Pall Mall Dress Code and Standards

Members and their guests are expected to dress appropriately for the Club environment, time of day and occasion: you should dress smartly and with a degree of formality.

The dress code applies to anyone aged seven or above.

Outerwear, luggage, laptop bags and rucksacks must be deposited upon arrival in the cloakroom or in your bedroom.

Mobile phones may not be used for making or receiving calls (except in specified areas). Further guidance on the use of electronic devices is below.

If you have any questions, please ask a member of staff.

Throughout the clubhouse, men should wear either a suit or smart long trousers (including corduroys, chinos or moleskins) with a button-up collared shirt and smart footwear.

There are specific requirements for footwear, which are explained below.

Further information can also be viewed HERE.

Single-coloured polo shirts are also permitted but NOT in the Cocktail Bar, Drawing Room or Great Gallery. All shirts need to be tucked in.

Ties are not compulsory, although you are encouraged to wear one.

Women should dress with equivalent smartness.

Smart military or national dress is also permitted.

Denim is not permitted anywhere at any time except when you are in transit between the entrance and the sports changing rooms or your bedroom. The other articles of clothing and footwear not permitted in the clubhouse are listed below.

The Club reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine on a case-by-case basis what is or is not appropriate attire, with the objective of preserving the ambience of the clubhouse.

If you have any queries about the dress code please contact Pall Mall’s Reception Team at pmreception@royalautomobileclub.co.uk or on 020 7747 3272.

Cocktail Bar, Drawing Room and Great Gallery

In addition to the general dress code provisions, in these rooms at all times men should wear a jacket over a collared, front-buttoning shirt. The shirt should be plain or with a smart and discreet pattern.

Polo shirts are NOT permitted.

If the summer dress code is in force, jackets are not required.

Women are asked to dress with equivalent smartness.

Footwear

All footwear should be clean and smart; ‘distressed’ footwear is not permitted.

Gentlemen should wear socks which go over the ankle.

The following are NOT permitted anywhere: casual boots; hiking shoes/boots; wellington boots; ‘Ugg’-style boots.

The following are NOT permitted anywhere except in the sports and spa areas or while transiting between these areas, the entrance and your bedroom.

  • sports training shoes
  • flip-flops or casual sandals (smart sandals are allowed)
  • any shoes which are multicoloured or have a large logo.

Please refer to THIS DOCUMENT for further guidance on footwear.

Sports and Spa Areas

Appropriate sportswear should be worn in the sports and spa areas (including the Turkish Baths and treatment areas) and may also be worn while travelling to and from these areas.

Dressing gowns over sportswear may be worn between your bedroom and the sports and spa areas but only if you are travelling via a lift.

Members playing squash at Pall Mall should note that only white clothing is permitted on court.

Clothing Not Permitted

Denim (of any style or colour) is not permitted except when transiting between the entrance and the sports changing rooms or your bedroom.

The following clothing is not permitted at any time anywhere:

  • rugby or football shirts
  • cargo/combat style trousers
  • anything which is ripped (by design or otherwise), dirty or stained
  • anything which displays a potentially offensive logo or slogan
  • anything which is inappropriately revealing (exposed midriffs are not acceptable)
  • hats, caps or hoodies.

The following are not permitted except as sportswear while you are in, or travelling to or from, the sports or spa areas:

  • polo shirts of more than one colour
  • leisurewear (including joggers and T-shirts)
  • shorts
  • leggings (even leather) except under dresses
  • any items of clothing or footwear with large logos.

Outerwear and Luggage

Outerwear and luggage (including umbrellas and carrier bags) must be deposited upon arrival in:

  • the cloakroom,
  • your bedroom or
  • the banqueting room if you are attending a function (only when approved by the organiser).

Smart jerseys (over a visible, collared shirt), roll-necks and lightweight, formal, ladies’ jackets are permitted in the clubhouse. Items such as gilets are considered to be outerwear.

Events

The standard dress code for the clubhouse also applies to members and guests attending events – unless different requirements are published in the information about the event you are attending.

Use of Electronic Devices

Telephone calls may only be made or taken in the phone booths on the ground floor (outside the Drawing Room) in the Simms Centre Communications Room, in pre-booked meeting or banqueting rooms (if the organiser permits) or in bedrooms.

Smartphones and tablets may be used in SILENT MODE in all areas of the clubhouse except:

  • any changing rooms (to ensure the privacy of other users)
  • the Turkish Baths (other than in a cubicle by a member who is sleeping there overnight) where they may not be used at all.

Laptops may only be used in:

  • the Simms Centre
  • the Library
  • pre-booked meeting or banqueting rooms and bedrooms.

The use of headphones or earbuds is not permitted anywhere except in the gym and the areas where laptops may be used.