Five Considerations for Opening a Private Membership Club in New York City

New York’s private membership clubs are sewn into the fabric of the city, whether it’s buttoned-up legacy clubs like the Metropolitan or the Union Club — founded in 1836 — or more modern, hospitality-focused offerings flaunting a suite of amenities. Fueled by a post-pandemic appetite for a curated community, privacy, and elevated hospitality, a new generation of clubs has emerged and reshaped the city's social and professional landscape. 

The private club trend in commercial real estate is such that it’s even rippling through retail shopping centers and malls across the country, and high-end British concepts are also expanding in the U.S. In New York, innovative concepts have been cropping up in spaces in residential buildings, offices and hotels across the city as real estate owners and developers realize the benefits of hosting these brands.

But opening a private club in NYC is not simple. It can be a complex, time-consuming endeavor navigating interagency reviews and approvals; the margin for error is thin. 

Kasirer has a history of working with leading private membership club brands and real estate operators to help them through the red tape to open these venues and realize their visions. The best time to seek advisory services is at the beginning of a project, prior to making initial filings with city agencies.

Below we have listed five key considerations for private membership club operators or real estate owners looking to open a location in New York City. 

1. Understand the Zoning Classification and Use Permissions

Once the ideal location for a club has been identified, and before a single permit is pulled, the foundational question is whether the proposed use is permitted on site under the current NYC Zoning Resolution; if not, another pathway must be explored to secure discretionary approvals. A “club” carries a nuanced position in the zoning code, due to its various use classifications, such as dining, event space, wellness, and even overnight stays. It’s important to establish uses and identify overlaps early.

Generally, without special permitting, private clubs can’t operate in residential neighborhoods, manufacturing districts or near a hospital, among other restrictions. When a project cannot proceed as-of-right, it enters the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a formal public review process that routes through the local community board, borough president, City Planning Commission, and ultimately, the New York City Council. The outcome often hinges as much on community relationships and stakeholder management as on the merits of the application itself. Early engagement with government relations and land-use teams — before an application is filed — allows proponents to shape the narrative, anticipate opposition, and build a record of community responsiveness that can be decisive at the City Council stage.

2. Properly Navigating Interagency Approvals Processes is Critical

The New York City Department of Buildings will play a key role in building and construction reviews and approvals; the Department of Environmental Protection will need to be tapped for utility interconnections — water and sewer — and so will Consolidated Edison for electrical and gas; the Department of Transportation (DOT) will also need to address issues related to construction closures and sidewalk use. DOT will need to provide “revocable consent” for anything on, over or under a city sidewalk outside a venue. Remember, the sidewalk is not yours.

Many clubs serve alcohol on the premises, so early engagement with community stakeholders, such as local block associations, business improvement districts (BIDs), and other community groups, is paramount. This should happen in advance of the community and community board feedback that’s necessary before you encounter the New York State Liquor Authority. Late last year, Governor Kathy Hochul updated New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by signing a bill that established a new liquor license category for for-profit membership clubs. The law, which Kasirer advocated for on behalf of clients, took effect on February 18, 2026. Historically, only not-for-profit clubs could secure club licenses to serve alcohol, so for-profit private clubs have had to operate in a legal gray area, but not anymore.

Additionally, a private club operator and its partners will need inspections and approvals from the city’s health department, as well as the fire department for issues related to fire safety and kitchen equipment — range hoods, solid fuel ovens, capacity, fire alarms, etc.

This roadmap can be expensive and take months to complete, so proper guidance and advocacy from the start can make a difference.

3. Engage the Local Community and Community Board Early

The above two points highlight the importance of community engagement. Community boards are advisory, but their voice can carry significant weight in city politics, particularly with local council members, whose support is often critical to a project’s approval. 

For private clubs, community concerns could center around noise, increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic, late-night activity, alcohol consumption, and potentially a perception that a venue serves a narrow constituency at the expense of the broader neighborhood. These concerns should be taken seriously. Proactive community engagement, including town halls, one-on-one conversations with community board leadership whenever possible, and local outreach showcasing transparency, builds credibility.

4. Anticipate Landmarks and Historic Preservation Review

Some of the most compelling settings for private clubs are subject to review by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Any significant alteration to a designated landmark or a building within a historic district requires LPC approval, and the Commission will scrutinize proposed changes to facades, interiors of designated interior landmarks, and the streetscape. Operators who are drawn to architecturally significant spaces should factor LPC review into their project schedule and engage consultants or counsel who can work constructively with the Commission to achieve approvals without sacrificing design elements.

Kasirer actively advised on the full renovation of the landmarked Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan, a public-private project that created the Casa Cipriani, which features The Club at Casa Cipriani on its 5th floor. The Kasirer team also worked on Maxime’s — owned by British businessman Robin Birley — an exclusive private club at 848 Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. 

5. Maintain a Government Relations Strategy that Extends Beyond Approvals

Securing the necessary approvals is cause for celebration, but it also marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the city. Local politicians, agency officials and community stakeholders will continue to have a role in the life of a venue, whether through liquor license renewals, special event permitting, noise complaints, or other general scrutiny that comes with owning or operating real estate in New York. Operators must not treat government relations as a one-time exercise, as they’ll likely find themselves playing defense. A consistent and transparent strategy that keeps stakeholders informed, promptly responds to community concerns and builds goodwill is the most effective approach for a private club operator.