10 Most Exclusive Private Members’ Clubs in Sydney

The most exclusive private members’ clubs in Sydney vary in history and purpose. Some strive to connect entrepreneurs by providing a space for top business leaders to foster the ultimate network. Others are sleek private bars, hidden from the view of the average punter. Some are the last remaining strongholds of the true old-boys clubs, some of which have only recently deviated from strict membership standards.

Many of these clubs have seen their fair share of controversy, with accusations of discrimination, racism and sexism somewhat tainting their public image. Some of these establishments keep a very low profile, and all of them, by their very nature, take privacy and secrecy very seriously.

Behind the doors of the most exclusive private members’ clubs in Sydney, billion-dollar deals are negotiated, business and social networks forged, and, in some instances, celebrities, supermodels and the ultra-rich rub shoulders and play in utmost privacy. If you’ve ever been curious about the history and activities of these exclusive private members’ clubs, read on as we pull back the curtains to get a brief glimpse into these mysterious establishments.

1. The Australian Club

The Australian Club was established in 1838 and claims to be the oldest private gentlemen’s club in the southern hemisphere. Originally designed as a place where elite men (only) could escape the strains of life and relax well out of sight of the “unwashed,” it has changed very little since.

Nowadays, The Australian Club boasts an extensive library, a fully equipped gym, a dining hall capable of hosting up to 80 guests, and reciprocal arrangements with other private members’ clubs nationally and internationally. You’ll find notable names in their books, including former Prime Minister John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull, David Gonski and the Packers, including James and his late father, Kerry. The club remains strictly male-only, famously voting down a motion to admit women in 2021. Membership requires a proposer, a seconder, and surviving a rigorous “blackballing” voting system, with annual fees estimated well over $1,200, plus substantial initiation fees.

Located in: Macquarie House
Address: 165 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9229 0400

2. The Queen’s Club Sydney

When it comes to private clubs, Sydney has plenty of options for men. One of the few women-only private members’ clubs in Australia, The Queen’s Club Sydney likes to keep out of the limelight to ensure the privacy of its esteemed membership.

Established in 1912, it was founded as a space for country and city women to rest and socialise away from the men in their lives. That sentiment carries into modernity, with the club specialising in private entertaining and dining for the influential ladies they boast as members and their guests. The barriers to entry remain high, as prospective members must have a proposer and seconder from the existing membership just to view the highly confidential fee schedule.

Address: 137 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8pm
Phone: (02) 9264 1171

3. The Cabbage Tree Club

The Cabbage Tree Club is really one of those private members clubs in Sydney that has become a place for private school old boys to come together and wag their chins, reminiscing on the good ol’ days before the Labor party stepped into power.

Membership to this elite men-only club will set outsiders back an estimated $10,000 joining fee. However, locals with deep community ties can take the Active Reserve route via the Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. After completing six years as an active patrolling member and reaching 23 years of age, eligible members can apply for Active Reserve status and subsequent Cabbage Tree Club membership. For the most recent season, this pathway costs $834 annually (or $539 for those under 30).

Address: 31/32 Ocean Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Phone: (02) 9974 1288

4. The Sandstones Club by Florence Guild

The newest private members club in Sydney is The Sandstones Club. Timing couldn’t be better for the launch as we’re moving quickly away from the stuffy members clubs of yesterday into private sactury-style venues with a focus on health and wellness. Founded by Florence Guild CEO Soren Trampedach, the club is located within the $1-billion-plus redevelopment of the heritage Department of Lands building at Circular Quay, The Capella.

One of the most expensive in Sydney, the eye-watering $30,000 a year membership fee gains access to a highly curated ecosystem of executives and founders. The amenities lean heavily into high-performance “longevity,” including the Eir Liv Longevity Lounge – featuring hyperbaric chambers, zero-g loungers, and LED light therapies – and the Michelin-pedigree Italian restaurant, Spezia, helmed by chef Jae Bang.

