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!

Well you learn something new everyday. I'd never heard of it before. Can you pay for a drop in or do you have to be a full member?. I don't know if anyone's interested but I've got a lovely pub, we don't have a pool but I could get a paddling pool out back, I've got a couple of gym bits I can set up & I make a mean fish finger sandwich (artisan bread of course). £100 a year & I'll save you a seat. Can't say fairer than that.

[quote Spidey66]@Letsallscreamatthesistene
I'll ask your permission in future
My point was I think the OP was "look at me, I'm applying to Soho House" when in fact it aint all that awe inspiring if people havent even heard of it. [/quote]
You dont have to ask me, although I probably would either post on threads you have relevant info for, or explain your better

@Handsoffstrikesagain

Why so much vitriol? The people spouting it just look mean and childish.

Some people are reeeaally bothered about how others spend their time and money!

Is Blacks still going? I used to go there with a friend who was a member in the late 90s / early 2000's. Lots of fun memories of that place!!

@Steakandcheeseplease

I think they are serving fish fingers on their website. What a waste of money!

Nah, nursery food is very popular with toffs. Reminds them of nanny/boarding school.

Used to go to the Greek street branch 25 years ago with my then boss, full of advertising and marketing types then (as were we) was reasonable for drinks but no idea on membership as it was hers or her husband's more likely as he had the connections.

Pricing (had to Google) isn't much more than an upmarket gym which I think they have. Not in my city nor my scene these days, doubt they serve decent beer!

I’ve been several times to the High Road House as a guest of friends.
I’m laughing at some of the misconceptions on this thread. It’s just a private members club with various locations.

Very media type but actually very ordinary.

@TSSDNCOP

My sister sees Russell Brand and contestants from Love Island there. Can't be that exclusive

I’m surprised at the jealousy and anger of some of these posts.

@Steakandcheeseplease

I think they are serving fish fingers on their website. What a waste of money!

My work canteen serves fish finger sandwiches on a certain day every week by popular demand - they seem to have a cult following 🤷‍♀️ And I work for a professional organisation, not a nursery

Literally never heard of it 🤷‍♀️ Am I bovvered?? Admittedly I don’t live in London though so why not ask more locally?

@FourTurnings

I’m surprised at the jealousy and anger of some of these posts.

I'm not, but even if I were, I'd still be confused as to why a genuine poster wouldn't choose to ask the members they clearly already know who have presumably been through the process.

Which is why I still say it's an exercise in market research posed to what would presumably be the target demographic (or at least is touted as such by the media kit.)

I'm not, but even if I were, I'd still be confused as to why a genuine poster wouldn't choose to ask the members they clearly already know who have presumably been through the process.

Because going through the membership once a few years ago has very little in common with what going through it at the moment, in terms of how long the process takes

Which is the specific question OP asked

There are pages and pages of threads asking for advice on the entry processes for schools costing £30k+ a year which get nothing but polite and helpful answers

But ask about how to get in somewhere to get a nice cocktail by a roof top pool and suddenly we are a socialist Utopia

Sparechange, she is asking people to give her information that her own proposers are best placed to provide. To post about it on here, particularly, is a bit curious. To be honest, it was the gormlessness as much as anything that irritated me. Much as those who despite clearly using the internet, can't use a search engine.

All these descriptions of it remind me a little bit of the WI.

Although maybe not, as, for all their flaws, the WI also try to do some good in the world.

@MagicSummer

What is Soho House - is it something to do with the Markle?

I think its where Meghan met Harry.

@midsomermurderess

If the proposer joined 10 years ago at Soho House, they won’t have the first clue how long membership applications are taking at 180 at the moment

The proposer only has to write a reference that says ‘I’m a member, I know this person and they would make a good member’
They don’t need to gem up on waiting lists and committee meetings first

Soho House and the various offshoots, is apparently where Harry met Meghan, or at least continued their romance. Meghan's close friend Marcus Anderson is/was a senior member of their management team, and so Meghan, when she was in Suits, used to be invited to various Soho House launches in Europe etc. Their first real date was apparently in a private room with very risque (tacky) wallpaper. They then rented somewhere near Soho Farmhouse and visited a lot.

Sorry about the evidence of a rather wasted lockdown. Perhaps I should have spent my time learning Spanish, instead of reading gossip columns.

The perception though, and I am a Londoner who had heard of Soho House, is that it is all rather passe, and mainly for networkers. I would love for someone to propose me for the Chelsea Arts Club, or indeed the Hurlingham (William and Kate) but have no interest at all in Soho House.

My guess is that Soho House is suffering a loss of demand for membership, plus presumably was hit hard during the pandemic. So OP is trying, in her best PR way, to tell us all that it is accessible, and for some, affordable. Don't bother. Its time has passed and the buzz has moved on elsewhere.

But if anyone out there belongs to the Chelsea Arts Club....please, please, please!

@YelloYelloYello

What’s with the increase in price if you’re over 27?

My old school has links with a couple of London clubs.However these are the East India and University Women's clubs so probably not the same target group as Soho House. There is a mutual arrangement with the schools of the HMC that alumni pay this lesser rate while they establish their careers.

Following

@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