New Luxurious Private Club Opens in Midtown Manhattan

A new upscale private club has opened its doors in a midtown Manhattan skyscraper, offering a range of luxury amenities that might catch the eye.

Located at 520 Fifth Avenue, this five-story, 1,002-foot skyscraper called Moss has monthly membership fees that vary from $280 to $745, plus an initiation fee that ranges between $1,500 and $3,950.

The club was established by sisters Colleen and Haley Brooks and features five fine-dining restaurants, alongside lounge areas, all under the culinary direction of Chef Angela Zeng, who has experience from Francette and Lilia.

The founders describe Moss as a blend of “intelligent leisure,” amounting to 20,000 square feet dedicated to dining, social interaction, and another 20,000 square feet focused on health and wellness.

Colleen Brooks, who has a background at JPMorgan Chase and Fortress, believes that the building’s mixed-use nature will enhance both the club and the surrounding community.

Moss’ flagship restaurant, Babette, takes inspiration from the film “Babette’s Dinner,” and emphasizes new American cuisine combined with French and East Asian influences. Adjacent to Babette is Bar Babette, which provides views of Fifth Avenue while serving oysters and martinis.

Additionally, there’s Lil’s, a jazz piano lounge perfect for enjoying live tunes with light meals and cocktails, and Inklings, a library bar focusing on experimental drinks.

The club also features a two-story gym which, as of Monday, includes a longevity clinic, a heated pool, and various courts for sports like pickleball and half-basketball, not to mention a spa and personal trainers.

Members have access to a games room with options like mahjong and poker, along with a podcast studio that doubles as a DJ booth. A record listening room allows for karaoke reservations, too.

Furthermore, there are plans for “fireside chats” and speaker events, with the top floor housing four private rooms suitable for meetings, intimate dinners, or celebrations, according to Haley Brooks, who also has experience in trend forecasting.

The club’s interiors were designed by Vicki Charles, notable for her previous work at Soho House and her clients, which include high-profile names such as David and Victoria Beckham.

Initially, the sisters envisioned opening a private club before the pandemic altered those plans. Despite the setbacks, they held onto the belief that city dwellers desire a higher quality of life, a sentiment further heightened by COVID-19, Haley Brooks noted.

Colleen Brooks describes the ideal member as someone who appreciates the balance of health and social engagement, emphasizing the importance of community.

In her opinion, the club industry has been around for a while, but it’s just beginning to gain traction in New York. “There’s definitely room for various types of clubs here,” she asserted.

New Cocktail Bar and Restaurant Openings in NYC

On a related note, the popular hotel bar scene in New York is vibrant, catering to both locals and visitors.

In Midtown, Ryan Chetiyawardhana, a well-known bartender from London, has opened Seed Library at Nomads Hotel Park Avenue. This bar accompanies the hotel’s new restaurant, Park Rose, located at 444 Park Ave. South.

Chetiyawardhana expressed his excitement about debuting in New York, noting that the Seed Library will be interpreted through a “New York lens of charm.”

Known for innovative cocktails, he offers unique options such as a coriander seed gimlet and a dessert-style koji hard shake cocktail that blends whiskey, miso, and cream, topped with toasted marshmallows.

Nicole Giampino, the head bartender, introduces new takes on traditional drinks like the Old Fashioned, alongside mocktails like a Thai basil soda.

Light bar snacks available include whipped feta dip with naan and the Ryan Burger featuring English cheddar and bacon.

In another venue, the Faena New York Hotel presents a hidden cocktail called “The Oxymoron,” crafted by architect Bjarke Ingels, known for his innovative designs.

Ingels describes “The Oxymoron” as a cocktail with contrasting elements that surprisingly harmonize, emphasizing the beauty of varied tastes and cultures in culinary experimentation.