The atmosphere in one of Dublin's old-world gentlemen's clubs is to be transformed when it is taken over shortly by a group of Celtic Tiger businessmen who plan to rid it of its fuddy-duddy traditions.
Five young businessmen, including hotel- and bar-owner Mr Hugh O'Regan have plans to open up the Hibernian United Service Club on St Stephen's Green to "young and emerging businessmen and women" after buying the large Georgian premises for over €10 million.
Although many of the 650 members of the club are in their 70s and 80s, the new club will target a much younger age group, mainly those between 23 to 45. "At the moment young business people don't have a dedicated venue apart from the usual pubs to meet and talk shop.
We plan to change that," said one of new owners. Guidelines for the new club have not yet been agreed, but it is thought likely that it will have up to 1,000 members who will pay an annual subscription of between €800 and €1,000. The subscription in the 171-year-old United Service Club was broadly similar - €952 - but the club lost members when it imposed a mandatory levy of €570 to put its finances on a sound footing.
The number of investors in the new club, to be known as "founder members", is to be expanded to about 10 and, according to one of them, the intention is to operate the club as a business venture. The retail potential of the building is also being evaluated. Instead of the long lingering lunches and dinners that have always been part and parcel of the United Service Club, the emphasis will switch to dynamic business breakfasts and workouts in a new basement gymnasium.
There will be a convivial bar and restaurant for movers and shakers, but the menu will feature cafe-style food ("Lunch is only for wimps", said one) rather than the traditional roast beef and bacon and cabbage lunches that the old club was noted for. Members will also have the use of a small cinema, library and high-tech facilities. "Laptops but no lap dancers," explained one of the new owners.
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