A new members-only club that promises to be New York City’s most expensive has delayed its opening again – and some club goers are wondering whether the holdup is its stratospheric price, On The Money has learned.
ZZ’s – a posh venue on Manhattan’s West Side with a $50,000 initiation fee and yearly dues of $10,000, according to a pitch deck viewed by On The Money – was expected to open this winter.
On Thursday, a source close to the club told On The Money that “late summer” is the new target. That’s after prospective members in recent weeks were quoted an opening date of late spring or early summer. The source insisted “thousands” are on a waiting list to join ZZ’s. Some are skeptical, wondering whether the opening has been pushed back by construction delays or a lack of interest.
“I said no – I just found the price offensive,” one source told The Post. “The 10 times a year I would go isn’t worth $60k.”
The 25,000-square-foot, three-story space at 35 Hudson Yards is being launched by Major Food Group, whose upscale restaurants include Carbone, The Lobster Club and Torrisi.
Those willing to pony up will get access to a private Carbone, a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, a cocktail bar and lounge, a boutique nightclub, and various private dining rooms, according to the pitch materials.
In an interview with the Robb Report, MFG partner Jeff Zalaznick said, “What’s special about it, aside from that you’ll be surrounded by your other founding members, is that you’ll be able to eat from either the ZZ’s or the Carbone menus.
“In addition, you’ll be able to have a team of chefs there who can make anything you want… We’ll customize to your every whim,” he added.
A spokesperson for MFG declined to comment.
But after flipping through the brochure, some prospective members say it looks like a glorified restaurant, versus other clubs that also boast gyms and spas.
“It’s 20 times the cost of the Soho Club and 10 times Cipriani and has less to offer,” one source said. “Casa Cipriani has a gym, spa, lounge, work area, amazing deck, entertainment and dining.”
The launch comes as some members at posh clubs say the exclusive experience is losing its luster.
“I wish I didn’t join Aman… it’s often empty,” said one source who is a member at Aman Club and Zero Bond.
The Aman Club charged a $100,00 initiation fee before hiking it to $200,000 – but the cost can be split between five people taking it down to $20,000 or $40,000 depending on when a member joined. Aman’s annual fee is $3,000, according to the website.
Zero Bond – where everyone from Kim Kardashian to Mayor Eric Adams drops by – charges a $1,000 initiation fee and a $3,850 annual cost. Members under 28 pay 2,750 per year, according to the website,.
By comparison, annual memberships to access dozens of Soho House locations is $4,191.69 — and the initiation fee is $680.47, according to the website.
Casa Cipriani – which hosts everyone from Daniel Craig to Gigi Hadid – costs $3,900 per year and requires a $2,000 initiation fee, according to the website.
Another source notes that unlike many private clubs where a member has to be present to host guests or friends, at ZZ’s a member can make reservations for friends without ever being there – eliminating some of the exclusivity.
“I’m not going to pay to be at a place where I’m surrounded by a bunch of people who aren’t members – it’s going to be overrun,” the source adds.
However, one source who signed up for a ZZ’s membership said it’s worth every penny. “I even got my own personal concierge who gets me into other Major Food Group restaurants.”
The source added that since signing on to ZZs, he’s now been able to get one of the most coveted reservations in the city: a corner table at Carbone.
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]
