Soho House has taken the British creative scene by storm with its latest outpost in Manchester, leaving many to wonder if this exclusive club will live up to its promise. The 48th member's club, which boasts an impressive 2,500-strong waitlist, is certainly a reflection of the city's thriving cultural and entrepreneurial landscape.
CEO Andrew Carnie, a 51-year-old native Mancunian, sees this as the perfect time to launch Soho House Manchester. "The timing is spot on," he says. "Manchester has changed dramatically and flourished dramatically. The creative industries have grown, universities are thriving, and people are staying in the city after university, which is fantastic for the hospitality scene."
Soho House, known for its posh parties and indulgent lifestyle, has undergone a significant transformation since its inception 30 years ago. Gone are the days of boozy lunches and late-night carousing; instead, wellness, fitness, and self-care have taken center stage.
"We've moved away from hedonism and into wellness," Carnie explains. "Fitness is no longer just about running marathons or doing 5k's on a treadmill; it's about conversation topics and an aesthetically sophisticated element of an aspirational lifestyle." This shift towards wellness has seen the rise of activities such as Reformer pilates, Hiit classes, padel courts, and even IV infusion drips.
While the Soho House model remains unchanged – a third space that is neither work nor home, neither completely public nor entirely private – the way people interact with the club has evolved. With the advent of 24/7 technology, members can easily blend their on-duty and off-duty lives, making the concept of "clocking off" a thing of the past.
"We've seen our members prefer to work from our clubs," Carnie reveals. "They enjoy the social aspect and the networking opportunities." This has led to the implementation of rules like laptops in the morning and socializing in the afternoon, with a 'no-phones' rule that's been tweaked to accommodate devices.
Sticky toffee pudding remains a favorite dessert worldwide, while there's a growing demand for "clean" cocktails with fewer ingredients and less sugar. The Soho House signature cocktail, Picante, made with tequila, agave syrup, fresh lime juice, coriander leaves, and garnished with chillies, has been a hit at the opening party.
Soho House's decision to go private again in August this year has brought an end to its tumultuous public company days. "We're better as a private company," Carnie explains. "We can slow down growth and focus on making our existing members happy."
The club's success story is not just about the members; it's also about creating a community that celebrates collaboration, friendship, and having a good time. Christine Cort OBE, co-founder of the Manchester international festival, reflects on how this spirit has brought people together: "When we set up an arts festival in Manchester 20 years ago, people said, 'Oh, that won't work in Manchester.' But Manchester has changed dramatically."
As Soho House Manchester prepares to open its doors, one thing is clear – the exclusive club is more than just a posh party venue; it's a hub for creativity, wellness, and connection.
CEO Andrew Carnie, a 51-year-old native Mancunian, sees this as the perfect time to launch Soho House Manchester. "The timing is spot on," he says. "Manchester has changed dramatically and flourished dramatically. The creative industries have grown, universities are thriving, and people are staying in the city after university, which is fantastic for the hospitality scene."
Soho House, known for its posh parties and indulgent lifestyle, has undergone a significant transformation since its inception 30 years ago. Gone are the days of boozy lunches and late-night carousing; instead, wellness, fitness, and self-care have taken center stage.
"We've moved away from hedonism and into wellness," Carnie explains. "Fitness is no longer just about running marathons or doing 5k's on a treadmill; it's about conversation topics and an aesthetically sophisticated element of an aspirational lifestyle." This shift towards wellness has seen the rise of activities such as Reformer pilates, Hiit classes, padel courts, and even IV infusion drips.
While the Soho House model remains unchanged – a third space that is neither work nor home, neither completely public nor entirely private – the way people interact with the club has evolved. With the advent of 24/7 technology, members can easily blend their on-duty and off-duty lives, making the concept of "clocking off" a thing of the past.
"We've seen our members prefer to work from our clubs," Carnie reveals. "They enjoy the social aspect and the networking opportunities." This has led to the implementation of rules like laptops in the morning and socializing in the afternoon, with a 'no-phones' rule that's been tweaked to accommodate devices.
Sticky toffee pudding remains a favorite dessert worldwide, while there's a growing demand for "clean" cocktails with fewer ingredients and less sugar. The Soho House signature cocktail, Picante, made with tequila, agave syrup, fresh lime juice, coriander leaves, and garnished with chillies, has been a hit at the opening party.
Soho House's decision to go private again in August this year has brought an end to its tumultuous public company days. "We're better as a private company," Carnie explains. "We can slow down growth and focus on making our existing members happy."
The club's success story is not just about the members; it's also about creating a community that celebrates collaboration, friendship, and having a good time. Christine Cort OBE, co-founder of the Manchester international festival, reflects on how this spirit has brought people together: "When we set up an arts festival in Manchester 20 years ago, people said, 'Oh, that won't work in Manchester.' But Manchester has changed dramatically."
As Soho House Manchester prepares to open its doors, one thing is clear – the exclusive club is more than just a posh party venue; it's a hub for creativity, wellness, and connection.
I'm actually kinda stoked about this new Soho House in Manchester! 
It's like, you can already tell they're catering to the creative vibes of the city 
. From Reformer pilates to padel courts, it's all about that wellness life 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that members can basically work from the club without feeling guilty? 
Like, who needs a 'work-life balance' when you can just have your cake and eat it too, am I right? 
Also, Christine Cort OBE's comment about Manchester changing dramatically got me thinking... maybe this new Soho House is actually a reflection of how the city has evolved to be more accepting and inclusive of all its communities 
. Fingers crossed they deliver on their promise! 
! I mean, 2,500-strong waitlist? That's a whole lotta people who are hyped about creating their own community and indulging in some serious self-care vibes 
. It's like the city is finally getting its due recognition as a hub for creativity and entrepreneurship.
. Like, fitness isn't just about running marathons anymore; it's about self-care and living an aspirational lifestyle 
. And can we talk about the Picante cocktail? That stuff is next-level 
.
. We need more spaces like this where creatives and entrepreneurs can come together, share ideas, and just vibe out 
.
. It means they can focus on their members' happiness rather than worrying about growth and profits 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good sticky toffee pudding? 
i'm on that waitlist btw lol so many changes over the years tho from hedonism to wellness its cool to see them shift their focus but u think its gonna get too commercialized? maybe they should stick to those sticky toffee puddings 
UK's Soho House Manchester opens with 2,500 strong waitlist 
But let's not forget the growing demand for 'clean' cocktails and sticky toffee pudding! Who knows how sustainable this 'wellness' trend is? 
And what about the impact on local businesses? Will Soho House Manchester really create jobs or just drive up rents in a city already struggling with affordability issues? 
I'm also loving the idea of working from their clubs - like, why not?! It's gonna be so nice to have a space that's neither work nor home. My fave thing about Soho House is the community vibe - it's all about collaborating and having fun with like-minded people. Can't wait to check it out! 
. It seems like they're really catering to the wellness vibe that's been going on in recent years. I've always loved their posh parties, but it's cool to see them adapt to changing times and focus on self-care and fitness.
Do people just set aside specific times to check their devices or is it more of a mental thing? And have they considered making any adjustments to accommodate members who aren't as into tech?
it's just gonna be super pricey and people are gonna be stuck there all day doing group fitness classes and sipping overpriced cocktails 
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. And Christine Cort OBE said it best – Manchester's changed dramatically, and Soho House is a reflection of that.