It boasts a rich history intertwined with London’s high society and offers a serene retreat from the bustling city life. Welcome to the insider’s guide to the Capital’s top private members clubs, where exclusivity meets luxury and history intertwines with contemporary charm. Established in 1903, the Colony Club was New York’s first women’s private social club. “The clubhouse…is used by some of the smartest women in society,” wrote The New York Times in honor of the club’s first birthday. Its first clubhouse on Madison Avenue had quite the design pedigree; it was designed by Stanford White and decorated by Elsie de Wolfe. But the club moved to a specially commissioned neo-Georgian building by Delano & Aldrich on Park Avenue in 1916, with Ms. de Wolfe furnishing the interiors here too.
- With its focus on holistic well-being, Thirty Nine Monte Carlo has become the preferred destination for health-conscious elites seeking balance in the heart of the French Riviera.
- To join Annabel’s Mayfair, prepare to pay an annual subscription of £3,250 (USD4,215), plus a joining fee of £1,750 (USD2,270).
- A gentlemen’s private club emphasizes discretion, privacy, and respect, requiring members to adhere to a set of rules designed to maintain a harmonious and exclusive atmosphere.
- Visitors and locals would also use the dining and meeting facilities to socialise, dance, and have afternoon tea in.
- Club members include Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Bill and Melinda Gates, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
- The club is revered for its sports and recreational facilities, and lifestyle amenities, as for its décor, architectural prowess and gourmet fare.
- Known for its understated elegance and an atmosphere of exclusivity, this club has become a favored retreat for the city’s elite.
The Most Exclusive Private Tennis Clubs
Legend has it that the club was born as an antithesis to the White’s Club, London’s oldest private men’s club by several members who had been blackballed from there, or labelled “black sheep” at the White Club. The RAC is also known for its elegant and classic design along with its impressive events calendar that features motoring exhibitions, talk sessions, and charity events. The club offers its members access to 108 bedrooms, seven banquet halls, a swimming pool with Turkish baths, along with squash and tennis courts. If you’re looking for a private members club in the city that not just offers entertainment, relaxation, and good vibes, but also helps expand your professional network, you’re in the right place. The first modern gentleman private clubs in London began cropping up in the late 18th century as a way for men to socialise with like-minded individuals.
Here, the décor, heavily influenced by Wenzel Peter’s “The Garden of Eden,” boasts furnishings covered with exquisite animal prints, faux palm trees, and hand-painted mirrored glass walls. Members can dance on a unique hydraulic floor to beats from world-renowned DJs, escaping nightly to this enchanting paradise. We curated a list of the best private members’ clubs in London, featuring exclusive venues for a refined and memorable social life.
- Some London private members clubs specialize in specific activities or interests, such as cigars, whiskey tasting, or business networking, providing tailored experiences that cater to niche groups.
- Each ride offers privacy and comfort, enabling you to relax or continue working while on the move.
- Under the patronage of Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club De Monaco represents the luxury and exclusivity of the yachting world.
- Founded in 1995 by Nick Jones in London, the New York location opened its doors in 2003, extending its unique blend of hospitality and exclusivity across the Atlantic.
- Finally, the basement houses Club Nouveau Nightclub, a dynamic venue known for impromptu performances by stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and scheduled private concerts with artists such as Will.i.am and Lauryn Hill.
- Membership benefits include access to all club facilities, exclusive events, and reciprocal privileges at other private clubs worldwide.
What is 1 Club?
The moment one steps inside, they are greeted by the lavish Art Deco decor that defines the building’s historical charm. Dating back to 1772 and reimagined by Ennismore, known for their work with Hoxton Hotels and Gleneagles, the club is a fusion of traditional glamour and contemporary comfort. Non-members can book in to stay at the house – the club also operates as a romantic hotel. However, it seems hopeful Apollo’s Muse card holders might be in luck – the applications section of the website remains open. Like the main restaurant, Apollo’s Muse is marble and gold fever dream adorned with ancient Greek and Roman artwork and sculptures, complete with plush velvet furnishings and ornate interior touches. Set within the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority, Ten Trinity Square styles itself as a unique partnership between the investment group Reignwood, vineyard Château Latour and the Four Seasons hotel group.
Club Facilities
Members can enjoy bespoke cocktails and a diverse menu while socialising in an elegant, exclusive atmosphere. Events range from live performances to networking evenings, making The Club at The Ivy a coveted retreat in the heart of Manchester. Full membership is £1,650 annually with a £300 joining fee, while social membership costs £900 per year with the same joining fee. For those who prefer a digital experience, membership is available at £8.33 per month.
A Club Menu is available throughout 1 Warwick’s social and workspaces, where recognisable faces tap away at their latest projects in cosy corners. A wellbeing hub also houses a boutique gym and studio space alongside luxurious changing rooms with a towel service – personal trainers can also be hired. Private members’ clubs don’t get much more iconic than Annabel’s, which has presided over Mayfair’s Berkeley Square in some form since the early 1960s.
The Royal Automobile Club Pall Mall and Epsom
In fact, the “Knick,” as Private Club it’s also known, was founded on the principle of exclusivity. In 1871, members of the prestigious Union Club became dissatisfied with the institution’s newly relaxed admissions standards, so they created their own club with exceptionally high standards. The current clubhouse is located at 2 East 62nd Street in a landmark neo-Federal building constructed between 1913 and 1915. Those happy to access a limited number of The Ned’s members-only spaces should look into Ned Friends membership, which costs a fraction of the price. Perks include priority access to special events, evening access to the Library Bar between Wednesday and Saturday, reduced rates on overnight stays, plus discounts across Soho Home, Cowshed, Soho Skin and Ned’s Club Spa treatments. Dubbed the ‘most influential private members’ club in the world’ by Spear’s own Editor-in-Chief Edwin Smith, 5 Hertford Street has been a sensation from the moment it opened its doors in 2012.
List of members’ clubs in London
A traditional private members club, like The Garrick or Brooks’s, provides a formal setting focusing on history, exclusivity, and quiet socializing among club members. These clubs often have strict dress codes and cater to older members who value a more reserved environment. The House of St Barnabas was established in 2006 by Father Simon Grigg in Soho with a mission to provide training and employment opportunities in the hospitality sector for people who have experienced homelessness. Members can plan to make a social impact while enjoying the private amenities the club offers including a restaurant, a bar, a chapel, a garden, and a library. Private members’ clubs are organisations which provide social and other facilities to members who typically pay a membership fee for access and use. With its bohemian-chic aesthetic and relaxed but curated vibe, it’s designed for those in the creative industries.
Above, the atrium bathes in natural light, where towering palm trees and a historic French fireplace dating back over 200 years add to the allure. The rooftop offers a year-round luxurious escape with its retractable roof and heated pool, providing panoramic views of the London skyline. Additionally, members are welcome to book one of the bespoke dining room settings for private gatherings, each uniquely styled to reflect diverse global influences. Locaed in the heart of London, NYX members club arrives with a formidable pedigree, joining its acclaimed siblings in Doha, Dubai, Marbella, and Miami. Even before opening its doors, NYX London had already cultivated a buzz of anticipation among the city’s nightlife connoisseurs.
These aren’t just any events; they’re intimate, personal, and, most importantly, invite-only. In short, these clubs have come a long way from their traditional roots, but at their core, they remain as coveted as ever—a place for the privileged few, where connections are made, and luxury is a way of life. Find out what’s happening at the House from special celebrations to exciting member events. Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals.
