<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?event=init&amp;tid=2613107809712&amp;pd[em]=<hashed_email_address>&amp;noscript=1">
Contact us

The Top Social and Private Clubs to Join in Toronto

Toronto boasts some of Canada’s best private clubs, and they cater to nearly every interest group. If you’re looking for your community, a place where you can recreate and network, a place where you’re known and can develop friendships, consider applying to one of the select clubs from our curated list.

Top Social & Private Clubs in Toronto Table of Contents

Business and Professional Clubs

Creative and Media Clubs

Multi-sport and Social Clubs

Waterfront & Yacht Clubs 

Golf Clubs

Ski Clubs

FAQs About Social Clubs

formal dining table in torontos private clubs

Top Business and Professional Clubs in Toronto

The York Club

For over a century, The York Club has been a social pillar of Toronto. Located in central Toronto, the club still convenes in the historic Romanesque Revival estate. The York Club requires that members dress with discretion and taste, upholding high standards of decorum. Guests and members are impressed with the quality of the service and cuisine, as well as the professionalism of the staff.

Toronto Club

Founded in 1837, the Toronto Club holds the title of Canada’s oldest private club and still occupies its 1889 Frank Darling-designed heritage clubhouse on Wellington Street West. Membership is strictly by invitation and capped, with a one-time initiation fee per individual or family and annual dues thereafter. Inside, members enjoy four lounges, two à-la-carte dining rooms, a 40,000-bottle cellar, and reciprocal privileges with a hand-picked roster of clubs in Europe and the U.S.

The National Club

Steps from Bay Street, the National Club (est. 1874) serves as a business-centric retreat where leaders dine, meet, and overnight in six boutique suites above the bustle of the PATH. Housed in a 1907 designated-historic building, its signature assets include a rooftop patio, co-working lounge and a legendary 40,000-bottle wine cellar. Joining requires sponsorship and Board interviews; initiation fees, and annual dues. Formal business attire is the norm, but the club’s calendar of themed dinners and speaker nights adds welcome levity to the setting.

Albany Club

Long regarded as the gathering place for Canada’s Conservative business community, the Albany Club (est. 1882) occupies a stately Victorian pile on King Street East complete with rooftop terrace and oak-panelled dining rooms. Beyond politics, it courts a multi-generational membership through “clubs-within-the-club” such as the Pitt Society, a mentorship-driven network for members under 35 that hosts fireside chats, black-tie dinners and après-ski socials. Reciprocal arrangements span 90-plus clubs worldwide, and a recent interior refresh has added boutique guest suites for out-of-town business travellers.

University Club of Toronto

Opened in 1906, this Beaux-Arts landmark on University Avenue balances Old-World dignity with modern comforts, featuring art-lined lounges, an intimate Library dining room, twelve boutique guest suites, squash courts and a 24/7 fitness centre. Members also hold “passports” to more than 350 reciprocal clubs worldwide, a boon for frequent business travellers. Membership is offered in Resident, Non-Resident and Overseas categories, each carrying a one-time joining fee, ongoing monthly dues and a modest food-and-beverage minimum. An application, CV and the backing of two current members are required, underscoring the club’s collegial, invitation-driven culture.

formal dining in private club in toronto of napkin on plate

Toronto's Best Creative and Media Clubs

Soho House Toronto

Soho House Toronto carries a non-traditional vibe compared to many social clubs in Toronto. Established in 1995 as a place for local artists, actors, and creatives to convene, Soho House is part of a larger network of social clubs and offers different memberships that allow you to belong either just to your local Soho House or to all Soho Houses globally. Soho House Toronto is located in the historic Bishop’s Block neighbourhood in a restored Georgian building. Explore the Toronto website for more information on membership, the club bar, the club library, the club patio, and dining amenities.

Clio

Housed in a repurposed King West garment factory, Clio bills itself as an “atelier” for Toronto’s creative class. By day it functions as a stylish co-working hub; by night its galleries, cinema, roof terrace and Mediterranean restaurant host art previews, film salons and fashion soirées. Membership is structured around a concise initiation fee and annual dues, with optional upgrades for studio access and curated travel experiences. Events lean toward the interdisciplinary, such as NFT panels followed by live jazz, making Clio the city’s current nexus for media, design and tech insiders.

Verity

Occupying four heritage warehouse floors on Queen Street East, Verity is Toronto’s 65,000-sq-ft private women’s club, a blended ecosystem of coworking lofts, Michelin-recommended restaurant George, speakeasy bar, spa and fitness studio all under one roof. Members tap a robust calendar of speaker series, mastermind circles and “clubs-within-the-club” (arts collective, cycling group, social-impact forum). Applications flow through Individual or Corporate pathways and involve a one-time joining fee, annual dues and a modest clubhouse minimum; every file is reviewed by the Membership Director to ensure alignment with the club’s values of connection and growth.

