Comparison · 12 material differences
The Aster vs Harvard Club of New York City
This comparison was generated on request from the records. It carries no editorial verdict and is not indexed. The published comparisons are listed on the compare page.
Read down each column for one organization, across a row for the difference. A bronze mark at the left of a cell means the organizations differ on that row. A dash or “not published” means the organization does not disclose the fact; it is not a zero.
Verified September 2026
Private club
Verified September 2026 The Aster
The club says it is "designed for creative leaders shaping the future of arts and culture" and describes a community built around collaboration in Hollywood
Private club
Harvard Club of New York City
Harvard University and Radcliffe College degree recipients, current and former faculty, fellows, officers and University appointment holders of at least one full academic year…
What the records say
- Geographic restriction: The Aster: No published geographic restriction; Harvard Club of New York City: Dues category is set by home and professional address: Resident/Professional (the five boroughs), Tri-State, Non-Resident East, and Non-Resident West and International.
- Annual dues: The Aster: A single published membership tier. Parking is charged separately: the club states members pay $5 per day and guests of members $20 plus 10 per cent tax.; Harvard Club of New York City: $573–2,864 a year.
Side by side
| The Aster | Harvard Club of New York City | |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | ||
| Type | Private club | Private club |
| Founded | Not documented | 1865 (Founded in 1865 by a small group of alumni; the first meeting was held at the Mercantile Library Building on Astor Place and four members attended. A constitution was adopted in 1878 and the club was incorporated in New York State in 1887.) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, United States | New York, United States |
| Geographic footprint | One club and hotel at 1717 Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with reciprocal access to more than 100 clubs worldwide through the Sonato network and direct partners | Single clubhouse on West 44th Street, Manhattan, with entrances at 27 and 35 West 44th Street; members are drawn worldwide and dues categories reflect distance from the club |
| Members | 500as of September 2026 | Not publicly disclosed |
| Chapters | 1 | Single clubhouse; no chapters |
| Primary audience | The club says it is "designed for creative leaders shaping the future of arts and culture" and describes a community built around collaboration in Hollywood | Harvard University and Radcliffe College degree recipients, current and former faculty, fellows, officers and University appointment holders of at least one full academic year, current and former University-wide board and committee members, and former full-time students in good standing in a Harvard degree programme for at least one full academic year. |
| Typical member | The club characterises members as creative professionals working in and around the Hollywood entertainment industry. It publishes no income, seniority or occupational test. | Members are Harvard-affiliated by degree, faculty appointment or University service, plus spouses and life partners admitted in reduced-rate categories. Dues bands are set by years since undergraduate degree and by whether the member lives or works in New York City, the tri-state area, the eastern states, or further afield. |
| Qualification | ||
| Geographic restriction | No published geographic restriction | Dues category is set by home and professional address: Resident/Professional (the five boroughs), Tri-State, Non-Resident East, and Non-Resident West and InternationalWhichever address is closest to the club determines the categoryverified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Invitation required | No | No |
| Sponsor required | No | No |
| Application process | Prospective members submit a membership enquiry through the club's website or by email to its membership address. The club states that all memberships are subject to approval and that an initial membership fee of US$500 applies, with no long-term contract required. No sponsorship, nomination, interview or committee stage is described. | Applicants apply online in the category matching their Harvard affiliation. The club verifies the affiliation and contacts the applicant with membership information in about three weeks. There is no published requirement for proposers or seconders. A separate route exists for the graduating class of the year and for Harvard summer students. |
| Selectivity | Not publicly disclosed. The club publishes no acceptance rate or waitlist information; it reports more than 500 active members. | Not publicly disclosed. Admission turns on verifying a qualifying Harvard affiliation rather than on a published selection or ballot. |
| Cost | ||
| Annual dues | A single published membership tier. Parking is charged separately: the club states members pay $5 per day and guests of members $20 plus 10 per cent tax. | $573–2,864 a yearResident/Professional category (residence, business or employment in the five boroughs of New York City), banded by years since undergraduate degree: under 4 years $573; 4 to under 6 $859; 6 to under 8 $1,289; 8 to under 10 $1,910; 10 or more $2,864. Excludes taxes.verified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Monthly dues | $300 a monthFull Membership: "$300 per month", giving "access to all six floors of The Aster, including work, wellness, dining, and event spaces - plus member-exclusive perks and preferred hotel rates". The club states "No long-term contracts required."verified September 2026 · source ↗ | Dues are annual and exclude taxes; the club states there is no food and beverage minimum spend. Initial dues are prorated to the fiscal year ending 30 June and thereafter may be paid quarterly, half-yearly or annually. |
| Initiation fee | $500 one-time"Initial membership fee of $500 applies."verified September 2026 · source ↗ | $250–2,864 one-timeEntrance fee applies to all membership categories and equals 100% of a full year of dues, subject to a $250 minimum. Payable in full or in three instalments over two years, the first due on membership activation. No entrance fee applies to Signing Privilege Membership or to widows'/widowers' privileges.verified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Membership term | Monthly, with no long-term contract required, plus a one-off initial membership fee | Annual, on a fiscal year ending 30 June; dues payable quarterly, half-yearly or annually |
| Structure | ||
| Meeting frequency | Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with more than 20 classes and events a week | Clubhouse open daily, closing to members at 11pm; talks, performances, art classes, wine tastings and other member programming through the year |
| Peer forums | Not documented | Not documented |
| Confidentiality | Could not be independently verified | The club maintains House Rules governing technology use in the clubhouse; specific terms are not published in full |
| Time commitment | Not documented | Not documented |
| Organized as | Clubhouse premises, Event-focused | Clubhouse premises, Event-focused |
| Confidential peer forums | No | No |
| Local chapters | No | No |
| Virtual membership | No | No |
| Online community | Not documented | No |
| Member directory | Not documented | Not documented |
| Events | Yes | Yes |
| Programming | ||
| Educational programming | Partial | Yes |
| Leadership development | No | No |
| Retreats | No | No |
| Travel | Yes | Yes |
| Family programming | No | Not documented |
| Spouse and partner programming | No | Yes |
| Next-generation programming | No | Partial |
| Investment discussions | No | No |
| Investment opportunities | No | No |
| Philanthropic component | Not documented | Yes |
| Networking emphasis | High | High |
| Social emphasis | High | High |
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Sources
Drawn from the sources listed on each page: The Aster · Harvard Club of New York City