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A social club or social organization may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation or activity with in an organizational association known as a club. Examples include book discussion clubs, , country clubs, , , fishing clubs, gaming clubs, women's clubs, gentlemen's clubs (known as private member’s clubs in the U.S.), hunting clubs, military officers' clubs, , religious clubs (such as Christian fellowships), Fraternity, Service club, fraternities and sororities (Greek-letter organizations), business networking clubs, science clubs, hobbyist clubs, informal professional associations, and Student society. The term can also refer to a criminal headquarters, such as the Ravenite Social Club or the Cage. Documentary featuring the work of ex-New Jersey State Trooper Mike Russell, whose undercover work for the New Jersey State Police led to the arrests of 41 members of the Genovese crime family, and of corrupt prison officials, and a state senator
This article covers only three distinct types of social clubs – the historic gentlemen's clubs, the modern activities clubs and an introduction to fraternities and sororities. This article does not cover a variety of other types of clubs having some social characteristics. Social clubs have commonly been used by the Mafia as meeting places, many mob crews even being named after the club that they are based out of (The Palma Boys Crew, The Gemini Crew, The Veterans & Friends Crew).
In the Dutch East Indies, sociëteits were established in various cities.
Modern clubs include Urban Diversion in San Francisco, which opened in 2003 as a general adventure and activities social club, and the Groucho Club in Soho, London, which opened in 1985 as "the antidote to the traditional club." The "traditional club" referred to is the elitist gentlemen's club, a fixture of British upper-class male society. This is not to be confused with the modern use of the phrase, which is now a euphemism for a strip club.
Events can include a broad range of activities, from sporting events and social parties to ballet, arts or book clubs. Unlike traditional clubs, they are not limited to one kind of event or special interest, but include a broad range of events in their monthly calendars. The members choose the events in which the club is going to take part, based upon the changing interests of the members. The members themselves determine the events they will attend of those offered.
Because the purpose of these clubs is split between general social interaction and taking part in the events themselves, both single and married people can take part. However, clubs tend to have more single members than married, and many clubs exist for only single people, only married couples or only people with certain sexual orientations (homosexuality, pansexuality, bisexuality or heterosexuality).
Membership can be limited or open to the general public, as can the events. Most clubs have a limited membership based upon specific criteria and restrict the events to members to increase their feeling of security, creating an increased sense of camaraderie and belonging. There are many examples of private social clubs, including the University Club of Chicago, The Mansion on O Street in D.C., the Penn Club of New York City and the New York Friars' Club.
Social activities clubs can be for-profit, non-profit or a combination of the two (a for-profit club with a non-profit charitable arm, for instance). Some social clubs have which members, or sometimes the general public, can rent for parties.
A number of Jewish community centers and other organizations, such as the YMCA, have social clubs for people with social anxiety and learning disabilities. Membership in these clubs is limited to individuals with these conditions.
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