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Stepping inside the super-exclusive New York Yacht Club where the America's Cup race started - complete with a 25ft tall fireplace, an original Tiffany glass ceiling and $150,000 joining fee

• The New York Yacht Club at 37 W 44th St formally opened its doors on January 19, 1901
• It was designed Whitney Warren of Warren and Wetmore, who later masterminded Grand Central Terminal
• Standout features include a dining room designed to look like a ship's hold and a library with 13,000 books 

By Sadie Whitelocks For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:33 EDT, 24 November 2023 | Updated: 13:02 EDT, 24 November 2023

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Standing 25ft high and 15ft wide, the 25-ton stone fireplace at the super-exclusive New York Yacht Club is certainly a sight to behold and I felt dwarfed by the structure as I stood close to the flame-licked hearth.

This design marvel was just one of the many jaw-dropping features I spied during a private tour of the Midtown members-only club, which formally opened its doors on January 19, 1901.   

Tucked away from the throng of Times Square on 37 W 44th St, the six-story Beaux-Arts clubhouse was purpose built by yachtsman and banker John Pierpont Morgan to accommodate the organization's burgeoning fleet of members. 

Thanks to regular maintenance, the building looks shipshape, with some of the standout features - along with the 'Model Room' fireplace - being a stunning Tiffany stained-glass ceiling, a 64ft by 19-ft Oriental rug, a grill room designed to look like the hold of an old sailing ship, and a library containing more than 13,000 books and antique manuscripts.

Standing 25ft high and 15ft wide, the 25-ton stone fireplace at the super exclusive New York Yacht Club is certainly a sight to behold. Above it, there is a magnificent stained-glass Tiffany ceiling

Tucked away from the throng of Times Square on 37 W 44th St, the six-story Beaux-Arts clubhouse was purpose built by yachtsman and banker John Pierpont Morgan to accommodate the organization's fleet of members

Before the 44th St clubhouse was built, the New York Yacht Club had a number of outposts in the wider area. The first clubhouse opened one year after the club was founded on July 15, 1845

Thanks to its eye-catching and unique ship-like design, the exterior of the 44th St building was designated as a landmark by the City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission on September 11, 1979

It was a Wednesday night and the downstairs bar area was buzzing with members - mostly men in smart suits - with an oyster shucker dishing out rounds of fresh mollusks and a suited waiter taking drink orders. 

In keeping with the maritime theme, every way I turned, I caught sight of something sailing related, with model boats lining the walls and paintings depicting wave swept scenes.

As I put my glass down on the table, I noticed that even the paper napkins featured a design with boats and an anchor on, along with the club's motto Latin motto 'nos agimur tumidis velis' - 'we go with swelling sails.'

Other sailing motifs, I noticed, are part of the building's brick and mortar design.

For example, three bulbous bay windows at the front of the building were modeled after the sterns of 16th century Dutch ships and there are various carvings on the premises running from the cornicing to the fireplace surround depicting seaweed, shells, dolphins, lightning bolts, stars and more.

The characterful property was designed Whitney Warren of Warren and Wetmore, who later masterminded Grand Central Terminal. 

In a video tour of the clubhouse uploaded to YouTube , narrator and pro sailor Gary Jobson explains that while there were several architects in the running for the project, John Pierpont Morgan preferred Warren's 'much more whimsical design.'

To help finance the construction of the city clubhouse, members dues were raised from $25 per year to $50. 

Today, according to  ncesc.com , regular membership is a little pricier, with an initiation fee of $150,000 and annual dues of $12,000.

Along with having a buoyant bank balance, perspective members must be nominated by an existing member, with this nomination supported by at least four other members.

The membership committee will then invite the nominee to submit an application along with letters of recommendation outlining their qualifications. 

In terms of the benefits of becoming a member, ncesc.com explains that the perks include 'access to the club's facilities, which include dining rooms, bars, meeting rooms, and sailing centers.'

'Members also have access to the club's extensive library, archives, and art collection. In addition, the club organizes numerous social events throughout the year, including regattas, dinners, and receptions.'

In Jobson's video tour, he also reveals that there are 19 'comfortable bedrooms for members and their guests,' which can be booked out at a discounted rate. 

