It used to be that “members only” meant the now almost-extinct, old-school suit-and-tie dress codes, or gents-only clubs. Today, the velvet rope has gone vertical, from penthouses in Manhattan and oceanfront compounds in Malibu, to wellness and longevity oases. It may have started with Soho House as a one-off coveted membership, but the next gen of private clubs is giving you a whole host of reasons to join, and our bet is they’re here to stay.
The Club: Aman Club New York
Location: New York
You may think you have seen it all, until you visit this hidden sanctuary for the one-percenters. A study in utmost of power and privacy, you’ll barely notice the elevator door that whisks you to the three upper floors of the bustling Crown Building. Then, you realize that the feeling of ascension is by design, as you step into the 117,000 square foot refuge. Aman Club New York a place so coveted, it has a mile-long waitlist and six-figure membership fee. Of course, there is dedicated dining, a cigar terrace, and a members-only jazz program that draws surprise performers like Sting.
The 25,000-square-foot spa offers banya houses and treatment suites touting natural elements and textures like rice paper panels and hand-carved stone soaking tubs. Sophistication applies to the treatments from acupuncture to IV drips and a 65-foot-long pool. Recalibrate with a late afternoon spa before transitioning to dinner.
San Vicente Bungalows
Location: Los Angeles
When you arrive at San Vicente Bungalows, an intentionally designed hedge-lined entrance leads directly into a lushly appointed private garden. As dialed in as you are, its good thing that you knew to leave your phone at home. Enveloped in the landscape architecture, you don’t register the person beside you, because of course, you wouldn’t mention it anyway.
Founder Jeff Klein of Sunset Tower Hotel created this ultra-private, no-press, no-photo sanctuary to entice regulars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston and Elon Musk with diplomatic seclusion in mind. Despite it’s UNHW crowd (including Lady Gaga, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) and 9,000 person strong wait list, the space gives decidedly anti-scene, analog energy. Exclusivity is based less on wealth than personality. Because, as Klein says, “being wealthy doesn’t necessarily make someone interesting.” Perhaps a good way to find out would be during an intimate candlelit conversation within the cozy private wine library, featuring low ceilings and a James Bond vibe.
Core Club
Location: New York
Intellectual density makes the difference at Core Club. Here, in a place that feels both Sun Valley and Davos, you join other relentlessly curious individuals influencing the worlds of media, finance, and art behind closed-door salons. These speaker series don’t post recaps — you either attend or miss out. Here, the waitlist moves faster through cultural capital than financial capital. Ultra high end-wellness (like onsite non-invasive plastic surgery) meet a level of hyper-personalized service that memorizes member preferences. A 6,000 square-foot private rooftop terrace, curated art gallery and a 40-person screening room highlight this space that used to serve as headquarters to Coca-Cola, NBC and Columbia Pictures. The walls reverberate with world-changing ideas and TED energy.
Maxwell Social Club
Location: New York
Maxwell Social Club draws founders, operators, and creators earlier in their arc to experience a Cafe Society vibe with a second home feel. If you want to be like the cool kids, bring spirit, not status and prepare for movement and network building. Here, you are paired with a cohort from the start. You’re just an introduction away from a deal or a pivot in this community bursting with new ideas. Use of a private brownstone, intimate pancake breakfasts in the garden room, family dinners for cohorts and nights at the comedy cellar turn lively conversations to life-long friendships. Arrive late and prepare to close it down. Nobody is going to be the one to call it a night.
Cipriani Milano
Location: Milan, Italy
Serving perfection since 1931, Cipriani’s classic hospitality never falters. At Casa Cipriani Milano, Dolce Vita remains the way of life in this supremely secret sanctuary within a 19-century palazzo, paired with the quintessential Bellini and razor-thin carpaccio. Members enjoy private dining, beautiful views of Giardini Indro Montanelli, and six treatment cabins offering treatments including cryotherapy, a traditional hammam, and Pilates reformers. Curated experiences blend Milan’s food, fashion and art, curated to match member’s exacting desires.
Cipriani New York
Location: New York
Then, Casa Cipriani New York translates the same old-world energy as its Italian counterpart with eight restaurants and bars within. Thanks to the architectural philosophy of Thierry Despont, the setting evokes a vintage ocean liner with a 1930s supper-club feel. The ever-consistent Bellini has a way of turning power lunches into late dinners without need to reset the table, which makes the strict no-photo policy stick. Temporary membership is granted to hotel guests willing to pay the price and unable to wait for 4,000 others on the waitlist to get in.
The Club: Colette
Location: New York
At the work-space forward social club Colette, culturally-relevant members are referral-based and vetted by committee before capping out at 300 strong. Although housed in the iconic GM building, legacy matters less than meritocracy for this downtown creative elite set. Co-working spaces meet private dining at Coco’s and a robust social scene adds to the vibe. And, the $125,000 initiation fee acts as shares that can be resold.
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FAQs
Q: Which members-only club is hardest to access?
A: Aman Club New York’s limited membership is more private world within a hotel than club. With members-only lounges, restaurants and wine libraries are stacked above a subterranean jazz club and spa. Invitation-only, quiet vetting is tied to existing Aman relationships, UHVW networks, residence, referrals, and spend. Frequented by Bill Gates, George Clooney and the Kardashians, its $200,000 initiation fee and $15,000 annual dues cannot be “bought”.
Q: What makes San Vicente Bungalows different to other members-only clubs?
A: At San Vicente Bugalows, a strict no-photos policy and enforced privacy culture protects privacy for Hollywood’s A-listers, directors and media power players. This is a place for controlled intimacy, and speaking freely once inside. Approvals are highly subjective to promote the creative industry culture within.
Q: Can I Visit Before Applying?
A: Most likely, your best bet is Cipriani. Operating as part hotel, part club, it can be enjoyed with a temporary membership for hotel guests. This is a place for those who want to be seen, but elegantly. Referrals help, as it is not strictly invitation-only.
Q: How does Maxwell Social Club compare to other members-only clubs?
A: Welcome to a fluid, younger, more kinetic and much less formal environment to legacy clubs. Maxwell Social Club is positioned as a creative, downtown alternative with a lower barrier of entry. Here you will find people on the rise of becoming known as opposed to the old guard.