Arts & Letters Club of Toronto

Founded in 1908 and still housed in gothic-revival St George’s Hall on Elm Street, the Arts & Letters Club has long been a salon for writers, architects, musicians and painters; early meetings of the Group of Seven took place beneath its beamed Great Hall ceiling. Today’s programme spans weekly lunches, figure-drawing sessions, book talks and chamber concerts, all anchored by a permanent Canadian art collection. Prospective members submit an application, secure two references and pay an initiation fee; ongoing costs include annual dues, a capital levy and a modest dining minimum. Reciprocal agreements with like-minded clubs worldwide extend the creative network well beyond Toronto.

Toronto Waterfront Yacht Club

Toronto's Best Waterfront Clubs

RCYC

If yachting is your passion, Royal Canadian Yacht Club is the community for you. RCYC offers two locations - one on Toronto Island and one in the heart of the city - and has been named one of the Top 50 Platinum Yacht Clubs in the World. In addition to sailing, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club provides a number of member amenities such as courts for tennis, squash, badminton, and pickleball; personal training and group fitness classes; aquatics programs; formal and casual dining; and social events for all ages

National Yacht Club

Moored at the foot of Stadium Road with unobstructed skyline views, the National Yacht Club combines a full-service, 300-slip marina with an active racing calendar, junior sail academy and year-round clubhouse dining. Membership pathways, Senior Dock, Senior Mooring, Dry-Sail, Paddle-Sport and Social, bundle a one-time initiation, annual dues, capital levy and modest dining minimum, while a broad Lake Ontario Club Cruising Association reciprocity network gives members free or discounted dockage around the lake.

Port Credit Yacht Club

Extending into Lake Ontario on its own breakwater peninsula, Port Credit Yacht Club feels like a resort—pool, patio dining, playground and a 30-ton marine lift—yet sits minutes from the QEW. A busy calendar of club cruises, Lake Ontario 300 offshore races and “learn-to-sail” programmes keeps power- and sail-boaters equally engaged. Membership streams, Full Dock, Dry-Sail, Associate, Social and Youth, combine an entrance fee, annual dues, capital contribution and clubhouse minimum; all tiers unlock a robust roster of reciprocal clubs across North America.

People Playing Racketball

Multi-sport and Social Clubs

The Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto

Founded in 1924, The Badminton and Racquet Club is located in the heart of midtown Toronto. It is one of Canada’s preeminent private racquet clubs and offers a boutique experience for members passionate about pursuing racquet sports or simply wanting a quiet escape in the heart of the city where they can socialize and stay active. In addition to a top-end fitness center overlooking the city, The Badminton and Racquet Club offers members the opportunity to experiment with and compete in a number of racquet sports, including badminton, tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, squash, and table tennis. In fact, The Badminton Racquet Club is the only downtown Toronto club to offer platform tennis. 

The Granite Club

The Granite Club is where generations of family and friends gather to enrich their lives and solidify their relationships. The club offers premier amenities and services, including a state-of-the-art athletic center where Olympians and world champions have practiced their game; social and recreational opportunities for diverse interest groups; fine dining; and exquisite event services for formal occasions.

The Boulevard Club

The Boulevard Club offers something for everyone. Members benefit from a wide range of athletic facilities and sports, including championship tennis courts, badminton courts, full fitness facilities, dragon boating, karate, golf, yachting, and much more. In addition to these amenities, club members enjoy special pricing on a wide range of theatre performances, sporting events, and other Toronto city attractions. The Boulevard Club also has a wide range of exclusive partnerships with other private clubs throughout Canada and around the world, gaining members access to unique opportunities like private ski and golf clubs.  

Toronto's Top Golf Clubs

Rosedale Golf Club

Established in 1893, Rosedale Golf Club boasts an official Donald Ross course that is ranked as one of the best classic golf courses in Canada. Members also enjoy access to a stunning private event venue with magnificent views of the course; fine catering and dining options make it a perfect place for member weddings and private functions. 

golfer mid swing on golf course near toronto

Lambton Golf & Country Club

Founded in 1902 and now unfolding over 27 holes, an 18-hole Championship course and a nine-hole Valley loop reshaped by Rees Jones, Lambton pairs storied tradition with a sleek, newly built clubhouse and year-round Har-Tru tennis courts. Its Willie Park Jr. roots and four early-era Canadian Opens still colour the club’s identity, while modern practice bays and a riverside patio keep pace with current member expectations. Admission is by invitation; categories include Full Golf, Social, Junior/Legacy and Corporate, each carrying an initiation fee, annual dues and modest food-and-beverage minimum.

