Look for a grand, six-story building with striking red brick walls, cream-colored terra cotta details, black iron railings, and a standout arched entrance-nestled right between a parking lot and a neighboring building.
Now, take a moment to imagine yourself standing here just over a hundred years ago-only instead of smartphones, you’d see San Francisco’s most spirited women bustling by in their tennis shoes and swim caps. Welcome to the Metropolitan Club, once known as the Woman’s Athletic Club, a pioneer in women’s fitness and friendship out here on the wild, wind-swept West Coast. Picture the city in 1917, when these bold women decided to build their own stunning palazzo-inspired clubhouse-modeled on those grand Florentine estates-with its elegant red brick walls and swirling cream terra cotta. Back then, the idea of women having their own gym and social sanctuary was about as daring as wearing pants to dinner!
Through those arched doors, just past the crisp click of iron railings, you’d find a formal lobby decked out in paired columns and marble so bright, your shoes practically echo off the stone. Legend has it, the pool was dug right into the basement-so while the men’s clubs were upstairs smoking cigars, these ladies dove deep, swimming laps beneath them!
In 1938, the Kakemono Lounge opened with Japanese touches-imagine the soft clink of cocktail glasses and laughter drifting under paper lanterns. But wartime brought new energy; in 1941, if you were a woman serving with the Red Cross Motor Corps, you’d be welcomed for a hearty post-shift meal, perhaps seated beside the wives of United Nations delegates in 1945, their voices swirling with hope for a new era.
Over the years, this place evolved. In 1966, the club got a facelift with a new name-the Metropolitan Club-to show it wasn’t just about athletics anymore. And remember the Olympic Club next door? Talk about tension; the Metropolitan considered joining forces, but ultimately these ladies decided they liked their independence better. Can you blame them?
Step closer and sneak a look at those fourth-floor windows-inside, the Tapestry Room saw everything from wedding celebrations to fierce games of bridge. Picture the scent of polished wood and flowers, the gentle hum of spirited conversation.
Even today, the Metropolitan Club is alive with stories, a place where history, resilience, and elegance blend every day. And, with that much personality packed onto one city block, it’s no wonder they’re known for the best parties in town.