Before visiting the club, we were warned that business attire must be worn, with a tie, jacket and collared shirt for men, and a suit or a smart dress for women. 

The paper napkins in the dining room feature a design with boats and an anchor on, along with the club's motto Latin motto 'nos agimur tumidis velis' - 'we go with swelling sails'

An exterior shot of the characterful clubhouse taken in 1934. It looks much the same today

The library within the Manhattan clubhouse contains more than 13,000 books and antique manuscripts

One of the club's unique features is a grill room, designed to look like the hold of an old sailing ship

Certainly one of the club's standout spaces is the cavernous Model Room, which can comfortably accommodate more than 300 people with 3,800 square feet to play with

The space is home to 1,340 scaled replicas of sail boats, with the earliest model dating to 1819

If you can't stretch to club membership or don't have the right qualifications to join, the New York Yacht Club runs public tours on the last Tuesday of each month

Certainly one of the club's standout spaces is the cavernous Model Room, which can comfortably accommodate more than 300 people with 3,800 square feet to play with. 

Along with the fireplace, the space is home to 1,340 scaled replicas of sail boats displayed in large glass cases, with the earliest model dating to 1819.

One of the star vessels is a mini version of the 'America,' which was responsible for the start of the America's Cup. 

On August 22, 1851, the full-size 101-foot schooner, built by New York Yacht Club commodore and founder John Cox Stevens, raced against 15 English yachts from the UK's Royal Yacht Squadron in an annual race known as the '100 Guinea Cup,' which involved a lap of the Isle of Wight. 

The visiting America won, finishing eight minutes ahead of its closest rival, and the trophy was renamed in its honor and donated to the New York Yacht Club.

An accompanying 'Deed of Gift' stipulated that the cup should be held in trust as a perpetual challenge trophy and so the America's Cup race was born. 

Today it takes place every four years as a two-yacht race, fought between the previous year's winner - known as the 'defender' - and a challenger, which is usually the best boat from a series of run-off rounds. 

Before the 44th St clubhouse was built, the New York Yacht Club had a number of outposts in the wider area.

The first clubhouse opened one year after the club was founded on July 15, 1845.

The club's website notes that this location was was a one-room Gothic Revival building designed by 'noted' architect A. J. Davis, on land owned by Commodore John Cox Stevens in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Over the next half century, the club went on to occupy four additional clubhouses: two in Manhattan and two on Staten Island and it also maintained 11 'stations' at one point.

These 'stations' came in the form of smaller buildings and landings where 'members and friends could rendezvous, send a letter or make a telephone call.'

Now, along with the 44 St property, the club only has one other outpost, with this located next the water in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Thanks to its eye-catching and unique ship-like design, the exterior of the 44th St building was designated as a landmark by the City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission on September 11, 1979.

If you can't stretch to club membership or don't have the right qualifications to join, the New York Yacht Club runs public tours on the last Tuesday of each month. And after paying a visit myself, it's a voyage well worth making. 

Share or comment on this article: Stepping inside the super-exclusive New York Yacht Club where the America's Cup race started - complete with a 25ft tall fireplace, an original Tiffany glass ceiling and $150,000 joining fee

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Yacht Clubs

New York Yacht Club

The mission of the New York Yacht Club is to attract and bring together a dedicated group of yachting and naval members to share and foster their interest in yachting and yacht racing; to sustain a leadership role in yachting, its history, its development, the preservation of its traditions, and the furtherance of good seamanship; to promote the highest form of Corinthian sportsmanship in national and international yachting forums and yacht racing competitions.

Stories from New York Yacht Club

On July 30, 1844, John Cox Stevens (1785-1857) and eight of his friends met aboard Stevens’ yacht Gimcrack, anchored off the Battery in New York Harbor. That afternoon, they established the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) and made three critical decisions that day: first, they elected Stevens as Commodore of the Club; second, they agreed to develop rules and regulations to govern the Club; and, third, they resolved to cruise to Newport, Rhode Island, initiating the enduring connection between the Club and New England. The Club’s young fleet of eight schooner yachts set sail from New York Harbor for Newport three days later, marking the Club’s first Annual Cruise. During the passage, they made stops at various ports on Long Island Sound and even held informal speed trials. Upon reaching Newport, the members met up with yachtsmen from Boston to socialize and engage in racing activities. On August 8, the Club hosted a fleet race around Conanicut Island, a popular racecourse today. The year that followed was a busy one for the Club. It adopted its Rules and Regulations, opened its first clubhouse and held its first Annual Regatta.

