Miami has a long history with private clubs, but the idea of membership keeps evolving. Traditional country clubs still screen applicants for months, while newer venues sell access to dining, events and beach or pool privileges. Here is how private clubs in Miami work, what they cost and why the model is thriving.
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ZZ’s Club Miami lists a $13,000 initiation fee plus $5,000 a year for an individual, while Indian Creek Country Club reportedly asks about $1 million to join.
Indian Creek: membership money can’t buy
Founded in 1929, Indian Creek Country Club sits on Indian Creek Island, the ultra-wealthy enclave nicknamed the “Billionaire Bunker.” It has an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and about 350 members. Reported costs include an initiation fee of around $1 million and annual dues near $44,000, though the fee alone does not open the door: candidates need sponsorship from two current members and five recommendation letters before a committee and board vote.
The club drew attention when Fortune reported that Jeff Bezos, who owns roughly $234 million in properties on the island, was still waiting for membership months after first inquiring.
The hospitality model: ZZ’s Club and A—Z Club
ZZ’s Club Miami, in the Design District and created by Major Food Group, lists individual membership at $5,000 per year plus a $13,000 initiation fee, with options for couples and corporations. The A—Z Club at Andaz Miami Beach, built around the restored 1930s Olazul House, offers a private clubhouse, priority access to pool and beach areas, fitness-center use and dining and spa perks, with founding memberships reported from about $8,000 a year.
Why exclusivity is a business model
The clubs differ in how they admit members, but the logic is the same: recurring fees create a steady revenue stream, and exclusivity becomes the selling point. For members, the value is not only the facilities but also the network and the spaces the public cannot enter. Prices and terms change, so check each club’s official membership page before applying.
Sources: Fortune, ZZ’s Club and Time Out Miami.
