The Best Clubs in Chelsea

 

Chelsea, a neighbourhood of timeless beauty and class, is the go-to getaway for London’s elite. Heritage sites, gastronomic havens, and top-class shopping destinations litter the locale. But the vibrance doesn’t dim when the sun sets. With exclusive private clubs, elegant cocktail bars, and whimsical discos, Chelsea arguably boasts London’s most happening nightlife. Read on to discover the best clubs in Chelsea.

 
Clubs in Chelsea
 

The Top Chelsea Nightclubs

1. Embargo Republica

A slice of Cuban club culture on the King’s Road, Embargo Republica boasts electrifying evenings full of house and dance music.
 
Entering through a sleek Cuban cigar shop, which leads to the main dance floor, revellers are treated to unique surroundings through the exposed brick walls, chaotic graffiti, and characterful, rundown furniture which adorns the establishment. The club slowly gets going with acoustic acts, before live bands and DJ sets take the evening through to the early hours.
 
The terrace, known as “Casamigo,” translates as “house of friends” and functions as a charming blend of Miami nightlife and Mexican liquor culture. Created in partnership with Casamigos Tequila, founded by George Clooney and Rande Gerber, it is the only Casamigo in London. The location is adorned with palm trees, beach-themed mosaics, and bamboo furniture, making it a relaxing hangout spot. The venue is also known for supplying guests with endless cocktails and slushies, as part of Embargo Republica's quality stamp.
 
With the Rolling Stones’ iconic lead singer, Sir Mick Jagger, celebrating his 80th birthday at the club in 2023, the venue was given a surefire stamp of approval from a bona fide English rock icon.
 
 
 
 

2. Club Royale Chelsea

Club Royale is a luxury club for private events. Residing in a restored building, its interiors are outfitted with a sleek bar, plush velvet seats, and an intimate dance floor. Low lights and DJ sets by internationally acclaimed musicians present the atmosphere as an impenetrable party experience reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
 
At this Kensington High Street club, events are curated as per the whims of the guests. It has a 220-person standing capacity and can also seat 60 people. With a minimum spend of £2000–£3000, hosting a club night at Club Royale is certainly a social statement.
 
 

3. Maggie’s Club 

The 1980s were a memorable epoch of unbridled leisure and wild partying. Outlandish fashion, classic rock, and club music achieved new heights throughout the decade. Maggie’s has managed to recapture the untamed zest of the 80s with its apt retro ambience and has rightly been described as “a time capsule of all things ‘80s.”
 
The club is a brightly lit basement with eccentric Rubik’s cube and cassette tape tables, bubble gum dispensers, animal print seating, and slushie machines. Quirky cocktails are a hallmark of this establishment, named after pop culture behemoths of the decade such as Pac-Man, The A-Team and the aforementioned Rubik’s cube.
 
A celebration of an iconic musical decade, the club’s turntables are defined by the artists who produced the era’s smash hits, such as Bon Jovi, Guns n’ Roses, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. These crowd pleasers reverberate from a life-size Walkman DJ booth.
 
 
 
 

4. 606 Club

The 606 is an intimate jazz club inside a “speakeasy-esque” basement. An institution in London’s jazz scene, the club plays groovy soul, Latin, R&B, funk, gospel, and blues seven nights a week. As an added bonus, they also provide Sunday lunches.
 
The 606 has launched many jazz sensations, such as Jason Rebello, Liane Carroll, Polly Gibbons, and Jamie Cullum. As such, it is viewed as one of the gatekeepers of the scene. Beyond its solid reputation, 606 tends to feature mainly British artists in a bid to support local talent. 
 
Founded in 1976, this intimate and unassuming basement is usually packed to capacity. Should you manage to get in, you will likely rub shoulders with legendary musicians while having access to exquisite comfort food and premium liquor. The rustic basement is also available for private hire.
 
 

5. Tonteria

A nook of Mexican nightlife on Sloane Square, Tonteria is known for its premium tequila and Mexican-style tapas.
 
Tonteria translates from Spanish as "nuisance," which humorously embodies what one can expect at the club: an immersive theatrical experience, jaw-dropping spectacles, and reverberant beats. The club playfully teases prospective visitors on its booking page by proclaiming that the establishment is “truly where all the devils meet.”
 
Guests can also spoil themselves with mouth-watering Mexican bites, such as tacos, nachos, and the grilled sirloin with chimichurri. When the clock strikes 11 p.m., the night begins to take shape as the DJ takes over. Shots of authentic tequila are delivered on toy trains, and the party is imbued with carefree enthusiasm.
 

6. Kosmopol

With Scandinavian roots, Kosmopol affords light, minimalist interiors. Sleek lamps, mirror work, and bare cabinetry adorn the establishment. An intimate club with a mere 70-person capacity, Kosmopol is the ideal haunt for a relatively low-key night out.
 
Throughout the day, bespoke cocktails, premium wines, charcuterie platters, cheese boards, and Swedish hot dogs are available, before the classy cocktail bar transforms into a nightclub at 10 p.m., with niche classics beckoning revellers to the dancefloor. The DJ sets encompass beats of commercial, dance, disco, electro-house, hip-hop, and R&B, ensuring there is something for everyone at this Fulham Road hangout.
 
As an added bonus, guests can book Kosmopol for private events during the weekends.
 
 
 
 

7. Barts

Travel back in time to 1929, a pivotal year in global history with the onset of the Wall Street Crash. The bar – set during the same era – is an immersive affair, decked out to resemble prolific Chicago gang member Uncle Bart’s house (spoiler alert: Uncle Bart is fictitious).
 
As “London’s worst-kept secret,” Barts is like a front for Uncle Bart’s illicit activities, from housing stolen booty to smuggling goods. While guests are abetting in his crimes, they can peruse the “Illicit Cocktail Menu,"  which showcases the club’s mixology prowess. From strong to fruity and creamy to dry, there is a magical mix for everyone. As a bonus, the cocktails are dressed to perfection – from swanky straws to peacock feathers, guests will have a little piece of Bart’s to take home.
 
Tucked away at the far end of the speakeasy is the quiet “Secret Garden,” ornamented with noteworthy moments of Uncle Bart’s life and pleasing pistachio-green walls. Sink into comfortable armchairs and relish an “illegal” cocktail.
 
While leaving the club, promise to keep mum about Uncle Bart!
 
 

8. Raffles

Raffles is, and has been for the past six decades, the place to be seen. Founded in 1967, the club is a major throwback to the swinging sixties; a youth-led era marking the transition towards liberty and modernity. 
 
It has held the aesthetic of the day dearly via ostentatious decor and a loud colour palette harking back to those heady days. Bold green walls and red leather seats truly evoke the unfettered joy and freedom of 1960s pop culture. 
 
Getting onto the guest list could, however, be something of a task. Nevertheless, once you’re in, you will be dancing the night away to hip-hop, R&B, and house sets by internationally established DJs. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as you may brush shoulders with the likes of Casey Batchelor, Lucy Mecklenburgh, and Kiera Knightley. 

When looking at property for sale in Chelsea, there are many considerations to make. The younger generation – who might consider one of the area’s exclusive penthouses – would almost certainly be interested in the area’s nightlife. That’s not to say the mature buyer – who might be looking for a more traditional house in Chelsea – would not appreciate proximity to a bustling nightlife scene.

From cultural odysseys to exclusive events and discotheques, Chelsea’s nightlife has plenty to offer. Nothing beats capping the day off by letting your hair down in London’s vibrant West End. So why not slip on those designer threads and dance the night away in Chelsea’s clubs?