The New York Yacht Club held its first Annual Regatta–a fleet race for a prize cup–on July 17, 1845. Nine yachts started opposite the new clubhouse at 9 a.m. on the Hudson River. They sailed to a turning mark near Sandy Hook in the Lower Bay and returned—a 38-mile course. The yacht Cygnet won, earning fame as the first winner of North America’s longest-running sailing regatta. Today, the New York Yacht Club has its signature clubhouse, a National Historic Landmark, on West 44th Street in New York, and a waterfront clubhouse, Harbour Court, in Newport. The Club’s first clubhouse survives. It was installed on the grounds of Harbour Court in 1999, where it serves as a reminder of the Club’s origins.

The Club continues to run its Annual Regatta, presented by Rolex. The Club also hosts the biennial Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, for international Corinthian sailors representing their yacht clubs and nations and the parallel event for U.S. yacht clubs, the Resolute Cup. The Club also hosts and participates in other national, North American and world championships.

rom 1884 to 1900, the clubhouse was a townhouse at 67 Madison Avenue. By 1898, it was chockablock with “models, members, and memorabilia,” according to the New York Daily Tribune. It was then that Commodore J. Pierpont Morgan stunned fellow members by announcing he would donate three lots on West 44th Street to build a new clubhouse. The building, brilliantly designed with nautical motifs by Whitney Warren, opened in 1901. It is famous for its Model Room and Library. The New York Times wrote of the clubhouse in 1906, “Except for the absence of motion, one might fancy oneself at sea.”

In 1987, the New York Yacht Club acquired Harbour Court, the former summer home of Commodore John Nicholas Brown, in Newport, creating a new energy and focus. The waterfront clubhouse opened in 1988 with 1,500 members and guests in attendance. In 2019, Harbour Court hosted the Club’s Dosquicentennial Celebration for members and friends to celebrate the Club’s 175 years of history.

The New York Yacht Club has hosted Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex since 1998 and many other regattas in recent years including world championships for the Etchells, J/70, Farr 40 and Melges 20 classes, the J Class Worlds, the Global Team Race Regatta, the Transatlantic Race, and the IC37 National Championships to name a few.

The Club is also highly active in team and match racing. In 2006, the Club purchased 14 Sonars in dedication of these activities. In 2014, the fleet was increased to 22 Sonars, and today, team racing at the New York Yacht Club offers some of the most intense competition in the country.

Since 2009 the New York Yacht Club has conducted the biennial Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. After a successful decade of racing in the Swan 42, the eighth one-design class created by the New York Yacht Club since 1900, the Invitational Cup transitioned to using the Club’s fleet of 20 IC37 race boats in 2019. These purpose-built machines, combined with one-design sails from North Sails, identical gear and standardized rig tune, create a level platform for amateur big-boat racing. Yacht club teams worldwide and Corinthian (amateur) sailors flock to Newport to race in this competition. During the first Invitational Cup in 2009, 19 yacht club teams from 14 countries and four continents competed, and the New York Yacht Club emerged as the winner. Since 2009, more than 1,000 sailors, comprised of teams from more than 40 yacht clubs representing 21 countries and all six continents, have competed in at least one edition of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup.

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In Manhattan, Renewed Grandeur for the Model Room

Posted by Elaine Lembo

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After 120 years of foot traffic, Foundation-raised funds and fine craftsmanship result in a gleaming oak surface

The Model Room of the New York Yacht Club houses 1,340 scaled replicas , of which 150 are full-hulled and rigged models, with the balance half-models. The earliest model dates from 1819 — Hornet , a Maryland oyster sloop rebuilt in 1846 as a Hell’s Gate Pilot Boat with a schooner rig.

The contents of this world-renown space, which includes a magnificent stone hearth, account for serious foot traffic to the room, where members also hold meetings and events. In 2018, the Foundation paid homage to over a century of heavy use by members and their guests when it undertook an ambitious $677, 054 replacement of the original floor at the 44 th St. Clubhouse by Traditional Line , an architectural restoration firm in Manhattan. The collaboration between Traditional Line and the Club goes back to 2014, when the firm completed a restoration of the Clubhouse library, which also included a floor installation.

