Athenian Club, Tatoi Club, Ecali Club: the emblematic private clubs of Greece and the upcoming projects

Though governed by strict rules reminiscent of past eras, these clubs have adapted to modern realities and… reign supreme. We are, of course, talking about private clubs that originated in 17th-century London as small havens for the wealthy and powerful. Initially exclusive to upper-class men, these clubs offered spaces for exchanging views, entertainment, and networking. Over time, private clubs mushroomed globally, confirming humanity’s timeless tendency to seek belonging to something exclusive, “for the few.” In some cases, after women’s clubs were founded in the late 19th century, traditional clubs opened their doors to women. Others, like the Garrick Club in London’s Covent Garden, persisted in upholding their… male-only tradition.

What remains unchanged are the strict membership rules and operational regulations, along with the financial contributions required. Today, hundreds of private clubs operate, with the majority in the United Kingdom, but also throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and popular destinations for the rich and famous in the Arabian Gulf. It’s clear that there is a broad spectrum of exclusivity, depending on the target group and the level of financial contribution required. Some clubs, like the R360 Club in the U.S., only admit individuals with a net worth exceeding $100 million. Another example is the even more exclusive Yellowstone Club in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, where becoming a member requires purchasing property within the park worth at least $2 million, a $400,000 initiation fee, and an annual membership fee of $44,000. Members of such clubs include Bill and Melinda Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jennifer Lopez, and others.

Ties Required

Greece also boasts its own private clubs, each with a storied history spanning decades. The oldest of these is the Athens Club, a “haven” in the heart of the bustling capital, evoking a bygone era. This unique club, unparalleled in Greece, will celebrate 150 years of continuous presence in Athens next year. The calendar read “December 5, 1875,” when 20 founding members—Greeks who had distinguished themselves abroad—decided to establish a private club modeled on English ones, with the aim of entertainment and the promotion of sports.

The atmospheric reception halls of the Athens Club are emblematic. Above, the members’ ceremonial sword; below, the first president, Pavlos Kalligás

The original idea belonged to the affluent Epirote, Michael Melas, who had settled in Athens, then a city of just 50,000 residents, after arriving from Constantinople in 1873. He rallied prominent Athenians, persuaded them, and invited them to his home to sign the founding declaration. Concurrently, they elected the first governing board, with Pavlos Kalligás—university professor, minister, and governor of the National Bank—as president.

Years passed before the Club acquired its impressive premises at 11 Panepistimiou Street, which in recent decades has been considered one of Athens’ most exclusive addresses. Initially, the housing problem was resolved by Melas himself, who offered an apartment in the newly built Melas Mansion on Kotzia Square. Later, the Club moved to rented premises in the Pappou Mansion on Sofokleous Street. Following Melas’ death, the Athens Club gradually found its permanent home in a building he owned at the corner of Panepistimiou and what later became America Street, which it acquired in 1907. Seven years later, in 1914, the adjacent building on Panepistimiou Street was purchased and merged in 1926, creating a prestigious headquarters worthy of the political and intellectual elite of the era. In the ensuing decade, a fourth floor was added, featuring what was then a roof garden.

The subsequent war heavily impacted the Club’s operations, with the building requisitioned by occupying forces. After liberation, little was left to remind of its glorious past. Thus, the idea of demolishing and constructing a new, larger, and more modern building matured gradually, culminating in the completion of its current premises in 1971, which have since served as the Club’s headquarters.

It is no coincidence that, apart from royalty who held honorary presidencies, the Club’s membership has included 29 prime ministers, ministers, high-ranking state officials, foreign ambassadors, university professors, academics, and top figures from the economic and business world. From its earliest days, the Athens Club has maintained a tradition of strict membership selection, initially capped at 200 members and today limited to no more than 1,000, according to its charter.

The tradition continues, adhering rigidly to dress codes—suits and ties are mandatory—and maintaining its gentlemen’s club character. Women may attend as guests but cannot become members. A man must be at least 30 years old and proposed by two members with five years of Club membership to be considered.

The current Board of Directors, elected last March for the 2023-2024 term, includes retired Air Force officer Kyriakos Koukoulomatis as president, university professor Panagiotis Bechrakis as first vice president, journalist Konstantinos Iordanidis as second vice president, professor Savvas Toumanidis as secretary, stockbroker George Pervanas as treasurer, and Ioannis Varotsos, Vasilis Apostolopoulos, Konstantinos Bikas, and Panagiotis Koukoulomatis as members.

