Gentlemen's club

A gentlemen's club is a private social club of a type originally established by males from Britain's upper classes starting in the 17th century.

Many countries outside Britain have prominent gentlemen's clubs, mostly those associated with the British Empire such as the Royal Society in London set up in 1660. The form spread to other parts of the Empire such as Australia, India, Ireland, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. There are also many similar clubs in major American cities, especially the older ones. The gentlemen’s club in Moscow (Angliyskoye sobranie, rus. Английское собрание), founded approximately in 1772, was the centre of noble social and political life in the 18th-19th centuries, and largely determined public opinion.

By their nature gentlemen's clubs were often founded by, and created and reinforced, old boy networks. A typical club contains a bar, a library, one or more parlours for reading, gaming, or socializing, a billiard room, and a formal dining room. Many clubs also contain guest rooms and fitness amenities. Most hold club-related events such as formal dinners. Historically, most were related to some common affiliation or interest, such as gambling, or a shared military service, political outlook, or university. Some are associated mainly with sports.