Applying to Soho House

[Awlondoner]

Hi everyone! I am trying to apply to Soho House London at the moment, and have the backing of two proposers. I was wondering if anyone was a member, knew what the process was like? How long should I expect to wait to hear whether I have got in?

Thank you!

@ImbarbaraB

It’s only £100 a year if you’re in the UK and you don’t need to wait years to be accepted

Why would anyone bother with the expensive memberships?

That’s a friend of soho house, not a membership

All that allows is booking rooms in the ones that are hotels

You can’t visit any of the houses unless you’re staying there

Unless you live around the corner you would want a bedroom though

No, I've been to the one in Soho, I live in London but not around the corner. As mentioned upthread the main benefits of the city houses is getting a quiet drink & seat, that becomes expensive if every time you want to do that you need to stay overnight.

The point still stands it's not the same as a normal membership.

The majority of people won’t be living that close to make use of it as a drop in place for just a drink and that’s not really want they want either
They want people to be staying to spend more money .

I'm a founder member. I like it (the Dean Street one).

For the farmhouse yes but the city options? And if you're going to frequently stay in them it would be better to get the proper membership so you get the better room rates.

Soho house really isn’t expensive, its a similar cost to gym membership, and not an expensive gym like David Lloyd. The cheapest is £100 per year.

I get membership through work, but we do have the option of topping it up to a higher level if we want, you really don’t need to though. I no longer pay for gym membership as we’re quite near a soho gym, so my work membership actually saves me money.

Nice! Have you ever nominated someone and if so did it takes ages for them to be accepted?

@Awlondoner

Nice! Have you ever nominated someone and if so did it takes ages for them to be accepted?

Yes, and I don't know how long it took!

It was literally 20 years ago though!

@ImbarbaraB

The majority of people won’t be living that close to make use of it as a drop in place for just a drink and that’s not really want they want either They want people to be staying to spend more money .

I think you have misunderstood the whole nature of the business.

@Pogostemon

Goodness, is it still going? Certainly Soho House was a thing when I was in my prime and lived London, but we’re looking at 20+ years ago now.

I wouldn’t bother.

Same here! I’m surprised it still exists tbh! That really takes me back to my London days…

Soho House isn't expensive for what it is. I haven't been for many years but it used to be a great place to take clients for a drink, and you get access to most of the other houses too, so not limited to one place. I used to love going to Ludlow House when I worked in New York. I'm old and past it all now though.

Goodness, is it still going? Certainly Soho House was a thing when I was in my prime and lived London, but we’re looking at 20+ years ago now. I wouldn’t bother

I still love going there for a drink and my kids love the minor celeb spotting!

Definitely not misunderstood the nature of their business. I’ve friends who are members, friends who are friends members and family who just like their products and buy all Soho Home branded items.

It’s not really anything that can’t be had elsewhere without a membership. The people who pay for expensive membership really don’t get a lot more than the people who have friend members

The friends members still get discounted room rates so it really makes no difference if you plan on visiting one to stay in, you’re not getting a better rate being a more expensive ‘specially selected’ member.

It’s just a way for people to pay to make themselves feel more special and that’s their business model

The only people who I know that are members are highly insecure and this gives them what they need to feel good about themselves at that moment in time

This is just an observation from the people I know and is therefore purely anecdotal

The only people who I know that are members are highly insecure and this gives them what they need to feel good about themselves at that moment in time

Thanks

[quote Sparechange]@Needmoresleep

The process for Chelsea Arts is a lot more complex

You have to be proposed and seconded and then go before the committee

If you pass that, you then get given a hardback notebook that’s left in reception, along with ones for all the other potential members.

You then have a year (?) to get it filled up with testimonials from existing members
Basically every time you go, you have to work the room and ask people to sign your book supporting your admission, but not in an annoying or intrusive way
And because you’re not a member in this period, you have to have enough existing member mates to tag along with often enough, and get them to invite you to all the artist talks, exhibitions etc

You have to really want the membership, and it’s FAR more nepotistic than Soho House or anywhere else

The main selling point is the amazing garden and rock bottom wine list prices, plus the talks and exhibitions. But they strictly enforce their house rules

But it’s wall to wall old posh soaks in threadbare mustard cords or silk dresses looking down on everyone under 60, so hardly an egalitarian antithesis to Soho House[/quote]
Oh my god this sounds like my idea of hell 😮

In fact pretty much all clubs sound awful - I’d actually pay to avoid meeting any YouTube influencers, minor royals or posh old soaks. (Meet enough posh old soaks at work. Agh!)

Last time I was in SH was a couple of years ago and we sat on a table next to tilda Swinton and benedict cumberbatch who asked what we were eating so he could order it.

Call me shallow but I love it

The friends members still get discounted room rates so it really makes no difference if you plan on visiting one to stay in, you’re not getting a better rate being a more expensive ‘specially selected’ member.

You did when I went to the Farmhouse, normal members had cheaper room rates then friends members. Around £40-£50 a night cheaper from memory.

Dull. Groucho is much more fun.

Why is the price double for over age 27s?!

they want young hipsters