Chennai has the second oldest club in India

It’s the second oldest surviving club in India, after the Bengal Club. The club was established by the then ruling British elite on a seven-acre garden house off Mount Road. Back then, it was a ‘whites only’ club that did not allow women. 

It became an illustrious club, thanks to its high-profile members, and played host to many grand balls in honour of British royalty. It was only during these occasions that women were allowed into the premises. The club grew in stature over time, came to be known as the ‘Ace of Clubs’ and drew comparisons with the legendary Melbourne Club in Australia. 

The Madras Club has had many firsts to its credit; it was the first to introduce tennis and squash in south India. The library in its premises is one of the oldest private libraries in the city.