The “Fluarytirion”

The facilities and services offered are noteworthy. They include a restaurant available to members and their guests daily for lunch and dinner. On the 8th floor, two lounges spanning 240 square meters serve members and guests for coffee or drinks. The tradition lives on in the “Fluarytirion,” as the main lounges on the 7th floor are called, hosting endless discussions. Additional amenities include a Reading Room stocked with Greek and international newspapers, an Event Hall on the 6th floor for regular Club events and receptions, and more.

The Fencing Hall is undeniably a leap into history, showcasing the Club’s long-standing tradition in the sport, dating back to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Notably, during the 2004 Olympic Games, the Athens Club produced five Olympians, and its athletic division continues to operate today with 60 fencers and 20 judo practitioners. Other facilities include a gym, locker rooms, a massage room, showers, saunas, billiard and bridge rooms, a library with approximately 15,000 rare books, a fully equipped hair salon, and, of course, the roof garden with panoramic city views.

The Ecali Club

The second historically and most emblematic private club is the Ecali Club, which celebrates 53 years of operation as a unique hub of wellness and social interaction, set within a remarkably gifted natural environment. Although its “clock” starts ticking in the early 1970s, its origins date much further back. The land hosting the Ecali Club was plotted in 1924, initially owned by the National Bank, under the management of Ekali Construction S.A. The first residents, during the 1940s and 1950s, were mostly affluent families who had also lived abroad. Following the painful ordeal of the war, the area functioned as a military camp until the mid-1960s.

The iconic Ecali Club, Greece’s first country club, marks 53 years of operation

During that time, the idea was born to create a space for the social coexistence of Ekali’s mere 1,500 residents, modeled after the garden cities of France and Great Britain. With this vision, the Ecali Club was founded in 1971 as a strictly private club, featuring two tennis courts, a swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant, and even a daycare center—an unprecedented concept in Greece at the time, which immediately became a magnet for its members.

The second major milestone came in 1978, when the Ecali Club was acquired by the Latsis family (who had settled in Ekali since 1960). Their goal was to create a welcoming space that embraced the community’s members while offering upgraded facilities and services. Those who worked there in earlier years fondly recall the iconic personality of Captain Yiannis Latsis, who remembered every employee by their first name, knew their individual needs, and always gave generous tips. Captain Latsis and his family were frequent visitors to the Club, maintaining a discreet presence and, despite being the owners, always paying their bills in full.

A New Era

In 1999, a renewal was deemed necessary to meet the demands of the new millennium. A complete renovation took place under the personal supervision of Marianna Latsis, with additional facilities and services added in the years that followed. Today, within the lush 15-acre grounds, one can find tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, a restaurant, a gym, pools, a lounge, a pool bar, and a BBQ house for the summer months. The modern tennis courts offer private or group lessons with top trainers, while various fitness classes—such as Swedish gymnastics, Yoga, Pilates, Mini-Ball, Flex-band, Rings, and Weights—are held from September through May by specialized and experienced instructors. The state-of-the-art gym offers personalized training sessions with personal trainers. The two outdoor pools, one for adults and one for children, provide opportunities for physical exercise combined with unique moments of rejuvenation, enjoyment, and fun.

The Ecali Club is also renowned for hosting social and charitable events, as well as business gatherings. Over the decades, friendships—and even lifelong relationships—have been forged around its grand pool, while live music nights and talks by prominent figures from academia, business, and the arts are regularly organized.

The culinary offerings are of the highest standard, both in the restaurant and through The Ecali Club Catering. Every corner of this exceptional space can be utilized for organizing meetings or meals in an environment of high aesthetics.

The Club’s rich history includes unforgettable evenings with parties that became legendary, as well as the presence of prominent figures from politics, art, science, and the economy, such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Peter Ustinov, Manolis Andronikos, Iannis Xenakis, and many others. Today, becoming a member of the Ecali Club requires the recommendation of at least two members, and the application must be approved by the Board of Directors. Members also pay an annual subscription fee.

The Board of Directors is chaired by Leonidas Hatziandreou, with Yiannis Georgakakis serving as vice-chairman and CEO. Other members include Alexandros Dimakopoulos, Yiannis Enepekidis, Nikolaos Voutychis, and Theodoros Kounelis.

