Private Members Clubs Are Winning Nightlife: How Nightclubs Can Compete

  • By: Julianne Elise Beffa

From bottle service to no-phone policies, exclusivity now means membership, identity, and curated experiences.

Once upon a time, “exclusive” meant velvet ropes, bottle service, and nods from promoters. Status was visible: a table near the DJ, a glass of Dom Pérignon under colored lights, or a fleeting acknowledgment from someone influential. Today, exclusivity has quietly evolved. It is no longer about who sees you, it’s about who knows you. Membership, not presence, has become the currency. Private members clubs signal community, curation, and access to networks more than a single night of spectacle.

This is not merely cultural, it is economic. In the United States, private clubs numbered roughly 3,800 in 2023, generating over $32 billion in direct revenue and employing nearly 600,000 people, according to the CMAA. Including indirect impacts, the sector supports more than 1.5 million jobs and produces over $150 billion in economic activity. Globally, the market sits at $33 billion and is projected to grow more than seven percent annually through 2033. Exclusivity has graduated from vibe to strategy. What was once a social indulgence is now a scalable business model.

In 2025, the landscape of private members’ clubs is more dynamic and curated than ever. Among the newest and most talked-about is Kith Ivy, blending luxury wellness, rooftop padel courts, a Giorgio Armani-designed spa, Erewhon tonic bar, and Café Mogador, with membership reportedly exceeding $36,000 annually. San Vicente has drawn attention for its intimate lobby, screening room, rooftop terrace, and strict no-photos policy, attracting celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Aniston. Internationally, clubs like Vanta in Singapore, Saint James in Paris, and D’MONDE are redefining exclusivity by merging wellness, lifestyle, and business networking into intentionally curated environments. 

Kith Ivy - New York

Related | Inside the Hottest Members-Only Clubs in LA

Social media accelerated this shift. Since TikTok and Instagram became the tool to showcase clout and every night out became content, privacy became rare. VIP tables no longer carry the weight they once did, now being seen as cringy among Gen Z. Private members clubs have responded by offering spaces that prioritize human connection over performative posting. For a generation raised on likes, followers, and algorithms, the value of a night that cannot be captured online is enormous.

I speak from experience. As a global Soho House member, I have visited nearly every location. These spaces offer comfort, consistency, and familiarity across cities I visit. Yet I wonder: is scale a hidden challenge? Rising costs and a more corporate-leaning crowd have shifted the energy. The creative networks that once thrived feel less present. Soho House is responding by tightening memberships,  and returning to being privately owned.

The inner-circle culture has intensified. I recently joined Nylon’s Membership program for “it girls,” and while not a private members club in location, it is in concept. I also dined at Chez Margaux with a friend while celebrities moved through the room, conversations sparked, and energy felt electric. At Zero Bond in Manhattan, tables seemed like business meetings in motion.

By attending and joining these clubs, I noticed the difference between traditional nightclub culture and private members’ culture immediately: warmth, intentionality, and quality of interaction. Membership is no longer about who can get a table; it is about who belongs to the right network.

SoHo House - New York

This is why LOOP After Dark x TAO Group’s, The Fleur Room, is resonating so strongly with our community. By combining the best of nightlife with a membership structure, we offer access that is curated, intentional, and social. We invite members to arrive early from 9–11 PM for an open bar and to enjoy exclusive access to the club before the public-facing after-party begins, and build networks that last beyond a single night. The energy in that room is deliberate, designed, and entirely different from a one-off nightclub experience. Is it time for more venues to rethink how they reward their most engaged audiences? I believe it is. 

P.S. Become a LOOP Unlimited member to gain entry to our “IT GIRL” members-only party on Friday, November 21st, hosted by Lilia Buckingham, at The Fleur Room in West Hollywood.

Private members clubs are redefining how exclusivity is expressed. It is less about display and more about subtle, intentional design. Conversation, shared experiences, and curated interactions define value. I wonder if this is what the future of luxury truly looks like: not visibility, but resonance. 

For nightclubs and venues seeking relevance in this evolving landscape, four principles stand out:

  • Redefine exclusivity. Tables and bottle service no longer impress. Prioritize energy, engagement, and meaningful experiences.
  • Offer curated perks. Green room access or invite-only pre-parties deliver authentic scarcity without restricting participation.
  • Leverage partnerships. Collaborations can turn public venues into curated experiences. LOOP After Dark at The Fleur Room demonstrates this model perfectly.
  • Simplify access. Frictionless entry through pre-sale tickets or transparent policies creates a welcoming environment while maintaining privilege.
Chez Margaux - New York

Exclusivity in 2025 now means discretion over display, belonging over broadcasting, and intention over influence. True luxury lies in being remembered by a few rather than recognized by many. Social currency is measured in depth, not breadth. Nightlife has matured into networks of experiences that reward intentionality and participation.

The takeaway for executives, investors, and industry leaders is clear. Modern exclusivity is about relevance, intimacy, and network participation. Membership is no longer about being seen. It is about being part of something larger, deeper, and enduring. Private members clubs, and thoughtfully curated programs like LOOP After Dark, RSVP here are infrastructures for creativity, wellness, and cultural exchange, not optional luxuries.

Today, the most memorable nights are not captured on social media- they are lived fully, quietly, and intentionally. I wonder: is it time for the industry to embrace this evolution completely? Influence lies not in being seen under strobe lights, but in being known in the right circles. Membership is the new currency, and the global growth is proof of what intentional, connected nightlife can look like.

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