Exclusive Members-Only Clubs You Never Knew About

Location: Malibu, California
Fees: $2,230* – Local / $5,250* – All
Famous Patrons: Amy Adams, Paul Haggis

There are Soho Houses in several cities around the world, but none have the allure or exclusivity of the Little Beach House in Malibu. Two of the house’s current members must give referrals for any potential new member. Being in Malibu, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a headshot of each applicant is needed along with their paperwork. 

Little Beach House Malibu @littlebeachhousemalibu/Facebook

If that wasn’t enough, to gain access to the beautiful views and year-round holiday feel of the Little Beach House, everyone must first pass an intense interview performed by a panel of the club’s senior committee members. Members of the Little Beach House in Malibu can gain entry to any Soho Club worldwide, but that privilege is not reciprocal.

Location: London, England, and Singapore
Fees: $2,400* 
Famous Patrons: Unknown

There are whiskey clubs, tennis clubs, and even clubs for intellects. Until recently, however, there were no exclusively private clubs whose members joined as a result of their mutual appreciation for wine. Then, in 2015, 67 Pall Mall opened up in London and broke that trend.

67 Pall Mall @67 Pall Mall/Facebook

67 Pall Mall was the brainchild of Grant Ashton, a wine collector and former banker who wanted to share his passion with other wine connoisseurs. More than forty-two countries have their wines represented amongst the 5,000 varieties that are available for members to buy. If a bottle is too much to drink, there are around 1,000 wines that are sold by the glass – a small selection, but it should suffice.

Location: Milan, Italy
Fees: Invitation Only
Famous Patrons: Unknown

Milan’s Club 1930 is so exclusive that applying for membership is impossible – and not because of a tremendously long waiting list. Club 1930 is an invite-only private members club in which those lucky enough to be invited are texted the address and given a blank membership card with details that are only visible with the help of UV light.

Club 1930 @luxxu/Pinterest

Once inside, patrons will enjoy a prohibition-era-themed pub – with live piano music – that is no stranger to hosting incredible shindigs during Milan’s Fashion Week for some of the industry’s biggest parties. As far as refreshments go, Club 1930’s mixologists take drink-mixing to a whole other level, and the chefs have all but perfected their signature gin-soaked cheesecakes.

Location: Singapore
Fees: $5,000* Annually + $180* Monthly
Famous Patrons: Unknown

Founded in 2017 by Marc Nicholson, Singapore’s 1880 is one of the most exclusive clubs in all of Asia. Aimed at creating conversations that “can and will make the world a better place,” Nicholson hired Timothy Oulton Studio to fill the 22,000 sq ft property with conversation-starting objects, including a rose quartz reception desk that weighs in at 1.5-tonnes, funky-shaped phone booths, and uniquely designed co-work spaces.

1880 @1880/Facebook.com

Clubs like 1880 are the types of places where the bright minds of today are planting the seeds of the idea for the next Facebook or Amazon; they just don’t know it yet.

Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Fees: $4,500* Annually + $3,450* Each Flight
Famous Patrons: Gabrielle Union, Jessica Alba

Ever wonder what it would be like to be treated like an A-list celebrity at the airport? Well, it can become a reality for $7,000 (per flight) and a $4,500 annual fee. At least, that’s how much it costs to become a member of LAX’s PS (Private Suites) club. 

PS @PS/Facebook

From the BMW pick up to the private escort through customs and to the club, PS is one of the most luxurious airport experiences in America. While waiting for flights, members can relax in the spa, restaurant, or their private suites. Of course, it doesn’t matter if they’re flying Delta, United, or even Air Canada, because all travelers are welcome – as long as they can pay their tabs.

Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Fees: $2,400* Annually 
Famous Patrons: Unknown

From its name alone, West Hollywood’s Beverly Hills Estates sounds like the type of club that needs to be seen. The club was established by husband and wife duo Branden and Rayni Williams as a place for real-estate tycoons to gather, share ideas, and, hopefully, increase their wealth.

The Beverly Hills Estates @THRmag/Pinterest

The club space has everything that members might need in order to help them get the most out of their time there – a juice bar, cabanas in which to work, company cars to help them get around, and so much more. Membership fees are around $2,400 a year, but the club’s founding members pay half as much.

Location: Worldwide
Fees: $180,000* / 3-Year Family Plan
Famous Patrons: Richard Branson

R360 isn’t a billionaire’s club, but it is a $100 million one. There are a few prerequisites to becoming a member of R360, one of which is that a potential member must have a net worth of at least (you guessed it) $100 million. Even then, membership isn’t guaranteed.

R360 Club @Sgoodco/Pinterest

Unlike many of the other private clubs around, R360 is a networking club, not a nightclub or a high-class lounge with access to a private golf club. Members of R360 are, however, privy to investment opportunities and the chance to live a real-life reality show (a professional film crew captures everything and makes personal videos for each family). The longer the membership lasts, the longer the home video will be.

