Union League Club
“Also, a gym in the basement for members and over night guests, complete with gorgeous squash courts.”
“mostly super WASPy gents drinking G&T and playing billiards while wearing their khakis and gold button blazers.”
“The staff was beyond professional and the library, ballroom and dining room are such beautiful classic spaces!”
Union League Club
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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This is a private social club. You either must be a member or be accompanied as a guest. Unless you are attending a social function that at this very historical and remarkable venue. I'm not a member but aspire to be. A tour of the club-house one might notice that there are many portraits of US presidents. All but one president have something in common…
Now for the food. Exceptional. The best fois gras in the city. I'm especially partial to the fish. Particularly the spots a la Mitch (spots in a lemon butter sauce but instead of the capers, a heaping helping of shaved almonds).
The staff is exceptional. Everything is first rate.
Came here for a corporate retreat. A long day of guest speakers and speeches. The club is very historical in culture and appearance. Doesn't seem I have a reason to return but while I was there the staff was very helpful and all of our meals were very nicely prepared. I did not bother getting to know the history of the place as its not up my alley at this point in my life but the older men at the firm seemed to appreciate it.
Every step you take feels like you're making history. All and all, an instant classic
Attended a function there, and it continues to be one of the best clubs in the city. I have been going there for many years, and I am always amazed at the beauty every time I visit.
Steeped in tradition, the club is private, but if you are there as a guest it is recommended that you spend some time to admire the architecture and grandeur of NY past.
For a large gathering, the food and presentation were excellent. The steak was even cooked to my order! Where do you get that when attending a function?
Nice place all around.
Getting past the dark wood, austere portraits and exceedingly stuffy clientele at the Union League Club is difficult. The place strikes me as old-school and uptight even by New York club standards. Founded during the middle of the Civil War – as a refuge from the draft riots that were plaguing the city at the time? – with its last major renovation seemingly held just a few years later, the club offers very little to the casual guest.
I've been here a few times for banquets, and while it projects grandeur, each time I've found it falling short when it comes to presentation. At these prices and with this much attitude, things should run smoothly. Instead I've been treated to mics plagued by feedback, ancient projection systems and bars stocked with cut rate hard alcohol and beer selections. While I'm sure some of the deficits were the particular choices of the events I've attended, I don't think at any price point overcooked duck should be tolerated, or dry chocolate desserts.
I suppose there's a time and place for this sort of black-tie, best-behavior affair. I only wish the Union League Club would ensure that the experience is in line with the effort it takes to get in here.
I came here for a Boston College alumni event (Always an Eagle: From the Mods to Manhattan) that welcomed my class into the alumni group, and it was a beautiful venue. We were on the 2nd floor, in, I think, the library area, and it was a space that was decorated in just the way that you might picture a high-end social club–ornate carpeting, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a grand piano by the elevators, giant portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and lots of space for activities.
The architecture was remarkable, and gave it more of that traditional feel, as if we'd been transported back to old New York, despite the relatively rowdy crowd (we were loudly reuniting with old friends, making new friends, talking to alumni from 1999 and eariler, etc). The staff was quick and professional, collecting used cutlery and napkins with such expertise that you barely knew they had been there before they were on to the next guest.
The dress code is business casual, but people take it very seriously, and maybe even to the next level. Officially, it's "jackets preferred" for men, though our post-grad crowd was a mix of full-on suits to button down and khakis, with girls mostly in dresses (while it's still warm enough outside, I'm sure).
Finer dining experience. I invited as a club mbers guest. We sat at a beautiful table over looking the city. The menu was smaller but everything was cooked and served with great attention. The sea bass & risotto were the most tasty I've ever had. It was served with a sauce on the side that I never tried because the meal stood alone as perfection! The history of the building around you made want to read and experience all of the portraits and documents. I wish I had more time experience the location. I hope I have another opportunity to visit. I
What a historic, beautiful club! I've been once before for a wedding reception but got to go this week with my boyfriend and his family for a scotch tasting, dinner and a round of virtual golf! Sorry no pictures with this review – I learned at the coat check there are no phones allowed. One star deducted because we had to wait almost an hour for our appetizers to arrive, but they kept the bread and wine coming while we waited. My pheasant main course was by far the juiciest I've ever had before. The staff was beyond professional and the library, ballroom and dining room are such beautiful classic spaces!