Luxury members club Soho House announced back in 2021 that it had set its sights on a Manchester property, which is currently undergoing development at the old Granada Studios. The group currently has 43 houses across the globe and we had the chance to visit some of their properties in London, including their first house at 40 Greek Street in Soho, 76 Dean Street, White City House as well as Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, to see exactly what a membership could get you.
Soho House began in 1995, when founder Nick Jones opened the club’s first house on London’s Greek Street above his restaurant, Cafe Boheme. Soho House was so named, because it was situated in a Georgian house in Soho and the logo reflects the layout of that first space – three floors across three interconnecting houses.
Soho House’s expansion to Manchester will mark its first move up North – following decades of global success in cosmopolitan cities such as New York, Hollywood, Mykonos and Barcelona. The house was originally expected to open in 2022, however two years later, an opening date it still yet to be confirmed.
However, good things take time, and when it comes to Soho House’s properties it is all in the detail. Everywhere you look you can see a lot of thought has gone into it – from the amenities in their guest rooms (for instance, you needn’t have to bring your whole toiletry bag with you) to each house having its own unique stripe which appears on the likes of its towels and stationery.
Each Soho House property is unique with some giving a new lease of life to old, characterful properties tucked away in the heart of the city as well as slightly more modern houses influenced by their location and history. They each have their own unique interior design and feature art from big name artists (Damien Hirst has art in Soho House’s Shoreditch House) to up-and-coming talent which will be also be applied to the Manchester location.
What do Soho House members have access to?
Members have access to the likes of events such as gigs, comedy shows, film screenings and pop-up kitchens from guest chefs. But it doesn’t stop there as some boast state-of-the art gyms with classes, reformer Pilates machines, functional workout spaces and full-body recovery machines. There are even swimming pools and as for Soho Farmhouse there are an abundance of activities to choose from including spa access, ice water baths, horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting and cycling, to name a few.
A number of Soho House properties include hotel rooms for members and friends to stay at. We stayed at White City House, which is located in the old BBC Television Studios, which boasts a gym, two pools (one on the rooftop similar to what Manchester can expect), multiple bars and restaurants which differ from house to house as well as a cinema screening room.
Should you choose to apply for the Every House membership, one property you will have access to is Soho Farmhouse, which offers peace and tranquillity away from the city. The farmhouse includes a heated outdoor pool, hot tubs, a ‘lazy lake’, cute green bikes you can cycle around on, and cosy rooms in wooden cabins or little huts known as ‘piglets’.
Members can also take advantage of the best rates on hotel rooms as well as at their restaurants. Plus, you can even get 15% off Soho Home, which was launched in 2016 as a response to members who requested to buy Soho House furniture, artwork and lighting.
What we know about Soho House Manchester so far
With construction on Soho House Manchester currently underway inside Old Granada Studios, we can most likely expect a nod to our city’s broadcasting history, probably in the form of 1960s-inspired interiors and similar vibes to their White City House property.
Manchester may not feature a Soho Farmhouse but what members can look forward to is a rooftop pool with sunbeds and a bar; an enormous gym space, fitness studios; a steam room and sauna; a ninth-floor late-night bar and live music space; casual lounge areas; a formal restaurant; an events space with a bar and DJ booth; 23 bedrooms; and an 80 square metre two-bedroom private apartment.
However what you will find at every Soho House property, including Manchester, is a Picante – the members club’s signature cocktail that is refreshing and has a spicy kick, reminiscent of a spicy margarita, with staff likely to welcome you with one on an evening. Plus, guest rooms are all decked out with a smorgasbord of Cowshed products, retro Roberts radios and Marshall speakers to listen to the sounds of your choice.
Restaurants for Soho House Manchester haven’t been confirmed yet, but on our whistlestop tour of Soho House locations we got to sample food and drink from the likes of Pen Yen, a Japanese restaurant, and Little Berenjak, a sister site for the popular Persian restaurant in London. We will have to see what’s to come for Manchester, but if they’re anything to go by then we’re in for a treat.
The house rules
Unlike your typical bar or restaurant, Soho House sets itself apart by offering a sense of privacy. The members-only club has a no-photos policy that means regardless of who you are, celeb or not, you can relax and enjoy the space without disruption or a picture.
The spaces are definitely private as no one can simply walk into a Soho House, even if you do have cash to splash. The only way you can get access to Soho House without being a member is to be invited as a guest of an existing member (up to three guests per member are allowed entry).
Other rules include usage of laptops and taking calls in designated areas of the houses only, plus no animals, smoking or vaping inside houses. The full list of house rules can be found here.
Soho House Manchester membership and application process
So, the big ol’ question is how much does a membership cost? Well there are multiple memberships to choose from including a local Manchester-only membership at £1,925 per year, and costs £950 for those under the age of 27 (you’ll also receive a lower membership rate until your 30th birthday if you apply before your 27th birthday). There’s also an Every House membership with access to all 43 Soho Houses around the world costing £2,950 (£1,400 for under 27s) annually and Soho Friends which costs £100 a year which allows non-members to stay at different Soho House properties around the world. Plus, child memberships are also available too, which gives them access to the pool and more.
Soho House is described as “a club for creatives” so if you work in the creative industry your chances of getting in could be greater. As part of the application process, you’ll need to submit a headshot, information about your work and industry, links to your online profiles, and a bit of information about yourself. Your application is also a lot stronger if you can get references from two existing Soho House members.
An exact opening date is yet to be revealed as work is still ongoing and has been pushed back to 2025, however memberships for Manchester are now open and can be applied for here.