THE CLUB
THE MEMBERS
- How many members are there?
- Is the club for single people or couples?
- Is it a club to meet other people socially or to meet a partner?
- What sort of women come along?
- What age range does the club cover?
- What sort of events do you provide?
- How much does an event cost?
- How does it compare price-wise with other clubs?
- How is the club funded?
- What venues has the club visited recently?
- What is the dress code?
- I'm quite shy and nervous of turning up on my own. Will I be out of place?
- What time do I turn up?
- Who do I ask for on arrival?
- How long do events last?
AND FINALLY...
- Just take the plunge - come along and enjoy!!
THE CLUB
What does the club provide?
The club was established a number of years ago with the aim of giving
professional gay women an opportunity to socialise with each other
in friendly and relaxed environments. The aim was to find ‘civilised’
venues, away from the loud music and down-market clubs that are often
associated with the gay female scene in London. Events are organised
every two to three weeks, usually either on a Saturday evening or a Sunday
lunchtime. Jacky, the current organiser, was a member herself for a couple
of years and enjoyed it so much that she took the club over 8 years ago,
since when it’s gone from strength to strength with each event
usually fully booked well in advance! She runs it purely for fun so
you can be sure that all your money goes into the club, rather than paying
for her time and energies in running it!! So there are NO hosting charges
for events and NO administrative charges for all the work involved behind
the scenes in running the club.
How many people attend each event?
There are usually in the region of 20 people at each lunch or dinner with
places being limited on a ‘first come first served’ basis. That
way you get an opportunity to talk to most people and for Jacky, who personally
hosts each session, to create a friendly ambience with just the right
number of people. Greater numbers are able to attend the drinks parties
which are organised occasionally as it is easier to mingle and socialise
whilst wandering around rather than sitting at a table!
THE MEMBERS
How many members are there?
The club has been running for several years now and has a mailing list
of some 1400+ gay women who attend the club. This means you always see
new faces at each event which makes for an even better opportunity to
network.
Is the club for single people or couples?
The club attracts both singles and couples alike, with approximately
95% of women attending their first event alone.
Is it a club to meet other people socially
or to meet a partner?
Why you choose to come to the club is really down to the individual. Many
people simply want to expand their social circle but, equally well, there
are an enormous number of relationships that have started as a result
of people joining the club.
What sort of women come along?
The club attracts professional women who are looking for somewhere upmarket
and civilised to meet other like-minded women, to talk without having
to shout over loud music, and enjoy good food and wine at the same time.
What age range does the club cover?
The age range is enormous - from 20 through to more than 60! However,
the majority of current members are probably 30- and 40-somethings.
THE VENUES
What sort of events do you provide?
Most occasions involve either lunch or dinner, but the club also occasionally
holds drinks parties, or arranges a trip to a show, the theatre or even
bowling. Recently the club has also hosted the preview of a lesbian film,
organised a weekend away in Berlin, seen "Billy Elliott the Musical" and
enjoyed lunches at the infamous The Ivy restaurant and also Gordon Ramsay
at Claridge's.
How much does an event cost?
Each event is priced individually depending upon the type of venue. The
price for each lunch or dinner usually includes drinks on arrival, a
three course meal with free-flowing wine throughout, coffee and service
charges. There are NO additional charges so you will find that, given
the quality of food and wine (and there is a copious quantity of alcohol
available as those with hangovers next day will testify!!) coupled with
the company of in the region of 20 lesbians, it is excellent value for
money!
And, even better, no squabbling at the end of a meal trying to sort out who ate
and drank what and therefore who owes what money! Prices range generally between £35
and £70 depending on the type of venue.
How does it compare price-wise
with other clubs?
Extremely favourably!!! As the events are ALL-INCLUSIVE, you can rest
assured that the price you pay to attend a Champagne Dining Club event
covers EVERYTHING so you will not be asked to dig into your pocket for
extras!!! And, because Jacky runs the club purely for fun, she
does NOT charge you anything for her time in hosting the events or for
the administration tasks involved in running the club so you can rest
assured that ALL of your money is only used for YOUR enjoyment!!
