Most elite club in DC is the Alibi. 50 members, new member can only be added after someone dies and by unanimous of the other 49 members. Men only.

The club was across from my old office. I've seen Bob Mueller go in there. If I left my office after 7pm, there would occasionally be a phalanx of town cars and SUVs idling out front.

The University Club has the best fitness facilities by far plus a lovely spa. Overnight rooms have been refurbished and are beautiful. Better reciprocity than other clubs you've mentioned. A MUCH younger membership than the others you've mentioned. Contrary to what other posters said-- there is an active kids club. Fun & intellectual programs for adults too. I also want to contradict what a PP said about arriving via public transit. Plenty of members do this. Including me! A lot also live w/in walking distance.

Cosmos is very academic/intellectual. I have had dinner with friends there a few times and think it's pretty nice. (Both friends who are members are childless legal academics, so it's right up their alleys.) I have literally never seen a child there and the average age at dinner is 70ish.

Where is Lewis Winthrop III at these days?

Swingers club. The most popular guy is the one who can carry a dozen doughnuts without using his hands.

I recommend the Strip Club

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you hoping to get out of it?

OP here. I guess this is the real question, right? I would say primarily the opportunity to attend lectures and other activities that they offer to members. Would probably use a gym sometimes, or at least our kids would. Place to hold events/ party maybe once a year. Would probably eat there with family or friends maybe once a month. Also interested in meeting other members, as we are fairly new in town.

I understand that most of these clubs offer reciprocity to other clubs internationally and across the US. That has some appeal as well.

These clubs are uncomfortable for children. They advertise being kid friendly, but try taking kids there to swim. You’ll get dirty glances.

Chevy, Columbia and Congressional are where families go.

The Met Club is your city club and Chevy is your country club. I know lots of children who visited both.

Anonymous wrote:Do a little soul searching. And figure out why on earth this would be so important to you. I cannot even imagine.

You are so cringe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you hoping to get out of it?

OP here. I guess this is the real question, right? I would say primarily the opportunity to attend lectures and other activities that they offer to members. Would probably use a gym sometimes, or at least our kids would. Place to hold events/ party maybe once a year. Would probably eat there with family or friends maybe once a month. Also interested in meeting other members, as we are fairly new in town.

I understand that most of these clubs offer reciprocity to other clubs internationally and across the US. That has some appeal as well.

How old are your kids? I don't think any of the places you mentioned are particularly kid-friendly (even for older kids). Cosmos is intellectual, like a PP mentioned, and skews older. A colleague who belongs to the University Club likes it for the reciprocity at other clubs around the country. I've been to the Metropolitan Club many times for a group I was involved in, and it was nice. They'd all be good for lectures and those kinds of activities. But for a good gym, activities for kids, place for events/parties, eating there somewhat regularly, and meeting other members, it sounds like you'd want a country club, like another PP recommended.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what any of these things are.

It’s sorority rush, but with older smarter people with bigger egos.

I would have to say the Cosmos Club is the place that is the least like a fraternity/sorority of anywhere that I have ever been. The polar opposite of Animal House.

I was not being literal. It is a paid club for a group of friends and perceived status. The type of friend and type of status may be different, but the concept is the same.

I went to an event at cosmos club and it seemed kinda run down? How lunch is it and what do you get as a member. And why not join a country club instead so you can at least play golf or tennis, and swim in a pool during the summer.

Soho house is opening an offshoot across from Treasury called Ned’s Club. Idk if it will have a gym, I don’t think so.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what any of these things are.

It’s sorority rush, but with older smarter people with bigger egos.

I would have to say the Cosmos Club is the place that is the least like a fraternity/sorority of anywhere that I have ever been. The polar opposite of Animal House.

If you want to have a gym I think that means the university club, no?

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what any of these things are.

It’s sorority rush, but with older smarter people with bigger egos.