More than 500 events have taken place in the Model Room since the 2018 project.

“Restorations like the Model Room floor renew the floor but also restore the grandeur of the Model Room,” says Tim McCormick, Club general manager. “Interiors over time are eroded by activity.  Floors get worn and lose their luster. Intermediate repairs also take a toll and even sanding and refinishing never truly restore the original grandeur. A complete restoration with the right experts results in sharp corners, the glow of a fully replaced floor, a newly upholstered banquette, reapplied gold leaf and before you know, it the room looks and feels grand. We feel it, members feel it and guests are awed by it. It is the vital outcome we look for in all the restoration work the Foundation supports.”

Highlights of the Model Room capital project, accomplished under a tight schedule from June to September 2018 — on time and on budget — include:

• The restoration encompassed the entire 3,000 square-foot floor area.
•  It took 4,000 square feet of hand-selected, kiln-dried American white oak grown and harvested in Michigan and Virginia.
• A temporary Clubhouse shutdown allowed a team of 25 workers to safely haul out the Oriental carpet, which required a temporary closing of 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
• The Model Room walls, including half hull models, were protected by two layers of plastic, from the baseboard to the underside of the balcony.
• A temporary wall with a door to close off the Model Room was constructed at the top of the stone stairs.
• About 50% of the subfloor was also replaced.
• After removing and safely storing the contents, seven cases that house full models of every America’s Cup defender and challenger were moved five times to accommodate the work. The cases were also wrapped in two layers of plastic.
• A customized dolly was designed and built to lift the cases. The heaviest case was approximately 1,750 pounds, with glass on all sides.
• To move the cases, Traditional Line constructed temporary ramps and bridges, to ensure the subfloor didn’t collapse.
• The stone hearth — which is large enough that five adults can stand inside the firebox alone — in front of the mantel was cleaned and restored.
• The chandeliers were cleaned to remove decades of dust; undersides of the balcony were wiped down.

Project Completion Date: 2018

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For more information or assistance with making a contribution, please contact the Foundation by calling 401-608-1125 or [email protected] .

Yachting World

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Everything you need to know about the 37th America’s Cup

Follow the build-up to the 37th America’s Cup as the teams prepare to fight it out for the oldest sporting trophy in the world.

Which teams are in the 37th America’s Cup?

In 2021 four teams raced in fully foiling AC75 monohulls which were conceived specifically for the event by then Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

These same four teams return for the 2024 America’s Cup and will be joined by two additional teams, bringing the total number of entries up to 6.

Emirates Team New Zealand – America’s Cup Defender

As the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand will be racing again in the 37th America’s Cup. As the Defender, the Kiwis will be guaranteed a spot in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Any other challengers will need to race each other in preliminary regattas for the right to be the single challenger in the America’s Cup regatta itself.

Emirates Team New Zealand represent the Royal Auckland Yacht Club in America’s Cup racing.

tight racing between the British and the French. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

INEOS Britannia – America’s Cup Challenger of Record

The Challenger of Record is the name given to the first yacht club to challenge the holder of the America’s Cup once it has been won.

When Emirates Team New Zealand successfully completed their defence of the America’s Cup in 2021, the Royal Yacht Squadron immediately issued a challenge on behalf of Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK (now called INEOS Britannia), so they are Challenger of Record for the 37th America’s Cup .

INEOS Britannia and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has strengthened an exhausting relationship, with the British challenger standing to benefit from the technical and engineering experience of the multiple World Champion F1 team.

Photo: Job Vermeulen/America’s Cup

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has a very long America’s Cup history having first competed in 2000 and has taken part in every Cup since (with the exception of the unique 2010 Deed of Gift match).

For the 36th America’s Cup Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were the challenger of record. They also won the challenger selection series so it was this Italian team who took on Emirates Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup itself.

The team will return for the 37th America’s Cup though this time they are not the official challenger of record.

American Magic

In 2021 the New York Yacht Clubs’ American Magic was also competing, though their event was ultimately ruined by a capsize in the early part of the regatta . They did get the boat rebuilt but it never got back up to speed and they made an early exit.

