Strangers' Bar

Strangers' Bar is one of the principal bars within the Palace of Westminster, the London complex that houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Located near the House of Commons, it is not a conventional public house: access is controlled by parliamentary rules and is generally limited to Members of Parliament, eligible parliamentary employees, parliamentary officers, certain former members and authorized guests. Members may bring guests, although purchasing privileges are restricted to the sponsoring member. When Parliament is not sitting, access has also extended more broadly to House of Commons staff under the applicable rules. The bar occupies a distinctive place in Westminster culture. It has traditionally been associated with Labour MPs and was sometimes nicknamed “the Kremlin,” while Conservative members were more closely associated with the Smoking Room. The contrast reflected both political custom and the bar’s atmosphere. Strangers' Bar was regarded as resembling a northern working men's club more closely than many other Westminster venues, particularly because of its selection of traditional beers. It has often stocked ales and other drinks supplied by small breweries from around the United Kingdom, reinforcing its informal and distinctly British public-house character. The venue benefits from parliamentary privilege and historically did not require an ordinary alcohol licence. Its operating environment has nevertheless changed in response to wider public-health, safety and conduct expectations. Smoking was prohibited in the bar on 4 April 2005. A refit reported in 2013 cost £13,000, and by 2018 the room included a dartboard and served pork scratchings, details that helped preserve its club-like identity. Strangers' Bar has also been the setting for several incidents that attracted national attention. In February 2012, Labour MP Eric Joyce assaulted a number of MPs and councillors during an altercation. He later pleaded guilty to four charges, received a fine and a community order, and was ordered to pay compensation. In 2024, parliamentary standards findings concerned allegations of inappropriate touching by Conservative MP Aaron Bell in the bar in December 2023 and harassment by Lord Ranger of Northwood in January 2024. These cases contributed to scrutiny of conduct and safeguarding in parliamentary hospitality spaces. The bar’s operating model has occasionally been discussed in financial terms. In the 2013–14 financial year, it was reported to have generated a profit from takings of £202,575, unusual among Commons venues serving alcohol. This figure describes a particular financial year and should not be treated as a current valuation, revenue run rate or continuing result. In early 2025, Strangers' Bar was temporarily closed after a report of suspected drink spiking. A review of security and safety procedures led to plans for CCTV, additional security guards and further staff training. The bar reopened on 24 February 2025 with a stated capacity limit of no more than 50 people at a time. The venue therefore remains an active parliamentary facility, but its access, security and conduct procedures continue to reflect the controlled nature of the Palace of Westminster.

Strangers' Bar is a parliamentary hospitality venue in the Palace of Westminster, close to the House of Commons. Unlike a public commercial bar, it operates primarily for members of the parliamentary community and authorized guests. Its access arrangements have covered MPs, qualifying Commons staff, certain civil servants, former MPs and selected retired parliamentary employees. Members may sponsor guests, but the rules have restricted who may buy drinks and how many guests may be admitted. When Parliament is not sitting, access has at times been extended to the wider House of Commons staff community. The bar’s reputation developed through its association with Labour MPs and its informal atmosphere. It was historically known by the nickname “the Kremlin,” while Conservative MPs were more associated with the Smoking Room. The distinction was cultural rather than an official political designation. Strangers' Bar was perceived as closer to a northern working men's club than other Westminster rooms, partly because of its traditional beer range and relaxed pub-like furnishings and customs. It has frequently offered ales and other beverages from small breweries around the United Kingdom. By 2018, the venue was reported to have a dartboard and pork scratchings, details consistent with its traditional public-house positioning. Because the bar is located within Parliament and is covered by parliamentary privilege, it historically did not need an ordinary alcohol licence. Its operating standards have nonetheless evolved. Smoking was prohibited on 4 April 2005. In 2013, the venue received a refit reportedly costing £13,000. A financial report covering 2013–14 stated that the bar made a profit on takings of £202,575, an unusual result compared with most alcohol-serving venues in the Commons. This is a historical financial figure for a specified reporting period rather than evidence of current performance. Strangers' Bar has periodically been drawn into public debate because incidents occurring there involve parliamentarians and parliamentary guests. On 22 February 2012, Labour MP Eric Joyce became involved in a violent altercation with MPs and councillors. He headbutted Conservative MP Stuart Andrew and struck other individuals, including councillors and fellow Labour MP Phil Wilson. Police attended, and Joyce later pleaded guilty to four charges, including assault by beating. He received a fine, a 12-month community order and a compensation order. He apologized in the House of Commons, was suspended from the Labour Party and subsequently said he would not seek to remain an MP. Later conduct cases also concerned activity in the bar. In 2024, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme found that Conservative MP Aaron Bell had touched a woman’s thigh, waist and bottom without consent during an incident in December 2023. In the same year, the House of Lords Conduct Committee found that Lord Ranger of Northwood had harassed a group of people in the bar in January 2024. These findings intensified attention on the standards expected in parliamentary social spaces and on the mechanisms available for investigating complaints. In January 2025, the bar was closed temporarily after a report of drink spiking. The closure prompted a review of security and safety procedures. By 11 February, reopening plans reportedly included CCTV, additional guards and more staff training. Strangers' Bar reopened on 24 February 2025, with a capacity restriction of no more than 50 people. Later in 2025, a disagreement between the doorman and a guest of MP Andrew Rosindell led to police attendance. Together, these developments show a venue balancing historic informality and parliamentary tradition with increasingly formal expectations around access control, safeguarding, security and conduct.

