For decades, Australia’s private members’ clubs were the domain of tailored blazers, six-generation surnames, and rules so rigid they made Buckingham Palace look like a day spa. Think The Australian Club in Sydney or the Athenaeum in Melbourne. The kind of places where sockettes are still banned and women were only welcome on “special occasions.”
But in 2025, exclusivity is being redefined — and it looks more like a barefoot dinner in Bondi than a whisky-soaked power lunch in Macquarie Street.
The $2.7 Billion (USD) Reset: Soho House Goes Private
Globally, the shake-up is real. Soho House Group — the creative-class clubhouse that went public in 2021 and nearly lost its shirt — is being taken private in a $2.7 billion buyout led by MCR Hotels. Shareholders will cash out at $9 a share, and Ashton Kutcher is sliding onto the board.
It’s a headline move that signals two things: 1) the market is punishing “cool” if it can’t print revenue, and 2) celebrity names alone won’t save you. Soho House private clubs from London to New York, Rome, Paris, and Barcelona will need to prove that members-only living is still worth the swipe of an Amex.
Sydney, Your Turn: Soho House 2026
Closer to home, the brand is betting big on Australia. Soho House Sydney will open in 2026, taking over a five-storey Crown Street heritage site in Darlinghurst. Expect rooftop pools, hidden cinemas, and that curated crowd of DJs-turned-breathwork-coaches that made Soho House New York and Soho House Berlin global cultural landmarks.
Until then, locals can tap into the “Cities Without Houses” membership ($4,750/year, or $2,285 if under 27), with pop-ups, salons, and artist showcases sprinkled through the city. It’s already the most fashionable secret handshake in town.
And whispers are already circulating about Soho House Melbourne — proof that the Australian market is firmly on the radar.
The New Guard: Australia’s Club Scene Levels Up
Soho’s not the only player. Australia is quietly having a private members’ club renaissance:
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The Pillars (Sydney): $25K a year, for investors and founders with more startups than suits. Waitlist rumoured in the hundreds.
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Sanctum (Melbourne): Former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou’s no-phones, culture-first club. Think rooftop Brooklyn energy, not Collins Street stiffness.
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Saint Haven (Bondi, 2026): Tim Gurner’s ultra-luxury wellness fortress — hyperbaric oxygen therapy, infrared saunas, plunge pools, meditation pods, Michelin-level nutrition, capped memberships. Part gym, part retreat, part social network for the longevity-obsessed.
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67 Pall Mall (Melbourne): A global wine-driven import with a $3,500 sign-up and $4,500/year fees. If you know, you know.
From Whisky to Wellness
The formula has flipped. The new exclusive clubs are built less on whisky and cigars, and more on cold plunges, low-alcohol Negronis, and networking over longevity panels. From Soho House Istanbul to Soho House Hong Kong and now Sydney, the evolution of the private club scene shows no sign of slowing.
Forget the finance bros holding court at Ivy’s Level 6. This wave is about curated culture, not just cash. The best clubs are intentionally designed for designers, filmmakers, founders, and thinkers who want privacy without pretension and connection without chaos.
The Price of Belonging
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The Pillars: $25,000/year
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Soho House Sydney: $4,750/year (or $2,285 if you’re under 27)
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Sanctum: $5,250/year
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67 Pall Mall: $3,500 sign-up + $4,500/year
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Saint Haven: $25,000/year
They’re not cheap. But neither is a therapist, a private office, a co-working space, a gym, and dinner with interesting people every week. These clubs bundle all of that — and sell it as lifestyle, not just luxury.
Why It Matters
Post-pandemic, people are sick of loud restaurants, soulless offices, and pretending LinkedIn is a substitute for connection. They want spaces that feel like a home away from home — places where you can take a call, write a deck, hit a sauna, meet a mate, and stay all day without being asked to flip the table.
With Soho House going private globally, and Australia’s own wave of wellness-first clubs rising, one thing is clear: the future of exclusivity isn’t about keeping people out. It’s about giving the right ones a reason to stay.
FAQs
What is Soho House?
Soho House is a private members’ club founded in London in 1995 above a café in Soho. Originally created for creatives and media types, it’s now a global network of Houses offering curated spaces for dining, working, wellness, and social events.
What is Soho House now?
Today, Soho House is less about blazers and boardrooms and more about rooftop pools, hidden cinemas, art shows, cold plunges, and longevity-friendly menus. It’s a creative community with a global passport — membership gets you into 40+ Houses worldwide.
When will Soho House Sydney open?
The Darlinghurst location is slated to open in 2026, taking over a five-storey Crown Street heritage site.
What will Soho House Sydney include?
Expect a rooftop pool, private dining spaces, creative studios, hidden cinema, wellness amenities, and curated events for members. The design will follow Soho’s global template: stylish but relaxed, with local touches that reflect Sydney’s scene.
Where will Soho House Sydney be located?
Soho House Sydney will open at 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, taking over a five-storey heritage building on the corner of Crown and Foley Streets.
How much does membership cost?
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Sydney “Cities Without Houses” membership (before the club opens): $4,750/year (or $2,285 if under 27).
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Full House membership (after opening) will be in line with global pricing, subject to approval.
Can you bring a guest?
Yes. Members can typically bring up to three guests at a time, though House rules vary per location. Some events are members-only.
Is Soho House membership invitation-only?
Not strictly. You apply online, but a recommendation from existing members helps. Each House has a local committee that reviews applicants to maintain a creative, cultural mix.
How long is the waitlist?
It depends. Sydney demand is high — the “Cities Without Houses” membership helps you get in early. Global Houses like New York and London often have year-long waitlists.
