Aspinall's

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Aspinall's is an elite, private gambling club located in Mayfair of London, England. It was established by John Aspinall first in the 1960s and has subsequently changed its name several times along with its location. Aspinall's is currently located at 27-28 Curzon Street.

[edit] History

Club founder, John Aspinall (known as "Aspers" to his friends) was a conservationist and breeder of wild animals who funded his zoos, in large part, from house winnings. Aspinall's is still one of the most extravagant and elegant gambling houses in the world. It is not a glitzy casino in the vein of Las Vegas casinos. In its earlier days, Aspinall's clientele comprised the traditional aristocratic elite who gambled away their inheritances. While this is still true to some extent, the gradual decline of the English landed gentry has forced Aspinall's to look elsewhere. The first notable foreign member to be invited to the club was King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The king became a regular patron of the club, then known as the Clermont.

Remarkably, Aspinall's evaded major public recognition until the 1970s. The notorious 7th Earl of Lucan was a close friend of John Aspinall. Lucan's consequent disappearance catapulted the club into mainstream consciousness. Aspinall commissioned a bust of Lucan which remains displayed prominently.

[edit] Today

Aspinall's is now run by John Aspinall's son. The current base of clientele includes prominent politicians, businessmen, and the ever-present minority of wealthy aristocrats.