The 2021 campaign marked the return of the New York Yacht Club to the America’s Cup. The NYYC held the America’s Cup from its inception in 1851 right the way through to 1983, when they were defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Australia II .

American Magic have confirmed their entry into the 37th America’s Cup and will, once again, be representing the New York Yacht Club.

The Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC75 was first to launch and has one of the most radical hull shapes. Photo: Olaf Pignataro/Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Another team making a return to the America’s Cup scene after a long break will be Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi team. The Swiss team won the America’s Cup in 2003 and then completed a successful defence in 2007.

However, a serious falling out over the potential rules for the next America’s Cup saw Alinghi taken to court by Larry Ellison and his BMW Oracle team, the 2010 America’s Cup was held between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing in a Deed of Gift match that saw the teams fight it out in huge multihulls.

BMW Oracle won the contest and Alinghi stepped away from America’s Cup racing. Their return is a welcome one and their Cup history alongside their partnership with Red Bull Racing should see them a solid challenge from the off.

Photo: Ian Roman / America’s Cup

Orient Express Racing Team

The French entry to the 2024 America’s Cup was long rumoured but it was not until quite late in the day that they officially announced their intention to challenge.

It was in early 2023 that the official announcement came of a French AC entry, backed by Accor Group and its brands Orient Express and ALL-ACCOR Live Limitless.

As a fairly late challenge they will have a lot to do to be competitive, but they struck a great – and controversial – deal with Team New Zealand to buy their boat design, so should at least have a quick hull underneath them.

What boats are in the 37th America’s Cup

The Protocol for the 37th America’s Cup has been released including the rules for the class of boat to be used in the next edition of the event. Once again the America’s Cup will be raced for in AC75s . These boats were first brought in ahead of the 36th America’s Cup so this will be their second outing.

The foiling monohulls are slightly different, with rules being tweaked partly aimed at improving light wind performance and reducing crew numbers from 11 to 8.

Teams are only be allowed to build one AC75 and nationality rules are strict this time around requiring 100% of the race crew for each competitor to either be a passport holder of the country of the team’s yacht club or to have been physically present in that country for 18 months of the previous three years prior to 17th March 2021.

Emirates Team New Zealand saw success in 2017 in Bermuda with their Cyclors . Having been banned in 2021, these have made a return for the 37th America’s Cup.

Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup

Where will the 37th America’s Cup be held?

Barcelona, Spain was selected in 2022 as the venue for the 37th America’s Cup , marking the first time a New Zealand team has chosen to defend a Cup win overseas.

The home city of Emirates Team New Zealand and the venue for the 36th America’s Cup, Auckland, had an exclusive period in which to tender for the regatta immediately after the Kiwis’ successful defence in 2021, but the sums on offer were not enough, and Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton cast the net wider internationally after rejecting a NZ$99 million (£50 million) offer from the New Zealand government.

A number venues were mooted including: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Cork, Ireland; Malaga, Spain, but Barcelona eventually won out.

When is the 37th America’s Cup?

The America’s Cup will be held in 2024 in Barcelona. Racing in the 37th America’s Cup Match itself, which is a best of 13 (first to seven) format will start on Saturday 12th October 2024 and could run all the way to the 27th October should all the races be needed to pick a winner.

The America’s Cup will be proceeded by the challenger selection series, which will see which of the five challengers gets the honour to race New Zealand for the Cup itself.

Racing for the Challenger Selection Series – officially the Louis Vuitton Cup, will take place between the 29 August 2024 and 7 October 2024.

Match Racing

Though the America’s Cup was first raced for in 1851 ( and won by the schooner America from which the trophy gets its name), this race was between a fleet of boats. A challenge by the British in the 1870s was also conducted as a fleet race.

By the 1880s, following a protest from the British, the America’s Cup was decided in a head-to-head match race where two boats sail against each other.

Match racing is a particular skill and encourages aggressive manoeuvres using the rules to put your opponent at a disadvantage. This cut-and-thrust racing, where the only objective is to beat your opponent, has long been at the heart of America’s Cup racing and produces a thrilling spectacle.

