Parsloe's Subscription Room

971 Parsloe’s Subscription Room, 85 St. James’s Street 1780–1819. Famed for its chess club.

971. Parsloe's Subscription Room, 85, St. James's Street. Established by Joseph Parsloe, vintner.
     The house is mostly mentioned as Subscription House or Subscription Room; but listed as a coffee-house in the early years of the 19th century. From about 1809 to 1819 the directories revert to its early title.

1780–85

The particulars of the premises taken over by Parsloe; the fire there in 1785;

1786

the subsequent lease obtained by Parsloe, and new-building completed in 1786, are all described in the L.C.C. Survey of London, Vol. XXX.

1792–99

The Literary Club (founded 1764) held its meetings at Parsloe's, 1792 to 1799. The Dilettanti Society (founded 1734) also used the house for the same purpose.

1795

In 1795, the veteran Chess-player, M. Philidor, then nearly 70, played three blindfold matches in public shortly before his death. Timbs quotes the following announcement in the contemporary press: 'Chess Club, 1795. Parsloe's, St. James's Street. By particular desiret Mons. Philidor, positively for the last time, will play on Saturday, the 20th of June ... three games at once against three good players; two of them without seeing either of the boards, and the third looking over the table. He most respectfully invites all the members of the Chess-Club to honour him with their presence. Ladies and gentlemen not belonging to the Club may be provided with tickets at the above-mentioned houset to see the match, at five shillings each.'
     The press reports the 'wonderful exhibition' given by M. Philidor: 'His opponents were Count Bruhl and Mr. Bowdler (the two best players in London), and Mr. Maseres. He defeated Count Bruhl in one hour and twenty minutes, and Mr. Maseres in two hours; Mr. Bowdler reduced his game to a drawn battle in one hour and three-quarters... .'

1803

In 1803, Parsloe's, listed as a coffee-house in 'Picture of London' is described: 'Famed for elegant dinners, and a chess club. N.B. The only one in England.' Note: An earlier Chess Club met at Old Slaughter's Coffee-house in 1747, and it was through the invitation of its members that Philidor was induced to visit London.

1801–11

Survey of London mentions that the Society of Dilettanti kept their pictures at Parsloe's from 1801 to 1810t and 'in 181 C John Giles became the occupant of the premisest which he renamed the Albion Club....'

1809–11 Parsloe's

Subscription House, 85, St. James's Street is listed in directories. Proprietor—Joseph Parsloe. Notwithstanding Giles Albion Club in 1811 mentioned in the L.C.C. Survey; 'Parsloe's Subscription Roomt St. James's Street.

1814–19

Famed for its chess club, is still listed in 1814 edition 'Picture of London' and similarly in British Imperial Calendar, 1819.
     Elsewhere in L.C.C. Survey is mentioned that Parsloe remained the Proprietor of the subscription club at No. 85, which continued to be licensed under the name of 'Saunder's Coffee House' until 1810.

See Saunders Chocolate & Coffee House. No. 1171.