{"id":962628,"date":"2026-07-27T15:07:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/962628\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:07:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:07:28","slug":"an-inside-look-at-koreatowns-members-only-club-hue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/962628\/","title":{"rendered":"An Inside Look at Koreatown\u2019s Members-Only Club Hue"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three years ago, some founding visionaries including Robert Kim (the hospitality veteran behind Lapaba, ABSteak and Norikaya) and Stuart Whang (the South Korea-born, L.A. raised entrepreneur who founded Koreatown wellness institution Wi Spa), had an idea for a space in the historic Chapman Plaza in Koreatown. <\/p>\n

The Spanish Revival courtyard complex originally built in 1929 had seen a boom with dining concepts like KazuNori and Quarters Korean BBQ \u2014\u00a0as had the neighborhood, catapulted by the growing global spotlight on Korean food, music, beauty and culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was going to be a restaurant, but then once the walls came down, as they roamed the space, the opportunity got much bigger than just having a small local restaurant,\u201d says the club\u2019s director Greg Lee (who\u2019s worked with Michelin-starred chefs like Dominique Crenn, Michael Mina and Jos\u00e9 Andr\u00e9s). \u201cThey wanted to bring something that was more elevated. There\u2019s a huge influx of people moving to Koreatown just because of the nightlife and the food. It has the energy of New York: There are so many high rises, and a lot of business people, artists and collaborators. It\u2019s an incredibly special community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The natural beauty of the nearly 100-year-old stone building with antique architecture and towering ceilings, hidden inside the plaza, inspired a grander concept. \u201cThe visions got bigger and bigger, and after a year, it shifted to \u2018Let\u2019s create a members-only club and make something truly unique,\u2019\u201d says Lee. \u201cConstruction took about two years to break down the walls, build the foundations, and then over the last year and a half, [we\u2019ve] been really fine-tuning the details \u2026 moving things around a million times and just trying to make it perfect. Finally, we got to a place where all of us are happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking its name from the Korean concept of hueshik (\u201crest\u201d), Club Hue<\/a> aspires to give members a pause from modern life. \u201cClub Hue felt special to me because it wasn\u2019t trying to imitate existing private clubs,\u201d says Lee. \u201cWhat we\u2019re creating is something with a real cultural point of view, rooted in hospitality, art, music and an East-meets-West influence \u2026\u00a0a place where members feel known, cared for, inspired and a part of something rare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub HueCredit: Jessica Sample\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

Taking its name from the Korean concept of hueshik (\u201crest\u201d), Club Hue<\/a> aspires to give members a pause from modern life. \u201cClub Hue felt special to me because it wasn\u2019t trying to imitate existing private clubs,\u201d says Lee. \u201cWhat we\u2019re creating is something with a real cultural point of view, rooted in hospitality, art, music and an East-meets-West influence \u2026\u00a0a place where members feel known, cared for, inspired and a part of something rare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Said Whang in a statement, \u201cI have spent my life building businesses in Los Angeles, and Koreatown has always been at the center of that story. Club HUE is an investment in this city and a bridge to the world beyond it, a place built on culture, hospitality and connection. I am excited to welcome members from around the corner and from around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who is Clue Hue targeting? \u201cThe ideal member for us is globally-minded, culturally curious and values discretion, creativity and genuine hospitality,\u201d says Lee. \u201cSo we\u2019re attracting founders, creatives, tastemakers, hospitality enthusiasts, artists and leaders who have made meaningful impacts within their industries.\u201d No laptops and cell phones are allowed. \u201cThis is a place where you step away and reset,\u201d he says, \u201can ultimate place of privacy, where you can truly relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scroll to continue reading<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub Hue\u2019s Greg LeeCredit: Jessica Sample\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

Despite its Asian influence, the club\u2019s membership is diverse. \u201cWe are not just a Korean club,\u201d Lee explains. \u201cEven though we\u2019re celebrating Korean and Asian heritage and culture, this is about not one single demographic, industry or ethnicity. While we do proudly celebrate Asian culture, the community itself is meant to be inclusive, diverse and international.\u201d<\/p>\n

Club Hue\u2019s design is also worldly and intended to promote discovery. Basile Studio and Kelly Architects channeled the golden age of travel and an \u201cEast-meets-West\u201d aesthetic through juxtaposing textures, lotus-shaped chandeliers and lush greenery. <\/p>\n

\"ClubClub HueCredit: Jessica Sample\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

