Army and Navy Club

What Army and Navy Club does

The Army and Navy Club, operating under the historic nickname "The Rag", is a private members' club founded in 1837 and domiciled at 36 Pall Mall, London, in the heart of Mayfair overlooking St James's Square. Established with the Duke of Wellington as founding patron and currently under Royal Patronage of HM The Queen, the club was created for commissioned officers of the British Armed Forces — including the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Reserve Forces and Commonwealth military personnel — and was subsequently opened to non-military professional men and women. The current clubhouse dates from a major 1963 rebuilding led by Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Jacob and provides 75 en-suite bedrooms plus two luxury suites (the Sandhurst and Dartmouth Suites), three dining venues — the fine-dining Coffee Room, the Ribbon Bar & Terrace brasserie, and the Smoking Room — alongside seven banqueting rooms accommodating between 2 and 200 guests, a business suite with hot desks, hairdressing, secure underground parking with EV charging, and access to the Dilly Hotel's health and wellness facilities.

The business model is anchored by an annual membership subscription of £1,165 (with a £950 one-off joining fee, reduced rates for under-29s and over-75s) and supplemented by accommodation revenue (room rates from £110 weekend / £140 weekday), food and beverage across multiple venues, private venue hire and weddings, corporate event packages (£95–£105 per person), corporate memberships, parking, and film and photoshoot location hire. Members gain access to over 110 carefully selected reciprocal private clubs worldwide under a mutual letter-of-introduction system, augmented by a curated events programme (literary lunches, whisky tastings, supper clubs, fireside talks) and amenities including room service. Membership acquisition runs through the membership team via direct applications (requiring a proposer and seconder), member referrals (a Refer-a-Friend scheme offers up to £300 of Rag credit per sponsor), and reciprocal club introductions, supported by digital channels (the www.therag.co.uk website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter/X), email newsletters and a careers portal hosted via Harri. In 2021 the Club absorbed the membership, Roll of Honour and art collections of the closed Naval Club (RNVR), and in 2022 designated St James's Church Piccadilly as its three-year charity partner in support of the Wren Project restoration led by Ptolemy Dean. Governance sits with a member-elected Board of Directors chaired by Neil Johnson, with Sara Kent as Chief Executive and Pedro Mendes as General Manager overseeing day-to-day operations across a team within the disclosed 101–250 employee band.

Name

Army and Navy Club

Legal name

Army & Navy Club

Website

https://therag.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1837

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Army and Navy Club ("The Rag") is a 1837-founded private members' club at 36 Pall Mall, London, serving British Armed Forces officers and non-military professionals with membership subscriptions, 77 bedrooms, three dining venues, and seven event spaces, plus access to 110+ reciprocal clubs worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Members Club Hospitality

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391), Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Military & Government Extended Stay Lodging (THAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Private members club
• Hospitality services
• Event venue hire
• Luxury accommodation
• Corporate entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual subscription fees starting at £1,165.00 with a one-off joining fee of £950. Special age-related rates available for members under 29 and over 75.
2. Accommodation Services: 75 en-suite bedrooms and two luxury suites available to members. Rates from £140 per night (single, Mon-Thu) and £110 on weekends. Includes continental breakfast.
3. Food and Beverage: Multiple dining venues including The Coffee Room (fine dining), Ribbon Bar & Terrace (brasserie), and Smoking Room. Additional revenue from room service, afternoon tea, and special events.
4. Event and Venue Hire: Private hire of function rooms for weddings, corporate events, meetings, and celebrations. Private dining packages from £95-£105 per person. Film and photoshoot location rentals.
5. Corporate Membership: Corporate membership packages allowing organizations to entertain clients and host business meetings at preferential rates.
6. Parking Services: Secure underground parking with electric car charging points available to members at competitive rates. Free parking for lunch dining up to 2 hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Army and Navy Club ("The Rag") is a private members club operating from 36 Pall Mall in Mayfair, London. Its core offerings are annual membership subscriptions (military and non-military, plus corporate packages), overnight accommodation in 75 en-suite bedrooms and two suites, three on-site dining venues, seven private function rooms, a reciprocal club network spanning 110+ global private clubs, and ancillary facilities such as business suites and parking with EV charging.

Product overview

The Army and Navy Club (known as The Rag) operates as a traditional private members club offering a comprehensive portfolio of hospitality services. The core offering centers on membership access to 75 en-suite bedrooms and two luxury suites, three main dining venues (The Coffee Room fine dining restaurant, The Ribbon Bar & Terrace brasserie, and The Smoking Room bar), and seven event spaces accommodating 2-200 guests for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. The club provides membership with access to over 110 reciprocal clubs worldwide, an exclusive member events programme featuring cultural and social activities, and additional services including room service, private parking, business facilities, and wellness club access. The portfolio functions as an integrated hospitality experience rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Naval Club (historical): Former separate RNVR club at 38 Hill Street that merged with The Rag in 2021, bringing its Roll of Honour and artworks.

