New Chapter :The Nashville City Club — A Time-Honored Private Club — Has Relocated

The legendary NashvilleCity Club, where, since 1957, the city’s movers and shakers have gathered to socialize, dine and network, has a new home. The club now occupies 18,000 square feet — 6,000 on each of the three floors — inside the historic Liggett building at 200 Second Ave. S. 

“The old City Club [on Fourth Avenue] was 12,000 square feet, so we’ve grown tremendously, which allows us to increase our membership,” says Chris Weinberg, the club’s managing director. Right now, there are about 700 members. Though the club was once known as a gathering place primarily for bankers, lawyers and politicians, over the years, its demographic has become more diverse. 

Chris says he’s seeing more entrepreneurs and small business owners joining. He owes that, at least in part, to events ranging from an eight-part series on the Enneagram personality test to an evening based on the Jeffersonian Dinner model, as well as a mentorship program.  

“We have people joining in their 20s, and we have people in their late 80s,” says Chris. “I was talking to one member yesterday and he said, ‘I’ve been here for 43 years.’ I’m like, ‘God bless you, brother. Keep on coming.’” 

Working with Franklin-based Integrous Architecture, the City Club took over the space previously occupied by The Register — a private social club that has since closed. Fortunately, says Chris, the aesthetic was just what they were looking for. The only significant change is a new kitchen, which will accommodate all three floors. 

On the top floor is the Member’s Lounge, which has a dedicated dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a cocktail bar. There are multiple groupings of overstuffed brown leather sofas surrounding coffee tables — concrete and shagreen or glass. The open floor plan also features dining tables with black linen tablecloths accompanied by black and brass dining chairs. 

The 1933 industrial building boasts the original windows, exposed ductwork and exposed brick. A black grand piano is perched in the corner of the Member’s Lounge, and to further set the mood of a bygone era, a blown-up copy of an iconic photo of Jayne Mansfield and Sophia Loren takes up nearly an entire wall. 

The first floor accommodates The Study, a bar serving light fare and craft cocktails that is open to the public. On the second floor is the Grand Ballroom, which can be rented for weddings, meetings and other events. The space can accommodate 300 guests — 150 for a seated dinner. Members receive a discount on the rental cost.

Treasure Trove

While the furniture is new, there are nods to the club’s history throughout the building, including a wall of black-and-white photographs donated by members. There are wedding and vacation photos, some that appear to be from the ’50s and ’60s. When asked what other treasures came from the previous location, Chris mentions three longtime employees — Betty Hamilton, Robert Olden and Thomas Cross. For the last 54 years, Thomas has been “a bartender, server, maître d’, you name it,” says Chris. “He could do anything here.

Membership Has its Privileges

There are three membership types: a young executive membership (ages 21-34) requiring a $3,000 initial fee and then $149 monthly, an executive membership with a $5,000 initial fee and $199 monthly, and a corporate membership with a $3,000 initial fee and $199 monthly. In addition to having access to the many events, including a wine seminar and a 1920s-themed mystery party, members who live close by — either downtown, on West End Avenue or in The Gulch — may skip driving and be picked up by a courtesy black SUV.

Food for Thought

Many of the programs hosted by the City Club are centered around an epicurean dinner overseen by Executive Chef Ryan Brewer. A variety of cuisine is served daily on both the first and third floors — the latter being for members only. Catering is offered on the second floor. Offerings range from American cuisine to Spanish tapas. On the third floor, menu items include a roasted beet salad, grilled cheese and tomato basil soup, a filet, slow-roasted pork belly, braised short rib ravioli and a rotating seafood special.