Soho House is coming to Bangkok. Yes, that super-exclusive club that was mentioned a trillion times in Inventing Anna is coming to Soi Sukhumvit 31, taking over the European-looking mansion that was once the Eugenia Hotel. (Fun fact: It’s not an old building. It just looks old.)
While renovation works are being done, a few events are being staged as a “warm-up” for prospective members prior to its opening, which has been pushed back and is now set to open on the 20th of February. Soho House Bangkok, after interior touch-ups, will take on a vintage European atmosphere as a nod to the original club in London, but injected with “contemporary Thainess.” So expect a lot of reclaimed wood, tropical-inspired Jim Thompson wallpapers (think Jim Thompson House and the old Bamboo Bar), colorful upholstery, artsy pendant lights, and art pieces from Thai artists everywhere.
Like every other Soho House around the world (there are 40 to date), Soho House Bangkok aims at creating a community for the (moneyed) artistically-inclined and creative types. You’ll get to hang out with like-minded people in an opulent space, talk over food prepared by top chefs and drinks mixed by skilled barmen, and, when it takes your fancy, jump into a pool. But we all know that you’re really here for the crowd and to network for future opportunities.
A super-exclusive membership at Soho House Bangkok will set you back B60,000 a year (upgrade to access all clubs around the world for B135,000, which makes more sense). But if youth is on your side, then the fee is halved—those under 27 years old only pay B30,000. Each member gets to bring in three friends each time, and there's a members-only mobile app installed with exclusive features, including one that allows you to chat with other members lounging in the same room.
But becoming a member isn’t that easy. Your application will be reviewed by the membership committee based on Soho House requirements (you have to be working in the creative industry, for one, and, more importantly, cool enough to rub elbows with the city’s creative creme de la creme). Who makes up the committee and what are they really looking for? We don’t know.
So ask yourself, is it worth it?