Hidden in the happiest place on earth (Disneyland), Club 33 is a bar and restaurant that will make you a happy customer. A private club for the rich and famous. It is named after its location at 33 Royal Street in New Orleans Square Disneyland.
The club is a members-only dining experience consisting of the restaurant and the jazz lounge Le Salon Nouveau. Inclusive of the membership is access to the 1901 Lounge in California Adventure Park. It’s also the only place to serve alcohol in Disneyland and California park. The restaurant that accompanies the bar serves a wonderful selection of gourmet dishes prepared by world-class chefs and served by an equally incredible array of servers and hosts.
The club opened on June 15th in 1967, and was originally designed as a place for Walt Disney to entertain guests, visiting dignitaries and business associates in a quiet, serene atmosphere. But, unfortunately, Walt died five months before it was officially opened and didn’t get to see the fruition of his idea.
Walt desired the club to be somewhere guests could enjoy superb cuisine and distinctive decor, opting for colourful realism. The precise architectural detail of New Orleans Square in Disneyland captures the nineteenth-century New Orleans French Quarter atmosphere. He and his wife flew to New Orleans to select many beautiful antiques to complement the interior architecture. Elsewhere in the club, there are many priceless original artworks and sketches by Disney artists decorating the club’s walls. The club consists of a Napoleon dining room, a Trophy dining room, a French elevator, a gallery, and other adjoining spaces.
Fun fact, the linen-feel paper hand towels in the restrooms are embossed in gold with the club logo of “33” and are sought after by collectors. Find them occasionally for sale on eBay.
The club has strict rules around dress code, including no tank tops, shorts, cut-offs, swimsuits, bare midriffs, sweatpants, flip flops/sandals, or beachwear may be worn. Jeans are acceptable, provided that they are not faded or torn. In addition, regulations in the club require members not to use their phones, smoke, use profanity, no lewd behaviour and food must be paid for at the time.
This elite private club has an invite-only membership waitlist. The waitlist has been opened and closed over the years due to high demand, and it is rumoured that applicants can wait up to 10 years before being asked to join. The membership fees are just as elusive, with a predicted $25,000 joining fee and $10,000 a year annual fee, all depending on the membership level. The only way to join the list is to write a written letter to a specific address and wait for the management team to contact you.
Elusive and exclusive, Club 33 is a delight for the senses and isn’t just a culinary experience. The walk down memory lane within the walls of the Club enriches the culture and ambience. It is here that the elite can relax and indulge amongst the fun and frivolity that is Disneyland.