THE COFFEE HOUSE is a 110-year-old private New York City social club. We meet at our long table for the pleasure of one another’s company, camaraderie, and conversation. It’s a magical place where cares do not intrude. We seek to preserve the art of civilized, agreeable conversation more associated with 18th Century London coffee houses than the modern hyper-frenetic City of New York, which has little time and less inclination for such a civilized luxury. Coffee House is currently located in a beautiful historic townhouse on 5th Avenue at 12th Street. This location is a New York City Landmark and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The townhouse has an elegant double parlor, two galleries, a billiards room and a uniquely artistic library all open to all members. The downstairs bar and the dining room are open for dinners Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 - 8:30, with last call in the bar at 9:30.
The Coffee House holds dinners on Wednesday evenings following our speaker, theatrical or musical events. Please check the newsletter or calendar for weekly lunch locations, or contact the Office at coffeehouseclub@hotmail.com.
OUR FOUNDING
In 1915, several members of the Knickerbocker Club, led by Frank Crowninshield, Editor of Vanity Fair, decided they were disenchanted by that august institution’s emphasis on the rich and socially prominent. Styling themselves the “Foes of Finance,” these urbane conspirators founded The Coffee House, a club that would seek its members from among New York’s intellectual, artistic, literary, and theatrical circles. The Club adopted a tersely worded constitution designed to forestall any future backsliding into social snobbery: No Officers, No Charge Accounts, No Liveries, No Tips, No Set Speeches, NO RULES. The conversation at our long table is enlivened by visitors from our reciprocal clubs. In turn, we enjoy guest privileges at the following:
ENGLAND
London
The Arts Club
City University Club
The Garrick
The Lansdowne Club
The Savile Club
The University Women’s Club
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The Norfolk Club, Norwich, UK
SCOTLAND
The Scottish Arts Club. Edinburgh
UNITED STATES
The Explorers Club, New York City
The Penn Club, New York City
Salmagundi, New York City
St. Botolph Club, Boston, MA
Tavern Club, New Haven, CT
The Graduate Club, New Haven, CT
The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL
Franklin Inn Club, Philadelphia, PA
The Arts Club, Washington, DC
City Tavern Club, Washington, DC
DACOR Bacon House, Washington, DC
The University Club of San Francisco
Green Boundary Club, Aiken, S.C.
Contact the Offices coffeehouseclub@hotmail.com for reciprocal procedures
MEMBERSHIP
The Club encourages men and women to join who share its purposes and wish to participate in the conversation at our table. There is no formal written application for membership. Persons interested in membership in the Club should contact a member for sponsorship email coffeehouseclub@hotmail.com to meet members of the Club.
