As Hannah Arendt says, “The Earth is the very quintessence of the human condition.” the same way Bangalore has the ability to boast its own quintessence in the form of Bangalore’s only gentlemen club, Bangalore Club. Bangalore Club has its very own class since its establishment in the pre-independence period till now.One of the oldest clubs in the country, in the best traditions of English country clubs, has a recorded history of a century and a score. The club’s membership lists a lot of elitists in the society who makes the the club even more fancy and hyped.
Located in Lavelle Road, The Bangalore Club was established in 1868 as the Bangalore United Services Club in the traditions of the Colonial Clubs for the officers of the British Empire.It was originally formed for exclusive use by British and later, after independence, Indian military officers stationed in the cantonment. At present, it is largely a civilian club. Members of the services, however, continue to enjoy special privileges.
In 1946, the Club was opened to civilians and became the Bangalore Club. Since Independence, it has become one of the foremost clubs in Bangalore and India. Our members enjoy special privileges and facilities of the highest quality. From sports and gyms to banquets, bars and accommodation, The Bangalore Club provides the best for its members. The Bangalore Club has affiliations with numerous clubs of its type and class, at home and abroad.
The Bangalore Club’s stately central building blends 19th century notions of the British Empire and grandeur with 21st century efficiency and vitality. The resplendent Mysore room and the robust spirit of the Gentlemen’s Bar preserve the antiquity of the club. The modern tennis, squash and badminton courts, the health club, swimming pool and the century old library, form a mosaic, interspersed with green lawns, trees, shrubbery and flowers in an 13 acre campus.
The club has many rules and regulations which could be more of an effect of a colonial hangover, but lately there has been a concentrated effort to rectify the same.Membership at present for the category of new permanent members is closed, but last when open, had a waiting list of over 30 years.The Club has tough dress regulations at several places which upholds the tradition of the club at all times.
Their most famous members till now were The Maharaja of Mysore and Sir Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and a Nobel laureate when he was stationed in Bangalore during the 1890s. Strangely, he became a defaulter, having failed to pay the subscription due to the club. The amount of Rs. 13 he owed to the Club was written off as an irrecoverable sum in June 1899.
I’d like to sum up this article by saying Bangalore Club, in itself is a different world where the perpetual quintessence of the society can highly be viewed in this one place.