A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation or activity. Examples include book discussion clubs, chess clubs, country clubs, final clubs, fishing clubs, gaming clubs, women's clubs, gentlemen's clubs (known as private clubs in the U.S.), hunting clubs, military officers' clubs, political clubs, religious clubs (such as Christian fellowships), science clubs and university clubs. The term can also refer to a criminal headquarters, such as the Ravenite Social Club or the Cage.^[1][2]

This article covers only three distinct types of social clubs – the historic gentlemen's clubs, the modern activities clubs and an introduction to fraternities and sororities. This article does not cover a variety of other types of clubs having some social characteristics. Social clubs have commonly been used by the Mafia as meeting places, many mob crews even being named after the club that they are based out of (The Palma Boys Crew, The Gemini Crew, The Veterans & Friends Crew).

History

Working men's clubs developed in Britain during Victorian times as institutes where working class men could attend lectures and take part in recreational pursuits. The Reverend Henry Solly founded the Working Men's Club and Institute Union (CIU) for this purpose in 1862. Many middle-class social reformers founded these clubs during the temperance movement as a place to relax without alcohol, but in time this changed. They became a combination of public houses (pubs), music-halls and clubs, becoming places to be entertained, to drink socially and to play bar games. Working men's clubs are still prevalent across the United Kingdom, although not as popular.

In the Dutch East Indies, sociëteits were established in various cities.

Modern clubs include Urban Diversion in San Francisco, which opened in 2003 as a general adventure and activities social club, and the Groucho Club in Soho, London, which opened in 1985 as "the antidote to the traditional club." The "traditional club" referred to is the elitist gentlemen's club, a fixture of British upper-class male society. This is not to be confused with the modern use of the phrase, which now stands as a euphemism for a strip club.

Legalities

England and Wales

Clubs in England and Wales were not controlled by the licensing system until the Licensing Act 1902 was passed, or in Scotland until the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1903 was passed. They were passed mainly to check the abuse of "clubs" being formed solely to sell intoxicating liquors free from the restrictions of the licensing acts, but it applied to all kinds of clubs in England and Wales. The act required the registration of every club that occupied any premises habitually used for the purposes of a club and in which intoxicating liquor was supplied to members or their guests. The secretary of every club was required to give a return to the clerk to the justices of the petty sessional division with this information:

1. the name and objects of the club
2. the address of the club
3. the name of the secretary
4. the number of members
5. the rules of the club relating to:
   1. the election of members and the admission of temporary and honorary members and of guests
   2. the terms of subscription and entrance fee, if any
   3. the cessation of membership
   4. the hours of opening and closing
   5. the mode of altering the rules

United States

Social and recreational clubs may be considered tax-exempt 501(c)(7) organizations under certain circumstances.

Organization

United Kingdom

Typically, a social club has a constitution which states the club's objects, its structure, location of its activities, requirements of members, membership criteria and various other rules. British clubs are usually run by a committee that will also include three 'officer' positions – chair, secretary and treasurer.

Social activities clubs

Social activities clubs are a modern combination of several types of clubs and reflect today's more eclectic and varied society. These clubs are centered on the activities available to the club members in the city or area in which the club is located. Some have a traditional clubhouse, bar or restaurant where members gather, while others do not.

Events can include a broad range of activities, from sporting events and social parties to ballet, arts or book clubs. Unlike traditional clubs, they are not limited to one kind of event or special interest, but include a broad range of events in their monthly calendars. The members choose the events in which the club is going to take part, based upon the changing interests of the members. The members themselves determine the events they will attend of those offered.

Because the purpose of these clubs is split between general social interaction and taking part in the events themselves, both single and married people can take part. However, clubs tend to have more single members than married,^{[citation needed]} and many clubs exist for only single people, only married couples or only people with certain sexual orientations (homosexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality or heterosexuality).

Membership can be limited or open to the general public, as can the events. Most clubs have a limited membership based upon specific criteria and restrict the events to members to increase their feeling of security, creating an increased sense of camaraderie and belonging. There are many examples of private social clubs, including the University Club of Chicago, The Mansion on O Street in D.C., the Penn Club of New York City and the New York Friars' Club.

Social activities clubs can be for-profit, non-profit or a combination of the two (a for-profit club with a non-profit charitable arm, for instance). Some social clubs have function halls which members, or sometimes the general public, can rent for parties.

A number of Jewish community centers and other organizations, such as the YMCA, have social clubs for people with social anxiety and learning disabilities. Membership in these clubs is limited to individuals with these conditions.

Sororities and fraternities

Fraternities and sororities are part of "Greek life" prevalent in universities. Many young men and women pledge during their freshman year of college in order to become a "brother" or "sister" of a fraternity or sorority. These clubs are founded on principles of camaraderie and communal bonding. As social clubs, they are sometimes also philanthropic, hosting fundraisers for charities or on-campus events.

Religious clubs