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The Rideau Club is a noted social club in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1865 by John A. Macdonald, it was created two years before Canada confederated as a nation. It was originally located near the Parliament Buildings and was the meeting place both for Canada's political elite, and the city of Ottawa’s social and business elite. It is a members only club that promotes new members and hosts events for members and their affiliates.

Originally located across the street from the Parliament Buildings, the original club building burned down in October 1979 and it is now located on the top floor of a downtown office tower on Bank Street. At the time of the fire, the Canadian Government was attempting to expropriate the club property to serve as part of a future US embassy. It now has its own separate elevator escorting its members to the quaint lobby on the 15th floor. The view from the club's main dining room is vast and the reason for most members attendance. The north side of the club consists of a strip of windows that overlook the Ottawa River and a beautiful view of both Gatineau and downtown Ottawa. You can clearly see the outline of the Museum of Civilization, the most visited museum visited in Canada ^[1]. In further distance, you have a nice visual of the Lac-Leamy fountain. The club is now recognized for their banquets and ability to hold large events. They host many events from weddings, book signings, business dinners, and conferences. They also hold many events for club members, such as Build Your Own Cocktail events and wine tastings. The bar is always fully stocked with premium liquor and consists of experienced, and talented bartenders. The club prides itself in fine dining and impeccable service.

It was reported to be the first club in Canada (and one of the first in North America) to disallow the use of the blackball tradition which allowed clubs to subtly discriminate against potential Jewish members.

Similarly, in the 1970s, after seeing controversy over its all male policy, the club allowed female members and at the same time removed restrictions on female guests. There is a portrait of the first female member, Jean Pigott, in one of the event rooms. She was accepted to the Rideau Club in 1979, the same year as the fire.

Each room in the Rideau Club on the South side of the club is dedicated to a significant person in Canadian history. Most are named after former Prime Ministers, but one is named after Yusuf Karsh. It is filled with famous portraits taken by him and dedicated to the Rideau Club after his passing.

Several histories of the club have been written, beginning with Lieutenant-Commander Charles H. Little’s “The Rideau Club: A Short History: The First Hundred Years, 1865-1965”. This was followed by a 125th anniversary history, “Up from the Ashes: The Rideau Club Story” written by noted Canadian journalist Charles Lynch, published by University of Ottawa Press in 1990. For the club’s 150th anniversary Christopher McCreery was commissioned to write a new and bilingual history, “Savoir Faire, savoir Vivre: Rideau Club 1965-2015” and this was released in late 2014. Many of these stories are framed and placed around the club. The John A. Macdonald event room is dedicated to the Rideau Clubs history and their large milestones.

In 2017, they changed directions regarding their members and the crowd they would like to reach. They hired a new General Manager, Carol-Ann Goering, who's goal is to reach new and upcoming Ottawa elite. She wants to drop the stereotype of "rich old white men", and welcome a new diverse crowd. She is interested in creating a new business space for young leaders to meet and network with one another ^[2]. Both the original members as well as staff, see the need for change in the club's atmosphere. The club's goal is to reach 1,000 members by 2022. They want to keep expanding and reaching many business elite all over the country ^[2]. They also share their facility with affiliate clubs and their members. Many people from all over the world who belong to another members only club, are free to use Rideau Club facilities. This allows for more business as well as many networking opportunities for Rideau Club members themselves.

References

Bibliography

• 
  Little, Charles (1965), The Rideau Club: A Short History: The First Hundred Years, 1865-1965, The Rideau Club
  


• 
  Lynch, Charles (1990), Up from the Ashes: The Rideau Club Story, University of Ottawa Press, ISBN 0-7766-0310-8
  


• 
  McCreery, Christopher (2015), Savoir Faire, Savoire Vivre: Rideau Club 1865-2015, Dundurn Press, ISBN 978-1-4597-1756-5
  

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rideau Club.

• Official website

Coordinates: 45°25′13″N 75°42′01″W / 45.42023°N 75.70023°W / 45.42023; -75.70023