THE JOURNAL
San Vicente Bungalows, Los Angeles. Photograph by Adam Amengual
The members’ club has come a long way from the secretive, stuffy, male-dominated dominion to the multifaceted status-symbol hangouts of today. And defining what makes a successful one has always leant much heavier on art than it does science.
A loose recipe might suggest something like “a place to meet/work/eat/drink/relax” mixed with “the welcoming know-your-name service of your local bar” muddled over “interiors that make you want to redecorate your house” and served with “a well-curated crowd of people you just have to meet”.
There’s exclusivity, of course, but a good club should be aiming for like-minded and in-the-know rather than impenetrable elitism. Once you’re through the door, you want them to be buzzy, sure, but not so busy you can’t find somewhere to perch. There’s a sliding scale from decorum to debauchery that befits each premises accordingly but, on either end, it should be a place you can truly feel at ease in; a community spirit should prevail. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite clubs right now, from Milan’s latest hotspot to London’s sky-high gardens.
01. ZZ’s Club, New York
The headlines might have fixated on the fees but rather missed the point of this ultra-exclusive offshoot from the Carbone family tree. At the top of said tree are Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick (for whom ZZ’s Club is named) who, as Major Food Group, have shaped some of the city’s very best dining and drinking experiences. ZZ’s levels it up, though: a Japanese restaurant, a velvet-curtained private version of Carbone, the centrepiece Clam Bar with sweeping raw bar, the Founder’s Lounge where founding members can test the skills (and the patience) of “we’ll create any meal you desire” culinary concierges, and Leo’s live-performance lounge where legendary NYC DJ Stretch Armstrong oversees the music.
What to wear
02. Casa Cipriani, New York
Private terrace in the Premier River View Suite, Casa Cipriani, New York. Photograph courtesy of Casa Cipriani
It was always going to need some heavy hitters to make good of the beautiful Beaux-Arts Battery Maritime Building, which hangs over the water next to the Staten Island ferry terminal. Enter the first family of Italian hospitality, the Ciprianis, who used the space to open their first members’ club (a Milan outpost followed). If that weren’t enough, they enlisted none other than Thierry Despont to oversee its renovation (he’s best known as the man responsible for restoring the Statue of Liberty). The result is truly a showstopper of a space. Italianate luxury in excelsis, all polished wood panelling, gleaming chrome and brass, sumptuous velvet seating, oyster and caviar jazz dinners… If you want to woo someone – a date, a client, that friend whose birthday you forgot – Casa Cipriani, with some of the best views in the city, is the place to do it.
03. The Wilde, Milan
Set in a modernist Milanese villa designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi, The Wilde is intended to be “a home away from home” for its members. The Art-Bureau-curated art collection includes pieces by Andy Warhol, Hulda Guzmán, Adrian Paci and more, while walnut furnishings and patterns by local textile brand Arjumand’s World have been used throughout the spaces, juxtaposed with materials such as pink lacquered wood, velvet and travertine. Members can enjoy nightly live music, a varied cultural programme and a breadth of eating and drinking options, from the alfresco The Club Room & Garden to Latin American restaurant Nina and cigar lounge Arturo’s.
What to wear
04. The Roof Gardens, London
The Roof Gardens, London. Photographs by Romain Laprade
One hundred feet above Kensington High Street, The Roof Gardens is a social club built on values of “kindness, curiosity and optimism”. First planted in 1938, the gardens span an acre of greenery that includes mulberry trees, olive trees, streams, ponds and secret nooks – a true idyllic bubble far apart from the busy street just below. Billed as a “social club in the sky”, The Roof Gardens’ varied cultural programming of talks, music acts and member meet-ups reflects the convivial spirit of the club.
05. Zero Bond, New York
The Grill Room at Zero Bond, Manhattan. Photograph by Natalie Black, courtesy of Zero Bond
“I’m a New York guy doing a New York version of a London social club,” said Scott Sartiano. “I wanted athletes and actors mixing with finance and doctors and fashion.” Since opening mid-pandemic, Zero Bond has quickly established itself as one of the city’s hottest addresses (which is, quite fabulously, 0 Bond Street). Inside, there is plenty of space to work across its two dimly lit and handsomely styled floors. Food is presided over by culinary director Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar and Grill fame and there’s a vinyl-stocked record bar fitted with a covetable McIntosh hi-fi among its many well-crafted details.
What to wear
06. San Vicente Bungalows, Los Angeles
San Vicente Bungalows, Los Angeles. Photographs by Adam Amengual and Joe Schmelzer
The West Hollywood hotspot is the first of the three San Vicente clubs, followed by the Santa Monica and West Village locations. All headed up by renowned hotelier Jeff Klein, the clubs pride themselves on absolute privacy and discretion for their Hollywood A-list and music executive members. You can’t take pictures or discuss anything you see during your visit. Old-school California glamour meets modern luxury here – a host of indoor and outdoor dining options, a screening room, a marble pool and several events spaces await.
07. George, London
The Main Bar at George Club, Mayfair. Photograph by Ryan Wicks, courtesy of George
In any history of London’s members’ clubs, you’ll find the Birleys writ large. Mark Birley founded Annabel’s in 1963, Mark’s Club a decade later, and George in 2001 (and some non-mononym ventures in between). After some Succession-ish squabbles with his heir apparent son, Robin, Birley sold his group of clubs to another hospitality heavyweight, Richard Caring, just before he died in 2007. And it was Caring who personally oversaw the extensive refurbishment and reopening of George (named after Birley’s dog). A younger, dare we say “vibey”, Mayfair crowd has been charmed by the lavish canine theme – dog’s head taps in the gents, greyhound lamps, Jill Berelowitz’s giant dachshund sculpture as you descend from dining room to the Hound Bar nightclub – pedigree Mediterranean menu, and, of course, dog-friendly door policy. Not that it ever tips into themed parody, mind: there’s enough burnt gold tiling, starched white tablecloths, and the occasional Hockney to make sure of that.
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08. The House of KOKO, London
The Penthouse in The House of KOKO. Photograph by Taran Wilkhu
The House of KOKO is located within the iconic KOKO music venue in London’s Camden neighbourhood, renowned for its vibrant and influential music scene. A creative melting pot bridging music, art, and culture, the club offers an immersive environment for artists, innovators and tastemakers. Spanning four floors, House of KOKO features rooftop terraces, recording studios, private dining rooms, a dome cocktail bar, vinyl rooms and even a secret speakeasy, Ellen’s, showcasing the best of up-and-coming jazz, soul and R&B artists. With a strong focus on cultural programming, House of KOKO hosts intimate performances, talks, supper clubs, games nights, wine tastings as well as the under-the-radar house parties.
09. Club Matador, Madrid
Located in a historic apartment of Madrid’s Salamanca neighbourhood, Club Matador was established by the same creative team – and with the same buddying spirit – behind the Matador magazine. Members can expect Spanish-inspired inspired cuisine and a lengthy cocktail list, as well as a screening programme directed by Giorgio Centi. There’s also an extensive jazz collection of the genre’s best LPs, a library with more than 300 volumes spanning all subjects, as well as an academy, where guests can enjoy courses in different disciplines, from history and philosophy to music and literature.