exclusive clubs
Selective social organizations
Exclusive clubs are organizations that restrict membership based on specific criteria—wealth, social status, profession, or invitation.
The exclusivity is the point: belonging signals that you've been admitted where others cannot go.
Country clubs, private members' clubs, and elite social societies operate this way.
Getting into exclusive clubs requires knowing the right people.
The phrase can extend to any group perceived as difficult to join: Silicon Valley founders operate like an exclusive club.
- clubhousesBuildings for member gatherings
- eliteSuperior select group
- velvet ropeLuxurious crowd-control barrier
- invitation onlyAccess requires specific summons
- guest listRecord of invitees
gatekeeping · blackball · old boys' network · social register · privilege · prestige · wealth · affluence · Skull and Bones · networking · country clubs · status · gala events · social stratification · secret societies · luxury resorts · private estates · golf courses
- groupsteam, teams, group, clubs, gang
- high societygossip, socialites, socialite, aristocrats, aristocrat
- jet setprivate jets, yachts, Monaco, St. Tropez, Riviera
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
- status symbolsluxury car, luxury cars, private jet, yacht, mansion
- elite educationboarding schools, prep schools, private schools, international schools, elite schools
exclusive clubspublic spaces
Areas open to all
community centers · drop-in centers · public forums · open meetings · public libraries
exclusive clubsinclusive communities
Societies welcoming all members
grassroots organizations · mutual aid societies · neighborhood associations · YMCAs