Exclusive but still relatively accessible, you can also get VIP treatment like the "rich and famous" at these private members’ clubs in Hong Kong.
It’s no news this city has a myriad of private members’ clubs. Though some of them come with hefty price tags, along with status checks and waiting lists, the good news is there are still several private members’ clubs in Hong Kong you can actually afford to get access to if you’re a young professional. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur looking for networking opportunities and a new “home” to work from, or a sports fanatic who enjoys playing golf or tennis on your days off, read on for our list of best private members’ clubs in Hong Kong.
Private members’ clubs in Hong Kong you should join as a young professional
1. Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC)
If you’re a sports aficionado, Hong Kong Football Club is the perfect private members’ club in Hong Kong for you. Established in 1886, this club is not exclusively about football. In fact, it aims to elevate sports as a whole in our city and beyond. While there are five core sports, including rugby, soccer, hockey, squash, and lawn bowls, the HKFC also runs a netball division, in addition to societies and interest groups for badminton, golf, tennis, swimming and triathlon, and tenpin bowling. We like how the HKFC is particularly family-friendly, with plenty of space and activities designed for children.
HKFC membership: The exclusivity of HKFC lies in the fact that it requires its members to have exceptional ability both in terms of sporting and commitment. A variety of membership are offered including the Full (Sports Preferred) Membership and the Junior Associate Membership for those under 28 years old.
Hong Kong Football Club, 3 Sports Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, p. 2830 9500
2. The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)
Go, horsey, go! Support your favourite racehorses at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. As a member, you’ll gain access to bars, restaurants, boxes, and even a lounge with its own private terrace, so you don’t have to watch the action from the crowded public stands. Each type of memberships at the HKJC grants you different privileges and services. The main types include the Racing Membership, Full Membership, The Racing Club Membership, amongst others. Unless you’re a Full Member, you’ll only be able to use the facilities at the three clubhouses during specific times. Having said that, the clubhouses are all fully equipped with a range of dining options, sports complexes, swimming pools, play areas for kids, and more, so make good use of them when you can!
HKJC membership: With a wide selection of membership options, the entrance fee for a Racing Membership is $180,000, with a monthly fee of $950 while a Full Membership costs $950,000, on top of a monthly fee of $2,800.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has racecourses in Sha Tin and Happy Valley, as well as three clubhouses across Hong Kong.
3. Launchpad
Want to be part of a community of top entrepreneurs and industry experts in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia? Join the tribe at Launchpad! Team Honeycombers dreamed up this networking space with the notion that smart and daring entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to journey alone. Sign up and enjoy access to tons of perks, including free masterclasses, peer mentoring, and access to fun networking parties. You might even notice familiar names in the community, including holistic consultant Coco Alexandra Chan and Anushka Purohit of Breer.
Launchpad membership: A Launchpad Membership costs $290 per month, or $2,500 for the annual plan. The Scale-up Membership, which offers exclusive media features on Honeycombers or HoneyKids, costs $11,900 annually.
Join Launchpad online.
4. Soho House Hong Kong
The Soho House collective is a hub for “creative thinkers” and has dozens of properties around the world. The Hong Kong House is located in a 28-storey building in the heart of Sheung Wan, offering a variety of options for food and beverage (there’s dim sum!), fitness, and event spaces. Head to the Club Bar for live performances and karaoke nights, host a movie night at The Screen, or simply zone out on the comfy sofas in the Drawing Room.
Soho House membership: The registration fee is $4,940 for Soho House Hong Kong’s One House membership (which grants you access to the Hong Kong House only, as opposed to all houses around the world), plus a monthly fee of around $1,560. If you’re an applicant under 27 years old, you’ll get a discount that lasts until you turn 30, with the registration fee being $2,470 and the monthly fee being around $780. Note that you’ll need recommendations from current members to apply for a membership!
Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 5803 8888
5. Carlyle & Co
One of the newest private members’ clubs in the city, Carlyle & Co spans three floors at the top of Rosewood Hong Kong. Inspired by the iconic hotel, The Carlyle, in NYC, this exclusive 25,000-square-feet space offers state-of-the-art facilities and services, including a library, a music room, even a barber and tailor. Moreover, members can chill out to some live jazz, cabaret, and Broadway hits at Cafe Carlyle. As for private events, there are luxurious themed spaces and dining rooms for members to book out for themselves. In addition, Carlyle & Co hosts its own Member Events. Expect to be able to attend over 100 experiences, workshops, and panels each year, with themes such as culture, current affairs, fashion and beauty, and more.
Carlyle & Co membership: A number of membership options are available, including adjusted rates for applicants that are 33 years old and below. An optional supplement is also offered for access to wellness facilities like Club 53.
Carlyle & Co, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
6. Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC)
One of the most renowned press clubs in the world, Foreign Correspondents’ Club is a private members’ club for journalists and correspondents in Hong Kong to gather and mingle. Located in our city’s historic Ice House, this is where you’ll find a main bar and dining room, a Chinese restaurant, verandah, health club, and more! A valuable media hub for journalists, FCC is open to all views and accepts members from five categories: correspondent, journalist, associate, corporate, and diplomatic.
FCC membership: If you fit in one of Foreign Correspondents’ Club’s five accepted categories, different membership options are offered for applicants. Correspondents and Journalists have a joining fee of $3,850 with a monthly fee of $1,300; whereas associates not yet employed as journalists have a joining fee of $45,000 and a monthly fee of $1,300. Meanwhile, corporate and diplomatic members can join on a sliding scale.
Foreign Correspondents’ Club, North Block, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2521 1511
7. Whale Club
Situated in the heart of Central, Whale Club is a luxurious private members’ club in Hong Kong for those who want a break from the constant hustle. The stylish space houses VIP rooms, a bar and gallery, and a cigar room. Members will be able to rest easy on plush furniture, surrounded by classy wood panelling and art pieces. In addition, Whale Club presents a range of refined, Pan-Asian dishes created by Executive Chef Andre L’Herminier, who’s inspired by seasonal ingredients in France. Pair them with exquisite wines and cocktails at the club while relaxing with your friends and fellow members. You can also look forward to themed events, as well as art and NFT showcases here.
Whale Club membership: Whale Club offers memberships for individuals, as well as corporate memberships for potential members with specific business needs and interests.
Whale Club, G/F & 1/F, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2506 0880
8. 1880 Hong Kong
Good news for those who work or live near Quarry Bay: 1880 is now open in Hong Kong! This social club from Singapore has partnered up with Swire Properties to further elevate the neighbourhood with state-of-the-art facilities and community-driven programming. 1880 Hong Kong spans across four storeys, with the top level being the privates members’ club, and the bottom three (1880 Social) fully accessible to the public. Besides having multiple flexible spaces for meetings and events, there are also an eclectic array of dining options, including The Double, a coffee and wine bar; Te Bo, a fusion fine dining restaurant; Hoi Polloi, a vibrant eatery spotlighting Southeast Asian cuisine; and The Sports Bar, featuring American diner-style favourites, large TV screens, and a pool table.
For members only, the uppermost floor is home to the Hong Kong outpost of 1880’s signature restaurant Leonie’s, as well as a gorgeous member’s lounge and two private dining rooms. Members will also enjoy preferential rates and priority booking for the Quarry Gym and the biohacking-focused spa.
1880 membership: In addition to access to 70 reciprocal clubs around the world, 1880 Hong Kong members will receive local and global lifestyle, wellness, and travel benefits, including exclusive discounts at fitness facilities, hotels, and F&B outlets.
1880 Hong Kong, 1/F – 4/F, Two Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, p. 9071 1880 (Whatsapp)