The Tatoi Club

Although it is the newest, the Tatoi Club has established itself as the most… private country club in Greece. Spanning an area of 50 acres in Varibobi, it features more than 30 outdoor facilities. This is a private club with 400 member-families, aiming, as noted, to enhance the quality of life for its members. At the heart of the Club’s philosophy is a holistic approach to the well-being of its members and guests, offering a wide range of uniquely tailored experiences that complement one another. Its state-of-the-art facilities include 20 tennis courts, training areas, running tracks, gyms, swimming pools, restaurants, a guesthouse with suites, a spa, a physiotherapy center, cryotherapy and nutrition services, as well as indoor and outdoor creative activity spaces for children.

Since opening its doors in 2012, it has attracted the residents of the northern suburbs with the quality of its infrastructure and services. The Tatoi Club is renowned for hosting major sporting events, such as the Fed Cup, the Davis Cup, and Future Stars, among others. It is particularly well-known for its excellent tennis facilities and services, which include a variety of outdoor and indoor courts, along with comprehensive training support. This has made it a hub for international tournaments and a training ground for top athletes such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, Maria Sakkari, and previously Gaël Monfils, Elias Ymer, and others.

Beyond sports, the Club places a strong emphasis on healthy eating, offering gourmet dishes crafted in collaboration with a nutritionist. Ingredients are sourced from selected local producers and from its own farm, where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are cultivated.

The Tatoi Club continues to expand with new facilities. Notably, after 2020, a major investment of 18 million euros was initiated to upgrade its existing sports center. This year, the Club added its first two Padel courts. At the same time, its contribution to restoring the natural ecosystem along Erythraias Road after the devastating fires of August 2021 was crucial. As part of this effort, the Tatoi Club undertook the planting of 1,081 trees and 9,873 large shrubs, based on a study conducted by specialized scientists.

Behind the success story of the Tatoi Club is the influential entrepreneur Yiannis Mytilineos. It was yet another personal challenge for him—one that he won, or better yet, continues to win every day. After all, the philosophy of the discreet yet highly effective Yiannis Mytilineos is that behind every success lies vision and hard work.

The results of his hard work are evident in the growth of the Mytilineos Group (now Metlen), which he co-founded in 1990 with his brother Evangelos Mytilineos. In 1998, he took control of the then-small METKA and transformed it by 2017, when it was absorbed into the group, into a company 13 times larger in turnover and 29 times more profitable.

He also had his own vision when he charted a distinct course separate from the group and ventured into uncharted “waters.” With the same focus and determination that he used to build his shipping company, M/Maritime, featuring one of the most modern fleets of commercial ships, he pursued his vision for the Tatoi Club. He transformed a plot of land in Varibobi into a “jewel” for the northern suburbs and the country as a whole.

And the Newer Ones

The three aforementioned clubs are not the only private clubs in Greece. For years now, dozens of other “members-only” clubs and societies, yacht clubs, and more have been established and are in operation. There are also newer ventures, such as Salon de Bricolage by Chrysanthos Panas, which initially operated in Kolonaki before relocating to City Link.

Another example is the CEO Clubs Greece, a non-profit organization founded in 2009 as a branch of CEO Clubs International, which has over 15,000 members globally. The Greek club gained its own private venue in 2022 at Flisvos Marina. This summer, the 91 Athens Riviera, The Resort, also opened its doors. As Greece’s first hybrid Private Members Club & Glamping destination, it was developed by Grivalia Hospitality. This new project, created in partnership with the Domes Group, introduces the private club experience alongside the epitome of glamping to the Greek tourism market. Situated on a 45,000-square-meter plot at the A’ Beach of Voula, 91 Athens Riviera features 28 luxurious tents and provides services focused on physical health and wellness.

The 91 Athens Riviera (above), the Private Club Development Project, designed by Kengo Kuma, which will be developed in Elliniko, and to the right, the “Conrad Athens, The Ilisian,” which will host the private lifestyle members’ club.

More projects are also on the horizon, such as the Private Club Development Project, designed by Kengo Kuma, which will be developed by Orilina Properties in the Elliniko area as part of the project featuring 20 branded residences. The Club will overlook the marina’s coastal road and the Riviera Galleria and will include dining areas, event spaces, and sports facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, padel courts, and a gym.

Even earlier, Athens society will welcome a private lifestyle members’ club hosted within the “Conrad Athens, The Ilisian,” which is expected to open in place of the “Hilton” by 2025. This new club will span three levels, covering over 5,000 square meters, offering its members access to exclusive facilities and services.

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