Private Member Clubs in London ?

I hope I'm posting this on the right board.

So what's the deal with all those 'private member clubs' in London? E.g.: http://www.sohohouselondon.com/

I knew there were old fashioned 'gentlemen clubs' as they are called in the UK - not what we would call it in the US - but I never noticed the clubs for a more contemporary crowd, including women.

Is it worthwhile joining to jumpstart ones social life? I moved to the UK on my own and have a bit of a hard time establishing a circle of friends. On the websites the clubs look awfully posh and I'm just not the 'elitist' type that may be populating these clubs. Then again, it seems like a cool idea to have a club to hang out, have lunch, use the gym or spa without the crowds.

Any thoughts?

Thank you. 






 

I have no answers for you (we don't live in London) but I'm really curious about this subject now.  How do you know this Soho Club is just for men?  (not trying to antagonise, am genuinely curious.  Does it blatantly say it somewhere and I'm missing it?  Or is there veiled language which alludes to it?  Or, is it just something you knew before finding the website?  and they assume you know if you're even interested...)

I think I've heard of a female club of this sort, but I'm not really certain of it.  I'd think that if there were a club like this which allowed both genders to join, maybe they'd still segregate inside.  Like a cigar room for the gents, and some froo-froo equivalent for the ladies.

I know it's posh and exclusive and probably everything I shouldn't like, but there's an appeal there to me, regardless.  I'd love to hear more if you find out.  It reminds me of the Diogenes club Mycroft Holmes was a member of, in the Sherlock Holmes stories.  okay I'm a dork.

*edit* have just spent a good amount of time googling clubs, and the one thing they all seem to have in common is that membership seems to hinge upon being recommended by a current member.  Something to look out for, I suppose.  Or maybe someone in London has some other suggestions for socialising.

I'm actually a member of a members club... I'm a bit secretive about it as there are people in my life who I would bring and people I would NOT!


Weird idea I know, but my friends and I started hanging out there a lot and it's lovely, so I stumped up so I could always go whenever I want (non members are only allowed at certain times if they book a table).
Mine is not men only, I believe there are very few gentlemen's clubs now.

I don't know if it's good for meeting people really, I do see the same faces and say hello, and I can rely on being able to pop in there if I want to on my own and there's someone I can normally have a drink with and I never feel awkward about being alone as that's kind of the point , but I don't really drink very often or am in London as often as I like so I probably wont renew when my membership comes up. I've also moved further away then I was before.
They're actually the opposite of how you think they'd be, they're relaxed and inclusive rather than being snotty and posh. You get a feeling of being a regular and a local because you're a member.

The appeal for me is to be guaranteed a cosy, lovely place to hang out with your friends in a busy city full of packed to the rafters pubs. Also you don't get bothered by blokes as it's against the rules, but you can get the barman to introduce you which is just fun and silly and lovely (if you're single)

Then again, it seems like a cool idea to have a club to hang out, have lunch, use the gym or spa without the crowds.

If you want to do this, I'm sure it'd be cheaper to join a gym with these facilities.

Historically, these types of clubs are based on a specific type of association, such as profession, educational establishment, nationality for networking purposes etc. from what I understand.

Just wanted to say I've re-read the original post, and can see I misunderstood part of it.  I thought she meant most clubs are still gentlemens clubs, hence all my questions as to how she knew that one was.  oops. 

Good to know all of that, CB!  They sound a tiny bit like a country club in the US, just.. in the middle of the city.  (or at least the CC my grandparents belonged to- wasn't overly posh, just had a nice clubhouse and they made lots of friends there)

If you want to do this, I'm sure it'd be cheaper to join a gym with these facilities.

Historically, these types of clubs are based on a specific type of association, such as profession, educational establishment, nationality for networking purposes etc. from what I understand.

Good suggestion if you want to properly work out 
 
A gym in London can be £75 a month, member clubs can be much less than that (more like £300ish a year depending on the fashionableness of the club, like somewhere like Groucho would probably be around £500 and hugely awful and pretentious, I think Fifty is like £1000 a year O_O ). I don't know any clubs with gyms though, it's a bit of a different "scene" generally

Clubs come into their own when you're out and about and want somewhere quiet and relaxed to drink in and everywhere in central London is completely packed. I know some people will hate the idea and say it's a waste of money etc, but it's like paying £20 a month to permanently reserve a table at your favourite bar.

I always really wanted Rex Cinema membership, but it's closed now   And yes, lots of clubs depend on knowing someone who recommends you, it can be a bit of a closed scene, you can normally get on a waiting list if you don't know anyone.

I think if you want to meet people in London then joining specialist forums is a great way, like my boy has met people on a cycling forum for fixed gear bikes and I think meetup.com works well for some people.

I'm actually a member of a members club... I'm a bit secretive about it as there are people in my life who I would bring and people I would NOT!


