In the vibrant mosaic of New York City’s social landscape, the most exclusive private members’ clubs stand as bastions of luxury, tradition, and discretion.
Tracing their origins back to 18th-century Britain, these clubs were initially established as exclusive enclaves for the social elite, offering a private setting for the affluent to socialize away from the public gaze. Over centuries, this tradition crossed oceans and evolved, embedding itself into the fabric of New York society.
These prestigious clubs provide refuge to the crème de la crème across various industries, including tech tycoons and Hollywood celebrities. This is where you spend your days dining on rooftops, indulging in spa treatments, networking with industry moguls and sharing your talent with fellow creatives.
Where do we sign up?
From soaring initiation fees and rigorous selection processes to secret club rules and time-honored traditions, membership often remains an invitation-only affair.
That being said, we may not make the list, but we do have the inside scoop. Here is a peek into where The Big Apple’s one-percenters choose to hang out.
Psst: If you regularly travel and want to build your network in other countries, check the other cities in which we’re actively tracking the best private clubs: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Monaco, Brussels, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Casa Cruz
Casa Cruz has quietly become the most coveted door in New York. Set inside a six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse on the Upper East Side, it’s the New York chapter of Juan Santa Cruz’s Notting Hill original—and a reported initiation north of $250,000 makes it the priciest invitation in the city.
The townhouse earns the spend. Hand-painted de Gournay wallpapers climb six floors of intimate dining rooms and bars, originals by Warhol, Haring, and Botero hang as casually as family photographs, and a year-round canopied rooftop terrace—the first of its kind in the neighborhood—crowns the building.
Discretion is the house style. Membership is capped, closely vetted, and resolutely off the grid, which is precisely the appeal for the collectors, financiers, and old-money families who fill its tables.
Best for: The city’s highest barrier to entry.
| Membership fees | Reported initiation from $250,000 |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Invitation and member sponsorship; closely vetted |
| Location | 36 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065 |
| Opened | 2023 |
| Website | casacruz.nyc |
Aman Club
One of the most exclusive—and certainly most expensive—private members’ clubs in New York City, the Aman Club commands an outrageous initiation fee of $200,000.
Located in the center of Manhattan in the iconic Crown Building, the covert club whispers tales of alluring accommodation (Aman is known the world over for its pristine places of pure peace, after all), innovative dining concepts, and extensive wellness facilities spanning three floors. The celebrity-worthy spa is the ultimate urban sanctuary, featuring tranquil treatment rooms, a hammam steam room, and a banya sauna.
While specific membership requirements aren’t mentioned anywhere, the exorbitant joining fee says it all. This is an elite club for the highest members of society.
Best for: Marrying the serenity of Aman with the vibrant energy of Manhattan.
| Membership fees | $200,000 joining fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Undisclosed |
| Location | Crown Building at 730 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 |
| Opened | 2022 |
| Website | aman.com/hotels/aman-new-york |
Colette
If Casa Cruz is where you dine, Colette is where you do business. Occupying the entire 37th floor of the GM Building on Fifth Avenue, this members’ club was conceived by financier Edmond Safra and restaurateur Juan Santa Cruz as a private office and salon for the global business elite—the kind of place Bloomberg dubbed “a WeWork for the 0.01 percent.”
Membership is capped at 300 and priced accordingly: a $125,000 initiation fee, then $36,000 a year. In return, members get hushed work lounges and meeting rooms, plus Coco’s, an in-house restaurant and bar with an omakase counter, a curated wine cellar, and floor-to-ceiling views over Central Park.
It’s a club built less for nightlife than for the quiet, consequential conversations that happen 37 floors above the street.
Best for: Doing deals above the skyline.
| Membership fees | $125,000 initiation fee, plus $36,000 annual fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Capped at 300 members; formal application and vetting |
| Location | 767 Fifth Avenue (GM Building), 37th Floor, New York, NY 10153 |
| Opened | 2023 |
| Website | colette.world |
Core Club
Positioned as an “international community of minds, mavericks, and leaders”, Core Club is one of the most sought-after private social clubs in NYC.
