Sometimes even the Masters of the Universe need their own sanctuary from the high-flying world of Wall Street.
Enter Manhattan's exclusive members-only clubs.
No, we're not talking about the ones behind the velvet ropes. We're talking about the ones you might not even notice when you walk by.
These hideaways, which tend to come with steep fees and require an invite to join, can offer members a place to dine, relax and hangout. They have some pretty sweet amenities, too.
Many of these clubs prohibit business meetings and the use of cellphones, offering a reprieve from the work day. Others aren't as strict on conducting business.
We've selected 10 of the city's most exclusive clubs and detailed why they would be ideal for the Wall Street crowd.
Getting into the club is up to you.
Angler's Club
Location: 101 Broad Street (Financial District)
About: The club was established in 1906 by members of the fly-fishing community.
Amenities: The 2,500-square-foot downtown club headquarters features a private 65-seat dining room. The club serves lunches daily for members and guests Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to "Forbes," the club has "perhaps the best angling library in the world."
Dress code: Jackets required.
For The Street: Not only is the club's headquarters located in the heart of the Financial District just blocks from the exchange, but some pretty impressive Wall Streeters have been spotted there including hedge fund legend Paul Tudor Jones, Blackstone's president Hamilton "Tony" James and Silver Lake Partners co-founder Glenn Hutchins.
Membership: In 2011, DNAInfo reported that the club has ~600 members from around the world. Those fly-fishing enthusiasts who want to join have to be invited to the club through introduction of a current member. While women are allowed to visit and be employed by the club, they're reportedly not allowed to be card-carrying members.
Belizean Grove
Location: 17 East 89th Street (Upper East Side)
About: This elite club — which was founded in 1999 by former Westinghouse Broadcasting exec Susan Stautberg — has been described as the female version of the famous male-only Bohemian Club in San Francisco, California. These ladies, who tend to be in their 50s and 60s, are said to be the top leaders in technology, finance, media, law and retail. As the "The New York Times" put it, the Belizean Grove is "becoming what could be considered the world’s ultimate old girls’ club."
Amenities: How about some awesome trips? These ladies convene either in Central or South America for four-day meetings.
Dress code: Unknown.
For The Street: These so-called Grovers are said to have done deals together and helped each other join corporate boards, according to the "The New York Times." Also, top execs from various companies, including Goldman Sachs, are said to be members of this exclusive group.
Membership: It's for women only. The NYTimes reported there are ~125 members. New members are reportedly chosen by current members and then they're taken to meetings with a membership committee and they get assigned a "big sister." Also, only one person from a company can join the exclusive group.
The Core Club
Location: 60 East 55th Street
About: As "The New York Times" put it, "At the Core Club, members have things more unusual in common than Mayflower bloodlines or shared memories of freshman year at Deerfield." Basically, the Core Club is for the ultra-wealthy.
Amenities: The Core Club has its own restaurant, terrace, bar, lounge and private dining room. As a member you can have access to speakers, rare art and artists, a satellite office that you can expense, a spa, salon & barber, fitness studio and a screening room. You also get the keys to some sick sports cars the club rents for its members every year.
Dress code: While most other clubs maintain strict dress codes, the Core Club allows its members to wear jeans if they choose.
For The Street: Chances are at the Core Club you'll be able to rub elbows with the likes of Steve Schwarzman and you might get the chance to meet the best financiers in the world, like George Soros, Woody Johnson, and Carl Icahn, who spoke to club members last year. The late Bruce Wasserstein and the late Ted Forstmann were both members. Perhaps another reason it's ideal for the Street is that unlike most other dining/social clubs, you can actually use your electronic devices and hold business meetings.
Membership: The cost is a $50,000 initiation fee and $15,000 a year to join.
Source: NYTimesSource: Business Insider Core Club
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