The Toronto Hunt

Perched on the Scarborough Bluffs since 1895, the Hunt began in 1843 as a cavalry fox-hunting society and today revolves around a scenic Willie Park Jr.–designed nine-hole course rated Canada’s top short track in 2022. Panoramic lake views, a cedar-shingled clubhouse and a tight-knit calendar of regattas, lawn-sport evenings and wine dinners foster a “summer-cottage-in-the-city” atmosphere. Membership remains small and sponsor-driven, with Golfer, Social, Intermediate and Non-Resident categories, each involving a joining fee, ongoing dues and a seasonal minimum spend.

Donalda Club

Hidden in the Don Valley, Donalda opened in 1960 after the Dunlap estate farmhouse was converted into a clubhouse, now the hub of a true multi-activity enclave featuring a Tom McBroom-enhanced parkland course, 12 clay tennis courts, curling, squash, aquatics and four indoor simulators. Family orientation rules the day: Full, Activity, Dining and Junior-Legacy memberships allow every generation a tailored mix of golf and sport access. Each tier requires a one-time entrance fee, annual dues and, for most categories, a modest clubhouse minimum; applicants are interviewed and must be proposed by two members, underscoring the club’s community ethos.

two older couples together on the golf course in toronto ontario canada

Oakdale Golf & Country Club

Minutes from Yorkdale, Oakdale’s 27 holes, laid out by Stanley Thompson and Robbie Robinson, earned global attention as host of the RBC Canadian Open in 2023 and again in 2026, played over a composite routing that threads through rolling parkland. Beyond golf, a lakeside-style pool, tennis complex and bright fitness centre make it a genuine family campus. Membership categories range from Full-Playing and Intermediate-Legacy to Social-Sport, each with an initiation fee, annual dues and ongoing capital levy; children enjoy legacy rights at age 26, a rarity in Toronto’s private-club scene.

Scarboro Golf & Country Club

Opened in 1912 and remodelled in 1926 by A.W. Tillinghast, his sole Canadian creation, Scarboro winds through a 144-acre ravine east of the city, putting bold green contours and tumbling terrain on full display. The club’s resume includes four Canadian Opens plus countless amateur championships, and its gabled Langley & Howland clubhouse retains an unmistakably classic charm. Membership is invitation-based, offered in Full Playing, Intermediate, Corporate, Social and Non-Resident tiers, each tied to an entrance fee, annual dues and a food-and-beverage minimum.

St. George’s Golf & Country Club

A 1929 Stanley Thompson masterwork in Etobicoke, St. George’s consistently sits inside the world’s top-100 rankings and has staged six Canadian Opens, most recently Rory McIlroy’s 2022 victory. Routed through the Humber Valley, the course marries strategic bunkering with Thompson’s trademark elevated greens; a discreet clubhouse and indoor golf academy round out year-round relevance. Shares are scarce and coveted. Membership classes, Shareholder, Playing, Intermediate, Social, come with a share purchase or initiation fee, annual dues and capital assessments, all governed by a formal dress code

Toronto Golf Club

Established in 1876 and relocated to Mississauga in 1913, Toronto Golf Club is North America’s third-oldest club and home to a Harry Colt design bordering the Etobicoke River. Five Canadian Opens and nine Canadian Amateur Championships underscore its competitive pedigree, while oak-panelled dining rooms and riverside terraces deliver understated elegance. Membership remains strictly by invitation, with Ordinary, Intermediate, Overseas and Social categories. Each involves a joining fee, annual dues, capital levy and seasonal clubhouse minimum, and all applications pass a membership committee interview for final approval.

Best Ski Clubs in Toronto

Toronto Ski Club

Toronto Ski Club gives members an exclusive way to celebrate the winter through alpine winter sports programs delivered by highly experienced ski and snowboard coaches. TSC is one of Canada’s oldest ski clubs, and its Blue Mountain Resort gives members access to one of the largest skiable terrains in Ontario with multiple options for beginners and pros alike. 

skier carving in the snow going down mountain near toronto

Caledon Ski Club

A 45-minute drive from mid-Toronto lands you in Caledon’s sheltered valley, where 25 runs and six quad chairs keep lift lines short while terrain parks, snowshoe trails and an outdoor rink broaden winter fun. Membership begins with a Trial option and moves into full Family, Single-parent and Associate tiers, each carrying an initiation fee, annual dues and a modest food-and-beverage minimum.

Mansfield Ski Club

Just an hour north of the GTA, Mansfield leans into ski-racing heritage with robust adult and junior programmes and a low skier-per-acre ratio. Prospective members choose from Trial, Next Generation (ages 18-40), Senior Citizen and standard Family categories, all of which bundle a joining fee, annual dues and in-house spend minimums.

