The Wing, London: a members’ club exclusively for women

When the first branch of The Wing, a women-only members’ club, opened in Manhattan’s Flatiron District in 2016, it was an immediate success. So much so, its founders Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan were soon able to follow up with four further iterations, two of which can be found in other parts of New York City. Now, The Wing has flown across the sea for the first time and opened in London.

First and foremost, The Wing is a space for women to work, network and get stuff done. Gelman and Kassan know what’s needed to create inspiring spaces in which to get the cogs turning: a programme of exciting events, access to networking (and mentoring) opportunities, decent WiFi, and an unlimited supply of free drip coffee.

The Wing was first established in New York in 2016

The Wing has built its London nest in a five-storey townhouse in Fitzrovia. While finite details are still shrouded in some mystery, the London location is set to have two event spaces, a tea room and multiple terraces. It’s also likely to mirror signature traits of its US siblings, including: a women-focused library, co-working spaces, conference rooms and an extremely Instagrammable beauty parlour.

A big pull of The Wing is the fact it’s a members’ club that puts working mothers first. It even has a dedicated space for kids, The Little Wing, where little ones can play while their parents work, network or relax. Each branch also boasts a dedicated pumping room for breastfeeding mothers.

The entirety of The Wing’s leadership team, from the COO to the culinary and beverages director, is made up of women – and different ethnicities are represented, too. In charge of food and drink at the London branch is Australian chef Skye Gyngell, who is currently head chef at Somerset House's Spring restaurant, and whose previous credentials include winning a Michelin star at the Petersham Nurseries Café. Expect seasonal ingredients, healthy meals and collaborations with local favourites.

Chef Skye Gyngell is overseeing the kitchen at The Wing, London

The Wing boasts an impressive ream of celebrity movers and shakers among its clientele: Adwoa Aboah, Cara Delevingne and Ruth Negga among them. Diversity is also paramount to the club’s ethos. In the US, The Wing partners with local non-profits and runs a scholarship programme that offers free memberships to individuals whose work supports the advancement of marginalised women and girls. Hopefully, a similar initiative will be established at the London branch in due course.

London might be the first overseas outpost of the New York-born club, but plans don’t stop here. There are already two openings planned in Canada – one in Toronto, the other in Seattle – for 2020, along with several further sites in the US.

London is already home to women-only members’ club, The Allbright, which has locations in Fitzrovia and Mayfair – neither of which are far from The Wing. But, given The Allbright has a wait-list of over 800 hopeful members, it seems more women-only members’ clubs are in high demand. Thankfully, The Wing has landed to fulfill that wish.

Wing membership starts at $185/month (around £145) and is an annual commitment