Private members clubs 2026: is elitism returning to closed communities?
May 21, 2026
The luxurious aura of elite clubs is making a comeback in viral conversations, but not in the form we associate with the gentlemen's club of a bygone era. In 2026, private members clubs are returning as carefully filtered communities: combining dining, wellness, work, events, and professional relationships, their primary currency no longer being the prestige of a given address, but controlled access.
This phenomenon is significant for the luxury market because it clearly illustrates how contemporary status is changing. HNWIs and UHNWIs increasingly value privacy, the quality of their networks, and places that act as a peaceful infrastructure for life, not just a luxury lifestyle accessory. Therefore, this topic is closely monitored by every luxury and premium magazine that describes real shifts in the affluent segment.
What are members clubs?
Members clubs are private, paid and selective access communities that sell membership rather than space.
Operational model
The model is simple: members pay for access to spaces, services, and social programming. Soho House currently operates 48 Houses in 19 countries and over 2,400 monthly events, while Six Senses London is developing a club as part of the hotel, linking membership to the well-being and stay of guests. This demonstrates that the modern club operates more as a platform for relationships than a traditional lounge.
Membership criteria
Entry criteria remain an important selection tool. Soho House requests information about interests and profession on the application form, Birley Clubs require a letter of support from a current member, and Casa Cipriani stipulates that applicants must be nominated and endorsed or approved at the discretion of the owner. Membership may also be revoked if conduct damages the club's reputation.
Types of clubs
The market is currently divided into several distinct types: creative-business clubs, hotel clubs, wellness clubs, and lifestyle clubs with a strong gastronomic component. In practice, the boundaries are blurring, as hotels adopt the logic of clubs, and clubs adopt the logic of resorts, coworking spaces, and private concierges.
Why are they coming back into popularity?
They are coming back because they respond to three contemporary needs at once: the rhythm of hybrid work, the need for valuable relationships, and the growing importance of privacy.
Lifestyle change
After the pandemic, members clubs have begun to serve as a refined "third place" between home and the office. Euronews notes that creative professionals and entrepreneurs use these spaces as day offices, returning in the evenings for dinner, conversations, and a program of events. This aligns well with a lifestyle where luxury means fluidity and comfort, not necessarily formality.
Networking
Networking is one of the club's main promises today, but in a more discreet form than before. It's not about overtly "making connections," but about repeated access to an environment with similar levels of ambition, capital, and culture. This mechanism is also growing in importance as younger generations increasingly influence the way global wealth is consumed and organized.
Exclusiveness
Exclusivity is making a comeback, as privacy itself has become a luxury. Casa Cipriani prohibits photography on the club's premises, restricts guest entry rules, and leaves broad discretion to management. Reports of ultra-wealthy behavior show that for the wealthiest, seclusion and discretion are now more important than the most visible symbols of status.
How is elitism changing?
Elitism does not disappear, but it moves from an ostentatious model to a curatorial model.
New definitions of status
This new status now means access to the right environment, time, and peace. From this perspective, the club is no longer primarily a place for demonstrating wealth, but a filter: it separates noise from conversation, excess from selection, and the public from a circle of trust.
Access vs. selection
Modern clubs speak the language of community, but operate in the language of access control. This is a crucial difference: elitism is no longer based solely on origin, but on fitting into the code of the place. At the same time, a high entry threshold alone is not enough; the case of AllBright shows that even a strong idea and a recognizable brand do not guarantee a sustainable model.
The future of the trend
The hybrid club segment, created by hotel and lifestyle brands, will likely persist. However, growth won't be equal for all: the winners will be those that combine selection, usability, and a credible membership culture, not just high fees.
In short:
- Private members clubs are making a comeback, but today they primarily sell access to relationships, privacy, and programs, not just the address.
- The contemporary model combines a club, hotel, wellness and work space.
- Elitism is increasingly based on cultural and reputational selection, not solely on wealth.
- For HNWIs and UHNWIs, privacy is becoming one of the most important attributes of luxury.
- The trend will continue, but the market will distinguish clubs with a real community from those that only offer an expensive facade.
Private members' clubs today are not a return to the old world, but a response to a new order of luxury. The more public the lives of the wealthy become, the greater the value of places that can restrict access without compromising the quality of the experience.
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Sources:
- Business Insider (Business Insider)
- Euronews (euronews)
- Six Senses (sixsenses.com)
- Soho House (sohohouse.com)
- GuardianThe
