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The interior of the Jonathan Beach Club in Los Angeles. There are tables, chairs, a wood ceiling and floor to ceiling windows with a view of a beach.
The Jonathan Beach Club’s recently redone interiors overlook the beach.
Courtesy of Studio Collective

A map guide to LA’s most fascinating private clubs

Hobnob with the fancy people

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The Jonathan Beach Club’s recently redone interiors overlook the beach.
| Courtesy of Studio Collective

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2014. It has been updated throughout with the latest information.

According to LA Confidential, there’s an old adage that goes, “The people who run Los Angeles belong to The Jonathan Club; the people who own Los Angeles belong to The California Club.”

These venerable, intimidating Downtown institutions were never the only clubs in town, but maybe it was that apparent binary that inspired LA’s huge proliferation of private, members-only societies.

Today, there’s a club for elites of nearly every stripe: globe-trekkers, athletes, magicians. These clubs remain close-knit, and you still need the endorsement of active members to join, of course. Many of these clubs function not only as a physical place to have meetings with people you’d like to impress, but as an “in” to a much larger network of national and international exclusivity.

Despite a brief decline, it seems that members-only clubs are once again starting to appeal to young, professional Angelenos—just look at the rising popularity of places like the British transplant Arts Club and the forthcoming Arts District location of Soho House. (In some cases, coworking spaces are rising to the levels of social clubs of yore.)

For those who might not be able to gain entry into these under-the-radar societies, we’ve mapped some of Los Angeles’s most interesting exclusive clubs, from the Adventurers’ Club to the Magic Castle.

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The California Club

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The California Club: a seriously handsome historical landmark and a seriously intimidating Downtown institution.

Founded in 1888, the club, designed by architect Robert Farquhar, has counted former mayor Richard Riordan, journalist Charles Fletcher Lummis, and real estate developer H. Gaylord Wilshire (that’s right, THAT Wilshire) among its members. It did not count minorities or women among its members until 1987.

The Jonathan Club

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Established as a social club in 1895, the Jonathan Club spent a lot of time combating its long and stuffy history. It underwent a hip makeover in 2013 and relaxed its dress code in the hope of attracting a younger crowd. (Since 1987, it also allows non-white-male members.) Henry E. Huntington, the railroad magnate, was a member.

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The Jonathan Beach Club

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Since 1927, Jonathans have had access to this imposing, ivy-covered private beach club, ”cradled in the rolling bluffs” along the shore. Access to the beach club costs a little bit more, but it’s probably worth it. The club’s interiors were recently redone by Studio Collective.

The interior of the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica, California. There are tables, chairs, a bar, and floor to ceiling windows that overlook a beach. - Courtesy of Studio Collective

City Club LA

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Younger than the exclusive Jonathan and California clubs, the City Club (51 stories up!) has a fairly loose policy about jeans-wearing and once proudly described itself as “a little United Nations.” It also offers discounts for members under 30.

Wilfandel Club

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Wilfandel, founded in 1945, is the oldest black women’s club in Los Angeles, and was once a ”hub of high society” known for its high-class parties and equally high-class guest lists. It’s housed in the stately Wilfandel House, built in 1922 by silent film star Ramon Novarro as a home for his brother. The club requires new members to be highly civic-minded and to get approval from two active members.

The Adventurers’ Club

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Founded in 1921, this club is connected to a worldwide network of adventurous fellows that has carried on the traditions of the first group of “soldiers, sailors, hunters, trappers, travelers, journalists, authors and scientists” who started the group.

Women are not allowed, except on special occasions, but those do include some of the best lectures, like the upcoming “Storm Chasing and Image Mastery.”

Women’s Twentieth Century Club

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Founded in 1903, the Women’s Twentieth Century Club reportedly “applied for a Carnegie Grant to establish our first library”—now the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock—“and also began the origins of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society.” The civic-minded ladies organization has dues of only $40.

The exterior of the Women’s Twentieth Century Club in Los Angeles. The facade is brown with a red staircase in front. Courtesy of Dreamyshade/Creative Commons

Los Angeles Athletic Club

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Founded in 1880, the LAAC has adapted to the new influx of young, moneyed folk in Downtown, and, per a 2011 LA Times write-up, seems to be “gaining traction with up-and-comers attracted by the combination of gym facilities and ‘Mad Men’-style retro chic” and who still see the other Downtown clubs as out of their price range.

The club’s facilities include a pool; basketball, handball, and squash courts; and boutique hotel rooms. Famous members include Charlie Chaplin, Colonel James B. Lankershim, and Esther Williams.