Core Club is more than just a private social club, it aims to provide spaces for transformation and conversation. It’s an environment where new ideas and intellectual challenges are encouraged, featuring a highly curated collection of books and art.
Amenities include a library, theater, opulent dining rooms, private meeting rooms and eleven suites for overnight guests, as well as a gym, spa beauty salon and health bar. Basically, it has everything you need to flourish mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Best for: Igniting transformation.
| Membership fees | $100,000 joining fee, plus $15,000 annual fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Showcase unique and interesting perspectives across different industries, from architecture and design to sports and technology |
| Location | 66 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022 |
| Opened | 2005 |
| Website | thecoreclub.com/nyc |
ZZ’s Club
Nestled in the heart of New York City’s Hudson Yards, ZZ’s Club redefines exclusivity and luxury. A brainchild of Major Food Group, this private membership club is named after the group’s co-founder Jeff Zalaznick’s nickname, “ZZ.”
Inspired by its Miami counterpart, ZZ’s Club in New York is a lavish sanctuary of unparalleled opulence and hospitality. Designed by renowned interior designer Ken Fulk, the secret oasis is a nod to the hush-hush glamor of old-school Hollywood, adorned with painted walls and grandiose chandeliers.
As one of the most exclusive clubs in New York, ZZ’s Club houses a modern Japanese restaurant, a cigar terrace, and a glamorous lounge with diverse music programming. A standout feature is the world’s sole private CARBONE location, making it a much-coveted culinary gem.
Best for: Gourmet and glamorous.
| Membership fees | $50,000 initiation fee, plus $10,000 annual dues |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Specific requirements beyond the financial commitment are not detailed publicly. |
| Location | 37 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 |
| Opened | 2023 |
| Website | zzsclub.com |
Knickerbocker Club
The Knickerbocker Club, also known informally as “The Knick,” is one of New York City’s most exclusive and aristocratic gentlemen’s clubs. Founded in 1871, it is known for its stringent membership requirements and privacy, catering to a highly selective membership drawn from the social elite.
Throughout its rich history, the Knickerbocker Club has attracted illustrious members, including early Hollywood star Douglas Fairbanks, scion of the famous Astor family John Jacob Astor, financier JP Morgan, and former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Notably, the NYC club maintains a men-only policy. With no website, no women, and a rumored code of secrecy, very little has changed over the past centuries.
The Knickerbocker Club maintains its privacy and exclusivity by not having a public website or disclosing detailed information about its operations, members, or activities online.
Best for: A long-lived legacy of exclusivity.
| Membership fees | $50,000 initiation fee, plus $10,000 annual dues |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Men only. Sponsorship by existing members. |
| Location | 2 East 62nd Street, New York, NY |
| Opened | 1871 |
| Website | No website |
Maxime’s
Maxime’s is Robin Birley’s first move across the Atlantic, and the London clubland figure behind 5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s hasn’t compromised an inch. Set in the former Westbury Hotel on Madison Avenue, it trades downtown sneakers for Mayfair tailoring, with a dress code and an unhurried, phones-away sensibility to match.
Four kitchens anchor the club across several floors: the French-Mediterranean Maxime’s dining room, the Latin American El Puma, the Japanese Hiromi, and the Zodiac lounge and bar. The interiors are dense, layered, and deliberately un-Instagrammable—antique-laden rooms designed to be lived in rather than photographed.
Admission is by invitation only, which is rather the point. The published dues are comparatively modest; the door is the selective part.
Best for: Mayfair manners at a Madison Avenue address.
| Membership fees | By invitation; reported annual patron fees from ~$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Invitation only |
| Location | 848 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 |
| Opened | 2025 |
| Website | No website |
The Ned NoMad
The Ned NoMad, an extension of the London-based hospitality and members’ club concept, is a blend of luxury and history located in New York City’s NoMad neighborhood. Opened by Soho House & Co and Sydell Group, it occupies the historic Johnston Building.