Location: London, Barcelona, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Los Angeles, Istanbul
Fees: $2,230* – Local House / $5,250* – Every House
Famous Patrons: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

Most clubs like to ensure that all of their members are residents of the city in which the establishment resides. There are some clubs, however, like Soho House, that allow exclusive memberships to residents of more than 3-dozen select cities around the world that don’t have their own Soho House, including Sydney.

Soho House @jeanchandler/Pinterest

Prospective members must gain referrals from at least 2 existing members as well as submit an application (with a headshot). Only then will they be considered for an interview. When new members join Soho House they have the option to register for just their local ‘house’ for $2,230/year, or they can pay an extra $3,000 and have access to all 20 global locations, save for the ultra-exclusive one in Malibu.

Location: Milan, Italy
Fees: Invitation Only*
Famous Patrons: Unknown

If you’re looking into applying for membership at Milan’s Club 1930, it’s best to stop looking. The only way to gain entry to this private members club is by invite. Those who are part of the fortunate few who are invited are notified by text of the address and given a membership card that can only be read with the assistance of a UV light.

The 1930 Club @Vogatsikou 3/Youtube

The prohibition-era-themed pub has live piano music every night and is one of the known hosts of the mind-blowing parties that occur during Milan’s Fashion Week. Club 1930’s mixologists have combined the era of the club’s decor with the decadence of its exclusivity in order to create a cocktail experience that’s unlike any other.

Location: Big Sky, Montana
Fees: $41,500/Year+$400,000 Joining Fee*
Famous Patrons: Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel, Gisele Bündchen, Bill Gates, Ben Affleck

Big Sky, Montana’s Yellowstone Club is a club unlike any other in America. To even be considered for membership, you first must own one of the multi-million-dollar properties on the mountain. If you do manage to get accepted for membership, there’s still the matter of the $400,000 joining fee and $41,500 annual fee.

Yellowstone Club @SnowBrains/Twitter.com

During the winter months, Yellowstone Club members have access to the club’s private mountain with more than 43,500 square feet of skiable terrain. And in the summer, a beautiful 18-hole golf course and dozens of hiking/biking trails. Members of Yellowstone Club are also privy to the services of the club’s security team (made up of former secret service agents).

Location: New York City
Fees: $100,000* Annual Fee
Famous Patrons: Martha Stewart, Ice-T, Kelly Bensimon

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Playboy Club is one of New York City’s most exclusive clubs. It’s been designed to match the atmosphere that was present in the infamous Playboy Mansion – those who have experienced both have vouched for its authenticity in most aspects, including the Playboy Bunnies who are serving the refreshments.

Playboy Club @insider/Pinterest

There are four levels of memberships for the Playboy Club, with the most expensive and exclusive of the foursome being the “Mansion” membership package, coming in at $100,000 a year – but that also includes VIP tickets to sporting events and a credit on your personalized membership card for $20,000.

Location: Singapore
Fees: $1,070* Application Fee / $214* Monthly Fee / $100,000* – Lifetime Membership
Famous Patrons: Unknown

“Forty men good and true” founded The Tanglin Club in 1865, and at that time they were almost exclusively British ex-pats. Now, this exclusive club has, approximately, 4,000 members hailing from more than 70 countries, who spend their time playing darts, tennis, and golf – or, browsing the club’s art exhibits.

The Tanglin Club @thehandbook/Pinterest

The Tanglin Club has a deal with more than 130 clubs around the world, including ones in Sydney and Japan, that ensures reciprocating memberships for anyone who’s a member – and membership only costs $1,070 (application fee) and an additional monthly fee of $214. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, someone must have forgotten to mention the $100K lifetime membership fee.

Location: New York City
Fees: $50,000* Initiation Fee / $15,000 Annual Fee
Famous Patrons: Bill & Hillary Clinton, Alex Rodriguez, Howard Shultz

New York City and Los Angeles are the two cities where you’d find the creme de la creme of exclusive members only clubs in America. Topping the bill as one of New York City’s finest is CORE: whose members’ net worths come to an average of about $83 million.

CORE: NYC @robbreport/Pinterest

After gaining a referral from existing members and passing the interview process, pledges then have to pay anywhere from $15,000-$100,000 as an initiation fee and then another $15,000 every year in order to hang onto their exclusive rights. Only about 30% of CORE:’s 1,500 members are local New Yorkers, but, as long as they keep paying their fees ownership probably doesn’t care where they live.

Location: Sutherland, Scotland
Fees: $32,500* Joining Fee / $10,000* Annual Fee
Famous Patrons: Madonna

What better place is there for an exclusive members-only club than a thousand-year-old complex with secret passageways? The grounds of the Carnegie Club cover close to 1,240 acres, and its magnificent lawn and garden area make for a beautiful wedding venue.

Carnegie Club @luxurylondon/Pinterest

Those who are considering membership are welcome to attend the club for a day to see if it’s the right fit for them and even shoot a round of golf on the Carnegie Club’s very own golf course while making their final decision. A recommendation from an existing club member goes a long way when pledging, but the ability to pay the hefty membership fees goes further.