Pub in London W1
Royal Air Force Club
128 Piccadilly, London, W1J 7PYClosest station: Hyde Park Corner, about 5 min walk4.8out of 5 on Google, from 1,068 ratings
Details last checked October 2024. Things may have changed since.
About Royal Air Force Club
The club was founded in 1918 and the present clubhouse, situated very near Hyde Park Corner, was opened in 1922. Membership is primarily for past and present commissioned officers of the RAF and its associated nursing and reserve forces, plus those from Commonwealth and other friendly air forces. The building contains an extensive collection of aviation-themed paintings and memorabilia; note particularly the arched and vaulted corridor with its framed squadron badges, the paintings of flying Hurricanes and Spitfires, and the marvellous stained glass window.
Whilst the ground and first floor restaurants, bars (most with keg draught beer, but none with cask ale) and function rooms retain much of their original appearance, the basement is completely contemporary. It houses the Running Horse Tavern, named after an eighteenth century pub which once occupied the site, a small room, decorated in mock-Tudor style and divided into booths. As well as several keg beers and a changing cask ale, the permanent cask beer offered is, appropriately, Shepherd Neame's Spitfire! A short menu offers pub grub at modest prices. Opening hours etc shown above relate to this bar alone.
Please note that entry to the club - and therefore to the Running Horse Tavern - is restricted to its members and their guests.
Description from WhatPub, CAMRA’s pub guide.
Features
- Quiet
- Serves Lunch
- Serves Dinner: Plus sandwiches until 11.30 Mon-Sat & 10 Sun
- Restaurant
- Real Ale
- Function Room: Many in the club
- Disabled Access
- Accommodation: 93 bedrooms
- Accepts NFC
Opening times
- Monday
- Open 24 hours
- Tuesday
- Open 24 hours
- Wednesday
- Open 24 hours
- Thursday
- Open 24 hours
- Friday
- Open 24 hours
- Saturday
- Open 24 hours
- Sunday
- Open 24 hours
As listed in October 2024. Hours change, and bank holidays differ: check with the pub.
Good to know
- Operator
- Royal Air Force Club
- Phone
- 020 7399 1000
Photos
Photos from Google Maps contributors, stored when the pub was last checked.
Google rating and reviews
4.8out of 5 on Google, from 1,068 ratings
5 out of 5Ivan Lovegroveon Google, September 2024
I'm blessed to have been invited by a member to dine here twice now, most recently in the President's Room. Quite simply this is an elegant, classy and extra special venue. Dined here again, for the 3rd time... Sept '24, in another elegant private dining room. Excellent bar and waiting staff. Superbly presented and delicious food.
5 out of 5Steve Hon Google, February 2024
Just a beautiful historical place. The club has been kept modern without loosing its charm and sense of history. The gym and fitness centre are both excellent and well equipped. The various social areas provide a variety of comfortable and stylish places to relax. Can’t wait to stay here again.
5 out of 5Maria Isabel Ayala Grageraon Google, May 2024
I went to the Club for a charity event -in favour of Sreepur Village, Bangladesh. The hospitality was fabulous, the staff very professional. It was a great decision to host Sreepur’s village 35th anniversary party in this lovely location.
5 out of 5Mark Hayeson Google, May 2022
What an amazing place this is! It does require a membership to enter and I was fortunate enough to have a dinner with a friend who has access. The history on the walls and the comradeship of the services over the years is wonderful to view. They have done a great job combining and elegant setting with great food and drinks as well as what is for all intents and purpose a museum. The people that work here take great attention to detail and the food and wines were perfect! If you get an opportunity to visit the RAF club take it!
5 out of 5Pepperminton Google, January 2024
Excellent service from the staff at the front desk. The rooms are beautifully clean and have everything you could possibly need. I had a lovely view of the park from my room.
Rating and reviews are from Google Maps, as they stood in October 2024. See the latest on Google Maps.