the club, and it is thought to be the only nightclub the queen has ever attended. Entertainers who have played there include Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry and Lady Gaga. The sumptuous interior which was originally designed by Birley and designer Nina Campbell, has since been updated by Birley's daughter, India Jane, but the paintings from Birley's collection remain.
New ownership
On the evening of 5 June 2007, after more than a year of negotiations, Annabel's was acquired by the clothing figure and Ivy owner Richard Caring in a deal thought to be worth £90 million. The deal also included the purchase of three other nightclubs including Mark's Club.