New York City is a culture obsessed with the latest and greatest: trends come and go, and restaurants that were once so hot, are now so not.
But one thing has remained constant throughout all this time: the ever-so-exclusive social club.
And while these institutions have taken new shapes and forms, the DNA of the members-only club has stayed the same.
See Also: Behind The Velvet Rope: The Most Exclusive Clubs In NYC
Prestige is the name of the game, and only the crème de la crème of New York society are invited to play.
Want to learn more? We’ve got the keys to New York’s toughest doors.
Transport yourself to a fantasy world of squash courts and Champagne, and keep reading for an inside look into the private clubs we love to hate.
The Union ClubView this post on Instagram
101 E 69th St. / Website
Founded in 1836, the Union Club proudly bears the title of the oldest private club in New York City, and it's still standing—and as exclusive as ever. Annual fees are reported to be $5,000, which is pocket change for the people that unwind here. Women are still not allowed to be members, though they can visit.
View this post on Instagram
1 E 60th St. / Website
Similar to the Union Club, The Metropolitan Club has defined upper-echelon New York culture for hundreds of years. Originally founded as a gentlemen's club in March 1891, it comes as no surprise that old money is the name of the game here. If you came here way back when, you would be guaranteed to see the likes of J.P. Morgan and members of the Vanderbilt and Roosevelt families. Currently, the annual membership fee is reported to be $5,000, no technology is allowed, and men and women are required to dress to the nines.
View this post on Instagram
50 Vanderbilt Ave, Manhattan / Website
The name says it all at this one. Unsurprisingly, this highly coveted spot is reserved for Yale faculty and alumni. If you’re not an ivy-leaguer yourself but lucky enough to be connected to one, you can join through legacy admissions. With an increased emphasis on networking, the Yale Club is an in-person version of LinkedIn—with much stricter credentials, of course.
View this post on Instagram
564 Park Ave, Manhattan / Website
Who runs the world? Girls! The Colony Club is the only club in New York City created just for women. If you call that sexist, you should probably stop reading here. It’s all about who you know in this all-female organization, as current members must recommend new members. In 1903, the admissions fee was $150, which is literally comical. The updated admissions fee is not available to the public, which is obnoxious yet extremely enticing.
66 E 55th St, Manhattan / Website
Although the Core Club presents itself as being more welcoming than other private clubs, you still need to pay fees ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 per year. Maybe we have different versions of welcoming because those outrageous numbers knock out 99% of New York’s population. Just like other members-only clubs, you need to be invited to this premier establishment.
View this post on Instagram
29-35 9th Ave, Manhattan / Website
Soho House is definitely the trendiest members-only club on this list. It’s still super exclusive, with a high admissions fee and a waiting list longer than Rao’s, but the crowd is definitely more approachable. Designed for young creatives in the media and the arts, Soho House is more for relevant socialities and influencers, rather than stuffy old men in suits and ties. With sweeping rooftop views of Chelsea, and its play on a spicy margarita, the Picante, Soho House is the place to be seen and be seen (with no pictures allowed).
View this post on Instagram
0 Bond St., Manhattan
The name Zero Bond is ironic because you need every bond in the world to get in here. Opened in 2020, this swanky private club is designed for creatives, pro athletes, and relevant figures in the entertainment world. The steep admissions fee is totally worth it for the delicious omakase bar. A members-only hot spot with sushi? Sign us up. Plus, we heard Kourtney Kardashian and Co. like to hang out here, so naturally, it’s edgy and stuff.
View this post on Instagram
1170 Broadway, Manhattan/Website
Located in the Johnston Building, which dates back to 1903, The Ned NoMad is built upon the city’s heritage “flawless style, grand gestures, and insatiable hunger for the absolute best.” Setting The Ned apart from other premier establishments, members have a broad range of spaces to relax, connect, work, and indulge. The Ned caters to all the needs of a fast-paced life in the city, yet still feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Members have access to the sophisticated dining room, the rooftop terrace, the library, the magic room, and the mezzanine at Little Ned. Besides, if it's cool enough for Drake, it's cool enough for us.
