'ARE YOU A member?' a hostess asks you on the doorstep of a posh private club. If the answer is no, chances are the encounter will be an embarrassing one that leaves you stewing over your lack of funds to cover the prohibitive membership fee.
Such may be the daunting impression given by many Hong Kong clubs branded as 'private', which are usually a luxury reserved for tycoon and tai tai types. However, a new breed of members-only clubs that have sprung up recently are redefining the word 'exclusive' - and showing they can offer unique services at affordable prices.
A case in point is Le Manege, a recreation centre in the heart of Central that aims to offer 'quality private club services' at a low cost. For $50, you can become a permanent member and take part in a range of leisure and recreational activities. Founded by 10 enthusiastic 20-somethings and opened last week, the club is an 1,800 sq ft space housing a small cafe, a health-product retail section, make-up corner and a reading corner. Members can bring in friends to wine and dine, shop for health products such as herbal tea and dried lavender, have a massage or simply spend an afternoon reading on the couch. It also serves as the venue for self-improvement courses on subjects such as painting, cooking, make-up and magic, priced from $800 (magic class) to $3,000 (make-up).
Kate Chau Lo-sim, project manager of Le Manege (French for merry-go-round), says the club's target members encompass Central executives, students and aspiring artists - hence the low membership fee. 'We don't want to filter a particular group of people by introducing high membership fees because our objective is to get people of different classes, ages and races to join us,' Chau says. 'We have different services catering for different people. For workers in Central, this place can help them relax and take a rest from the stress of work. For children and members in general, we want to inspire them to learn and to have fun with arts-related activities, through which they can enjoy the process, not just the results.'
About 150 people have already joined. Chau says the majority are executives in their 30s, such as Vincent Poon, owner of a trading company in Sheung Wan, who is impressed with Le Manege's convenient location.
'It's more relaxing than coffee shops. I use to meet my friends in coffee shops but now I come here. It's a good meeting point especially when office workers now have to work overtime and cannot always be on time for appointments. It's good to have a comfy place to stay and wait for your friends,' says Poon.