While the club’s membership list is discreet, it’s known to attract a mix of creatives, entrepreneurs, and celebrities, reflecting its founders’ ethos of fostering a dynamic professional community.
The Ned NoMad offers extravagant amenities, including a rooftop terrace, an array of dining options featuring world-class cuisine, bespoke bars, and opulent bedrooms, alongside access to unique events and spaces designed for networking and leisure.
Best for: Old-school glamor redefined by modern comforts.
| Membership fees | $5,000 annual fee, plus $1,500 initiation fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Formal application process showcasing influence in society |
| Location | 1170 Broadway in Manhattan |
| Opened | 2021 |
| Website | thened.com |
The Union Club of the City of New York
Founded in 1836, The Union Club is recognized as the oldest private club in New York City, established by a group of prominent New Yorkers as a gentlemen’s club. Throughout its history, the Union Club has been the social ground for many famous individuals, including politicians, business leaders, and cultural icons.
The club’s classical interior celebrates its storied past and tradition with richly decorated rooms, ornate ceilings, and exquisite furnishings. Exclusive membership provides access to luxurious dining rooms, a library filled with volumes of literature and history, guest rooms for overnight stays, and a variety of social events that underscore its role as a cultural hub.
The NYC club also features a fitness center, squash courts, and art collections, catering to the leisure and intellectual pursuits of its distinguished community.
Best for: Subscribing to high society.
| Membership fees | $5,000 annual fee, with unknown initiation fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Sponsorship by existing members |
| Location | 101 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021 |
| Opened | 1836 |
| Website | theunionclub.com |
Casa Cipriani
Casa Cipriani, situated within the iconic Battery Maritime Building, was founded by the Cipriani family, known for their global hospitality empire. Merging Italian elegance with art deco elements, the design of the club pays homage to its maritime heritage.
Carefully curated by the Cipriani family, the interior features sumptuous furnishings, elegant décor, and breathtaking views of the New York Harbor. The club’s amenities are equally decadent, offering its members and guests access to world-class dining experiences, a wellness center with spa and fitness facilities, and a meticulously curated cultural program. The club also features luxurious accommodation options, private meeting spaces, and an outdoor terrace.
Best for: Harboring away in luxury.
| Membership fees | $3,900 annual fee, plus $2,000 initiation fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Formal application process, highlighting cultural diversity |
| Location | 10 South Street, New York, NY 10004 |
| Opened | 2021 |
| Website | casaciprianinewyork.com |
Chez Margaux
Chez Margaux is Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first members’ club, staged in the cavernous Meatpacking space that once held his Spice Market. The mood is unapologetically theatrical: rouge curtains, red carpets and couches, a glowing golden bar, and interiors by Lauren Mishaan that channel 1930s Paris by way of London after dark.
The 18,000-square-foot club unfolds over the course of an evening. A French dining room and a Japanese-leaning lounge give way to a library and private dining rooms, while a caviar-and-champagne salon transforms into the nightclub Gaux Gaux once the clock passes ten.
A two-tier membership keeps the room young, with friendlier dues for those under 32—a deliberate bid to fill the banquettes with the next generation of regulars.
Best for: Dinner that turns into a nightclub.
| Membership fees | $1,000 initiation, plus $2,400 annual fee (under 32); $2,000 initiation, plus $3,600 annual fee (32 and over) |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Formal application process |
| Location | 33 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014 |
| Opened | 2024 |
| Website | chezmargaux.com |
San Vicente West Village
San Vicente West Village brings the famously private world of West Hollywood’s San Vicente Bungalows east, courtesy of hotelier Jeff Klein. Its home is the former Jane Hotel—a 1908 redbrick landmark on the Hudson that once sheltered survivors of the Titanic—reimagined by British designer Rose Uniacke in her signature hushed, collected restraint.
