If cities and societies really run on whispers, subtleties and secrets – as opposed to regulations and timetables – then clubs are the epitome of a certain civic spirit. Once seen as fusty or old hat, members clubs have been rethought and are finding fresh relevance everywhere from London townhouses and swimming clubs in Rio to private tennis courts in Bangkok.
Sports clubs are enjoying a particularly active moment. And it’s a good thing, too, because it’s in these athletic circles that the three most vital things that a person should master are codified and celebrated: competition, quality and conviviality.
Another hallmark of such clubs are rules (often quaintly written in club literature as “laws” but we all know what we think of those) and clubs work best when those rules are mostly followed or stylishly pushed. After all, clubs are allowed to be silly because they’re accountable only to their members and not the expectations of anyone else. Making your own rules? How civilised.
It’s a bland post-Covid truism to say that good business is conducted in person – better business is done at the club (this time we’ll do mine, next time we’ll do yours, thank you.) What kind of loony would lean on Zoom when they could discuss the deal over tennis and drinks? Far more enjoyable to review the blueprints or finesse advertorial language in the changing room, sauna or bar than some airless office or high-street café that – after the interminable hours presumptuously defrayed by a round of americanos – would like its table back, please. No such harassment at the club, where conviviality should be contagious. Do you know of a city that couldn’t do with an epidemic of cordiality?
And the other great thing about clubs is that they tend to annoy all the right people. They’re exclusive, there are gates, you have to be a member, clearly. Any Tom, Dick or Harriet can come for a swim, a round, a rub-down – but they need to know someone. Like in life, it’s good to know people. Then, once you’re in? There’s the boss of so-and-so, she’s the head of such-and-such, blah-blah is looking for a new creative director, financial officer, personnel guru. Clubs, too, then, are networks tingling with life and in themselves a lesson: it pays to join the club.
Robert Bound is a contributing editor at Monocle. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.
