Luca Maggiora On Reviving Tramp, London's Private Members' Club

Forbes

a day ago

Think Tramp and think of a stylish, debaucherous night out in London. After all, this private members' club on Jermyn Street in Mayfair, which first opened in 1969, has been graced by the glitterati, from celebrities to high society and royalty. Favored by the likes of Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, Joan Collins and Princess Margaret, it became loved for its glamour, its excess and that perfect balance with discretion. As for its name, Tramp, it's a cheeky take on the guests who were anything but.
Now in its 2.0 iteration, at the helm is lifestyle entrepreneur Luca Maggiora, who began his career in finance by day while helping to run the infamous Mayfair nightclub Maddox by night. What started as a hobby soon became a calling, and in 2007 Luca launched Luxx, his debut nightclub, building a reputation for crafting memorable (or, perhaps hazy) nights out.
Today he's breathed new, stylish life into the nothing-less-than-iconic institution, and ahead of it's one-year anniversary of its revival, Luca talks celebrity, glitz, and two decades of perfect the art of hospitality.
Luca Maggiora: I was in my early twenties when I moved from Italy to London to start working in finance. Around that time, a friend of mine opened a nightclub called Maddox. He asked me to help him launch it by bringing in people from the finance world. Maddox quickly became a huge success, and soon my phone didn't stop ringing: every banker in the City wanted in. For two and a half years, I worked in finance by day and at Maddox by night. Then, at 27, I left both behind and opened my first club, Luxx.
LM: When I opened Luxx, nightlife was all about fun, music, community and glamour. Over the years, however, nightclubs seem to have lost some of that original magic. Many attribute this decline to shifting tastes among younger generations, but I think it's a combination of several factors. The nightlife scene at today faces challenges around safety, high prices, and an increasing inability for people to truly live in the moment.
LM: I've always been a huge fan of Tramp, especially during its prime years from 1969 to 2010, when it was undoubtedly the best members' club in the world. Seeing its decline, and observing large corporations buying up everything in high-end hospitality, made me realise that the one thing money couldn't buy was true brand heritage and authenticity. The only logical choice was for me was Tramp. I felt I was the right person to restore such an iconic institution to its former glory. It was a perfect combination of a great business opportunity and a personal challenge. FC: How did you approach updating such a known name on the nightlife scene?
LM: Well, first of all, I had to completely start from scratch. I removed all the previous members, reimbursed them, closed the club for over a year, refurbished everything, and set myself a few clear principles. The most important was that it would never again be just a nightclub. Since its reopening we're open every day from midday until late into the night.
Yet, despite the changes, I made sure to preserve the club's original DNA: fun. I also gave myself a clear goal, within 24 months of reopening, Tramp had to reclaim its position at the top and I committed to personally meeting every single potential member for coffee before they could apply. In these first nine months since I reopened, I met over 2000 people…that's a lot of coffees! FC: Tramp has always had a reputation for style and attracting the stylish, how did you reflect that in the new design?
LM: I reached out to some of the absolute best, Duncan Campbell and Charlotte Rey. They perfectly understood my vision of blending the incredible original elements of the old Tramp with fresh, contemporary touches. The result is truly fantastic. Tramp is now stylish and modern, yet it still radiates the soul and energy of its past. FC: What elements from the club's original look or feel did you choose to keep and why?
LM: The Zodiac Ceiling in the restaurant is original, and the wall panels in the main room date back hundreds of years. Having such rare historical features in a place like Jermyn Street is incredibly special. I kept them all and carefully restored them, bringing their timeless beauty back to life. FC: What does the new Tramp bring to the city?
LM: The new Tramp brings back a true sense of the past. It's a members' club where the owner is always present as both host and friend, creating, together with my fantastic colleagues, a genuine sense of family and belonging. The service, food, music, and people are exceptional, making it a real home away from home. Exactly like it was in the old days, exactly why members' clubs originally came to be. FC: What kind of member or guest is Tramp designed for in 2025?
LM: My goal was always to attract the very best from all walks of life, and by best, I don't mean financially. Instead, I look for people who align with my values and share my outlook on life. When I sit down with someone, I simply ask myself, 'Does this person share my vision?' If the answer is yes, they become a member. FC: How do you balance exclusivity with staying relevant?
LM: In the high end hospitality world, exclusivity isn't about money or status anymore. It's about creating a safe space where people genuinely feel at ease, especially in such challenging times and where they can meet like minded people. By personally meeting each potential member and talking to all of them on a regular basis, I ensure that my idea of exclusivity stays aligned with what people truly want and value in 2025. FC: What's your vision for Tramp for the next five years?
LM: I have no doubt that Tramp will once again be a true institution. People will be traveling from all over the world to be part of it, exactly as they once did.And naturally, we'll expand. You are the first one to know: Tramp Health is launching at the beginning of 2026, guided by the same vision and the same community. It will be a spectacular 16,000 sqft wellness and wellbeing social club, set in London's most extraordinary location. I genuinely can't wait to share it with the world.
Address: Tramp, 40 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 6DN