Carbon NYC Club: Inside The Frat For Millionaires
It's the nouveau version of a New York Gentlemen's club: Carbon NYC is an exclusive networking club for sucesssful New York business men who have demonstrated achievement in their chosen field (ahem, made a lot of money) and demonstrated passion for non-work pursuits (ahem, bottles and models.) Most importantly, NO GIRLS ALLOWED.-
Founded in 2004 by Jay Friedlander, the Carbon Club's mission is "to create a community where camaraderie, influence, and a prolific urban experience intersect." Sort of like the thing Chuck Bass would whip up on a whim, except for a much older set: the average age of Carbon Club members is 37.
Members have to pay a fee of $5,000 a year, which is no big deal for club-members; most are millionaires, and about 30% have a net worth of over 10 million dollars.
The ability to pay the yearly fee alone won't guarantee you a spot in Carbon, which caps its membership at 750 people, despite receiving over 200 applications a year. Prospective members must be referred by current members, and then undergo a pseudo-hazing type process before they're admitted.
Once they're in, the perks of the club are pretty sweet. Because membership consists of affluent men who probably like to show off their money, luxury companies such as Veuve Cliquot and Jaguar are falling over themselves to provide the club with access to their products. Yacht companies have thrown parties for the club, and members get discounted helicopter service between Wall Street and JFK.
But is the club really the "social networking group for the alpha male", as Friedlander describes it?
Not everyone seems to think so. According to an anonymous source:
"Carbon club is funny, I remember their parties being really fun around 5 years ago, but now, it just seems like desperate middle aged guys longing for those "models and bottles" scenes."
More evidence of the club's possible frattiness? The club is taking a big group trip to Vegas this month, and the CarbonNYC Facebook group has a "Maxim Magazine" page (although we have reason to believe Maxim's publisher, Ben Madden, is a member).
According to another source, club members love to hang out at Provocateur, spend loads of money, and "are obsessed with house music."
And as for women, they are allowed to attend CarbonNYC events...as guests.
[All photos via Facebook]
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Erica
April 9, 2010
5:48pm
I just saw this article and had to say something. This club is no high end. Most of the members are between 40 years old and 50 years old and all have drugs problem. They are in absolutely on way high class and they are very much average looking. The purpose of this club is for old guys to meet women and pretend they have a lot of money.
Carbon girl
April 9, 2010
8:22pm
Actually the men are very good looking in Carbon. They are some of the biggest movers and shakers in NY, and they are wonderful philanthropists.
Carbon is for losers
December 19, 2010
6:00am
"movers and shakers"? HA! the guys are not even close to being that. erica is totally right. i went to one party and it was sad, sad, sad. pathetic middle-aged men who were trying so desperately to feel important. very much a herd mentality. definitely has gone downhill since launched. the smart guys saw it for what it was and took off quick.
beatdown
December 20, 2010
4:03pm
Average schlubby middle aged guys. Certainly not millionaires, actually know a few who are unemployed and hurting. Those who have jobs tend to be boring low to midlevel ibs. Dues are high because the group isn't very exclusive. Members complain of wannabe outer borough type girls, goldiggers and prostitutes and such who come out to the events either in search of an open bar and an excuse to dress up or to perhaps "meet a rich guy". So, it is essentially a crowd of unappealing people who deserve each other.
What a group of losers
December 28, 2010
9:26pm
I've been to a few of the parties. Most of the men are over 40, bald, fat and or very short. Many are social misfits who don't have a clue how to get a woman - so they come here. The perfect place to find a dumb sugar daddy. None are looking to socialize with other like minded millionaires.