Spurred by the alienation of a global pandemic, members clubs have been integral to fostering a connection and a sense of community.
“Our homes double as work, our phones double as calendars, our travel time can double as leisure time from the back of an Uber,” says Ken Fulk, the San Francisco-based designer behind ZZ’s, a social club in New York’s Hudson Yards. “That same consolidation of objectives has led to the concept of a third place, a single destination offering shared experiences where people can connect outside of their home and work.”
Carbone Privato at ZZ’s Club in New York from Major Food Group
For ZZ’s, Fulk’s sumptuous take on the Japanese concept serves as an ode to the tasteful decadence of its operator, Major Food Group. “We took all the swagger of Major Food Group’s ultra-luxury brands and combined them into one extravagant 25,000-square-foot layer cake,” he says. “It’s a maximalist dream across three levels with one exuberant environment after another.”
A tropical bar greets guests in the double-height dining room on the ground floor, bedecked with a maritime mural and gilded palm fronds. Ascending the grand staircase, visitors are directed to the upper level eatery Carbone Privato, which touts a tony Italian flair complete with damask velvet, burnished brass, and banquettes spotlit beneath chandeliers. Leo’s Lounge and the Founders’ Room round out the space, distinguished by Medici and Baroque refinements.
“The base is a simple recipe: great food and drink, good company, a beautiful environment,” he continues. “Amenities can vary but the key to membership is to have an authentic shared intention and intriguing programming that supports that intention.”
Plush and rich materials comprise the Wolfe’s Den, located inside Elsie Rooftop in Manhattan
Though a sense of belonging is the catalyst for a new breed of clubs, exclusivity remains paramount. In Manhattan, the forthcoming Wolfe’s Den will crown Midtown as part of the Elsie Rooftop near Bryant Park in January. Designer Delphine Mauroit of locally based firm DMDesign blended gilded accents with Art Deco grandeur inviting members to bask in plush furnishings against a backdrop of curated artwork. Its contemporary, open layout shows off a sophisticated palette bridging an Old World material palette with modern moments.
Meanwhile, wellness is the engine driving Core. Also found in Midtown Manhattan, the sleek, urban retreat, designed by Milan-based m2atelier, comprises a gym, yoga studio, health bar, medical spa, and beauty bar spread across four floors. The 60,000-square-foot destination is also open to the public, reflecting a community-oriented ethos.
The serene gallery in the Core Club New York
Beyond New York, the Wilde has opened in Milan, flaunting a chic design from Parisian architect Fabrizio Casiraghi that honors Italian modernism through a layered, textural experience. “He’s a designer who knows elegance and longevity,” says the Wilde founder Gary Landesberg. “We have this beautiful central staircase and while the design and offerings on each floor are different, they connect.”
Moody lighting and curved Art Deco forms compose a sleek and sexy ambiance, highlighted in the intimate library, an all-day club room and garden, a Latin American-Japanese fusion concept, and a Mediterranean eatery at the heart of the 3,000-square-foot rooftop, which overlooks verdant views of the city.
The intimate Library at the Wilde in Milan
From Joyce Wang Studio, Club Bâtard encourages social interaction while “immersing guests in an exquisitely curated world of unparalleled luxury and personality,” says Joyce Wang, founder of her eponymous London- and Hong Kong-based firm.
Spanning three floors in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial core, the venue radiates opulence with focal points like a three-story wine cellar that showcases a different wine region on each level. “These spaces cater to a wide range of guests, from business professionals and families to young investors and wine connoisseurs,” Wang says. “With its flexible layout, the venue is ideal for both communal and intimate gatherings.”
Suspended via leather slings, wines are displayed against textured stone slate on the ground floor. Tactile sophistication is further embodied in scrolling metalwork that frames the bar, moldings, portals, and chandeliers. Custom mosaics evoke Miró in the restaurant Le Clos, while mohair velvet upholstery and rich ochre and burnt orange hues soften the space. Burgundy and Prussian blue leather round out the color story.
Club Bâtard in Hong Kong is home to three restaurants, private dining rooms, and a whisky bar
Bâtard’s signature iconography is subtly infused across the second level in custom trompe l’oeil wallcoverings, pushing a classic French aesthetic invoked via deep burgundy leather and exotic fabrics to the forefront. Intricate and playful details span the inviting third floor, while contemporary marble tables, plush upholstered seating, and custom lantern lights are installed against linen-blue indigo wallpaper.
The immersive effect of Club Bâtard not only captures Hong Kong’s contemporary flavors but meets its guests at a turning point when they want it all and know they can have it. “Members clubs have emerged as a lifestyle choice,” Wang says. “Whether catering to work, leisure, or specific cultural affinities, they offer more than just exclusive access—they provide a sense of identity and belonging in an ever-connected yet fragmented world.”
