Inside Dubai’s Private Clubs You Never Hear About

If there's one thing that the city of Dubai loves to do, it's creating a spectacle for the entire world to see; it's what the city thrives on. Just look at the soaring skyscrapers and the vending machines that dispense gold at your convenience. It's something that most people can only ever dream of achieving. But if you look past all the loud luxury that's always in your face, there is a whole new level of high profile that is more subtle in its way of life and more exclusive than what you're shown on Instagram. Let's take a look at some of Dubai’s most private clubs for members only. It's a level of discretion that is more valuable than most luxuries, and there is a tight list for those allowed.

Dubai has turned itself into a hub for all kinds of business and wealth, to integrate culture from all around the world and foster innovation. It's also the place where elites are born. We aren't just talking about your everyday expensive lounges or another one of the cities rooftop bars, some spaces are curated and there is a proper vetting process to get your hands on a membership, the fees can challenge some of the most expensive academic institutions in the world, and the thing that sets this aside from the common luxury is the level of discretion.

When you take the first look at Soho Garden, it may just seem like another fancy venue where the nightlife is great but there is so much more behind those velvet ropes and entrances that have been placed in a way that's so strategic that there is another hidden layer you'd never even be able to imagine, the lounges are private and the experience is on a whole new level, these secret rooms are reserved for a very select few. The place adopts a concept very close to London's Soho House, and it gives the energy of an international club brand with the city’s Middle Eastern take on it.

This club is located in DIFC, and it's not just luxury, it's more of a legacy. The club was founded in London in 1863, and it has a very intense history full of intellectuals and artists, and the outpost in Dubai continues to honor that history and carry it on. It's a truly refined place where all types of intellects gather. The membership is only obtainable through an invitation, and those who do get the privilege of being a part of this exclusive experience can enjoy their machine-level dining and exhibitions made solely for them, socializing with world leaders in all areas, whether it's business, art, or politics.

If you're going to go out and try to find your way to these exclusive clubs and gatherings, there's a high chance that you'll fail. Something that is trying to be hidden from the general public won't be easy to find, and their places aren't marked on maps either. Dubai houses countless ‘invisible’ clubs; you need passwords, invites, and other ways to access these places that never bother to advertise their presence. Some of these places are in hotels and others in some random door, unmarked in the middle of a busy shopping district that'll go unnoticed.

Being able to enter these places barely has anything to do with how much money you have; it's about social networking and the references you have, your standing in society, and what your track record is when it comes to being able to keep a secret. The board members for these places consider every aspect before even considering your invite or access, who you associate with. In most places, a lot of well-known celebrities and influencers are turned away simply due to the fact that they can't be trusted, and that is something that, in these cases, is more important than how well-known you are.

It may seem ironic that for a city that has built its foundation and reputation on the basis of revealing itself and putting itself out there, breaking records, huge projects, and ambitions that reach the sky and it has now made privacy another kind of luxury. This doesn't mean that the elite classes hide from the public, but instead, they're being smart about how they interact and portray themselves to the world.