By Mark Ellwood
A scene from Manhattan’s The Stork Club in its heyday in 1946. See which modern clubs contend with that fabled see-and-be-seen spot.
There’s a plethora of private clubs popping up around the world—so many that it’s hard to discern which one might fit you best, so we handpicked a quartet of the most desirable. They’re all in locations where the global jet set is always at critical mass, and each has an insider-ish edge that some of the flashier, more headline-friendly entries can never match. Even better, if you’re not sure which is the best fit for you, we’ll even steer you toward the location where your style will best be suited. Then again, why choose? You could just join them all.
The Wilde’s understated elegance. Photo by Giulio Ghirard.
THE WILDE, MILAN
Dress code Take your pick: Wrap yourself in Versace, as a nod to the building’s former owner, Santo Versace, for whom it was once home. Otherwise, opt for Stella McCartney, as her husband Alasdhair Willis, is the club’s creative director.
Join the club The 20,000-square-foot villa on Via dei Giardini includes a range of food and bev options, including a rooftop terrace and a garden. There’s a discounted members fee of $2,640 for any under-40 would-be joiners to keep the crowd youthful.
Club together Thanks to Italy’s flat tax policy, capping the annual tax bill for the world’s wealthiest at around $235,000, expect this (and Milan’s other soon-to-open members clubs like Core: Milano) to be a billionaire hideaway in the making.
Need to know The Wilde’s footprint is intended to reach beyond its walls: Members should expect everything from private views at major institutions around the cities where it operates.
Dress the Part
Because part of membership is knowing how to play the part, we’ve put together an edit of what to wear—given the locale and the mood.
POODLE ROOM, LAS VEGAS
The Poodle Room’s entrance. Photo by Bandon Barre.
Dress code Honor the nod to the OG Poodle Room at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau, frequented by Sinatra and his Rat Pack, with a retro suit or two—think Brioni or a Le Smoking from Saint Laurent.
Join the club The summit of the 67-story Fontainebleau Las Vegas tower is this shagadelic sky-high bar, adorned by cast glass poodles (Josephine “Fifi” is the resort mascot) and spectacular chandeliers. It’s the first ever members club on the Strip where annual dues are rumored to be around $20,000.
Club together Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck helped toast its opening early last year, as did Cher, Lenny Kravitz, and Tom Brady.
Need to know Sample the experience here by booking one of the top Fleur de Lis suites at the hotel, which also confers temporary access to this elite space.
The bar at Auric Room 1915. Photo courtesy of the Auric Room 1915.
AURIC ROOM 1915 BIG SKY, MONTANA
Dress code Western-skewing, of course, but ripped denim is frowned upon and collared shirts are required; no hunting or ski gear is allowed. Pack plenty of Ralph Lauren and Loro Piana. Caught off-guard by the cold? The hostess can swathe you in a vintage fur from the house closet.
Join the club This 1,400-square-foot speakeasy-style spot is hidden inside the Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana and opened last spring; it invited just 144 folks to join during the first year, mashing up Big Sky locals with Boz Angeles transplants. There’s currently a waitlist.
Club together Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce snuck in for supper with Erin Andrews earlier this year.
Need to know Come ready to check your cellphone at the door—and your business card, too. There’s a strict no-networking policy to encourage old-school socializing.
SAN VICENTE, NEW YORK
The listening lounge at San Vicente. Photo by Simon Upton; courtesy of @roseuniacke
Dress code It’s New York, so opt for gallerist favorites like Marni and Miu Miu (in black or muted shades only, of course).
Join the club Most of the erstwhile Jane Hotel has been rebooted as an East Coast sibling to LA’s Bungalows by owner Jeff Klein and famed London-based interior designer Rose Uniacke.
Club together The charming, ultra- connected Klein is a Pied Piper for boldface names, so expect West Coast regulars to pop up here, too: Clooney, Aniston, and the Sussexes, among others.
Need to know The host will place branded stickers on both front and back cameras of your smartphone as soon as you cross the threshold—remember to stick them on the back of your phone at evening’s end for subtle bragging rights.
Photo (Stork Club) by George Karger/Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.
