Members Only: What You Need To Know About The Arts Club Dubai
Soon to open its doors, and with all the particulars are still a well-guarded secret, brand Director Zoe Haldane exclusively reveals what you need to know about the private members club, originally founded in 1863 in London
When she’s not navigating meetings with important CEOs or discussing the club’s upcoming cultural programmes, Zoe Haldane is tweaking membership criteria, dress codes, food menus and interiors options.
The Arts Club is the ultimate heritage brand, steeped in a rich history that dates back to 1863, when the original London venue opened its doors to notable members including Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Franz Liszt. Artists including Frederic Leighton, Walter Sickert and Auguste Rodin would frequent the lounge bars of the private members’ club, while Etel Adnan, Shara Hughes and Frank Bowling have adorned the walls.
Fast forward to 2011, and The Arts Club London relaunched after a stunning renovation, and just three years later, work began on its first sister club, here in Dubai. And now in 2020, the much-anticipated opening of The Arts Club Dubai is finally here.
With much hype around the new offering, and rumours that membership demand has already exceeded supply, we sat down with Zoe, who moved to the UAE two years ago to join The Arts Club team, to find out exactly what we can expect from the space in terms of style, cuisine and culture, and of course, some tips on how to get on that exclusive membership list.
What will be the main differences at The Arts Club Dubai compared with the original London venue?
We have a much bigger space to work with, covering 65,000 square feet. The Arts Club Dubai is more than twice the size of our London club and we will have more members’ lounges and more spaces for members to enjoy, no matter what ambience or vibe they’re looking for.
Tell us about your role at The Arts Club Dubai
I am responsible for ensuring the brand’s overriding philosophy and heritage comes through in everything we do, while also identifying and reinterpreting aspects of it. Dubai is a very different landscape to London and this needs to be taken into account.
The Arts Club Dubai’s rooftop terrace is perfect for the November opening
What does a typical day look like?
I catch up with my teams daily, covering membership, programming and marketing – checking in to see that everyone is happy and getting the support that they need. I also need to know what is happening in each department as they all interlink and play a crucial role in the life of the Club. Half of my team has been working out of a warehouse in Alserkal Avenue in the run up to opening, which has been a great opportunity as it has immersed us within the arts and cultural hub of Dubai – it reminds us daily how forward-thinking and progressive the arts scene is here. Alongside this, our kitchen teams have been testing out their menus, so there has also been a lot of eating, which calls for a nice long run or swim at the end of the day.
What are you most excited about?
Seeing the interiors come to life. The level of detail and thought that has gone into this project, between the owners and the designers, is nothing I’ve seen before. I also can’t wait to get the music and events programme up and running at full speed, and seeing the members, from all generations, finding their favourite spots within the club to enjoy: from the beautiful terraces to the late-night lounges and restaurants.
What have been some of the challenges?
Putting the pandemic aside, working across continents and time zones. One of our owners, Jai Waney, is based in Hong Kong, while the other, Gary Landesberg, is in London. It has, on occasion, also been a challenge explaining the process of membership and election. Dubai is a fast-paced city and sometimes people don’t have time to wait, but ensuring our membership is right for the Club takes time and is essential. The election committee reviews each application in detail to make sure the candidate is right for the Club, and that the Club is right for the candidate.
What are the Election Committee looking for in members?
A whole range of attributes, but above all, we want really lovely, fun, interested and interesting people. We want members who will contribute to the life of the Club, taking part in its programming as much as dining in its restaurants. We want them to be proud that they are part of the formation of an exciting new community of like-minded individuals.
What is a ‘no no’ for the Election Committee?
We are primarily a social club and we do tend to swerve away from those wishing to join the Club solely to conduct business. We want members to enjoy the Club, above all.
What professional backgrounds are actively encouraged to join?
We welcome applications from candidates with all sorts of professional backgrounds. However, in terms of their interests, they span art and design, tech, film, literature, music, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and of course finance – being in the financial hub of the region.
The original: Kyubi Japanese restaurant at The Arts Club in London
Is there a dress code?
The Club has an elegant dress code and members and their guests are encouraged to dress up for the occasion. There are a number of items which are not permitted!
What is your favourite area within the Club?
I love an outdoor terrace or rooftop and we’ve got an abundance of those – perfect for the cooler months here in the UAE. I also love the members’ lounges, some are lined with beautiful fabrics on the walls, they are quite special and make you feel like you are sitting inside a jewel box.
We’re excited about the roof terrace, what can we expect?
Superb 360-degree views, including the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai. Expect a relaxed vibe, with the energy flowing from the rooftop terrace bar to the cabanas, culminating in the late-night lounge. It will be the perfect spot for sundowners, set to a sublime soundtrack emanating from the DJ booth.
What can we expect in terms of food and beverage?
We have three restaurant concepts, the first is our beloved brasserie from London, which will feature some old favourites. Then we have two brand-new concepts, a very cool Nikkei restaurant, inspired by the fantastic flavour combination of Latin America and Japan, and an elegant Italian restaurant that draws on the very best dishes from all over Italy, gregariously served by an impeccable team.
Tell us about the artwork…
There will be a permanent collection which will be grown slowly, featuring international artists, and importantly, supporting regional and emerging artists. We will have many spaces for rotating exhibitions too, carefully curating these with our expert team that includes Art Director, Aurore Ogden who is based in London, our Head of Programming, Sybel Vazquez, who is based in Dubai, and our curator, Amelie von Wedel, of WedelArt.
What can members expect in terms of the cultural programme?
Although heavily rooted in the arts, the Club’s cultural programme has been designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests; from talks, current debates and panel discussions, to studio visits, trips, workshops, screenings and performances. The Club’s Music Director is curating each space to have its own distinct soundscape, adapted to the time of day, week or year. The events will engage, enlighten and entertain, offering something entirely unique to each member’s experience of the Club. We have also launched the Artists Commission, which is an important part of the Club’s approach to working with the creative community in the region, it will include open calls across the arts, which will in turn, become part of our contemporary art collection, as well as exhibitions and events celebrating art in the region.
The Arts Club Dubai opens in late November 2020 in ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC. For more information and membership enquiries, visit theartsclub.ae
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s November 2020 issue