Metropolitan Club (New York City)

The Metropolitan Club of New York City is a private social club located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Founded in 1891 by a group of prominent New Yorkers including J. P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and James A. Roosevelt, it was intended to be a club for men of wealth and social standing, rivaling existing establishments such as the Union Club.

The clubhouse, designed by Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White, is located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 60th Street and is considered a significant example of Beaux-Arts architecture. The building features a grand entrance hall, elaborate dining rooms, a library, a swimming pool, guest rooms, and athletic facilities.

Membership in the Metropolitan Club is by invitation only and is highly selective. Throughout its history, the club has been associated with leaders in business, finance, politics, and the arts. The club maintains reciprocal arrangements with other prestigious social clubs around the world.

The Metropolitan Club has historically been known for its conservative traditions and strict dress code. While some of these traditions have evolved over time, the club continues to uphold a certain level of formality and exclusivity. The club has also faced scrutiny over its past exclusion of women and minorities, issues that have been addressed in recent decades with the admission of female members and efforts to diversify its membership.