Something is intriguing about any spot with a “members-only” distinction. Whether you’re looking for an exclusive locale to sip cocktails away from the crowd or a new way to connect with like-minded people, Nashville has several options to explore. From cigar lounges to social clubs, these venues offer some fabulous perks to their members.
SB Note: Today’s article does not include country clubs or athletic memberships (golf, pools, tennis, gyms, and more).
Bar: Cigar Especial
701 4th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37210 • (615) 915-2514
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to. midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
VIP Member hours: 24/7
Located a stone’s throw from The Gulch, Bar: Cigar Especial is a cigar lover’s dream. An inviting, brick-walled space with plush leather couches, the downstairs lounge is open to the public for cigars and custom-crafted cocktails, while the upstairs is reserved for members only.
The iconic ’60s-era vibe channels your inner Don Draper. “You walk into 100 cigar bars, and you get 100 different vibes,” says Managing Partner Tony Block. “We’re not pretentious. We have a very classic style, and we make classic drinks, and that’s kind of our thing. We lead with cigars.”
With a downstairs open to the public and a third floor reserved for members only, Bar: Cigar Especial draws in cigar connoisseurs from around the globe. Image: Bar: Cigar Especial
The members-only third floor is where the magic happens, with 60 cigar lockers, three rooms for members to conduct business or kick back, and a full kitchen that serves everything from hamburgers to bone-in ribeyes. For $850 a year, the membership includes a cigar locker, nonalcoholic refreshments, and 24/7 access via an outdoor keypad.
Throughout the year, members can also enjoy events such as exclusive whiskey and bourbon tastings. (It’s also been said that visiting cigar manufacturers sometimes stick a cigar in each member’s locker, just for fun.)
Nashville City Club
201 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219 • (615) 244-3693
Hours: Monday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday
For over 60 years, Nashville City Club has offered its members an elevated dining experience — literally and figuratively. Sitting 20 stories above downtown Nashville, the private dining club offers everything from artisan pizzas to classics like meatloaf, ribeye, seafood, and more.
Members can enjoy over 100 special events throughout the year that center around delicious food and beverages. Previous events have included Mexican fiestas, bourbon tastings, and a Tennessee Titans brunch. Offering two dining areas, members can enjoy a formal meal with family, friends, and colleagues in the main dining room. Or, for a more informal gathering, head to the Riverview Grille to enjoy daily drink and dinner specials.
The club also boasts six private dining areas, perfect for members who want to host weddings, birthdays, or other significant celebrations. Not to mention, each space offers floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of downtown Nashville.
As a member of the Nashville City Club, you can enjoy a chef-driven menu and 360-degree views of downtown Nashville. Image: Facebook
Soho House Nashville
500 Houston St, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 551-8100
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to midnight; Thursday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Newer to Nashville’s private club scene is Soho House Nashville, which opened its doors in March 2022. As the largest Soho House location in North America, this members-only social club boasts two restaurants, a movie theater, performance venues, a pool, fitness center, hotel-like guest rooms, and more.
Inspired by Nashville’s prominent art and music scene, Soho House invites its members to connect creatively and grow together. It’s also said that membership to any Soho House location is quite selective and primarily geared toward people with creative inclinations (think musicians, photographers, and artists).
Soho House Nashville invites local creatives to relax and connect with like-minded people. Image: Soho House
Members of Soho House Nashville can take advantage of a wide variety of benefits, including access to daily events, special rates on Soho House bedrooms, and access to the gym and spa. Soho House pricing varies based on age and membership level. To find the membership that best suits you, click HERE. Even if you’re not a member of Soho House, you can visit The Alley, the only area on the property that is open to the general public.
The Twelve Thirty Club
550 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 • (629) 236-0001
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Twelve Thirty Club is known for providing delicious food and drinks in a lively atmosphere, but did you know the local hotspot is also home to an exclusive membership opportunity? The restaurant’s Honorary Membership Program offers exclusive access to a members-only lounge, VIP dining reservations, special events, and more.
The Twelve Thirty Club’s Honorary Membership Program provides members with an elevated dining experience. Image: Jason Bihler Photography
The Honorary Member Lounge may be the most distinguishing factor of one’s membership. Sitting at the top of the restaurant’s grand staircase is an intimate space accommodating no more than 70 people. Aptly described as “an elevated Honky Tonk,” the refined space features a regular lineup of live music, comfortable lounge chairs, and a fully stocked bar. Individual memberships are $6,000 annually, and corporate memberships are $18,000 annually.
The Late Great Speakeasy
1 Music Square W., Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 667-8000
Inside Virgin Hotels Nashville, you’ll find the exclusive Late Great Speakeasy. The members-only club pays homage to Nashville’s music scene, set in what appears to be a recording studio’s “B-Room,” where intimate songwriting sessions would often take place. Designed by Johnny Cash’s granddaughter, Hannah Crowell of Crowell & Co. Interiors, the space includes artwork and artifacts that honor past and present music legends, including June Carter, Townes Van Zandt, and more.
The Late Great Speakeasy honors Nashville’s past and present music scene. Image: The Late Great Speakeasy
The Late Great Speakeasy membership is highly selective, and if chosen, you can attend private events throughout the year and access the members-only lounge and liquor lockers. The highlight of the speakeasy, however, is its carefully crafted menu of specialty cocktails — each named after a famous song. Upon registration, members are given a private phone number monitored personally by Late Great staff members to text for reservations. However, non-members can also enjoy the space, as the club offers limited reservations for cocktail tastings. This means non-members can enjoy light bites and samples of signature cocktails like Coal Miner’s Daughter, Time of the Preacher, Tiger by the Tail, and Dealer’s Choice.
Editor’s Note: We had wanted to include more member-only clubs, but at publish time, we were still waiting for answers from several. As we find more information, we will update this article.
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