Products and services

• Club Membership Annual membership at £1,165 with a £950 one-off joining fee. Offers Military and Non-Military membership tiers plus Corporate Membership packages, providing access to the clubhouse, accommodation, dining, reciprocal clubs network (110+ worldwide), events, and business facilities.
• Accommodation Services 75 en-suite bedrooms and two luxury suites (Sandhurst Suite and Dartmouth Suite) for members and guests, with amenities including toiletries, dressing gowns, newspapers, tea/coffee facilities, air-conditioning, television, complimentary Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast included. Rates from £140 per night (single, Mon–Thu) and £110 on weekends.
• The Coffee Room Restaurant Fine dining restaurant overlooking St James's Square offering modern cuisine with seasonal menus, wine pairing, and à la carte options. Executive Chef Stuart Hart prepares dishes using premium British ingredients.
• The Ribbon Bar & Terrace Brasserie and bar on the third floor with a comprehensive menu, an outdoor terrace, draught beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails. Open seven days a week with a smart casual dress code.
• The Smoking Room Ground floor bar offering a variety of whiskies, spirits, and bottled beers in a relaxed setting with armchairs and sofas for quiet drinks or reading.
• Event Spaces and Private Rooms Seven banqueting rooms for private events: Pall Mall Room, Drawing Room, Library, Wellington Room, Nelson Room, Barnes Room, and Clive Room. Accommodates 2–200 guests for weddings, corporate events, meetings, and celebrations, with private dining packages from £95 to £105 per person.
• Wedding & Civil Ceremonies Full wedding planning service with licensed venues for ceremonies and receptions from 20 to 200 guests. Three main function rooms available: The Library, Pall Mall Room, and Drawing Room. Film productions filmed at the club include 'Rocketman' (2019).
• Business & Corporate Events Meeting rooms, training sessions, seminars, conferences, and corporate events hosting 2–150 guests, with audio-visual facilities and Day Delegate Rate packages. Targeted at organisations seeking a prestigious central London venue.
• Film and Photoshoot Location Hire Filming location for productions including 'Rocketman' (2019) and Channel 4 documentaries. Elegantly furnished spaces include the Library, Drawing Room, and Pall Mall Room with green room facilities.
• Reciprocal Clubs Network Access to over 110 carefully selected private reciprocal clubs globally across Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, South America, the UK, and the USA, with an online letter of introduction service included with membership.
• Member Events Programme Exclusive member events programme including literary lunches, fireside talks, whisky tastings, themed supper clubs, sporting events access, and cultural activities with distinguished guest speakers.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• St James's Church, PiccadillyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The club has partnered with St James's Church as its designated charity for three years. The partnership aims to support The Wren Project, a £16 million restoration initiative led by architect Ptolemy Dean to restore the historic Christopher Wren church. The club will organize events and initiatives to help raise funds for this community cause.
• Dilly Hotel Health and Wellness ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerComplimentary access provided to members for the Dilly Hotel gym, swimming pool, sauna, relaxation area, squash courts, and golf simulator at discounted rates. Located 7 minutes walk down Piccadilly from the club.
• Davy's Wine MerchantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurated wine program including tastings and dinners. Davy's Wine Merchants provides the club's carefully curated and dynamic wine selection for member dining experiences.
• Reciprocal Clubs Network (110+ clubs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 110 carefully selected private reciprocal clubs worldwide allow members to access quality service when traveling. Many are national institutions providing exclusive experiences. Members can request letters of introduction through the online portal.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• White's: Founded in 1693, White's is the oldest private members club in London. It offers the same core proposition of exclusive Mayfair membership, dining, and accommodation, serving wealthy professionals and aristocracy—directly comparable to The Rag.
• Reform Club: Founded in 1836, the Reform Club is a Pall Mall private members club with dining, library, accommodation, and event spaces. Its location on Pall Mall and similar heritage positioning make it a direct neighbour and competitor.
• Boodle's: Boodle's is a St James's private members club founded in 1762 with dining, accommodation, and reciprocal arrangements. Its Pall Mall/St James's location and similar target demographic make it a direct competitor to The Rag.
• East India Club: A St James's private members club with military and colonial heritage, offering dining, accommodation, and event spaces. Its military-themed history and similar Mayfair positioning make it closely comparable to The Rag.
• Royal Automobile Club: The RAC operates two historic clubhouses in Pall Mall with 100+ bedrooms, dining venues, and event spaces. It competes directly with The Rag for accommodation, corporate events, and professional memberships.
• The Athenaeum: A Mayfair private members club with 18 bedrooms, dining venues, and reciprocal club arrangements. Comparable in scale, pricing tier, and service offering, it serves a similar professional demographic.
• Royal Air Force Club: Located on Piccadilly, the RAF Club is a military-themed private members club with 78 bedrooms, dining, and event spaces. It directly competes with The Rag for serving and former RAF officers in London.
• Garrick Club: The Garrick Club is one of London's most prestigious private members clubs in Covent Garden, focused on dining, cultural events, and networking. It targets a similar professional/literary demographic and competes for the same Mayfair-adjacent clientele.
• Carlton Club: The Carlton Club is a prestigious St James's private members club with dining, accommodation, and event facilities. It targets similar professional and corporate clientele in the same central London geography.
• The Caledonian Club: Located in Belgravia, the Caledonian Club serves members with Scottish heritage with dining, accommodation, and event facilities. It mirrors The Rag's model of a themed-heritage members club in central London.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theragclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Rag-Army-Navy-Club-198724212718432
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theragclub
• Instagraminstagram.com/theragclub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Army and Navy Club