Prive Shanghai: Another members-only club for everyone

First there was Volar, then came KEE Club and M1NT, and the latest Hong Kong club scene import is Bund 6’s fourth-floor resident, Prive.

By the venue's count about 3,000 people tried to squish into a space built for less than a third that number -- but with all the bodies packed in, it was difficult to see the large space’s six areas let alone catch a glimpse of Edison Chen (who actually, despite rumors, didn’t show up), or Eric Mabius (who did show up and looked bored out of his mind), of “Ugly Betty” fame.

The space is ambitious even for Shanghai, costing the owner a reported US$3 million in renovations, with a terrace that has a limited but killer view where you can wave to the Glamour Bar masses, a dance floor that’s not crowded with tables (yet) and two lounge areas, "Champagne room" and a pool section.

Essentially Prive tries to fit a lounge and club into one members-only space. 

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Well, less like members only and more like 'members-also,' as are nearly all the so called members-only clubs here. Anyone can get in who's willing to wait in line, but if you're rich enough, you can pay between RMB 15,000 and RMB 50,000 per year for queue-less access, free champagne and all the other VIP bells and whistles. 

Right now the closest anyone has come to making a genuine members-only model work is KEE Club. Unless you also count el Coctel with their less-than-friendly bouncer downstairs manning the velvet rope and making sure you have a reservation. 

So if you value getting to the dance floor in double-quick time and having barmen fawn over you, get yourself a Prive membership. Just don't expect to avoid the common folk.