You can catch all the latest America’s Cup news, analysis and videos right here on Yachtingworld.com

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I was fortunate to be invited as a guest to the New York Yacht Club for cocktails and I was just plan awe struck. As I approached the building I just couldn't believe my eyes. The architecture, as I later learned, was of a Beaux-Arts style, totally stunning with the windows vividly depicting the sterns of early day sailing ships overhanging a wavy sea. Then the interior, the most classic I've ever seen, can only be described as drop dead lavishly gorgeous. The fireplace has a mantel like piece bigger than life exuding the warmth of being in a classic club of the finest in tradition. The club is of course most famous for defending the America's Cup which it did successfully from 1870 to 1983; described as "being the longest winning streak in history." As I didn't eat here I can't comment upon the food but I can comment upon the Manhattan I had. It was done with a very good rye and garnished with real Maraschino wine soaked cherries; not those cheapo bright red faux done with a brine cherries you'll find in the typical grocery store. A darn good cocktail done in classic style and tradition. I can only say that if you are fortunate enough to have the chance of being invited, it's an invitation not to be overlooked.

I too am not a member but was a guest of a member who entertained us at lunch, which was absolutely delicious, served by an expert, Keith, who makes all other servers I have look like amateurs. The forraged mushroom soup was excellent. I had little room for anything else. The exhibits in the Model Room must be seen to be believed, as well as the carpet which is, i think, the largest from a single weave anywhere in the world. You can just think of a 'magic' persian carpet. You have to be a member to dine here and you may run the risk of disquieting stares from 'real' members who do not 'cotton to women who don't meet their notion of'appropriate age dressing.' But this happens even at bus stops, so........ BTW the people at the entrance, not the checkroom but the front desk bent over backwards to helpfully provide subway information, which is really unique, as they are probably the only people in the place who use the subway! But thanks to them, a young man was especially helpful.

This place is first class. I just attended the National Historic Maritime Society dinner. The dining room is gorgeous and historical with thousands of model ships. The food was above and beyond what I expected. The 3 course dinner included a fancy salad with a cheese bread that was mouth watering, a perfectly cooked and seasoned steak with mushrooms, onions and broccoli rabe and a rum raisin dessert. I enjoyed every minute of being there and every bite!

Views of the model ships in the main dining room

We had a private dinner here for an organization I'm in. What a great choice of venue! The service was flawless, the food was amazing, the drinks were stiff but not overly so, and the decor/atmosphere was incredible. I had never been to a place like this before. It was pretty cool to be in a "high society" setting.

Very private club and we were happy to have been allowed to stay there as a guest of someone else. August is offseason because they are all out at Newport at their other location sailing and enjoying being out of the hot city. The restaurant and bar was closed But we did not mind. We took full advantage and were able to check out all the rooms in the place including the wonderful model room. No pics allowed but trust me the place is incredible. The architecture is so special and hard to describe but we just loved it. Our room was small but was really very nice and the bed was super comfortable. Just an elegant place and in a very well suited area of Manhatten near Times Square. The desk clerk was about the only one working and he was wonderful and answered any question we had and provided anything we needed in a very timely manner. We hope to come back again someday.

Came here for an FCS Luncheon and while the food wasn't very impressive, the room was absolutely gorgeous! We dined in the Model Room, which contains a magnificent collection of "full and half hull models including a scale model history of all New York Yacht Club America's Cup challenges. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987." The food and service was a solid four but I took off one star for the stuffy atmosphere. What can you expect from an invitation only Yacht Club?

Because I am not a member of the NYYC I feel a little naughty writing a review, but hey I have been there, twice now - so here goes. And out of interest, both visits were during weekday lunch in the Grill Room. It is very cool down there, probably one of the coolest restaurants I have been to in NY. It's beautiful and couldn't be any more properly nautical without actually being on a yacht! My favorite part of the room was for sure the chiming clock on the half hours. The service was impeccable and the food (in this case a med-well cheeseburger) was perfect. Upstairs the Model Room steals the show of course, but that is not where we ate. Four stars only, because well it is *slightly* stuffy, just a bit buttoned up for my comfort, I wouldn't want to have a few too many cocktails and let my hair down if you know what I mean - but perhaps that is not what it is meant to be about anyway. If you're ever lucky enough to be invited, definitely go!

