In sheer happenstance, I have just sighted a volume that Mr Holmes may have been deeply familar with.
Club Life of London:
With Anecdotes of the Clubs, Coffee-Houses and Taverns of the Metropoplis, During the 17th, 18th and19th Centuries
by John Timbs F.S.A.
In Two Volumes
Published 1866 by Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, London
#SherlockHolmes #VictorianLondon #TheGreatWhen #JohnTimbs #RichardBentley #EighteenSixtySix
https://ia600102.us.archive.org/2/items/clublifeoflondon02timb/clublifeoflondon02timb.pdf