Philly’s Most Prestigious Athletic and Social Clubs

“Members Only.” When you’ve made it to the top, here’s where you go to socialize and rub shoulders with those who can take you one step higher.

The Racquet Club of Philadelphia

215 South 16th Street

An oasis for racquet sports, social events and fine dining in the heart of the city. For over a century, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia has catered to the city’s finest in their Georgian Revival style clubhouse.

State-of-the-art fitness facilities, charming ambiance, exquisite guest suites and a commitment to history and tradition.

The Acorn Club

1519 Locust Street

A club for women who value tradition and are in a position to shape the future of the city. To say that the Acorn is the eminent locale for ladies of class to have lunch would be an understatement.

Social events tend to revolve around a full schedule of art, music and literary exhibitions.

The Rabbit

2200 Belmont Avenue

Named after the society’s original clubhouse on Rabbit Lane in West Philadelphia, The Rabbit exemplifies what it means to belong to an exclusive club.

Getting on the waiting list requires that one travel back in time and be born with a different surname. Only blood relatives of current members can be admitted to this small all-male dining club, which meets in an old 18th century building on the grounds of the Bala Golf Club. Memberships are more often inherited than approved.

Chaine des Rôtisseurs

An international brotherhood of gastronomy founded in Paris, 1950, Chaine des Rôtisseurs celebrates a devotion to fine dining and camaraderie at the table.

Along with fostering an appreciation for the culinary arts, the organization strives to support up-and-coming chefs and restaurateurs. Members are ranked according to merit and encouraged to display their ribbons proudly at gatherings and events.

The Philadelphia Club

1301 Walnut Street

Serving ham and veal pie to the City’s elite since 1834. One of the oldest men’s clubs in the United States, the Philadelphia Club reveres tradition more than changing times.

Immersed in history, legend has it that Union General George Meade was only offered membership in the club in response to his victory at the Battle of Gettsyburg. Distinguished members include many members of the Biddle and DuPont families and since its founding, a dozen US Presidents have entered the club as guests.

The Union League

140 South Broad Street

Mingle with Philly’s top business leaders over a plate of the club’s legendary chicken pot pie. Founded in 1862 in support of Abraham Lincoln’s policies during the Civil War, the club still takes its patriotism very seriously over 150 years later.

The Union League’s French Renaissance structure is one of Philadelphia’s prized works of architecture and a symbol for “Love of Country” in the City of Brotherly Love.

Lombard Swim Club

2040 Lombard St.

Designed by renowned architect Tim Vreeland during the height of the 1960s’ swimming pool fad, the Lombard Swim Club has perhaps the longest waiting list in Philadelphia.

With an average membership wait time of 10 years, The Lombard is not for those planning only a short tenure in the city.