Barcelona boasts a diverse array of qualities that have made it a world-renowned city, especially since hosting the 1992 Olympic Games. Its rich architecture, delicious cuisine, and vibrant leisure scene are just a few of these assets. Popular, dynamic, and steeped in history, the Catalan capital also has a number of exclusive spaces reserved for the elite, where members of the business and political elite can socialize and participate in events and activities, feeling like equals. In this post, we'll be discussing these spaces: Barcelona's private clubs .
Like all private clubs worldwide, those in the Catalan capital are characterized by rigorous admission processes. Becoming a member of such an organization is no easy feat. This is the source of their exclusivity and elitist atmosphere.
At the same time, social clubs are ideal spaces for establishing valuable personal connections that can facilitate networking , that is: the construction and maintenance of a network of contacts with whom to exchange information and resources, thus generating opportunities for growth and business.
The clubs also offer their members the opportunity to enjoy all kinds of events: sports, wine tastings, conferences, exhibitions and other cultural and leisure activities.
One final characteristic that identifies private clubs worldwide is their top-notch facilities. Some may feature tennis courts or golf courses, but all offer an elegant atmosphere evident in their gyms, lounges, and restaurants.
Next, we'll explore some of Barcelona's most exclusive private clubs, unique and singular spaces where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, offering members a place to forge and maintain social connections with other members of their caliber. Each of the clubs we invite you to discover virtually, from the most traditional to the newest, has its own distinct character, but they all share one thing in common: exclusivity.
Equestrian Circle
Without a doubt, the Círculo Ecuestre is one of Barcelona's most exclusive clubs. The building it occupies, located on the corner of Balmes and Diagonal streets and built in 1910, is a jewel of Modernist architecture. Stucco ceilings, stone staircases, large windows, chandeliers... Everything in its decor exudes a classic and timeless elegance.
Founded in 1856, the Equestrian Circle is an ideal meeting place for prominent figures from the business world and leading institutions in Barcelona and Catalonia. It hosts cultural and professional events, seminars, meetings, weddings, anniversaries, as well as gatherings and activities of interest to its members, who find it an ideal venue for cultivating personal relationships and establishing enriching connections.
This exclusive social club in Barcelona occupies a total area of 6,000 square meters and has, in addition to several lounges, four suites and twelve rooms available exclusively to members and their guests, a heated swimming pool, gym, sauna, solarium and massage room.
It also boasts a multifunctional terrace and a restaurant run by chef Ricard Guzmán. Among its most outstanding dishes are the slow-cooked short rib with parsnip parmentier, the slow-cooked and marinated salmon with fennel cream, the vegetable wok with crispy prawns and teriyaki sauce, and the passion fruit, mango, and crumble sphere.
The Círculo Ecuestre cocktail bar serves drinks any day of the day or night and is an ideal place to have a relaxed conversation.
The club's Board of Directors, chaired by Enrique Lacalle since 2023, has undertaken a huge task to modernize the club and make it more attractive to young entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
To become a member of the club, you need the endorsement of two current members and acceptance by the committee. Once accepted, you must purchase the membership for €4,000, pay a €5,000 non-refundable membership fee, and pay a monthly fee of €100.
.The Equestrian Circle is part of the IAC international club network, which allows its members access to all clubs affiliated with this group.
Cercle del Liceu
The oldest private club in Spain that maintains its original headquarters is the Cercle del Liceu . Opened in 1847, it is located on the Rambla and shares space with the Teatre del Liceu, although it is independent of the theater's operations.
When discussing private clubs in Barcelona, the debate always centers on whether the Círculo del Liceu or the Círculo Ecuestre is the most exclusive. There's no clear answer. What is noteworthy, however, is that the difference between them lies more in the type of activities they organize than in their exclusivity or elitism. While the Círculo del Liceu focuses more on social and cultural life, the Círculo Ecuestre is more geared towards economic or business matters.
The Cercle del Liceu has around 800 members who pay undisclosed dues, as the club refuses to make them public. Gaining membership in this exclusive club is also no easy feat. To be admitted, one must be sponsored by four current members and, once these four endorsements are obtained, be accepted by the club's admissions committee.