The Magic Castle

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Are you a magician? Do you know a magician? No? Then get out. This mansion on Franklin is the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, and is an exclusive club by and for practitioners of magic and their guests.

With an invite from a member, non-magicians can attend a magical brunch or dinner inside this magnificent Victorian lair. You really haven’t lived until you’ve had a mimosa and an omelette followed by a heavy dose of close-up card tricks.

Soho House

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Opened in 2010, the West Hollywood “house” of the London-based chain has been so successful, it’s planning to open a second LA location in the Arts District (though it’s a bit behind schedule). Membership dues for this location are estimated to be around $1,800.

Soho Warehouse

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Soho Warehouse is the future Downtown LA outpost of the members-only club Soho House, which has locations worldwide, including those in West Hollywood and Malibu. Originally planned to open in 2016, the current projection is that the renovated warehouse will open sometime this year.

Once complete, the Warehouse will hold a “public market” with a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, 16 hotel rooms, a gym, a bar, a restaurant, a rooftop pool, and a screening room.

The Little Beach House Malibu

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This Soho House by the sea resides in the former Nikita restaurant space right on the ocean in Malibu. Opened in 2016, this club location has an added layer of exclusivity: LA club members who have already paid for membership that allows them access to all club branches have to apply for a new, separate membership for the Malibu club by “proving the legitimacy of their connection to Malibu.”

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h. Club LA

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This club taking over the former Redbury Hotel in Hollywood is a transplant from England. The club aimed at creatives will include a traditional English tea room, a rooftop restaurant, a pool, a co-working space, and 36 hotel-style bedrooms available to both club members and the public. It’s planned to open in early 2019, a representative for the club tells Curbed.

A rendering of h clue los angeles, which will take over the former Redbury Hotel. Courtesy of h.Club LA

Arts Club

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Another British import, this location of the Arts Club is backed by Gwyneth Paltrow and her business partner. The classy and slightly prudish establishment—swearing is strictly forbidden—would replace a West Hollywood commercial building that houses the Sunset Strip Hustler store. The club would be housed in a nine-story structure with retail and creative office space occupying the lower levels.

Club amenities will include private restaurants, bars, and lounges; a supper club; a pool; screening rooms; a fitness center and spa; and 15 guest rooms for members of the club. The Arts Club is expected to open in 2020.

Rendering of Sunset Strip Arts Club in Los Angeles. There is a swimming pool on the roof. City of West Hollywood

Bel-Air Bay Club

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Founded by Alphonzo Edward Bell Sr. (the namesake of Bel Air, and developer of both the Bay Club and the Bel Air Country Club), this club officially opened in 1927. Raymond Chandler supposedly hammered out his classic Farewell, My Lovely here; he used it as inspiration for the Belvedere Beach Club in the novel.

Balboa Bay Club

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Since its founding in 1948, Balboa Bay was a magnet for Hollywood’s big names—John Wayne, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood—and Nixon and John F. Kennedy held rallies here while campaigning.

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The California Club

The California Club: a seriously handsome historical landmark and a seriously intimidating Downtown institution.

Founded in 1888, the club, designed by architect Robert Farquhar, has counted former mayor Richard Riordan, journalist Charles Fletcher Lummis, and real estate developer H. Gaylord Wilshire (that’s right, THAT Wilshire) among its members. It did not count minorities or women among its members until 1987.

The Jonathan Club

Established as a social club in 1895, the Jonathan Club spent a lot of time combating its long and stuffy history. It underwent a hip makeover in 2013 and relaxed its dress code in the hope of attracting a younger crowd. (Since 1987, it also allows non-white-male members.) Henry E. Huntington, the railroad magnate, was a member.

A post shared by ♥️ LA (@lynne_an) on

The Jonathan Beach Club

Since 1927, Jonathans have had access to this imposing, ivy-covered private beach club, ”cradled in the rolling bluffs” along the shore. Access to the beach club costs a little bit more, but it’s probably worth it. The club’s interiors were recently redone by Studio Collective.

The interior of the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica, California. There are tables, chairs, a bar, and floor to ceiling windows that overlook a beach. - Courtesy of Studio Collective

City Club LA

Younger than the exclusive Jonathan and California clubs, the City Club (51 stories up!) has a fairly loose policy about jeans-wearing and once proudly described itself as “a little United Nations.” It also offers discounts for members under 30.

