The Kelvin Club

History

The Club was founded in 1865 as the Fitzroy Bowling Club and was incorporated on January 13, 1865. It was renamed The Kelvin Club in 1927 after Lord Kelvin and has relocated over the years to its current premises at 14–30 Melbourne Place, with the freehold purchased in 1950. The Club amalgamated with the Stock Exchange Club in 1976. More details can be found on the history page.

Facilities

The Club offers a variety of facilities including the Members Bar, Upstairs Dining Room, President’s Room, Billiards Room with two full-size tables, The Lounge, and a Fireside area with an open fireplace. Additional spaces include the Strategy Room, suitable for meetings, and large function spaces such as a ballroom. Members also benefit from complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, member account and billing facilities, and dedicated function enquiry and booking services. More information is available on the facilities page.

Dining

The Club provides multiple dining options, including the Upstairs Dining Room and private dining rooms like the Strategy Room and President’s Room. Dining services include à la carte options for lunch and dinner on weekdays, seasonal menus, and a bar menu for lighter meals. An extensive wine list, along with beers, spirits, and cocktails, is also available. Members receive pricing benefits on functions and purchases. For more details, visit the dining page.

Events

The Club hosts a range of events, which are detailed on the online events calendar. This includes listings for various categories such as Jazz Nights, Lunch, Dinner, Forum/Meeting, Cocktail Party, and more. Information on special events and themed functions is also available.

Networking Opportunities

The Club organizes regular members’ events, which include social networking nights, guest speakers, wine and whisky tastings, workshop nights, shared-table dinners, and monthly music nights. There are also several special-interest groups available for members to join and network. More information can be found on the membership page.

Membership Options

Membership categories include Full Membership, Country Membership, Young Membership, Concessional Membership, and Corporate Membership. Each category has specific joining fees and annual fees, which are detailed on the membership page.

Dress Code

The Club enforces a dress code: in the Members Bar, a minimum of smart casual attire is required, while the Members Dining Room requires minimum business attire. Specific guidelines apply for club and special events, which are advised in advance. More details can be found on the dress code page.

Accommodation

While the Club does not offer on-site accommodation, it has an arrangement with the Hyde Melbourne Place Hotel, providing members and reciprocal members with a published discount when booking through the Club's link. Further information is available on the accommodation page.

Venue Hire

Kelvin Club spaces are available for hire by both members and non-members for various events, including meetings, weddings, and corporate functions. The website provides details on room capacities and an enquiry form. More information can be found on the venue hire page.

Affiliations

The Club maintains a worldwide reciprocal-club network, allowing full financial members access to numerous clubs and associations internationally. Examples include Graduate House in Melbourne, Tattersall’s Club in Brisbane, and St James’s Club in London. More details can be found on the affiliations page.