Which one will you pick?
Evolving from the coffee houses of 16th-century Europe that cultivated an intellectual exchange of politics, news, ideas and business between men, private members’ clubs are environments where today’s well-heeled professionals network, socialise and discuss current issues with those of like mind and means. Originally founded as exclusive enclaves for men of respectable pedigree, Australia’s contemporary iterations now generally admit a broader and more diverse membership, including both men and women. Requiring an invitation, nomination or sponsorship for application and entry, the most exclusive private members’ clubs in Australia offer refined health and wellness amenities, premium business facilities and elevated dining, social and leisure experiences. Read on to discover which will best suit you.
The Australian Club, Sydney
Established in 1838, the Australian Club is the oldest gentlemen’s club in the southern hemisphere, operating as a private, male-only institution with longstanding ties to a network of reciprocal clubs internationally. Housed within a heritage-listed property, it offers members access to facilities such as a formal dining room, billiards room, accommodation, and the Scottish House Members’ Business Centre, which provides office spaces, meeting rooms and administrative support. Patrons of the club enjoy a discreet environment for social, professional and business engagements. Though fees are not publicly disclosed, costs typically involve a joining fee and ongoing annual subscriptions commensurate with its exclusivity.
The Pillars, Sydney
Found on Barrack Street in Martin Place, The Pillars is a private members’ club hidden away within a restored heritage-listed building. The clubhouse boasts restaurant dining, co-working spaces, lounges, a library, wellness facilities and a rooftop terrace, with interiors curated around a notable contemporary art collection. Membership is obtained by expression of interest and includes access to all facilities, concierge services, guest privileges, event hosting and entry to a global reciprocal network of more than 50 clubs, alongside programs supporting women in leadership across technology and design. It’s estimated membership runs north of $20,000 per year.
Sanctum, Melbourne
Set within Pullman Melbourne on the Park in East Melbourne, Sanctum is a private members’ club comprised of business and leisure facilities, including a private bar, dining areas, co-working and meeting spaces, alongside a year-round program of events spanning sport, culture and entertainment. Members enjoy privileged access to premium golf courses and a network of wellness providers, and a platinum gym membership through Fitness & Lifestyle Group. Annual membership is estimated to range from $3350 to $4650, with an alternative lifetime membership option priced at around $25,000.
The Athenaeum Club, Melbourne
The Athenaeum Club brings together members from professional, intellectual and cultural spheres within its selective community. It operates as a social and residential space where members can dine, relax and maintain an active lifestyle through facilities such as a pool, gym, golf driving range and wellness amenities, alongside accommodation options and a private library. The club also organises social events and gastronomic experiences. While membership costs are not disclosed, they are generally understood to involve a considerable joining fee and ongoing subscriptions.
Saint Haven, Sydney
With capped membership and a waiting list for its upcoming venues, Saint Haven is an exclusive private members’ club operating across eight venues in Sydney and Melbourne. Positioned at the intersection of luxury hospitality and advanced health optimisation, Saint Haven is designed as a network of high-end ‘sanctuaries’ offering spa-like, Japanese-inspired environments focused on recovery, performance and holistic wellbeing. Members can use hyperbaric chambers, thermal baths, ice plunges, saunas, meditation spaces, gyms, HIIT training rooms, Pilates studios and dine at the onsite organic wholefood restaurants. Membership is tightly limited and priced at around $25,000 per year.
Citizen Kanebridge, Sydney
With a special focus on property, finance and investment, Citizen Kanebridge is a private members’ club boasting two HQs, one in Sydney’s CBD location within the Royal Automobile Club of Australia at Circular Quay, and a lodge in Berrima, in the Southern Highlands. It provides members with access to exclusive events, luxury experiences and concierge services covering travel, dining, reservations and lifestyle support, alongside use of its club spaces for business and networking. Membership is by invitation or application and is positioned at a premium level, with fees not publicly disclosed.
The Women’s Club, Sydney
One of the few female-only private members’ clubs in Australia, The Women’s Club was founded in 1901 and is located on Elizabeth Street, overlooking Hyde Park in Sydney’s CBD. Ladies have access to a heritage clubhouse with a library, sitting and dining rooms, seminar facilities and an eight-room residence, supporting cultural, social and professional activities including meetings, interest groups and events. Membership is by application, with an entrance fee of around AUD $2000 and annual fees of up to $1600.