Wilfandel Club

Wilfandel, founded in 1945, is the oldest black women’s club in Los Angeles, and was once a ”hub of high society” known for its high-class parties and equally high-class guest lists. It’s housed in the stately Wilfandel House, built in 1922 by silent film star Ramon Novarro as a home for his brother. The club requires new members to be highly civic-minded and to get approval from two active members.

The Adventurers’ Club

Founded in 1921, this club is connected to a worldwide network of adventurous fellows that has carried on the traditions of the first group of “soldiers, sailors, hunters, trappers, travelers, journalists, authors and scientists” who started the group.

Women are not allowed, except on special occasions, but those do include some of the best lectures, like the upcoming “Storm Chasing and Image Mastery.”

Women’s Twentieth Century Club

Founded in 1903, the Women’s Twentieth Century Club reportedly “applied for a Carnegie Grant to establish our first library”—now the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock—“and also began the origins of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society.” The civic-minded ladies organization has dues of only $40.

The exterior of the Women’s Twentieth Century Club in Los Angeles. The facade is brown with a red staircase in front. Courtesy of Dreamyshade/Creative Commons

Los Angeles Athletic Club

Founded in 1880, the LAAC has adapted to the new influx of young, moneyed folk in Downtown, and, per a 2011 LA Times write-up, seems to be “gaining traction with up-and-comers attracted by the combination of gym facilities and ‘Mad Men’-style retro chic” and who still see the other Downtown clubs as out of their price range.

The club’s facilities include a pool; basketball, handball, and squash courts; and boutique hotel rooms. Famous members include Charlie Chaplin, Colonel James B. Lankershim, and Esther Williams.

The Magic Castle

Are you a magician? Do you know a magician? No? Then get out. This mansion on Franklin is the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, and is an exclusive club by and for practitioners of magic and their guests.

With an invite from a member, non-magicians can attend a magical brunch or dinner inside this magnificent Victorian lair. You really haven’t lived until you’ve had a mimosa and an omelette followed by a heavy dose of close-up card tricks.

Soho House

Opened in 2010, the West Hollywood “house” of the London-based chain has been so successful, it’s planning to open a second LA location in the Arts District (though it’s a bit behind schedule). Membership dues for this location are estimated to be around $1,800.

Soho Warehouse

Soho Warehouse is the future Downtown LA outpost of the members-only club Soho House, which has locations worldwide, including those in West Hollywood and Malibu. Originally planned to open in 2016, the current projection is that the renovated warehouse will open sometime this year.

Once complete, the Warehouse will hold a “public market” with a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, 16 hotel rooms, a gym, a bar, a restaurant, a rooftop pool, and a screening room.

The Little Beach House Malibu

This Soho House by the sea resides in the former Nikita restaurant space right on the ocean in Malibu. Opened in 2016, this club location has an added layer of exclusivity: LA club members who have already paid for membership that allows them access to all club branches have to apply for a new, separate membership for the Malibu club by “proving the legitimacy of their connection to Malibu.”

A post shared by debrocklov (@debrocklov) on

h. Club LA

This club taking over the former Redbury Hotel in Hollywood is a transplant from England. The club aimed at creatives will include a traditional English tea room, a rooftop restaurant, a pool, a co-working space, and 36 hotel-style bedrooms available to both club members and the public. It’s planned to open in early 2019, a representative for the club tells Curbed.

A rendering of h clue los angeles, which will take over the former Redbury Hotel. Courtesy of h.Club LA

Arts Club

Another British import, this location of the Arts Club is backed by Gwyneth Paltrow and her business partner. The classy and slightly prudish establishment—swearing is strictly forbidden—would replace a West Hollywood commercial building that houses the Sunset Strip Hustler store. The club would be housed in a nine-story structure with retail and creative office space occupying the lower levels.

Club amenities will include private restaurants, bars, and lounges; a supper club; a pool; screening rooms; a fitness center and spa; and 15 guest rooms for members of the club. The Arts Club is expected to open in 2020.

Rendering of Sunset Strip Arts Club in Los Angeles. There is a swimming pool on the roof. City of West Hollywood

Bel-Air Bay Club

Founded by Alphonzo Edward Bell Sr. (the namesake of Bel Air, and developer of both the Bay Club and the Bel Air Country Club), this club officially opened in 1927. Raymond Chandler supposedly hammered out his classic Farewell, My Lovely here; he used it as inspiration for the Belvedere Beach Club in the novel.

Balboa Bay Club

Since its founding in 1948, Balboa Bay was a magnet for Hollywood’s big names—John Wayne, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood—and Nixon and John F. Kennedy held rallies here while campaigning.