Address: 33 Loftus St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

5. The Pillars

Opened in May 2025, The Pillars is another new private members club in Sydney a modern shift towards financial gatekeeping over old-school-tie networks. Housed within a $10-million renovation of the heritage-listed former headquarters of the Savings Bank of NSW, membership commands between $20,000 and $25,000 annually.

The club explicitly targets a curated network of progressive entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals, offering a blend of high-end workspaces, premium hospitality, and exclusive networking events for Australia’s modern business elite.

Address: 11 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-12am, Sat 12pm-12am
Phone: (02) 7234 1440

6. Citizen Kanebridge

Operating on a unique dual-location model, Citizen Kanebridge bills itself as Australia’s premier property, finance, and investment club. Rather than building a single CBD footprint from scratch, a Full Membership acts as a master key that grants members full privileges at Sydney’s prestigious Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA) at Circular Quay, alongside exclusive access to their private country escape, the Citizen Kanebridge Lodge in Berrima.

The barrier to entry is tied to high-net-worth networking and professional curation. Memberships unlock global concierge services and exclusive RR1 by Robb Report global events, with upper-tier Couples and Corporate/Family Office memberships carrying up to $5,000 in prepaid event and advertising credits.

Address: 11 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-12am, Sat 12pm-12am
Phone: (02) 7234 1440

7. CUB Club

Business talk is the name of the game at CUB Club (Club of United Business) but we have heard some of the conversations lean more MLM than an IPO. Still, CUB Club says it’s home to some of Australia’s top entrepreneurs and business leaders who get together to build the ultimate business network. To get an idea of the vibe here, picture the old-world exclusivity of a private club with the collaborative power of a co-working space. Memberships currently sit at $5,500 + GST per annum.

Address: Level 6/70 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Thu 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-10pm
Phone: (02) 7251 9488

9. Tattersalls Club

Founded in 1858 as a horse-racing club, the Tattersalls Club was one of the last private members’ clubs in Sydney to hold on to the contentious title as a true boys’ club. Their enduring stubbornness to exclude the fairer sex did not do much to endear the club to women, and many opine that this exclusion contributed to their near-bankruptcy in 2011. However, a historic vote in 2013 reversed the long-standing ban, and now men and women enjoy the club’s billiard tables, gym, pool and private bars side by side.

Located in: Elizabeth Street Chambers
Address: 181 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30 am–8:30 pm, Sat 7am-5pm, Sun 8am-5pm
Phone: (02) 9264 6111

10. Commercial Travellers Club (Closed for Renovations)

You know that mushroom-shaped architectural oddity in Martin Place, the one that kind of looks like a spaceship? Well, there’s something inside that building, and that something is the Commercial Travellers Association Business Club. It was established as a place for travelling businessmen to rest their weary heads for a surprisingly reasonable rate, considering the prime inner-city real estate. Beneath the rooms, the scarlet-carpeted, timber-veneered dining room and bar appear stuck in the golden era of the late 1960s. The bistro does a mean no-frills rib-eye or chicken schnitty, best enjoyed with a tall bottle of Crown Lager, for old times’ sake.

Address: M.L.C Centre, Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am-4:30pm, Thu 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-9pm
Phone: (02) 9232 7344

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: How much does a private members’ club in Sydney cost?
  • A: Costs vary wildly. Accessible clubs like the Commercial Travellers Club or Tattersalls have standard annual fees in the hundreds, while ultra-exclusive modern hubs like The Sandstones Club charge up to $30,000 annually. Historic establishments like The Australian Club require secretive initiation fees and annuals estimated well over $1,200.
• Q: What is the oldest private club in Sydney?
  • A: The Australian Club, established in 1838, is the oldest private gentlemen’s club in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Q: Are there any women-only private clubs in Sydney?
  • A: Yes, The Queen’s Club Sydney, established in 1912, is an intensely private, strictly female-only club located on Elizabeth Street.
• Q: Can anyone join a private members’ club?
  • A: It depends on the club. Some modern business clubs (like CUB or The Pillars) require a financial commitment and a professional vetting process. Historic clubs (like The Australian Club or The Queen’s Club) require you to be nominated and seconded by existing members, making them much harder to join without established social networks.