Lawson Flats, Perth
What makes Lawson Flats unique is its young, fun and contemporary persona. Comprising seven floors of within the Art Deco Lawson Apartments, Lawson Flats is a membership-capped private club in central Perth. Members enjoy dining at Luis’ Bar and Restaurant, relaxing in the lounges, and have use of meeting rooms that double as games and karaoke spaces, performance and event venues, an art gallery, and wellness facilities including a gym and sauna, a yoga, dance and Pilates studio, listening room, pool room and private kitchen. Membership is application-based and reviewed by a committee, with a $1000 joining fee and weekly fees of approximately $45 for under-34s and $59 for members aged 35 and over. Members also receive invitations to regular events such as talks, workshops, film nights, chef dinners and parties, and access to a network of reciprocal clubs around the world.
Mello House, Perth
This invitation-only members’ club in the historic State Buildings offers light-filled workspaces, private meeting rooms, communal lounges and all-day dining with evening cocktail service, alongside a curated selection of wine, craft beer and artisan spirits. Mello House places strong emphasis on intellectual and cultural engagement, providing a program of talks, forums and events across a range of disciplines. Members gain access to a network of reciprocal clubs internationally, including locations in cities such as Stockholm, Madrid, Singapore, Shanghai, Paris and San Francisco. Fees are not publicly disclosed.
The Melbourne Club, Melbourne
This long-established private gentlemen’s club was founded in 1838, located in a Renaissance Revival building on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD. The Melbourne Club membership is primarily male and highly selective, requiring nomination and support from existing members of long standing to gain entry. Members have access to historic facilities including formal dining rooms, a library, billiards room, a private walled garden and around 20 overnight accommodation rooms, along with reciprocal privileges at other clubs. Fees are reported to start at $6000 to join, plus annual membership fees of around $3000.
Soon to open…
Soho House, Sydney
Soho House currently operates more than 40 clubs around the globe and although a physical Sydney venue has been announced, it has yet to open, with reports suggesting a location on Crown Street in Darlinghurst. According to Soho House, membership will eventually offer dinners with high-profile chefs, fashion-led gatherings and private parties, as well as entry to Soho House spaces globally. In Sydney, members have already been able to engage with the brand through its pre-opening and network-based events.
The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild, Sydney
The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild is a large-scale private members’ club located within The Lands by Capella precinct on Loftus Street, spanning approximately 3,500 square metres across two floors. It combines hospitality, workspace and wellness in a single destination. Members can dine at Spezia, an all-day Italian restaurant led by Michelin-recognised chef Jae Bang, and enjoy boutique private suites, shared workspaces, the Piano Lounge bar and the Eir Liv Lounge, which is focused on longevity and recovery practices. Members also benefit from a dedicated concierge service that facilitates introductions, bookings and access to more than 200 reciprocal clubs across 50+ countries. The club operates as part of a broader Florence Guild network of sites across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
What is the most exclusive club in Australia?
Australia’s most exclusive private clubs are split between heritage and high-cost. The Australian Club in Sydney remains the most socially exclusive, maintaining a strict men-only policy and a voting process that favours established pedigree over wealth. However, in terms of sheer cost, Melbourne’s Saint Haven is considered the most expensive. Close behind is Sydney’s The Sandstones Club, a modern professional hub catering to a new generation of business elite who prioritise luxury networking over old-world tradition.
What is the Sydney $25,000 a year members club?
Sanctum and Saint Haven both have membership costs that are reported to be around $25,000.
What is the Australian equivalent of Soho House?
The primary Australian equivalent to Soho House is The Pillars in Sydney, a modern multi-level club that mirrors Soho’s focus on creative and business innovators through high-end social spaces, curated cultural events, and wellness amenities. Another major contender is The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild, which opened its doors in early 2026 within the historic Department of Lands building, offering a luxury sanctuary that blends heritage architecture with a high-performance lifestyle for the professional elite.
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