Suro Senen
In the high-stakes world of elite hospitality, the most valuable currency isn’t money—it’s exclusivity, discretion, and the intuitive ability to curate a room. No one understands this better than Gabé Doppelt, the South African-born, London-raised, and New York-hardened power broker who has become the definitive face of the San Vicente Club (SVC) brand. As the global membership director for hotelier Jeff Klein, Doppelt has orchestrated the successful, and at times scandalous, infiltration of the New York private club scene, transforming the former Jane Hotel into the most coveted address in the city.
A Legacy of Media and Hospitality
To understand Doppelt’s grip on the social fabric of New York, one must look at her unconventional professional pedigree. Her career began in 1979 as an assistant to the legendary media maven Tina Brown at Tatler. That early immersion into the world of high-society editorial set the stage for a decades-long career as an editor for some of the world’s most prestigious publications, including Vogue, W, Mademoiselle, and The Daily Beast.
For years, Doppelt moved fluidly between the coasts, observing the nuances of the cultural elite. In 2014, she pivoted away from the media landscape, trading the red pen for the maître d’s podium at Jeff Klein’s iconic Sunset Tower in Los Angeles. It was here that she honed the art of the "power broker," managing the egos, secrets, and demands of the world’s most influential people. Her transition from media to hospitality wasn’t a departure from her roots; it was an evolution of her skill set. Whether curating a magazine spread or a dining room list, the goal remained the same: identifying what—and who—matters.
Chronology of a Manhattan Takeover
The recent expansion of the San Vicente Club into the West Village was never intended to be a permanent residency for Doppelt. When she arrived in Manhattan last year to oversee the launch of the club—housed in a stunning, meticulously restored 1908 redbrick building—the assignment was meant to be an eight-month bridge.
However, the reality of the city intervened. "Within a week of landing in New York, which by the way was in the middle of a snowstorm, I knew there was no way I was going back," Doppelt recalls.
The timeline of the opening was as chaotic as it was glamorous. The club launched in March, but the momentum began long before the doors officially opened. The inaugural event was a star-studded afterparty for the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert. The guest list read like a Who’s Who of global celebrity: Lady Gaga, Cher, Jason Momoa, Anya Taylor-Joy, Donna Langley, Bryan Lourd, and Lorne Michaels.
"We hit the ground running," says Doppelt. Following the initial frenzy, the team hosted a "hardhat party" for members to witness the raw potential of the space before shuttering for a month to finalize the aesthetic details under the direction of designer Rose Uniacke. By the time the club reached its full operational rhythm three months later, it had already established itself as an essential institution.
The Anatomy of an Institution
San Vicente West Village is not merely a bar or a restaurant; it is a meticulously curated ecosystem. The building features a comprehensive array of amenities designed to facilitate both business and pleasure: a high-end restaurant overseen by head chef Nicholas Ugliarolo, a drawing room, a sushi room, a disco, a billiards room, a private screening room, and nine exclusive, well-appointed suites.
The response from the city was immediate and intense. The New York Times famously noted that the opening was "greeted with a sense of urgency that is second only to the future of democracy."
For Doppelt, the contrast between the Los Angeles and New York markets has been a central theme of her recent tenure. "Opening a club in New York is quite intense because New Yorkers certainly let you know when they’re not happy," she admits. "They’re a little more forgiving in L.A. Any new property has the same problems; things you think will go well don’t and things you think are going to be a shit show are always perfect."
Curating the Membership: The "Slow Grower" Philosophy
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the San Vicente Club is its membership strategy. In an era where private clubs often prioritize rapid expansion and subscription revenue, Klein and Doppelt have adopted a "slow grower" philosophy.
"It’s very easy to be greedy and we could take everybody who applies and we would be, I don’t know about successful, but we’d be rich," Doppelt explains. "Success isn’t measured in rich. There’s a great quote of Jeff’s that goes, ‘Just because you’re rich, that makes you interesting?’ We don’t care about that. For us, power isn’t money and that’s the last thing we’re looking for."
This approach manifests in the high barriers to entry. With initiation fees ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 and annual dues between $1,800 and $4,200, the financial threshold is significant, yet it is only the first filter. The ultimate decision rests on the club’s ability to foster an environment where members feel comfortable, respected, and—crucially—unbothered.
The Directrice’s Newsletter: Communication as Control
One of the most unexpected benefits of membership is Doppelt’s "quasi-monthly" in-house newsletter, written under the byline "From The Directrice." These missives have become a cult hit, blending corporate updates with the sharp, observational wit of a veteran journalist.
Inspired by the brutally honest, real-time social commentary of New York restaurateur Keith McNally, Doppelt uses the newsletter to maintain the culture of the club. She doesn’t shy away from naming names—or at least, calling out behaviors. One infamous note recounted a member being "jettisoned" for shouting at a high-profile VIP. Another, a Valentine’s Day rant, addressed two members who had used a high-floor bathroom for an "amuse bouche."
"We pride ourselves on respecting every member’s privacy so there were no second chances here. Bye," she wrote regarding the VIP-harrasser. These notes serve a dual purpose: they provide entertainment for the members while reinforcing the strict code of conduct that keeps the club running smoothly.
Implications and the Future
As the San Vicente Club celebrates its first anniversary in the West Village, the implications for the hospitality industry are clear: the era of the "big box" private club is fading, replaced by intimate, high-service environments that prioritize cultural synergy over mere exclusivity.
The success of the West Village location has ignited an appetite for further expansion. "Of course we’re ravenously hungry to do another," Doppelt says.
While she has extended her stay in New York for at least another year, the horizon remains open. For Doppelt and Klein, the next step isn’t about a specific city, but rather finding the right "bones." Whether it’s a historic property in London, Paris, or elsewhere, their focus remains on the architecture of the building and the potential to create a sanctuary for their members.
"We love New York. We love Europe. Maybe London, maybe Paris," Doppelt muses. "We don’t know. We love buildings. So, wherever we find the next crumbling old lady."
As she continues to hold court in the West Village, Gabé Doppelt remains the ultimate gatekeeper—not just of a physical space, but of the social standards that define the modern elite. In her hands, the San Vicente Club is not just a destination; it is the center of a new social order, one where discretion, wit, and a healthy disregard for the status quo are the only metrics that truly count.
Evan Lee Salim
Dwi Wanna
