Episode 339: Clubland

by Scott Monty July 30, 2026

“The exclusion from his clubs would mean ruin” [EMPT]

Today we are joined by Seth Thévoz, creator of the popular Clubland Substack and author of London Clubland: A Companion for the Curious, among other books. Dr. Thévoz offers a fascinating look inside the traditionally secretive world of London’s private clubs—institutions that have long relied on discretion and exclusivity for their survival.

We explore the evolving nature of club life, contrasting the old model of member-owned institutions with today’s for-profit members’ clubs built around brand, networking, and lifestyle. Despite changes in how people work and socialize, Thévoz makes a compelling case that London clubland is not fading but thriving—adapting to modern needs while preserving its essential character.

Our conversation also touches on the club life of Arthur Conan Doyle, whose memberships included the Athenaeum Club, the Reform Club, and the Authors' Club. We discuss the real-world inspirations behind the Diogenes Club—including Seth’s identification of its most likely historical counterpart.

Our “Learned Societies” segment kicks off with Sherlockian society activities coming up in the second half of September. Then, it’s a new edition of “Examining the Pictures,” with the film critic, journalist, and author Christian Monggaard, BSI, as he reviews Enola Holmes 3. Finally, the Canonical Couplet quiz will test your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a copy of something from the IHOSE vaults for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock.com by August 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play.

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And the good news is we have additional conversation with Seth from our interview in this episode. It's available to our paid members (Bonus on Patreon | Bonus on Substack)

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