A private social club is a club house used by an exclusive social organization open to members of strong influence, high reputation, or otherwise good standing within a particular social realm, usually within a metropolitan area, a particular industry, or some particular occupational category (such as commerce, law, etc.). Traditionally called "gentlemen's clubs", today these are often open to members of both sexes.

Membership is selective within a particular social, geographic, or professional sphere. The club house supplies the social meeting space for that organization.

The traditional gentlemen's-club name does not require male-only membership. Admission practices and the particular field represented can vary among clubs.