India's wealthy and famous are increasingly turning away from traditional, colonial-era clubs and gymkhanas in favor of exclusive, members-only hangouts that cater to their modern tastes and lifestyles. These new-age private clubs are redefining social interactions and networking for India's elite, offering a blend of luxury, convenience, and a sense of community.

For decades, the Indian elite have sought refuge in Raj-era private clubs and gymkhanas, located in the most upscale areas of major cities, hill resorts, and cantonment towns. Access to these typically "English" enclaves, characterized by bellboys, butlers, dark mahogany interiors, and strict dress codes, has been reserved for the privileged, including business tycoons, senior bureaucrats, former royals, politicians, and armed forces officers. These were the places where India's rich and powerful socialized for years, building social capital over cigars or squash and brokering business deals during golf sessions.

However, these spaces now feel strangely anachronistic, like relics of a bygone era in a country eager to shed its colonial past. Waiting lists for these historic institutions can stretch up to 30 years, making membership virtually impossible for many. Moreover, India's new elite don't necessarily come from the same "blue-blooded" families as those who frequent the older clubs.

As Asia's third-largest economy produces a new generation of wealth creators, a more modern and less formal version of the private members-only club is emerging, reflecting the sweeping economic and demographic changes taking place in India. This is where the newly wealthy are hanging out and doing business. These modern sanctuaries of luxury are strategically located in central business districts or near airports, providing convenient access for business professionals, expats, and investors.

Clubs like Soho House, Quorum, Jolie's, and The Bay Club offer spaces for the wealthy to network, work out, or simply grab a beer or coffee and relax with friends. Soho House Mumbai, for example, has combined modern art with its central classical charm, becoming a home away from home for India's wealthy. Priyanka Chopra Jonas has often been spotted at Soho House, enjoying a Picante de la Casa. Located on the vibrant edges of Juhu Beach, this exclusive paradise has changed the way people spend their leisure time, offering 38 bedrooms, a pool, and candy-striped sunbed cabanas with the best city views.

These new-age clubs provide a wide array of facilities and amenities, including concierge services, 24-hour cafes, cigar lounges, suites for overnight stays, yoga and fitness studios, gyms, international restaurants, in-house master chefs, salons, and hammams. Some, like D'MONDE Members Club in Delhi, focus on wellness, offering access to a fitness center with oxygen-enriched air and cutting-edge treatments like cryotherapy. BLVD Club in Bangalore caters to the growing demand for holistic well-being with an in-house gym, spa, and salon.

The Quorum, founded by Vivek Narain, distinguishes itself as a "lifestyle brand" rather than a club, with members primarily consisting of professionals who use the space for work and networking. The Quorum charges a one-time joining fee of ₹3-5 lakh and an annual membership fee of ₹1-2 lakh. Members of The Quorum also gain access to over 70 private clubs worldwide, including St. James in Paris, The Groucho in London, and Core in New York.

The market for private, members-only clubs is experiencing significant growth in India. A 2024 study found that the market is growing at a CAGR of 17.8% and is projected to reach ₹941 crore by 2027. As of 2024, the market size is estimated at INR 576 crores. As of 2024, there were approximately 11,220 registered members in these clubs. Mumbai leads the way in the private club scene, contributing 42.5% to the total area occupied by these clubs, followed by Delhi (25.8%) and South India (31.7%).

These clubs offer more than just luxury and exclusivity; they provide a "third space" where people can gather without a quid-pro-quo agenda and feel a sense of community in increasingly fragmented urban environments. They have large sitting areas with appealing décor and restaurants with high-quality chefs, making them suitable for small gatherings. The Quorum, for example, features unique art pieces that are regularly changed to keep the space fresh.

These clubs also offer opportunities to host private cultural events, informal gatherings, cocktail parties, lifestyle shows, and cigar and wine events. For India's new-age HNIs with diverse and refined tastes, they are the go-to place to host art exhibitions and conduct book discussions and talk shows.

The rise of these exclusive hangouts reflects the changing face of India's wealthy and their desire for spaces that cater to their modern lifestyles and aspirations. While older clubs represent institutional privilege and inherited status, these new clubs signal wealth and aspirational social mobility.