Weird idea I know, but my friends and I started hanging out there a lot and it's lovely, so I stumped up so I could always go whenever I want (non members are only allowed at certain times if they book a table).
Mine is not men only, I believe there are very few gentlemen's clubs now.

I don't know if it's good for meeting people really, I do see the same faces and say hello, and I can rely on being able to pop in there if I want to on my own and there's someone I can normally have a drink with and I never feel awkward about being alone as that's kind of the point , but I don't really drink very often or am in London as often as I like so I probably wont renew when my membership comes up. I've also moved further away then I was before.
They're actually the opposite of how you think they'd be, they're relaxed and inclusive rather than being snotty and posh. You get a feeling of being a regular and a local because you're a member.

The appeal for me is to be guaranteed a cosy, lovely place to hang out with your friends in a busy city full of packed to the rafters pubs. Also you don't get bothered by blokes as it's against the rules, but you can get the barman to introduce you which is just fun and silly and lovely (if you're single)

It sounds kind of exciting!! After I read the original post, I actually went and investigated the link and was intently scouring the website and checking to see how much it costs etc...and I caught myself thinking what the heck? Why on earth are you so interested in this?!? And then I realized that for the past four years, while I have been in vet school...it was almost like I was part of a members club! And one of the things I really miss since graduating is that feeling of a place where I belong, where there's always a familiar face (sounding a bit like the cheers theme now...). A kind of a haven (where everybody knows my name)!

I dunno, it sounds kind of weird but...I digress...

The only thing I noticed is that the 'Soho House' doesn't appear to actually have gym or spa facilities...does the one you attend have those kinds of things attached as well Cheesebiscuit?

ETA: Nevermind! Just read your post :-)

Thanks folks for your thoughts on this subject ! Very interesting 

I think I will shop around and see if I find a club that feels right and is worthwhile jumping through the membership hoops. I just found some useful reviews on yelp:
http://www.yelp.co.uk/search?find_desc=private+member+clubs&ns=1&find_loc=London#cflt=social_clubs

Hiya. My boss is a member of Soho House and membership allows access to other facilities aswell as Soho House itself (for example, Shoreditch House, which is a celebrity haunt, is also included). I have been to both a few times for lunch and dinner to both and the food is fabulous (though to my mind better at Soho House. Shoreditch house however has a pool on the roof ). However, I believe that there is a pretty long waiting list for membership. Hope that helps!

Maitri108, please do tell us about any clubs that you visit!  I am interested in this topic too.

My fear would be that I would join a club and then find that it's still cliquey, if you know what I mean.  As has been said, it would probably be easier if you have a friend who is already a member who can go with you the first few times and introduce you to others.  Or join at the same time as another friend, and then you can be new together.  Unless you're a very outgoing and confident type and you feel like you can just walk up to strangers and join their conversation.

I visited the Lansdowne Club on an architectural tour a few months ago.  It's a nice building and I especially liked the Adam Room and the adjacent bar.  It does have its own health club with pool.  (On another topic, I have visited a lot of the high-end hotel health clubs in central London, so if you've ever been curious about any of them, beyond what you can see on their websites, I can tell you my impressions.  Just PM me.)  Is anyone on UKY a member of the Lansdowne Club, or have you visited for a meal or event?  I would be interested to hear your impressions.

I am also interested in the Oxford and Cambridge Club, and the Royal Overseas League (which advertises a lot in the Cambridge alumni magazine). 

Anyone a member, or know anything about these clubs?  Or willing to invite me for a cup of tea or lunch?!  (^_^)  (Of course I don't expect you to treat.)  Maybe we can even get a little group together, that would be fun.

I joined a sports club which has gym facilities as well as the sport in question (I play field hockey & cricket).  I loved it for the social aspect.  I also have joined a few groups and found friends through www.meetup.com - there is something for everyone.

I have a City associate who takes me to the Naval and Military Club (the In and Out) for lunch (he's a member, retired Army Major). It is very nice, just like Blades or something. You can get a haircut and your suit jacket freshened while you have drinks in one of the bar areas (one is mens only). Then into the dining room for roast beef and a good house red. The afters in another nook. We always stumble out drunk and full. Great place.

My boss is a member at quite a few of these clubs so I've been inside them for various parties and business meetings. I'd agree with CB that they're not really the best place to meet people - more of a place to take clients and friends where you know the level of service will be high and you can impress them by getting them in. And since Shoreditch House was mentioned, I've been inside there quite a few times for various reasons and it really is just a nice bar and restaurant inside (never been up to the roof, though!). They've got a spa downstairs and a hotel that anyone can book into - you only have to be a member (or be with a member) for the bar/restaurant/roof bit.

Coincidentally, the Lansdowne Club will be open for free short tours this Sunday, 19 September 2010, as part of the Open House London weekend.  Details here:

http://www.londonopenhouse.org/public/london/find/detail.asp?loh_id=1449&postcode=W1J%205JD&period=period&building=type&wheelchair=&architect=&resident=&activities=&name=lansdowne&greenbuild=&advanced=false

Enjoy!