Watier's facts for kids
Watier's Club was a special club for gentlemen that existed from 1807 to 1819. It was located in a fancy part of west London, at 81 Piccadilly.
Before it became a famous club, the building was a private home. It also hosted a small singing club. The idea for Watier's Club came from the Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV. He suggested using his talented new chef, Jean-Baptiste Watier, to create a new dining club. The club was named after this chef. Some of the first members included important figures like Beau Brummell.
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The Club's Beginning
The Prince of Wales wanted a club where gentlemen could enjoy amazing meals. He asked his chef, Watier, if he would like to open a club and organize the dinners. Watier agreed! He chose Madison, the Prince's page, to manage the club. Labourie, another chef from the royal kitchen, became the main cook.
The club quickly became known for its incredible food. People said that even the best chefs in Paris couldn't cook as well as Labourie.
Fun and Games at Watier's
Watier's Club was also a place where members played card games. The most popular game was called 'Macao'. This game was a bit like the modern game of baccarat. Many members, including princes and nobles, would play for high stakes. They often won or lost large amounts of money.
One famous member, Mr. Raikes, said that Watier's Club became the favorite spot for many fashionable gentlemen. He noted that the dinners were excellent, and the game of 'Macao' was very popular.
Beau Brummell's Influence
Beau Brummell was a very famous and stylish man of his time. He was known for setting trends in fashion and manners. The Prince Regent asked Brummell to be the president of Watier's Club. Because of Brummell's influence, many people saw the club as a very important and trendy place.
Brummell was like the king of the club. He decided what was fashionable in clothes and behavior. He also encouraged the fun and excitement there. He was especially good at the game of Macao.
Brummell's Lucky Streak
There are many stories about Brummell at the club. One time, a man named Tom Sheridan came in and placed a small bet at Macao. Brummell arrived from the opera and offered to take Sheridan's place, sharing any winnings. Brummell was known for his amazing luck at this game. He added a lot more money to Sheridan's bet. In just ten minutes, Brummell won a huge amount! He gave half of it to Sheridan and told him to go home and enjoy it with his family, and never play again.
Another story tells of a night when Brummell's luck ran out, and he lost a lot of money. He acted very dramatically and asked a waiter for a candle and a "pistol." Another member, Mr. Bligh, who was known for being a bit unusual, calmly offered Brummell two loaded pistols. Everyone present was very surprised by this strange moment!
The Dandies Club
Watier's Club was sometimes called "The Dandies Club." This nickname was given by the famous poet Lord Byron. He said he liked the dandies because they were always very polite to him. This shows that the club was a place for gentlemen who cared a lot about their appearance and manners.
The Club's End
Watier's Club did not last very long. It closed its doors in 1819, just 12 years after it opened. Over time, the club became a place where people lost money very quickly. A group of members set up a system that made it almost certain for others to lose their fortunes. This led to the club's eventual closure.
Images for kids
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Patrons of Watier's, The Dandy Club, Circa 1818