Other clubs often lure you in with what appear to be cheap prices, only for you
to find that, by the time you have paid for wine, water, coffee, service charge,
hosting and administration fees on top, you have paid a LOT more than you
would've done had you attended the Champagne Dining Club's all-inclusive price!! So,
with the Champagne Dining Club events, you can eat and drink as much as you like
without worrying about a further charge at the end of the evening. And, because
you've paid in advance by credit card, there are no charges to quibble about
at the end either!
How is the club funded?
The overheads of the club (eg advertising, web design & support,
credit card facilities and bank charges etc etc) are funded partially
through membership fees. A percentage of the money you pay for
each event is also used as a contribution towards these overheads. As
Jacky does not charge you at all for her time in hosting the events or
running the club, then you can be sure that ALL monies you pay are invested
in ensuring that YOU get best value for money and have a great time,
every time!
What venues has the club visited recently?
Recent restaurants include Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, The Ivy, the Cinnamon
Club and Joe Allen – each with its own individual style and flair.
The club has also been to Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, Vinopolis world
of wine, the Tate and Courtauld Art Galleries, and seen both 'Mamma Mia' and
'Billy Elliott the Musical' in recent times.
MEMBERSHIP
Is there a membership fee?
There is a joining fee of £75 per person (with a price of only £50
per person for couples or friends joining together).
HOWEVER, join within 2 weeks of attending your first event, and the joining
fee is only £50 per person, or £25 per person if you join
with your partner.
Can I try the club before joining?
You are welcome to pay for, and attend, one event without paying the membership
fee so that you can 'try and test' the club to see whether it's visiting
the sort of places you want to go and that the type of people are those
you'd like to meet. You will need to pay your membership fee prior to
attending a second event.
BOOKING
How do I book?
You can do so either by phoning or emailing Jacky using the Contact Info
section and giving your credit card number and expiry date (and issue
number if it’s a Switch card). Alternatively, you can email or call
her to check on availability before sending a cheque to the address she
will give you. Always ensure you leave your phone number whenever you
leave a phone message to ensure that she can get back to you. And please
speak loudly and slowly as so many messages go unanswered simply because
they cannot be heard!
Can I book on the day?
Generally this is not possible as most events are usually fully booked
well in advance. Occasionally, however, you may hit lucky and get a cancellation
at the last minute.
What appears on my credit
card statement?
The words CDC Ltd will appear on your statement when the money is taken.
PLEASE make a mental note of this as any queries made to the bank will
incur a £20 handling charge.
ATTENDING AN EVENT
What is the dress code?
Usually it is smart casual. Most women seem to wear trousers, but some
venture out occasionally in skirts and dresses so don’t be afraid
to do so!
I'm quite shy and nervous of turning
up on my own. Will I be out of place?
Most women come on their own so you will be in good company! There are
always several new people at each event, so you will never be the only
‘new girl’ on the block. Jacky, the club organiser, personally
hosts every event and ensures that introductions are made and that everybody
has a good time!
What time do I turn up?
The Wine & Dine section shows the start time for each session. You
should turn up for drinks between the times mentioned, and the meal will
follow on shortly afterwards. Please try not to arrive early as Jacky
will be making last-minute checks with the venue and may not therefore
be available to greet you. And please try not to be late either or you
will find we have had to start without you!
Who do I ask for on arrival?
You can ask for either the Champagne Dining Club or Jacky and the restaurant
manager will show you over to the table. Jacky will then greet you and
ensure that you are introduced to other members and that you have a good
time.
How long do events last?
Generally an event will go on until the restaurant asks us to leave!!
After the lunchtime sessions, many members choose to stay on and continue
socialising in the bar or lounge area, whilst after many of the evening
sessions they head off to one of the many women’s clubs that have
opened recently in central London.
AND FINALLY...
Just take the plunge - come along and enjoy!!
