The Union League Club

The Union League Club is a true gem. With its elegant ambiance, exceptional service, and delightful amenities, it offers an unforgettable experience. From the moment we stepped foot into this prestigious establishment, we were treated to a world-class level of hospitality. The impeccable attention to detail and the warm, welcoming staff left a lasting impression. Whether you're attending an event or simply enjoying a visit, The Union League Club guarantees a five-star experience that will exceed all expectations.

Got invited by a friend for dinner and drinks at The Union League Club in Manhattan. From the entry to our experience, everything was posh and perfect. Service was impeccable and food and drinks were delicious. We ordered wine at the bar where complimentary snacks were served (nuts and trail mix) and popcorn. For dinner I had lamb chops, crab salad and tiramisu. We had a great experience here at the club. For men, there are blazers that can be borrowed from coat check area. Both women and men have to dress up.

I cannot speak as a member, but I attended a dinner there hosted by the Grant Monument Association (GMA) in 2022 honoring the bicentennial of the birth of the victorious U.S. Army commanding general during the American Civil War and two-term, 18th president of the United States Ulysses S. Grant. The service in the event room was adequate, the food above-average for in-house catered events at historic clubs (I have been to various Ivy clubs, some several times, for dinners and receptions over the course of 20-some years), and the aesthetics steeped in history and interesting. The library was a great setting for the pre-dinner cocktail reception and the service there by the staff was excellent. The front-of-the-house staff were very friendly and courteous during both the arrival and departure of my party. The Union League Club was founded in 1863 by a group of loyal American men of means and influence in New York City who grew alarmed and frustrated by the swelling accommodationist sentiment in New York City towards the secessionist movement of the Southern slavery-states that triggered the American Civil War (1861–1865). The club's goal was to strength national devotion and respect for the Union of states comprising the republic of the U.S.A. Among other activities, members raised funds for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, which later became the American Red Cross. Union League clubs were started to other cities, too. (Photo, left to right, from the above-described event's after-dinner colloquy : Dr. Ronald C. White, Jr., professor and historian, Gen. David H. Petraeus, (U.S. Army, retired), former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and writer, discussing the legacy of Ulysses S. Grant.) (Photo: a better view of an event room)