Guests enter the unassuming building and follow hallways adorned with art commissioned by graffiti artist RETNA into a transporting space with a sculptural bar encircling a central stage, an ornate dining room and a separate karaoke lounge evoking the Orient Express. Each room reflects a different mood and features art curated by artistic director Jane Lee, including a mural Michael Haight designed to reflect his time living in South Korea and spending leisurely Sunday afternoons along the Han River.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Every detail is intentional: \u201cWe have hand-forged forks from Japan. All of our plateware was handmade in Japan and Korea,\u201d Lee says. \u201c[We have] hand-blown glassware from Japan, from some of the world\u2019s best beverage artists. We have a Vietnamese ceramicist that handmade all of our pots and pouring cups, and helped us with our beverage program for coffee and teas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub HueCredit: John Troxell\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

After creating a beautiful space, the owners assembled what Lee calls an \u201cAvengers team of hospitality people.\u201d (Kim, who Page Six reported<\/a> in May is being sued for embezzlement by his longtime business partner at K-Town lounge Mama Lion, is no longer involved in day-to-day operations.)<\/p>\n

Membership director Chris Cutjapan was a general manager at Soho House\u2019s Little Beach House Malibu; beverage director Joshua Choe worked at Joshua Skenes\u2019 Leopardo and Angler as well as at Ludo\u2019s Petit Trois and Curtis Stone\u2019s Gwen; and membership operations manager Hanna El Bayeh hails from San Vicente Bungalows. <\/p>\n

\"ClubClub HueCredit: Jessica Sample\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have about seven managers on the team now,\u201d says Lee. \u201cEvery single person is so impressive: they are industry leaders from across the world\u2019s greatest clubs and three Michelin-starred restaurants. Not just that, but we have the same ethos and vision and passion and care for guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leading the kitchen is Tokyo-born executive chef Hiroo Nagahara (who worked at Michelin-starred Bar Charlie in Vegas, co-founded Asian food truck The Chairman, and has since opened San Francisco\u2019s Nomica and Downtown L.A.\u2019s Bao Hiroo). \u201cHe embodies both technical excellence and creativity, without ego,\u201d says Lee, who notes his meticulousness. \u201cHe\u2019s going to tell you how he blended five different rice for this rice bowl \u2026 his rice is flown in from Japan and hand-milled.\u201d He adds that fish and wagyu are dry-aged in-house \u2014\u00a0and Nagahara knows \u201cthe scientific breakdown of every fish and when it\u2019s the absolute optimal flavor and texture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub HueCredit: Jessica Sample\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

The club will begin with a dinner menu.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s progressive California cuisine with an Asian backbone,\u201d says Lee. \u201cThere\u2019s Asian influence to everything that we have, like his wagyu ribs, that\u2019s a Chinese influence, but then he has a lot of Korean-inspired fermentations and sauces.\u201d Think a waffle with matcha-infused butter and Petrossian caviar, a panzanella salad, sashimi and\u00a0wagyu bone-in short rib. Adds Lee, \u201cIt\u2019s small plates meant for a shared experience with layered flavors, beautiful presentations and energy that can move the dinner into the late night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub Hue\u2019s Kusshi oysters and A5 Hitachi-gyu tartareCredit: John Troxell\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

Dinner will be offered starting at 5:30 p.m. five nights a week, from Tuesday to Saturday. \u201cAnd then we\u2019re going to evaluate to see the demand,\u201d says Lee, who notes the drinks are equally important. \u201cMany people are coming here for dinner; half of them are coming to the bar just to sip a beautiful glass of wine and have a delicious cocktail.\u201d<\/p>\n

He credits Choe for building a beautiful wine list and cocktail program. \u201c[It] feels elegant and worldly, but it has subtle Asian influences rather than gimmicks, and everything is designed to complement the atmosphere and chef Hiroo\u2019s food.\u201d On the wine side, they\u2019re working with some of the city\u2019s biggest wine collectors on curating a potent list of vintages. Cocktails blend traditional foundations with Asian influences, and some brands they\u2019re working with include IWA Sake and Eva Chow\u2019s KHEE Soju.<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub Hue\u2019s dry-aged bluefin otoro, Hokkaido uni, Golden Osetra caviar and moreCredit: John Troxell\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