I attended a formal catered event in the Model Room and had a great experience. They served quality food that had nice presentation. It is elegantly decorated throughout and has interesting artifacts that would please any Marine lover.

Love this place. What a gorgeous venue! Will upload photos of the Model Room soon! We had dinner upstairs and the waiters/servers were quite nice except the head waiter. The food was not very good for dinner but the hors d'oeuvres were great (mushroom pastries, tuna tartare w/ cucumber, pistacchio-encrusted lamb chops--delicious! but hard to eat standing up, crab cakes). The chocolate cake was too thick, the salad had too much dressing on it, and the fish was tasteless and tough. But still a lovely place to wine and dine!

Food was decent but the service was awful!!! My dining partner didn't get any dressing with his salad and when we were finally able to flag a waiter, the waiter responded with, "I'm not your waiter" and then proceeded not to help us. 10 minutes later we found our guy. Worst waitstaff on the island.

3 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Claire Harrington, NYYC Rear Commodore on the Annual Regatta

Join us as we interview New York yacht Club Rear Commodore Claire Harrington on the process and results of a historical annual regatta held on the East Coast for over a century.

According to Bella Mente Racing’s tactician Terry Hutchinson, both the Around the Island Race and the Annual Regatta series were very hard-fought, but for different reasons. “For the Around the island Race, Belle Mente had to contend with not only our competition (which included long-time rival  Vesper , an IRC 72) but also two transition zones (major wind shifts) and lots of bogeys (other boats) on the racecourse to navigate through,” he said. “Saturday/Sunday racing was equally as good.  Bella Mente ,  Proteus , and  Vesper  each won races, and while  Bella Mente  came out on top it was an incredibly tight event.”

Indeed, as stellar as  Bella Mente ’s performance was in the weekend’s primarily moderate breezes, there was no real turning point when the team felt assured of overall victory. “ The last race was short, so when we led Vesper around the first lap after a lot of exciting boat-on-boat action, it was looking more likely we’d win,” said Sanderson, “however, it’s never over in this class, which makes it exciting all the way to the end.” 

Victorious Bella Mente Racing Team

Sanderson and Hutchinson both noted that training sessions leading up to this event were critical in the continual development of  Bella Mente  and its equipment. As part of that, Coach James Lyne analyzed the boat’s sail set-up, maneuvers and weight placement. During training and racing, he photographs and records the performance of the boat from an aero and hydro standpoint. “We were really happy with the new rig and sails,” said Sanderson, “but somehow we need to find some rating optimization without slowing the boat down, so we have some fun challenges ahead!”  Sanderson added that for the Annual Regatta, Bella Mente Racing knew that Bella Mente  would be most closely matched with  Vesper  and  Proteus.  In the end, the three finished, respectively, in first, second and third with only one point separating each position. “The fact that we all ended up so close on points was no surprise,” he said, “but Vesper beat up on us pretty hard at the previous regatta in the Caribbean, so it was nice to be at least in the hunt. We are under no illusion, though; we still have a lot of work to do if we want to be in the mix for the Maxi World Championships later this year.”  Meanwhile, next up for  Bella Mente  is the July 13-16 New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport.

More About NYYC Annual Regatta The New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta was first sailed on the Hudson River on July 16 and 18, 1846. A similar competition the previous year was called a Trial of Speed. With a few exceptions for world wars and other global crises, the event has been held every year since. For most of its existence, the Annual Regatta was raced on waters close to New York City. Since 1988, however, the event has been sailed out of the Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, R.I., and has settled into the current three-day format.

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Safe Harbor Marinas + New York Yacht Club Regatta Association

Safe Harbor Marinas is proud to partner with the New York Yacht Club Regatta Association and invites New York Yacht Club members to explore the Safe Harbor network.

Through our partnership, New York Yacht Club members receive a preferred rate at any Safe Harbor location and access to Safe Harbor Membership Concierge, an exclusive service providing personalized assistance navigating the Safe Harbor network.

For assistance visit  https://shmarinas.com/membership-concierge/  please submit your transient request by completing the form below and mention you are a New York Yacht Club member in the comment section and a Membership Concierge teammate will contact you.

* Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions, and may only be applied to a maximum of 7 consecutive nights of transient dockage.

We appreciate your interest and welcome your questions or comments. Please submit them using this form.

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