Whenever we think of the word men’s club or a men’s gathering, there is never a good thing that comes to our mind. No matter the age of the members in the club, whenever there is an all-male gathering, we never seem to think any good could come out of it. What if they are eve-teasing women? Maybe they are gathering to drink alcohol or drugs? Or they could have committed a murder and are discussing how to get rid of the body?
Well, it’s about high time we get rid of this stereotype and shed some light on creating men’s only clubs and gatherings. If we go back to the pages of history, we would be surprised at how prevalent the idea of men’s clubs used to be. Especially considering the population of working-class men.
The Beginning
Working men’s clubs are private social clubs that originated in the United Kingdom in the 19th century to provide entertainment and education for working-class men and their families. These locations included the North of England, the Midlands, Scotland, and the South Wales Valleys.
History
The first working men’s club was founded in 1857, in Reddish.
There are three working men’s clubs: Wisbech working men’s Club, the North Reddish Working Men’s Club, and the Houldsworth Working Men’s Club, which is notable for its architecture.
The Wisbech Working Men’s Club & Institute was established in Wisbech, Isle of Ely, in 1864, and it relocated to its current location in 1867. With more than 1,300 members in 1904, it was once the most prosperous club in England in terms of revenue.
The Working Men’s Club of Holbeck.
The majority of working for men’s clubs now focus primarily on recreation, despite their original educational goals. A typical club would have a space, known as a “vault” (particularly in Northern England), with a bar for the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages, snooker, pool, or bar billiards tables, as well as televisions for sporting events. Many clubs also serve food. A much bigger room with a stage, tables, stools, and sofas with backrests would be adjacent and frequently referred to as the concert or entertainment room. They frequently offer evening entertainment, mostly on the weekends, including live cabaret, comedy, bingo, and raffles. They also frequently play popular music. They are renowned for their charitable endeavors as well.
Numerous clubs have closed their doors due to dwindling membership, and others are struggling to stay alive.
Present Day
Currently, there are more than 2,200 linked working men’s groups. That works out to approximately 32 clubs.
These organizations serve as important social gathering places for the community. Some detractors claim that these clubs now appear to be dated or out of date. However, working men’s clubs continue to exist in towns and cities, and their members depend on them for the valuable activities they offer.
The Club and Institute Union had about four million members in the 1970s. Some people might be hesitant to sign up as a full member of a club because social clubs, community pubs, and other locations are all accessible to the general public. But there are some advantages to becoming a member.
1. Members express themselves
Club members are constantly contacted and kept aware of any changes, from what beers are on draught to what building work and renovations are needed. Many members appreciate and find great value in this sense of shared ownership and collaboration.
2. It’s customary
Working men’s clubs have been operating for a very long time. As a result, it is conceivable that members’ parents and perhaps grandparents once belonged to the neighborhood club. The majority of members love being a part of their local club’s history and, more importantly, future and have positive recollections of it.
3. Meet new individuals
For many people, becoming a member of a working men’s club is a terrific way to get active in the neighborhood. Joining a club and participating in activities is the ideal method to meet new people if you recently moved, retired, or just want to get sociable.
4. Reduce social exclusion
Many members of the elder generation experience loneliness. Many people receive much-needed social engagement from frequent visits to their local club, where they are well known and recognized by the staff and other members.
5. There are wonderful things to do.
Workplace social clubs host performances, gigs, and events. In addition, many have a gaming area, lounge, televisions for watching sporting events, and pool tables. This indicates that there are numerous activities available. Numerous clubs also provide special social outings for members.
6. Hire out facilities
Members can choose to rent out the club’s space for their own exclusive events. This is perfect for celebrations of anniversaries, birthdays, or other significant dates. Although renting out spaces can be pricey, members frequently pay less than non-members for similar function spaces.
7. Cheap beverages
Bars and pubs in the city center might be pricey. Many working men’s organizations are able to provide members with inexpensive, discounted drinks because of advantageous agreements with breweries and other suppliers. This denotes a fun night out without draining your bank account.
8. Discover useful data
Working men’s clubs serve as a center for local news. Everyone who comes has a solid understanding of what’s happening in the neighborhood thanks to notice boards and word-of-mouth marketing. This guarantees that its members never miss a beat when it comes to events taking place in their neighborhood.
We take pride in providing assurance to numerous working men’s groups nationwide. The excellent culture of these clubs will be attested to by its committee members, volunteers, and guests. As clubs seek to diversify, renovate, and look ahead, we’re eager to watch the working men’s club’s future take shape.
What is the future of men’s clubs?
At present a handful of men’s clubs are present around the world in most countries, having the most concentration in the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. Even southeast Asian countries such as Japan, India, and Pakistan have their own men’s clubs with history. But even then, we have not seen the rise of any new men’s clubs except for the historically remarkable ones, most of them have either disbanded or are functioning on a low radar. This makes men’s clubs a much more insignificant thing when compared to clubs of other genders. To achieve true gender equality, all genders need to be provided the spotlight or platform to represent their voices.
In recent years, there has been the rise of virtual or digital men’s clubs and groups which are providing modern men the platform required to answer questions related to men or reach out for help where they are more likely to receive advice than anywhere else. Best for Him is one such virtual club that has done extremely well in providing that safe space for men. It is gradually turning into one of the largest men’s clubs. From health issues to fashion and relationship advice, best for him functions well in turning men into more confident and knowledgeable individuals in society. Other notable, big-shot names include Men’s XP, Men’s Health, and even youtube channels such as Alpha m and Teaching Men’s Fashion.
Hence, the future of the men’s club is evolving into a more digital presence, which arguably is the correct route to achieve a more global presence with just a click. Have you joined the largest men’s club yet? Go ahead and subscribe!
Best Dating Apps for Men