Mayfair Gets Its Aura Back
Aura, one of London’s most celebrated members clubs, re-opened under new ownership in September. Situated on the prestigious St. James’s Street in Mayfair, Aura’s established location is complemented by its sleek, sophisticated interior and innovative cocktail menu.
Owned by seasoned entrepreneurs including airline mogul Tony Fernandes, events and motorsport entrepreneur Jonny Dodge and Supper Club owner Alberto Barbieri, the new Aura features a cocktail bar, restaurant and club, all under one roof. A committee featuring some of London’s most interesting creative talent gives input and direction to the venue.
The interior of Aura encapsulates the esteem and heritage of its location: a sense of grandeur is infused throughout the venue, from the 3 bespoke glass tiered chandeliers to the highly lacquered custom-made tables. Notably, the furniture in Aura has been designed and fi tted by Martin J. Dodge, specialists in fine furniture, whose clients range from The Ritz and The Dorchester, to super yachts, including the Phocea, Salam and Indulgence, to royal and government buildings including 10 Downing Street, the Crown Prince of Dubai and the British Embassies in Tokyo, Brussels and Washington.
Designed by Grapes Associates, the team behind high profi le projects including Bungalow 8 and The Dorchester, Aura integrates a range of high calibre materials throughout its interior, such as leather panelling, suedes and handfinished wallpapers. Cutting edge lighting and colour changing ceiling coff ers add to the creation of zones, while defining the atmosphere as the club evolves.
Food & Drink at Aura
The new drinks menu at Aura is a connoisseur’s choice of rare spirits and carefully selected wines. An extensive selection of cocktails is on off er, from contemporary classics to more adventurous and innovative options. All cocktails are expertly prepared using fresh ingredients, such as the Russian Spring Punch, made from raspberry puree, lime juice, elderfl ower cordial, raspberry vodka, Chambord, Gomme syrup and Champagne.
Reflecting the expertise of its team of chefs, Aura’s food menu displays a delicate understanding of contemporary European cuisine, combining simplicity with inventive twists, while pan-Asian options add an Eastern fusion to the menu. Classic British options, such as the Organic 28 Day Hung Shorthorn Beef Fillet Steak with Handcut Chips, Bearnaise Sauce and a Rocket, Caper & Shallot Salad (£22.00), sit happily alongside oriental options such as the Teriyaki Tuna on a Lobster, Spring Onion & Spinach Mash (£23.00).
Hosting Events
Aura, with its prominent location, elegant interior and team of experienced event coordinators, is a coveted location in which to hold events. The layout of the venue is versatile, meaning it can be used for a range of private functions, including fashion shows, sit-down dinner parties for up to 80, corporate parties and photo shoots. All the tables are hydraulically adjustable for dining or sipping cocktails as required, and Aura houses state of the art technology, including an ATC sound system, projectors, LED lighting system, enabling any mood to be created at will. Aura is available for exclusive hire seven days a week (subject to availability).
How To Join
Membership for Aura is attained on an application only basis. Aura regularly connects with its members through newsletters and regular events. Members and their guests are entitled to priority bookings as well as regular exclusive opportunities, including invitations to free days with Sunseeker, Vistajet and Spyker cars, discount at Hilwood Resorts and Six Senses spas, upgrades on fl ights with Vistajet and access to other clubs around the world. Annual membership for Aura is £500.00.
The People Behind The Project
Aura is owned, in part, by seasoned entrepreneurs Tony Fernandes, Alberto Barbieri and Jonny Dodge. With illustrious careers that span a wide range of industries, the trio has gained enviable experience from the various vocations they have enjoyed prior to opening Aura.
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Tony Fernandes spent his early years with Virgin and Warner Music before rising to prominence when he bought out failing government backed airline AirAsia. AirAsia is now Asia’s largest low-cost operator, having carried over 65 million passengers since its inception. Alongside the airline, Fernandes’s empire includes the Tune Hotel Group, as well as ventures in finance and mobile.
Alberto Barbieri, an established figure on the London nightlife scene, previously worked with renowned London clubs including Iceni and Chinawhite before becoming a shareholder in Pangaea. Currently the owner of several restaurants, Barbieri is now bringing the revered bar, restaurant and arts club franchise, Supper Club, to the UK for the first time, with the new site set to open in Notting Hill in October.
At the age of 27, Jonny Dodge is the youngest owner of Aura. A savvy entrepreneur, Dodge fi rst acquired a taste for business and luxury whilst working for his father’s company, fi tting out super yachts and private jets. Shortly after his experience there, Dodge teamed up with Maximillion Cooper to help organise the Gumball Rally and has organised ‘Bladerun’ – a speedboat/superyacht rally on water – then the first tourist trip to the centre of Antarctica, Music Concerts, Film Premieres, and this year, the his own exclusive Dodgeball Rally to the French Riviera for a group of friends and their supercars.
