Inside The Athenaeum: Liverpool’s Hidden Gem and the Oldest Private Members’ Club in the City

Look inside Liverpool’s best kept secret and the city’s oldest member’s only club, The Athenaeum.

Set inside a beautifully historic building in the heart of the city centre on Church Alley, tucked away from the hustle and bustle, The Athenaeum opened in 1797 and has been the city’s best kept secret ever since.

With its 500 members receiving exclusive access to 120 members clubs around the world, The Athenaeum offers belonging within a unique community of entrepreneurs, successful corporate executives and decision makers across the city region who visit the institution to work, entertain and meet with their networks, and is one of only two private members clubs in Liverpool.

The Athenaeum is home to three floors with multiple rooms offering a variety of dining and entertaining experiences, as well as its stunning library that’s packed with over 60,000 books and archives including star items such as the 1282 copy of the Magna Carta.

From The Committee Room; a grand board meeting style room overlooking Bluecoat Chambers, to The Reading Room; perfect for receptions, talks and business gatherings that’s located in the heart of the Club in the Library, to The Newsroom; a home from home for The Athenaeum’s members where the daily newspapers are provided, members can dine and drink or entertain with drink receptions, weddings, meetings and conferences, the Club offers a unique and diverse backdrop to all styles of entertaining associates, clients and colleagues.

The Athenaeum also proudly boasts a beautiful Dining Room for banquets, lunches and dinners, and a The Wine Servery for more intimate hosting.

Born out of the turbulent final decade of the 18th century, when England was locked in a fierce and expensive war with France, The Athenaeum was created by Liverpool’s merchants, professionals, and civic leaders who required up-to-date political insight, global intelligence, and local news.

And back then, that kind of information came almost entirely from newspapers and periodicals. The problem? The usual places to read them—Liverpool’s bustling coffee houses—were crowded, chaotic, and far from ideal for focused reading or serious discussion. The city’s thinkers and decision-makers needed something better.

Enter a bold new idea: what if there were a dedicated, comfortable space where people could access the latest news and knowledge in private?

In 1797, that vision took form. A group of forward-thinking citizens shared a document titled “Outlines of a Plan for a Library and Newsroom”, calling on others to join their mission. In typical 18th-century style, the proposal didn’t mince words: 

“It has often been a matter of surprise to many inhabitants of this place, and still more to strangers, that in a town of such commercial and national importance as Liverpool, the conveniences and accommodation for the acquisition of knowledge… should be so imperfect as they most confessedly are.”

This wasn’t just the founding of the Club, it was the beginning of a cultural institution, built on the belief that access to knowledge could power a city forward.

The name ‘Athenaeum’, chosen by the founders for the new institution, comes from the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athene.

Since then, the Club has been owned by its members, better known as Proprietors, who all take a share when signing up to a membership that are between £324.50 and £1045 per year based on ages of members.

Roy Boardman, General Manager at The Athenaeum, explained: “The Athenaeum has always been the city’s best kept secret; a haven in the heart of the city centre that fosters business, collaboration and entertainment. We have many Proprietors who visit to escape the bustle of the city centre, whereas others come purely to have their private meetings.

“The beauty of the Club is that it can be used however each Proprietor wishes. The Library and all of the rooms remain at their disposal and members can also bring friends to dine and drink with. Each month, we host exciting events from wine tastings to music, and interesting stimulating talks, and regular fine dining experiences that allow members to come together and network in a relaxed setting, and it opens up opportunities for members to meet other entrepreneurs, decision makers and executives from across the city region.

“The Athenaeum has always been shrouded in curiosity and mystery – open to those who delve into the building’s unique offering. We want to change that. Steeped in history and rich in culture, The Athenaeum is a Club to be celebrated and one that’s bursting with possibility for Proprietors, as well as opening doors to 120 clubs all over the world.”

The Athenaeum is a members only club. Expression of interest can be made via the Application Form, where a member of the team will respond and discuss your membership options with you.