This year, The American Club in Singapore is marking its diamond birthday with a themed birthday bash and social event for the whole family. And Expat Living readers can get involved in this members club in Singapore too (even if you don’t have a club membership!)
Before we get into the party details, though, let’s take a look at how far the premier members-only social club has come over 75 years. Plus, we ask a family what they love about being part of The American Club.
From Humble Beginnings
On 14 September 1948, The American Club was officially established on a rented balcony on the fifth floor of one of Singapore’s first skyscrapers – the Cathay Building at Sophia Road. The Club consisted of 146 members, a bar and two second-hand slot machines manned by a total of five employees.
Today, The American Club is located in the heart of Orchard, along Claymore Hill. The clubhouse is a whopping 120,000 square feet in size and has had a $65 million refurbishment from 2016 to 2019. Membership numbers have also seen some serious development; there are now over 11,000 members from 60 different countries. Coincidentally, this means the Club’s membership is 75 times larger than when it was first established.
Starting out, the members club in Singapore had a single bar to meet and mingle at. Now, the facilities include five dining outlets, a spa, a gym and tennis and squash courts. There’s also a dedicated youth facility that spans four floors, a wine and gourmet store, and more. All of this is run and managed by 300 full-time Team Members.
The American Club Way
While there have been plenty of changes since its foundation, The American Club has always nurtured the core values of freedom, inclusivity and friendship. There is a club space where Americans, Singaporeans and the international community can congregate, exchange ideas and socialise. As a result, the vibrant, diverse and close-knit community creates a “home away from home” feeling at the Club.
Memorable Moments
A member for nearly four decades, Anthony Aurol joined The American Club in October 1983 with his wife Adele and three young children. Anthony and his family have many fond memories of enjoying activities such as swimming, squash and tennis together.
Even though all his children now live in the US, they still visit the Club whenever they are in Singapore. In fact, their childhood swimming coach, Abdul, who is still working at the Club, now assists their children in the pool whenever they’re in town.
Anthony recalls entertaining a lot at the Club’s Presidential Room, a grand and prestigious fine dining restaurant where he could impress clients and friends, along with the Pacific Room, a Chinese restaurant serving authentic cuisine. As many members wanted to enjoy food from both restaurants at the same time, the once segregated restaurants have since been harmoniously united today as The 2nd Floor, a fine dining establishment that offers exquisite East-meets-West fusion cuisine.
These days, Anthony enjoys attending the wine dinners at the Club which pair gourmet cuisine with carefully curated wines from around the world. He also looks forward to other social events, in particular, the annual Birthday Bash and New Year’s Eve Party.
How to Join the Celebrations
Every September, this members club in Singapore organises a themed anniversary Birthday Bash with live music, entertainment and free flow of food and drinks. This is a social event that many members and their guests look forward to year after year.
Don’t have a club membership? Don’t worry! The American Club is offering an exclusive opportunity for Expat Living readers to party all night. All you need to do is book a Club tour from now until 5 September 2023. Be among the first five to do so and you’ll receive a pair of tickets to the Club’s 75th Birthday Bash.
Visit amclub.org.sg to participate, and let them know that you heard about the Club by mentioning “Expat Living 75 and Shining”. (Terms and conditions apply.)
The American Club is at 10 Claymore Hill.
amclub.org.sg | @AmericanClubSingapore
This article first appeared in the August 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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