View this post on Instagram
730 5th Ave., Manhattan / Website
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the Aman hospitality franchise. Taking over the world and our Instagram feeds one day at a time, Aman is the epitome of modern-day luxury. So how do you get access to this magical oasis? You can either pay $1,766 per night (yes, that’s the cost of an entry-level room), or join the Aman Club with a very steep $200,000 admissions fee (plus $15,000 annual dues). While the cost of membership is more than most people make yearly, members will argue the Aman experience is truly priceless.
View this post on Instagram
815 5th Ave., Manhattan / Website
Overlooking Central Park in the center of the Upper East Side, Fasano Fifth Avenue is the epitome of classic New York luxury. Members can enjoy the privileges of a full-service hotel, including private dining, room service, fitness and a personal concierge that will assist with travel, flights, access to fairs, sports, shops and more. Treat yourself to a meal at Fasano Café, a richly furnished club lounge and garden, designed for intimate dinners, business lunches or a quick drink with fellow New York elite. Access to the wonderful world of Fasano is by invitation only, making this one-of-a-kind experience all the more exclusive.
View this post on Instagram
110 E 25th St., Manhattan / Website
Described as the premier space for “creators, innovators, and thought leaders to gather and connect,” NeueHouse is modernizing the traditional social club one membership at a time. The Madison Square location reconceptualized its communal hub, The Gallery - now home to a new bar and café, redesigned interiors, art installations and upgraded workspace, providing the ideal environment for members to achieve their creative potential. Members can also mingle in the Chapel Bar, a private bar that was once a 19th-century chapel.
View this post on Instagram
75 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan / Website
If an upper-echelon social club and an elevated coworking space had a baby, it would be Club 75. Perfect for sipping on a glass of bubbly and networking with global business leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs, this reimagined club is the perfect blend of work and play. For an annual membership fee of $1,250, Club 75 includes all the luxury of a Soho House for half the price. Located in Midtown Manhattan, one of the world’s most influential epicenters of business, Club 75 seamlessly bridges the gap between attainability and high-brow society.
View this post on Instagram
Vivrelle, the innovative membership club providing access to a shared closet of designer handbags and luxury accessories, has a showroom-meets-social club in Manhattan’s Nomad District. The space offers a highly immersive and elevated retail experience, allowing members to easily browse and try on items from a luxe display of handbags, jewelry, watches and diamonds. Members also have access to exclusive programming, such as workout classes with guest celebrity trainers, retail activations and social events with leading brands like Barry’s Boot Camp, Caraway, Daily Harvest and Sakara.
View this post on Instagram
12 W 21st St., Manhattan / Website
Founded by renowned Dr. Jonathan Leary, Remedy Place is the world’s first social wellness club. On a mission to disrupt the healthcare system, Remedy Place has evolved into more than just a social club, but also an educational platform. Frequented by A-list celebrities, athletes, C-suite executives, and more, Remedy Place’s West Hollywood flagship has been innovating the world of wellness by introducing social self-care - the act of deepening human connection and enhancing your health through experiences with others. From tech remedies to world-class practitioners and specialist visits, Remedy Place offers an array of self-care experiences to counteract life’s stressors and enhance your natural healing journey.
Introducing the world’s first app-based social club! Parlor Social Club uses a tech-forward approach and real-time data to offer a new type of membership club, both in-person in New York City and globally, in the digital sphere. With their utilization of the latest technology and the optimization of a unique, human-powered algorithm, Parlor offers members highly-curated crowds, events and experiences. This new-and-improved social hub incorporates the valued elements of a traditional membership club, without the outrageous price point or location-based commitment.
View this post on Instagram
362 W 13th St., Manhattan / Website
New to the scene, Seven24 Collective's location in the Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel puts all of Manhattan at your fingertips, but we can’t see why you’d want to leave. From the minute you walk in, a breadth of amenities await, creating space to connect, entertain, work, dine and relax among NYC’s finest. Members can enjoy incredible curated events such as art exhibitions, exclusive masterclasses, culinary tastings and more. With additional locations expected to be announced in the coming months, including a Hudson Valley outpost (hello countryside retreat!), Seven24 Collective promises to set a new standard of luxury for private membership clubs in both the U.S. and Europe.
Photography by: Alexander Popov