The club will be even more exclusive than the originally reported 1,000 members. \u201cWe\u2019re actually going to end up capping our members at like 500,\u201d says Lee. \u201cBecause we are a boutique intentional space, we want to know [our members]. What kind of music do they like during dinner? Are they going to stick around and have a bottle of Champagne and dance with the jazz band later? We\u2019re getting to know everybody on a deep level, so when they come in here, it\u2019s an experience that\u2019s been tailored to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Initial membership will be even less: \u201cWe want start with 150 to 200 members,\u201d says Lee. \u201cWe\u2019re planning to bring on only like 25 to 40 new members each month and slowly start building up to opening up for lunches and seven days a week, and some beautiful brunches and high teas will be coming soon as well, hopefully by fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub Hue\u2019s Saikyo miso cremeux, blackberry sorbet, Iranian pistachios and red shisoCredit: John Troxell\/ Courtesy Club Hue<\/p>\n

Programming for members will include special dinners and cultural events. \u201cLike for IWA, their grand winemaker who lives in Champagne is going to fly out and do a dinner with his sakes,\u201d says Lee. \u201cWe have Michelin-starred chefs around the world we\u2019re going to have monthly private dinners [with], chef collaborations.\u201d Members can also expect art and music experiences: \u201cOur music and entertainment director is the international artist Tom Breu, and he tailored all of the house\u2019s music that you hear when you come throughout the day \u2014\u00a0playlists that are changing every single week,\u201d says Lee. \u201cHe\u2019s curating our late-night entertainment and DJs, jazz performers and pop-up pianists and solo guitarists.\u201d<\/p>\n

The club is currently accepting applications for what will be highly selective membership. Membership tiers include Under 30, Founder, Founder Premium, Lifetime and Corporate \u2014\u00a0with different pricing and perks. A standard membership starts at $7,500, with a $3,600 annual fee, while a lifetime membership costs $120K. Those interested in learning more can visit the website or contact [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Membership benefits include access to other global private members\u2019 clubs, partner hotels and restaurants; concierge services; bar and dining access; and invites to members-only cultural events. Perks for premium founders include luxury chauffeur service within Koreatown in BMW i7s; complimentary valet; concierge and travel planning services; priority access to future global Hue locations; and more.<\/p>\n

Adds Lee, \u201cWe created an app like Uber Black, but we call it Hue Black, and we have chauffeurs to come and grab you in our BMWs around K-Town and drop you off. And we\u2019re also working with Sonato, a reciprocal club program. So no matter where you travel around the world, we have an extension of Hue somewhere that\u2019s going to take care of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AeroCredit: Aero<\/p>\n

Other partners offering services and preferred pricing include Aero semi-private jets; South Korean travel concierge service firm Travel Different; private member concierge platform Velocity Black; and the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air, which are offering members special rates. Members also receive privileges at clubs around the world, in destinations such as Doha, Hamburg, Milan, Vienna, Singapore and Mumbai.<\/p>\n

Notes Lee, \u201cWe\u2019re especially focused on building relationships throughout the Asia Pacific, because some of your members are naturally moving between cities like Los Angeles, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Club Hue introduced itself to the community and potential members with two May cocktail parties. \u201cThose events were just an all-out party \u2014\u00a0girls dancing on the bar, amazing jazz band, an international DJ,\u201d Lee says. \u201cThat energy is not what you expect every night, because we are focused on Michelin-star service for dinner. You are going to expect these live jazz bands and these DJs and entertainment toward the end of the night, but we won\u2019t get to there until around 10:30-11 p.m.\u201d After dinner, the club shifts into late-night revelry.<\/p>\n

\"ClubClub Hue\u2019s preview nightsCredit: Jasmin Rosemberg<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, July 28, Club Hue opens its doors. \u201cThe summer is really about introducing Los Angeles to the spirit of Club Hue through intimate dinners, these cultural events, the music and dining programming,\u201d says Lee, \u201cand really honing in and perfecting these unforgettable first experiences for our founding members.\u201d<\/p>\n

Long-term, the team sees Hue as a global hospitality brand. \u201cThe vision is to create future locations in key international cities, but still maintain that intimacy and quality that define this original club,\u201d says Lee. \u201cWe have some incredible members coming from Japan and Hong Kong and Korea, and so it\u2019d be fitting to have a location somewhere in the Asian Pacific. There may be a need to have a second club in Los Angeles, because the space is quite boutique. If there was going to be another domestic location, New York might be our next move. We\u2019re looking at the possibilities, at where the demands would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adds Lee, \u201cBut before we go too deep into expansion, right now we\u2019re trying to focus on making this the best club in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n