Annabel’s is a members-only club at 46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London. In 2015, the club was located at number 44 before moving to 46 in 2018.

In chapter 3 of The Ink Black Heart, Strike is informed by the mother in the Groomer case that her daughter will be going to the club on New Year’s Eve.

Strike and Michelle “Midge” Greenstreet attend Annabel’s by invitation of their client, who leaves a message at the door, and they keep surveillance on the daughter they nickname “Legs.”

In the club, the two detectives sit at a table in the basement “between two mirrored pillars” and beneath “hundreds of golden helium balloons.”

Strike and Midge then follow Legs onto the dance floor and situate themselves in a niche to keep an eye on her.

“Uptown Funk” starts playing.

Midge follows Legs to the toilets, and Strike meets Madeleine Courson-Miles.

Shortly before midnight, while Strike is talking to Madeleine and Midge is in the toilets, “Rather Be” sung by Jess Glynne plays in the club.

Strike and Madeline kiss at midnight and release each other only after the first bars of “Aude Lang Syne” had been sung. Strike then asks Madeline for her phone number.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Annabel’s in 2003 and it is said to be the only nightclub she has ever visited.

Entertainers such as Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Diane Ross, Bryan Ferry and Lady Gaga have all performed in the club.

You can find the Annabel’s website here: annabels.co.uk