London has always taken the crown prize in its tradition of exclusive private members' clubs such as Morton's and Black's, where membership is based on lineage. However, the new private clubs that have sprung up in New York City in recent years, with membership based mostly on what your accomplishments, offer perks such as enticing chefs, private trainers, shooting ranges, killer views, screening rooms, access to private events, and above all, the social cache of belonging to an exclusive club, and subsequent entry into privileged experiences. And maybe, they do give you the chance to rub elbows (or perhaps your own crown jewels as with the case of New York's former governor in his private club of choice: The Emperor's Club). But, like all things coveted, they're soon slightly over-exposed, losing some of mystique along the way.

The London based Soho House, where Jude Law's child accidentally mistook a tablet of ecstasy on the floor for a breath mint, opened its meatpacking-district outlet five years ago. Since then, the once-coveted rooftop has become overrun with parents and their children. The food has reportedly become so bad that some members are brown-bagging their lunch. You would imagine this, plus the over-50 banker crowd may have worn the exclusivity factor thin. On the contrary: it has led to the club's expansion with plans to open in Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles and across Europe (founder Mick Jones sold the company to Richard Caring, although Jones will stay involved).

In the great tradition of trying to make oneself appear more exclusive, Norwood Club has opened recently with a strict no-publicity policy. It's a six-floor, 18th century townhouse that caters exclusively to “creative types.” Rumored members include Molly Shannon, Wes Andersen, Brooke Shields, and Damon Dash. “I like to come here and read lines,” says actress Jennifer Missoni who is a member, “and in a city like New York, it’s nice to take solace in a space that’s beautiful and warm where I know I am always welcome.” Also rumored is that when the club first opened, Rupert Murdoch wanted a membership as well as his own private table in the dining room. Norwood did not completely oblige, and Mr. Murdoch has not been seen there since. Perhaps he isn't creative enough? Artists Nate Lowman and Adam McEwan, however, were rumored to have been offered memberships. They haven't been around lately either. Some New Yorkers however are obsessed with the idea of belonging to a private club. Frequent Norwood guest Harry B puts it this way: "Why wouldn't you be exclusive if you could? And besides, if you wanted to be like everyone else you wouldn't be in New York."

Tiro a Segno is strictly Italian, and the oldest private members' gun club in the United States. Member requirements include having to prove being Italian on both sides of the family. Of the 315 members, only 30 are women, and most are widows who gained membership in succession of their deceased husbands. Tiro a Segno boasts exquisite Italian dining, private rooms with flat-screen TV's, pool tables, a gym, conference room, and most impressively, a sound-proof basement shooting range where members and their guests of members can let off steam shooting a target of Osama Bin Laden’s face. Bankruptcy lawyer and General Member (highest level of membership) Gabriel Del Virginia quips, “I come here for the camaraderie, privacy and, well, I am an Italian boy, so the food is really important! In a city like New York where most of us have just been involuntarily thrown together, private members' clubs like this provide a sense of choice as to who you surround yourself with." Pictures line the wall of past, recent, or present members (including Yogi Berra, Andrea Bocelli and Susan Lucci), as well as old-school gangsters and self-made Italian businessmen. Perhaps sticking to your lineage isn't such a bad thing after all.

~Sarah Ivory