Futuristic Sanctuaries: Soho House HK and eko
As I wrap up this six-part series on Hong Kong’s private members’ clubs, I’ve saved the most contemporary for last. We’ve journeyed through storied institutions like the Hong Kong Club and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, each embodying layers of colonial legacy and social hierarchy. Now, in this final installment, I turn to Soho House Hong Kong and eko, two venues that encapsulate the evolution of exclusivity in the 21st century. These clubs diverge from tradition, embracing Hong Kong’s vertical urbanism and globalized elite culture. Opened in 2019 and late 2025 respectively, they signal a shift toward spaces that blend creativity, technology, and selective networking, offering a lens into how the city’s upper echelons navigate modernity amid rapid change.
Soho House Hong Kong, perched in a 30-storey tower in Sheung Wan, marked the brand’s inaugural foray into East Asia. Unlike the brand’s typical townhouse setups in London or New York, this outpost deliberately leans into Hong Kong’s skyscraper ethos, with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the Peak. Its design draws inspiration from local cinema, particularly the atmospheric films of Wong Kar-wai, incorporating jewel tones, intricate patterns, and nods to Hong Kong’s vibrant film industry. The interiors mix international flair with regional elements—think textiles echoing urban neon and an art collection spotlighting over 100 works by Hong Kong-born or based artists, such as Lee Kit and Tsang Kin-wah. This curation fosters a “home away from home” for creatives, eschewing formal attire in favor of a relaxed, innovative vibe.
Functionally, the club spans multiple floors dedicated to socializing, wellness, and work. There’s a three-floor gym with HIIT areas, yoga studios, and steam rooms; a Pool Room with an indoor swim-up bar and barbecue-focused dining; and event spaces for screenings, music, and networking. The House Brasserie serves Cantonese staples like Peking duck and dim sum, blending local flavors with global club menus. Membership targets those in film, fashion, art, and tech, creating a hub where ideas intersect amid the city’s hustle. In 2024, it celebrated five years with gastronomic pop-ups and DJ sets, underscoring its role as a cultural anchor. For Hong Kong’s upper class, Soho House represents a bridge between East and West, where global nomads recharge in a setting that mirrors the city’s cosmopolitan pulse.
Shifting to eko, this invitation-only newcomer occupies the former Tazmania Ballroom site on Wyndham Street in Lan Kwai Fong, transforming a once-glitzy party venue into a futuristic enclave. Opened in late 2025, eko caters to those aged 25 and above, with a HK$100,000 membership fee that’s fully consumable on-site— a steep but strategic entry point for discerning patrons. The design evokes an organic-futuristic cave: undulating walls, brushed bronze accents, and banquette seating that feels transported from a sci-fi set. Evenings evolve from jazz lounges to high-energy clubs Wednesday through Saturday, with a strict no-photography policy preserving its mystique.
At its core is the Pulse Bar, where theatrical cocktails like the Mai Fei Fat—salted peanut butter rum with pineapple molasses and lime—take center stage in hand-blown glassware. Private rooms offer intimate retreats, while a secluded terrace accommodates cigar enthusiasts with curated selections of wines and spirits. Eko positions itself as a sanctuary for like-minded individuals who value quality and style, uniting them through live music, themed nights, and an air of whispered legends. In Hong Kong’s competitive private club landscape, it stands out as one of the freshest additions, appealing to a younger, tech-savvy elite seeking escape from the city’s relentless pace.
Together, Soho House HK and eko illustrate 21st-century private clubs in Hong Kong: less about rigid hierarchies, more about curated experiences that align with the upper class’s global, innovative lifestyle. They thrive on exclusivity but infuse it with cultural relevance—Soho House channeling cinematic heritage, eko futurism—mirroring a society where wealth intersects with creativity and discretion.
This dynamic lends itself provocatively to Hollywood narratives. Imagine a thriller set in Soho House HK: a Wong Kar-wai-inspired tale of intersecting lives among film producers and tech moguls, where harbor views frame clandestine deals that expose the fragility of Hong Kong’s elite networks. Culturally, it fits the upper class’s blend of East-West influences, portraying them as guardians of tradition amid globalization. For eko, envision a cyber-noir series: elite hackers and entrepreneurs in its cave-like depths, navigating corporate espionage over futuristic cocktails. This highlights the upper echelons’ embrace of technology and privacy, where Lan Kwai Fong’s energy masks deeper power plays. Such stories could challenge viewers to question exclusivity’s role in a city of contrasts, blending provocation with cultural authenticity.
In concluding this series, I see these clubs as barometers of Hong Kong’s social evolution. They provoke reflection on access and aspiration, yet remain straightforward emblems of a vibrant, if stratified, urban elite.