The building's elegant lounges, library, restaurant, and conference room are available to members, who also enjoy the club's services and can view the works in its valuable collection of modernist art.
The Cercle del Liceu has been and continues to be a landmark for the social life of Barcelona's elite. Among the activities organized by this exclusive institution are chamber music concerts, wine tastings, luncheon discussions with experts on current affairs, lectures on opera, exhibitions, and guided tours.
The Cover Barcelona
Belonging to the Dutch group Sircle Collection, founded in 2011 by businessman Liran Wizman, The Cover has been a breath of fresh air for the private clubs of Barcelona since it was established in the five-star Sir Victor hotel, at number 265 Rosselló street, next to Paseo de Gracia.
This Barcelona social club focuses its offerings on four areas: community, work, well-being, and health. Based on these principles, The Cover provides its members with a series of exclusive and exquisitely decorated spaces for working and networking. These spaces feature numerous works of art by renowned Catalan artists such as Joan Brossa, Jaume Plensa, and Bernat Daviu. In these spaces, The Cover BCN members can enjoy the cultural and social events organized there, as well as the health and wellness activities that take place on-site.
On the hotel's first floor, you'll find The Study. This 170 m² coworking space features a library with a remarkable collection of books by female authors. The library was established in honor of the Catalan writer Caterina Albert i Paradís, who, in the 19th century, used the pseudonym Víctor Català to publish most of her work.
The Club is located on the sixth floor. This area, ideal for both work and leisure, features spaces specially designed for private meetings, as well as a well-stocked cocktail bar.
On the hotel's panoramic terrace, which offers fantastic views of Barcelona, The Cover members have access to a bar-restaurant with a swimming pool. The club also features an indoor pool and a gym. In this space, called The Spa by Signature, guests can participate in classes such as Pilates, yoga, dance, meditation, and HIIT.
Among the highlights of The Cover restaurant 's Mediterranean-inspired menu are pork and beef meatballs, baby gem lettuce salad with mustard vinaigrette, and baked cod brandade. Other star dishes on the menu of this exclusive Barcelona club's restaurant include shakshuka (made with eggs, tofu, feta cheese, and pita bread), octopus carpaccio, and cherry salad.
The Cover team offers club members a program of wellness activities. These include lectures on various therapies and group classes such as Aerobic Dance, Body Sculpt, Magic Yoga, and Power Pilates. Recreational activities are also offered to strengthen the sense of community within the club. These include charity events, parties, concerts, and exhibitions, as well as cooking workshops and food tastings.
To become a member of The Cover Barcelona you have to pay an initial fee of €450 (€250 for those under 30) and then pay an annual fee of €150 (€100 for those under 30).
Soho House Barcelona
British entrepreneur Nick Jones founded the first Soho House in 1995. His intention was to transform each new location into a meeting point for the most creative people. In 2016, the Barcelona branch opened. Located in an 18th-century building on Plaça del Duque de Medinaceli, next to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter and Port Vell, this branch boasts an interior stylistically inspired by a style that could be described as "Catalan," blending Gothic influences with Mediterranean touches. Its double-height vaulted ceilings and rustic interiors lend the space an exclusive feel.
Soho House Barcelona , which is also a hotel, has 57 rooms of four different types (Tiny, Small, Medium or Large, depending on their size), a cinema room with 36 velvet seats and a gym equipped with sauna, spa and yoga studio.
The space features two restaurants: the classic Italian restaurant Cecconi's (which has locations in London and Berlin) and the Club Floor restaurant , which is for members only, is open all day and has a distinctly Mediterranean menu.
The rooftop terrace and pool at Soho House are perhaps the most iconic image of this private Barcelona club. Large sun loungers surrounding the pool are a prominent feature of this space.
The club also offers the Green Room, a space known as the Green Room, for private parties, which is open from Thursday to Sunday.
To become a member, you must submit an application using the form and, once accepted, pay the membership fee. There are two membership types: Every House (which grants access to all Soho House locations) and Local House, which grants access to the Barcelona location. The first costs €2,750 (€1,250 for those under 27). The second costs €1,800 (€900 for those under 27).
