Behind unmarked doors and through invitation-only networks, the world’s most exclusive member’s clubs operate as modern-day sanctuaries for the global elite. These establishments transcend traditional hospitality, creating private worlds where discretion is paramount and membership represents the ultimate status symbol.
The allure of exclusive member’s clubs lies not merely in their luxury amenities, but in their ability to create genuine privacy in an increasingly connected world. Many operate without public websites or visible signage, requiring passwords or concealed entrances. Photography is typically forbidden, ensuring conversations and connections remain confidential. This level of discretion attracts A-list celebrities, royalty, business magnates and old-money families seeking refuge from public scrutiny.
Here are 10 of the world’s most elite member’s clubs:
Yacht Club de Monaco
The Yacht Club de Monaco represents nautical exclusivity at its finest. Established in 1953 by Prince Rainier III and currently presided over by Prince Albert II, this institution reviews applications via an admissions committee presided over by H.S.H. Prince Albert II. Membership is by nomination from two existing members and approval by committee, ensuring an elite yet active community. The exclusive member’s club features a dedicated marina and clubhouse while actively promoting sustainable yachting practices, reflecting Monaco’s commitment to environmental responsibility within luxury circles.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: Monaco
- 🔑 Membership criteria: nomination by two members and committee approval
- ✨ Distinctive feature: royal patronage and private marina
yacht-club-monaco.mc, @yachtclubmonaco
Yellowstone Club – Montana, USA
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Yellowstone Club transforms the concept of exclusive member’s clubs into a complete lifestyle experience. This ultra-luxury private ski resort and residential community spans 15,200 acres in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, where membership requires property ownership within the community. Real estate ranges from $2 million to $25 million, with an additional initiation fee of $400,000 and annual dues of $44,000. The member roster includes Bill and Melinda Gates, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel and Gisele Bündchen. Its remote location and comprehensive amenities make it a true escape from the pressures of public life.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: Montana, USA
- 🔑 Membership criteria: property ownership plus initiation and annual fees
- ✨ Distinctive feature: private ski resort spanning 15,200 acres
yellowstoneclub.com, @yellowstoneclub
5 Hertford Street – London, UK
5 Hertford Street stands as London’s most enigmatic venue, earning its reputation as the capital’s most exclusive member’s club. Founded by the Birley family in 2012, this Mayfair institution spans five floors of carefully curated luxury. The club has attracted high-profile guests including Harry Styles, Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio. Membership requires sponsorship by existing members and approval by committee, with a famously selective process and annual fees reportedly starting from around £1,800. The club maintains a strict dress code and operates with an almost militant approach to privacy, creating a complete ecosystem for its privileged membership.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: London, UK
- 🔑 Membership criteria: sponsorship by existing members and committee approval
- ✨ Distinctive feature: five floors of luxury with strict privacy rules
CORE – New York City, USA
CORE occupies a unique position among New York’s exclusive member’s clubs, positioning itself as a “paradise for the ultra-affluent” designed for “today’s mavericks and mavens.” Founded in 2005 in Manhattan, CORE encourages bold thinking and facilitates high-level business connections among its membership. Entry requires a substantial financial commitment, with a reportedly $50,000 initiation fee and $17,000 annual dues as of 2024. Membership is highly selective and accepts applications but maintains a rigorous selection process, focusing on entrepreneurial leaders, creatives, and innovators. Its membership has been reported to include Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and hedge fund billionaire Steven A. Cohen. The club’s Manhattan location and business-focused culture make it a natural hub for major financial and corporate decisions.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: New York City, USA
- 🔑 Membership criteria: $50,000 initiation and $17,000 annual dues
- ✨ Distinctive feature: business-focused hub for global leaders
Annabel’s – London, UK
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Annabel’s has remained a London institution since 1963, recently completing a lavish refurbishment while maintaining its legendary status. Annual fees approximate £3,250 plus a £1,750 joining fee, with membership requiring sponsorship from existing members. The club’s extravagant décor and world-famous events continue to attract celebrities, business leaders and society figures. Its Mayfair location and glamorous atmosphere make it one of London’s most coveted social destinations among the international elite.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: London, UK
