Imagine a place so wild that stars swung from chandeliers, a rock legend used it as his personal dating service, and where the ultra-exclusive mingled with royals and rockstars alike. Welcome back to Tramp, the notorious London nightclub that has seen more than its fair share of celebrity debauchery. After shutting its doors last year under mysterious circumstances, Tramp is set to reopen this September with a fresh face but the same penchant for scandal.
Founded in 1969 and famously named after Charlie Chaplin’s character, Tramp became the secret playground for the rich and famous. From Kate Moss to The Who’s Keith Moon—who infamously turned up naked strapped to a Rolls-Royce—Tramp was the stage for the unimaginable.
“It’s lucky they didn’t have camera phones back in those days at Tramp or we’d all be in prison…the things we got up to,” rockstar Rod Stewart once declared.
The club’s ability to shield its patrons from the prying eyes of the paparazzi built a loyal fanbase of celebrities, all relishing in the club’s discretion. “What happens in Tramp, stays in Tramp,” was the unofficial motto, as stated by General Manager David Fleming in 2019. This secrecy fostered an environment where anything could happen—Jack Nicholson once shockingly French-kissed a homeless man outside, and George Best was so regular that his football manager would call Tramp to locate him.
Tramp’s allure wasn’t just in its promise of anonymity but also in its storied history filled with surreal moments. On one occasion, three James Bonds—Sean Connery, George Lazenby, and Roger Moore—randomly met and dined together. The venue even inspired Jackie Collins’s erotic novel “The Stud,” which later became a film shot within its walls.
As Tramp gears up to welcome the glitterati under new management by Luca Maggiora, questions linger about the relevance of such a hedonistic hotspot in today’s wellness-obsessed, social media-driven celebrity culture. Will Tramp’s legendary nights find a place in the modern era, or is it the end of an era for celebrity antics?
Regardless, the reopening of Tramp will undoubtedly be a major event. As history has shown, where celebrities go, drama follows—and Tramp has never been short on either.
10 Interesting Facts about Celebrities Associated with Tramp Nightclub:
- Rod Stewart reportedly used Tramp as his personal ‘dating service’ to meet potential romantic interests during his music career peaks.
- Keith Moon, the drummer for The Who, was famously barred from Tramp after causing damage while swinging from a chandelier—only to be readmitted after an emotional appeal.
- Kate Moss once DJed at a celebrity hairstylist’s birthday party at Tramp, thrilling guests by swinging from the chandeliers herself.
- Mick Jagger once had a close call at Tramp when he and his then-girlfriend Jerry Hall almost bumped into his estranged wife, Bianca Jagger.
- Jack Nicholson once French-kissed a homeless man outside Tramp, illustrating the unexpected and often wild behavior of its patrons.
- George Best, the legendary footballer, was such a regular that his absence from training would prompt his coach to check if he was at Tramp.
- Sean Connery, George Lazenby, and Roger Moore, all actors who played James Bond, once coincidentally dined together at Tramp in what was an iconic moment for the club.
- Marlon Brando refused to leave Tramp one night, choosing to stay and have breakfast there, blending in with the staff and other guests.
- Shirley MacLaine once fell asleep at a table in Tramp and would playfully shape her bangers and mash into risqué forms.
- Naomi Campbell chose Tramp for the 1994 after-party of her debut novel launch, demonstrating the club’s status as a premier venue for significant celebrity events.
Wow, this article brings back some wild memories! Tramp was truly the place where anything could happen. Celebs letting loose and creating unforgettable stories. Thanks for this nostalgic trip down memory lane!