It’s 6:30 on a Sunday night, and my dad has just finished a round with his fave foursome. My mom and I are waiting in the dining room at Cherry Downs Golf and Country to have dinner with him.
The other wives and kids show up, and we all reconvene for familiar conversation. Everything feels safe and right.
Being part of a private golf club was a wonderful part of my childhood – it offered me opportunities to learn from great teachers, make connections with children from like-minded families, and eventually work in an environment I was familiar with. Clublink had reciprocal access linking you to clubs around the country and we had fun visiting them.
Private Clubs; It’s a IYKYK situation; you’ll never know the comfort of a private club community until you join one.
With all honesty I haven’t been part of a private club since I was in my twenties and a member at “The Spoke Club,” a members-only lounge, resto and workspace in King West. It required the typical: sponsorship from a current member, initiation fee, and ongoing membership dues I also took advantage of the reciprocal access to clubs in major American cities. When I moved neighbourhoods the membership no longer made sense.
In the next year, my family and I will be joining a low-entry club called “Mayfair” for tennis, squash, and swimming. Mayfair has three locations and has no stipulations on who can join – just that you can pay to play.
The Most Exclusive Private Clubs in Toronto — And the neighbourhoods they serve.
Toronto’s private club culture is subtle, legacy-driven, and deeply intertwined with real estate. Unlike flashier global cities, the most exclusive clubs in Toronto don’t advertise — they signal. Membership often passes quietly through generations, boardrooms, and neighbourhoods where wealth is long-established and discretion is valued.
If you’re exploring Toronto private clubs, you’re rarely just choosing a place to dine, golf, or sail. You’re choosing a geography, a social ecosystem, and often — intentionally or not — a real estate trajectory.
Below is a curated look at the best private clubs in Toronto, and the neighbourhoods surrounding them.
The Toronto Club | Financial District
I’ve walked past this club for years and have never noticed it. Founded in 1837, The Toronto Club is the oldest private members club in Toronto, and arguably the most discreet. Located just west of Bay Street, it has long served as a private refuge for senior leaders in law, finance, and politics.
This club is less about social programming and more about access — access to conversations that shape institutions rather than trends. Membership is invitation-only, and many members live within walking distance.
This private Toronto club has many members who live in Forest Hill, Yorkville, the Annex and Rosedale.
Looking for the best private schools in Toronto? I’ve made things easy with a list of the most prestigious schools in the city.
The Granite Club | Bayview & Lawrence
The Granite Club is the go-to for classic legacy families. This is one of the best private clubs in Toronto and represents a different kind of exclusivity — one built around family, sport, and longevity. This is a complete lifestyle club,, offering tennis, swimming, skating, fitness, dining, and social life under one roof.
Among Toronto private clubs, Granite is especially appealing to multi-generational families who want their children growing up within a strong social structure.
The Initiation fee is almost $50,000 and annual dues are up to $4,000.
Neighbourhoods to watch: People who live in Lawrence Park, Bridle Path, Hoggs Hollow are often members. These areas attract buyers looking for large lots, traditional homes, and proximity to top private schools — a natural extension of Granite membership.
The Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club | North Toronto
I absolutely loved skating at The Cricket Club when I was a young figure skater. My Coach Tracey was a member there and brought some of her students from other clubs there sometimes. The Cricket is one of the oldest clubs in Canada, the Cricket Club blends heritage with modern family life. It’s athletic without being flashy, social without being performative.
Cricket membership often overlaps with professionals who value stability — doctors, executives, and families rooted in North Toronto. It’s a cornerstone of the area’s social fabric.
The annual dues are around $2700 and the initiation fee is around $20,000.
People from Ledbury Park, Bedford Park, Wanless Park are often members. These neighbourhoods are ideal for buyers seeking refined, low-key luxury with walkability and strong community ties.
Raising a family in Toronto offers exceptional opportunities and community support, in fact, city living often builds resilient and adaptable kids.
The Donalda Club | North York
Donalda is often described as one of the most welcoming private golf clubs in Toronto, particularly for families. With golf, tennis, swimming, curling, and dining, it functions as a true country club within city limits.
It appeals to professionals who want golf access without sacrificing family programming — a balance that’s increasingly hard to find.
Banbury-Don Mills, Bayview Village, York Mills are neighborhoods where many members are from. These areas offer generous lots, strong resale value, and homes designed for entertaining — perfect for members who host frequently.
The initiation fee is roughly $80,000 and a yearly due of $15,000
The Boulevard Club | Lakeshore West
Luckily, at Royal Lepage Signature we have an amazing management team that holds quarterly meetings at The Boulevard Club. Set directly on Lake Ontario, The Boulevard Club offers a lifestyle that feels more like Muskoka — without leaving the city. Sailing, tennis, swimming, and waterfront dining make it one of the most lifestyle-driven private members clubs in Toronto.
Boulevard members often prioritize leisure, outdoor living, and family time, and their real estate choices reflect that.
If you’re interested in knowing more about the dues and initiation fees – please feel free to contact me.
Swansea, High Park, Mimico are areas where many members live. These areas appeal to buyers seeking water access, larger terraces, and homes that blur the line between urban and recreational living.
Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) | Downtown & Toronto Islands
If you’ve ever taken a water taxi to the island your eyes have had to glance at RCYC. The Yacht club is globally respected and deeply woven into Toronto’s elite social history. Founded in 1852, it combines serious sailing culture with family programming and international reciprocity.
It’s one of the most exclusive clubs in Toronto, not because of flash, but because of commitment — to sailing, to tradition, and to community.
Members are from all around Toronto but residents of The Kingsway, Forest Hill, Cabbagetown & Rosedale seem to be attracted to the facility.
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Rosedale Golf Club | Midtown Ravine Lands
Rosedale Golf Club, although not located in Rosedale itself, is revered among private golf clubs in Toronto for it’s classic course design and ravine-wrapped setting. It’s understated, impeccably run, and deeply traditional. This is where old money lives. Situated beside the Granite Club, it’s a natural compliment to the Sports Club with a similar member demographic.
Membership here often coincides with long-term real estate ownership — families who buy once, renovate thoughtfully, and stay for decades.
Exclusive memberships through sponsorship are held among residents of Rosedale, Moore Park, Summerhill.
Initiation fees are over 6 figures and yearly dues are $25k+
The Toronto Hunt Club | Scarborough Bluffs
Calling all East- Enders.
The Hunt Club may be east of the core, but it remains one of the most distinctive golf experiences in the country. Its cliffside course overlooking Lake Ontario is internationally recognized.
Members tend to value privacy, tradition, and spectacular views — often choosing homes that feel slightly removed from downtown intensity.
Members include those from all over the city, many coming from neighbouring Beaches, Bluffs and Cliffside neighbourhoods.
The Club is legacy-based and they keep the information about fees and dues very private.
Making the decision on which club to join is an important one: choose wisely.
In Toronto, private clubs quietly shape housing decisions. My buyers don’t just ask about schools and commute — they ask where their people gather. The best private clubs in Toronto anchor social networks, influence renovation standards, and often predict long-term desirability.
If you’re interested in knowing which neighbourhood, private club or private schools align best for your family – please contact me so we can discuss at length.
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