- 🔑 Membership criteria: sponsorship from existing members
- ✨ Distinctive feature: extravagant décor and high-profile events
annabels.co.uk, @annabelsmayfair
The Hurlingham Club – London, UK
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The Hurlingham Club offers a more traditional approach, serving as a green oasis along the River Thames since 1869. With annual fees around £1,500 and a substantial waiting list, this club maintains its appeal to British gentry and traditionalists. Entry typically requires sponsorship by existing members and patience for a long waiting list, representing the enduring appeal of classical English club culture. The 42-acre grounds provide tennis courts, croquet lawns and river frontage, creating a quintessentially English experience.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: Fulham in London, UK
- 🔑 Membership criteria: sponsorship and long waiting list
- ✨ Distinctive feature: 42-acre grounds with classic English sports
hurlinghamclub.org.uk, @hurlinghamevents
Maison Estelle – London, UK
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Maison Estelle offers a contemporary take on the London members’ club, blending old-world elegance with a modern sensibility. Opened in 2021 by the team behind Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, it occupies a restored Georgian townhouse on Grafton Street in Mayfair. Behind its discreet façade lie richly designed spaces including a brasserie, cocktail bar, and intimate event rooms, all curated with meticulous attention to detail. Membership is selective, with applications reviewed by committee, attracting a cosmopolitan mix of entrepreneurs, creatives, and tastemakers who value privacy and design in equal measure.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: Mayfair in London, UK
- 🔑 Membership criteria: application review by committee
- ✨ Distinctive feature: modern design in restored Georgian townhouse
maisonestelle.com, @estellemanor
Cercle de l’Union Interalliée – Paris, France
Founded in 1917, this private club was established to foster relations between Allied nations during the First World War. Today, it remains one of Paris’s most prestigious addresses, located in an elegant hôtel particulier on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Membership is by nomination and committee approval, with a roster that includes diplomats, business leaders, and senior figures from the arts and politics. The club’s facilities include grand salons, fine dining rooms, a library, and private gardens, all maintained with a level of formality and discretion rare even in Paris.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: Paris, France
- 🔑 Membership criteria: invitation by two members and approval by committee
- ✨ Distinctive feature: diplomatic heritage and opulent 18th-century setting
union-interalliee.fr, @cercledelunioninteralliee
The Battery – San Francisco, USA
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The Battery combines the spirit of an exclusive member’s club with the personality of a boutique hotel. Opened in 2014 in San Francisco’s North Beach neighbourhood, it was founded by entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch as a space where tech leaders, creatives, and philanthropists could connect. Membership is by application, with an emphasis on cultural contribution as well as professional achievement. Behind its brick façade lie a rooftop garden, art gallery, wellness centre, and eclectic social spaces designed to inspire collaboration and creativity.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: San Francisco, USA
- 🔑 Membership criteria: application with emphasis on creativity and innovation
- ✨ Distinctive feature: luxury design blending art, culture, and entrepreneurship
thebatterysf.com, @thebatterysf
The Arts Club – London, UK & Dubai, UAE
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Founded in 1863 by literary figure Charles Dickens and other prominent cultural minds, The Arts Club was created as a haven for those involved in the arts, literature, and sciences. Its London home on Dover Street remains a refined sanctuary for creatives, intellectuals, and business leaders, with interiors that balance heritage with contemporary design. In 2020, The Arts Club expanded internationally with its first overseas outpost in Dubai’s ICD Brookfield Place, offering a similarly curated environment of art-filled spaces, fine dining, and exclusive events. Membership is selective, requiring a proposal by existing members and approval by committee, ensuring its community remains both distinguished and diverse.
Quick summary
- 📍 Location: London, UK
- 🔑 Membership criteria: nomination by two members and approval by committee
- ✨ Distinctive feature: prestigious cultural hub with art exhibitions and fine dining
theartsclub.co.uk, @the_arts_club
Final summary
These exclusive member’s clubs represent more than luxury amenities or prestigious addresses. They create private worlds within our increasingly public society, where access becomes the ultimate currency and discretion remains the highest value. Whether through inherited privilege, extraordinary wealth or exceptional talent, membership in these institutions offers something money alone cannot buy: genuine privacy and authentic community among the global elite.
