One of the best little secrets about some clubs is reciprocity. One has access to clubs in other cities for a discounted rate. For instance, my membership in the Naval Club, London, gets me into the Marine’s Memorial Club in San Francisco, a choice location. Mike, I still can’t allow anyone to hold a very sharp blade to my neck, despite the awesome grooming that it provides. Hope you wear a hat in Chicago or the glare from that shiny dome might dazzle traffic!
Men’s Oasis in the Loop
By Mike Maddaloni on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 11:48 AM with 3 comments
With the day-to-day grind of life and business, it’s good to take a break, even if for just a few hours. Sometimes it’s reading a book in my secret location or a walk along Lake Michigan. Every couple of weeks though, it is to relax and get cleaned up in the process, and for that I take a stroll over to The 316 Club.
The 316 Club, located next to the Board of Trade Building in Chicago, is a men’s spa, “designed to provide an oasis with premium grooming services.” You can get haircut – or in my case a head shave – face shave, face, hand or foot treatment – even waxing. The environment is done well with dark wood and stone, a lounge with a fireplace, pool table and a full bar. They have WiFi, but the last thing I want to do is bring my notebook and do work there!
If you do get a shave, it is a real straight-razor shave by Carmelo, a second-generation Italian-American barber. This is the extreme opposite of using a Bic disposable razor with Barbasol shaving cream! He uses The Art of Shaving products, which I personally have used for several years, which gives me the best shave I have ever had. If you have never had a straight-razor shave, I highly recommend you try it.
As it is called The 316 “Club,” it is a membership club. They offer 2 types of memberships both including unlimited use of one of their package of services – all including a shoe shine – and discounts on other services or products. They also host events throughout the year especially for members.
You don’t have to join to visit the Club, but after a couple of visits you probably will. Do the math for what you are paying now and it will make sense... add in the extras of the experience and it will more than pay for itself. Needless to say I am a member!
Diversions • (3) Comments • PermalinkComments
Comment by Wow, this looks really cool. I’ve started going to the Aveda Institute school on Clark just off Diversey. For $15 I get a great haircut, a shampoo+rinse and a full scalp massage—not a bad deal for young professionals without the $650 to pony up!
Comment by Great post Mike. I’ll check them out sometime.
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