New private clubs in Barcelona
As has happened in other parts of the world, the concept of a private club in Barcelona has also evolved over time. Today, these spaces are places where work and leisure intertwine, and where elitism is giving way to a concept less about economic power and more about shared tastes. While private clubs were once spaces with rooms where gentlemen could play, gamble, or converse, they are now, as we have seen in the three cases mentioned above, spaces that are typically a combination of office, bar, restaurant, gym, library, cultural center, and more, where one can be accompanied by one of the city's beautiful escorts .
Barcelona's new private clubs perfectly illustrate the extent to which these entities truly embody all of that. Among these clubs, the following stand out:
- Hedges Club , a franchise of a historic British institution frequented in the 19th century by royalty from around the world and, more recently, by celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Mick Jagger, Penélope Cruz, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, has its Barcelona branch located at number 220 on Balmes Street. It welcomes members from the business, executive, and creative worlds. The club features three distinct areas: Regent (dedicated to business), Burlington (a space where the use of mobile phones and any electronic devices is prohibited), and the Hedges Tea Club, dedicated to fine dining. The club offers complementary services including accounting, tax, and legal advice. It also offers the option of renting exclusive cars such as Bentley and Rolls Royce. The monthly membership fee at this private Barcelona club is €75 (subject to a rigorous selection process that excludes politicians).
- By Safe House , located at number 147 on Bruc Street and open since September 2022, is a private club in Barcelona that occupies 700 square meters spread over two floors. The upper floor houses the lounge and cocktail bar, while the lower floor offers space for events and meetings. Upstairs, you can savor a signature cocktail prepared by Antoni Scoda or enjoy the soul, funk, and disco rhythms spun by DJs José López and Dominic Liaño. The ground floor features several rooms of varying sizes, each designed for different uses. Members of By Safe House pay €100 per month, granting them access to the club's services and all its events. These include themed lectures, film screenings, stand-up comedy, and small-scale concerts.
- Juno House . Empowering "the professional, wellness, and work-life balance services of today's woman" is the main objective of Juno House, considered Spain's first private club exclusively for women . It was opened in April 2022 by Liana Knight Grieg, Natalie Batlle, and Eva Vila-Massanas. Located at number 226 Aribau Street, in the La Farinera building, this private women's club in Barcelona occupies a total area of 1,400 m2. Its main hall houses the Glow Studio (a boutique studio for meditation, fitness, yoga, etc.) and the Beauty Bar (a space dedicated to beauty treatments, manicures, massages, and restorative baths). The club also has two floors called Little Juno, which offer childcare and activities for children and families who need support. On the ground floor you can enjoy the gastronomic offerings of the bar and restaurant, as well as private dinners, concerts, courses, conferences, talks, wine tastings, etc.
- Barcelona Pool House . A haven of gastronomy, art, and well-being. This is how one might describe Barcelona Pool House, the latest venture from the Soho House group in Barcelona. The chosen location for this exclusive club is a 1906 Catalan mansion on Avenida del Tibidabo: 2,042 m2 spread over four floors, blending Noucentista and Modernista styles. The space also boasts an 836 m2 outdoor garden. Here, Soho House's iconic striped sun loungers surround a 14-meter-long swimming pool. This garden area also features an outdoor dining space where guests can enjoy an excellent Mediterranean menu. Barcelona Pool House also permanently exhibits more than 80 works of art by artists who, for one reason or another, have a close connection to Barcelona. The Soho Health Club , a space dedicated to physical well-being and health care, includes a gym with a steam room and a body treatment room with views of Tibidabo mountain. The exclusivity of this private club in the Catalan capital is evident in its prices. To find out, simply visit the Soho House website.
As we can see, there are quite a few private clubs in Barcelona where you can enjoy the exclusive and luxurious atmosphere of these establishments, ideal for impressing an escort . In addition to the names mentioned in this article, we could also add The Wild Bunch , OneOcean Club , or Jacqueline Barcelona.
