The 5 Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs in NYC

In New York City, the final “boss” of exclusivity isn’t a restaurant or a hotel penthouse. It’s the private members’ club. These are the “third spaces” for the global elite, a place that is not home and not the office, where they can dine, drink, and deal-make in total privacy.

The “price” is not just the five-figure initiation fee and the four-figure annual dues. The real barrier is the application process. These clubs are a social fortress; getting in requires sponsors, a “social resume,” and the approval of a faceless committee. You are not buying access; you are being *granted* it.

We’re opening the unmarked, members-only door. This article is part of our exclusive series, The AZ New York 100, where we decode the secrets of the super-rich.

The 5 Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs in NYC

This list is ranked by a combination of “barrier to entry” (cost and connections), “exclusivity” (who is in the room), and sheer “hype.”

1. Aman Club (Aman New York): The new “Zen” fortress. With a rumored $200,000 initiation fee, the Aman Club is the most expensive in the city. It’s a “wellness” club for the global billionaire who values tranquility over a “scene.” The “product” is the three-story spa and total serenity.
2. ZZ’s Club (Hudson Yards): The “Opulent” one. From the Major Food Group (Carbone), this is the “new money” hot spot. It’s a “supper club” where the $50k initiation fee + $10k annual dues buys you access to an exclusive, A-list-only room. The “scene” is the entire point.
3. Casa Cipriani (South Street Seaport): The “Glamour” port. Housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts building on the water, this club became *the* spot for the fashion, celebrity, and “new money” set. The views of the Statue of Liberty are matched only by the strict “no photos” policy.
4. San Vicente Bungalows (West Village): The “Creative” secret. An LA-import, this club’s #1 feature is its draconian, “no-photos, phone-cameras-must-be-covered” policy. This makes it a true “safe space” for A-list actors, artists, and writers who want to be themselves.
5. The “Old Guard” (The Knickerbocker, The Union, The Brook): These are the “Old Money” legacy clubs. They are not on this list as a “Top 5” you can join. They are here as a benchmark. You cannot “apply.” You must be born into this world. They are all-male, require coats and ties, and represent the “Old New York” establishment.

Comparative Table: The “Price” of Belonging

You aren’t just buying a membership; you are buying a “tribe.” The club you join signals exactly who you are.

3 Case Studies: The “Club” Strategy

1. The “Financial” Filter (Aman Club): This is a case study in “barrier to entry.” The Aman’s $200,000 initiation fee is a “filter.” It’s intentionally set at an astronomical price to ensure that the *only* people in the club are other global billionaires. The “product” is an environment where you are guaranteed to be networking with your peers.
2. The “Social Curation” (Casa Cipriani): This is a case study in “the scene.” The club’s value comes from the “curation” of its members. The membership committee’s job is to create the “coolest” room in NYC—a mix of A-list celebrities, models, artists, and finance. The “product” is the room itself. You are paying to be in the presence of other “important” people.
3. The “Privacy” Fortress (San Vicente): This is a case study in “safety.” The club’s entire model is based on its strict “no-photos, cameras-covered” policy. This is a direct response to the Instagram-era. The “client” (an A-list actor) is paying for a “safe space” where they can be human, not a celebrity, without fear of being photographed or overheard.

💡 Pro Tips: How to (Theoretically) Join a Private Club

• You Need “Sponsors”: You cannot just “apply.” You must be “proposed” and “seconded” (sponsored) by at least two current members in good standing.
• The “Social Resume”: Your application is a “social resume.” They care less about your bank account and more about *who* you know, *what* you do (are you “interesting”?), and if you will “add” to the room.
• The “Blackball” System: The most exclusive “Old Money” clubs still use a “blackball” system. During the committee vote, a single “no” vote (a black ball) is enough to kill your entire application.

✨ NYC Luxe Curiosities

• The “No Photos” Rule is Real: At San Vicente Bungalows, if you are caught with your phone camera uncovered, you are given one warning. If you are caught a second time, your membership is revoked on the spot, permanently.
• The “House Account”: Like at top restaurants, you never see a bill in these clubs. All drinks, food, and services are billed to your “house account,” which is settled invisibly at the end of the month.
• The “Draconian” Dress Codes: The “New Money” clubs (like Casa) are fashion-forward. The “Old Money” clubs (like The Knickerbocker) still have strict “Jacket and Tie Required” rules, and will turn away a member for wearing “designer” (i.e., fashionable) sneakers.

🧐 FAQ: NYC’s Private Clubs

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