• 2025

  Security-led closure and reopening

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  The bar closed after a drink-spiking report, adopted planned security enhancements and reopened on 24 February with a 50-person capacity limit.

• 2024

  Parliamentary conduct findings

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  Two separate conduct findings concerned incidents involving Aaron Bell and Lord Ranger of Northwood.

• 2017

  Access categories documented

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  Published rules described eligible users, guest limits and purchasing restrictions for the bar.

• 2014

  Profit reported for 2013–14

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  The venue was reported to have made a profit on takings of £202,575 during the 2013–14 financial year.

• 2013

  Venue refitted

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  The bar underwent a reported £13,000 refit.

• 2012

  Eric Joyce altercation

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  A violent incident involving MP Eric Joyce led to criminal proceedings, an apology and his suspension from the Labour Party.

• 2005

  Smoking ban introduced

  [1]Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org

  Smoking was prohibited in Strangers' Bar from 4 April 2005.

A members-and-staff parliamentary bar with an informal British working-men's-club atmosphere, traditional beer selection and tightly controlled access.

• Beverages

  Traditional ales and beers

  Strangers' Bar is known for serving ales and other beers, including products from small breweries across the United Kingdom. The selection supports the venue’s informal, traditional pub identity and has contributed to its reputation as a working-men's-club-style space within Westminster.

• Food

  Pub snacks

  The bar has served traditional pub snacks, including pork scratchings. These offerings are part of its deliberately informal hospitality style rather than a separately branded food range.

• 2025

  Drink-spiking report and security review

  A report of suspected drink spiking led to the bar’s temporary closure and a review of security and safety procedures.

  Source

• 2024

  Aaron Bell conduct finding

  The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme found that Aaron Bell had touched a woman inappropriately and without consent in the bar in December 2023.

  Source

• 2024

  Lord Ranger of Northwood conduct finding

  The House of Lords Conduct Committee found that Lord Ranger of Northwood had harassed people in the bar in January 2024.

  Source

• 2012

  Eric Joyce assault

  MP Eric Joyce assaulted several MPs and councillors during an altercation in the bar. He pleaded guilty to four charges and received a fine, a community order and a compensation order.

  Source

Read more

• 2025

  Strengthen security and safety proceduresStrategy

  Background

  The bar was closed after a report of suspected drink spiking, prompting a review of security and safeguarding arrangements.

  Action taken

  Plans included CCTV, additional security guards, further staff training and a limit of no more than 50 people at a time.

  Aftermath

  The bar reopened on 24 February 2025 under tighter security and capacity controls.

  Source

• 2013

  Refit the venueStrategy

  Background

  The parliamentary bar required an upgrade while retaining its established informal character.

  Action taken

  A refit reported to have cost £13,000 was carried out.

  Aftermath

  The venue remained associated with traditional pub-style service and amenities.

  Reported refit cost. £13,000 (2013)

  Source

• 2005

  Ban smoking in the barOther

  Background

  Changing health standards for enclosed public and institutional spaces led to a smoking prohibition at the venue.

  Action taken

  Smoking was banned from 4 April 2005.

  Aftermath

  The bar continued operating as a traditional parliamentary hospitality venue without indoor smoking.

  Source

1. 1Strangers' Baren.wikipedia.org