Beaver Valley Ski Club

Tucked into the Niagara Escarpment near Markdale, Beaver Valley is famed for uncrowded slopes and an award-winning freestyle park. The club now operates a wait-list; most families start on a one-year Trial Membership before converting to life membership, paying the usual initiation fee, annual dues and capital-contribution levy once admitted.

Ski resort in Toronto with lifts going up slope on sunny day

Devil’s Glen Country Club

With rugged topography south of Collingwood, Devil’s Glen offers 24 runs, a heritage lodge and a tight-knit, multi-generational ethos. Membership tracks include Senior, Under-40, Over-60, Junior, Welcome-Back and Introductory options, each blending an initiation component, annual dues and clubhouse minimums, scaled to life stage.

Osler Bluff Ski Club

Ontario’s oldest private ski club (est. 1949) caps membership to preserve “most skiable terrain per badge holder.” Categories include Single, Couple, Family, 40-and-Under Family and Senior. Your investment includes a joining fee, annual dues and minimum spend, and can be converted as families grow.

Craigleith Ski Club

Five high-speed chairs serve 32 impeccably groomed trails overlooking Georgian Bay, while a new base-lodge expansion anchors lively après-ski. Membership choices span Annual Trial, Family, Single and Senior tiers, all requiring an initiation fee, yearly dues and a modest club minimum; children of members enjoy streamlined legacy pathways.

Alpine Ski Club

Set on 384 acres in the Blue Mountains, Alpine delivers 37 runs and 760 feet of vertical from a striking 45,000-sq-ft clubhouse. Entry typically starts with an Introductory season, after which families choose Full, Couple or Junior categories, all structured around an initiation fee, annual dues and a flexible capital levy.

Georgian Peaks Club

Boasting the region’s highest elevation, 250 feet above its peers, and a new lake-view lodge, Georgian Peaks caters to strong skiers seeking long fall-line runs. Pathways include Trial Annual, Master Family and Child-Conversion memberships; each carries an initiation element, annual dues and a capital programme aligned to age and legacy status.

Dining at a Country Club in Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Clubs in Toronto

How long are the waitlists for clubs in Toronto?

It depends on demand and member turnover. Family-oriented multi-sport clubs such as the Granite Club have historically quoted two to three years for a full membership, while creative clubs like Clio or Soho House often have openings right away. Golf clubs in the GTA can stretch to five-plus years for full playing privileges.

What’s the difference between an initiation fee, annual dues and a capital levy?

  • Initiation / Entrance fee: a one-off payment that secures your share, debenture or “badge.”

  • Annual dues: cover day-to-day operations like staffing, utilities, programme delivery.

  • Capital levy / assessment: funds long-term projects like clubhouse renovations or new tennis courts; charged annually or periodically.
    None of these figures are publicised by all clubs, so prospective members should budget for all three categories.

Are trial or introductory memberships available?

Yes. Many clubs offer a one-season Trial or Introductory option so you can test the community before paying the full entrance fee. Craigleith’s “One-Year Trial Membership" is a typical example.

What kind of dress code should I expect?

Business and professional clubs maintain jacket-and-collar standards in formal areas; denim is often restricted to casual lounges. Multi-sport clubs like the Granite Club relax the code outside dining areas but still prohibit gym wear in restaurants. Creative clubs adopt “smart casual” guidelines except during special events.

Can non-members book events or dine at these clubs?

Most clubs require a member host or sponsor for private events and dining, though some (e.g., University Club and select golf clubs) open limited banquet space to corporate clients. Guest access is always at the club’s discretion and subject to the member’s account.

Luxury Home Renovations in Toronto’s Prestigious Neighbourhoods

Elevate the address you call home to the same calibre as the clubs you frequent.
SevernWoods Fine Homes orchestrates historically sensitive whole-home renovations, bespoke additions, and refined interior rebuilds, delivering a seamless, white-glove experience worthy of life’s most exclusive memberships. Book a private consultation and discover how craftsmanship, discretion, and meticulous project management can translate luxury living into every square foot of your residence.


Popular Topics

Living in TorontoHome design ideas

 

Back to Blog

Related Articles

Unique Pockets of Toronto - SevernWoods Fine Homes

As luxury custom home builders and renovators in Toronto, SevernWoods has the distinct honour of...

Best Places to Ski Near Toronto

The sparkling snow and thrill of adventure are calling, and you can answer without venturing too...

Top High-Profile Events to Attend in Toronto

Get ready to mingle and enjoy one-of-a-kind and immersive experiences. Toronto offers a wealth of...