Inside are dining rooms, a sushi bar, a screening room, a discotheque, and a café tucked into a turret overlooking the river. The club keeps the strict no-photography policy that made its Los Angeles parent a refuge for the camera-shy.
Membership is by nomination and skews toward Hollywood, fashion, and the creative set who want a little West Coast ease without leaving Manhattan.
Best for: West Coast privacy at a downtown address.
| Membership fees | Tiered membership; reported annual dues from ~$1,800 |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | By member nomination |
| Location | The former Jane Hotel, Jane Street, West Village, New York |
| Opened | 2025 |
| Website | sanvicenteclubs.com |
Zero Bond
Zero Bond, one of the most exclusive modern NYC clubs for young adults, is nestled in the heart of NoHo at 0 Bond Street. This private social club, founded by entrepreneur Scott Sartiano, quickly became a coveted destination for the city’s elite, including A-list celebrities, like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
The club’s design is a masterful convergence of contemporary elegance and industrial chic, featuring exposed brick walls, plush seating, and artful lighting. This aesthetic is complemented by bespoke artworks and a sophisticated architectural layout that encourages social interaction while also allowing for intimate gatherings.
Amenities at Zero Bond cater to the discerning tastes of its members, offering exclusive access to a gourmet restaurant, private event spaces, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and spa services. The club also hosts a dynamic calendar of cultural events, talks, and performances, reflecting its commitment to nurturing a vibrant community of informed influencers and thought leaders.
Best for: Rising to the top—Swiftly.
| Membership fees | $3,850 per annum, plus a one-time initiation fee of $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Formal application process |
| Location | NOHO, New York, at Zero Bond Street, New York, NY, 10012 |
| Opened | 2020 |
| Website | zerobondny.com |
Soho House
SoHo House NYC, an outpost of the globally renowned members-only club for creatives, is situated in the heart of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Founded by Nick Jones in London, the New York location extends its unique blend of hospitality and exclusivity across the Atlantic.
Housed in a converted warehouse, SoHo House NYC retains elements of its industrial past, seamlessly integrating them with luxurious, contemporary design. The interiors are a testament to eclectic sophistication, featuring plush furnishings, exposed brick, and bespoke artworks, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages creativity and connection.
Amenities at SoHo House are tailored to the lavish lifestyles of its elite members, offering everything from a rooftop pool with stunning views of the city skyline to a screening room, spa, and gym. SoHo House membership also includes several dining venues, alongside spaces for work, relaxation, and socializing.
Best for: Relying on rooftop views as a muse.
| Membership fees | $2,830 annual fee, plus $1,088 initiation fee |
|---|---|
| Membership requirements | Active in a creative industry with sponsorship from an existing member |
| Location | 29-35 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014 |
| Opened | 2003 |
| Website | sohohouse.com/houses/soho-house-new-york |
Frequently asked questions about private members’ clubs in New York
Frequently asked questions about private members’ clubs in New York
What is the most exclusive members club in New York?
Aman is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive members' clubs in New York. With an initiation fee of $200,000, the elite club caters to an elite clientele seeking a sophisticated and intimate escape in the heart of Manhattan.
What is the most exclusive private members club?
The most exclusive private members' club in the world is Annabel's in London, UK. Founded in 1963, Annabel's has been a sanctuary for aristocrats, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals. It boasts opulent decor, impeccable service, and an invite-only policy.
Is it worth joining a private members club?
Joining a private members' club can be worth it for individuals seeking exclusive amenities, networking opportunities, and a luxurious social environment. These social clubs often provide access to high-end facilities, events, and a sense of belonging to an elite community.
How much is a membership to Core Club NYC?
Core Club is one of the most expensive social clubs to join in NYC. It involves a $100,000 initiation fee and an annual fee of $15,000 to maintain membership privileges. This investment grants members access to a luxurious and well-curated social and networking environment in the heart of New York City.
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