The Hillside Club

What The Hillside Club does

The Hillside Club is a private, member-owned nonprofit social and cultural organization founded in 1898 in Berkeley, California, operating continuously for over 125 years from a historic clubhouse at 2286 Cedar Street. The current building, designed in 1924 by architect John White in the First Bay Tradition style, was designated a City of Berkeley Landmark in 2004. The organization functions as a hybrid community club and event venue, with four primary revenue streams: (1) annual membership dues of $180 per person (June 1 through May 31 fiscal year), (2) ticketed event admissions for concerts, theater, dance, lectures, and films distributed primarily via Eventbrite, (3) venue rentals to individuals and organizations for weddings, receptions, memorials, meetings, and performances (minimum 5-hour rental with capacity capped at 180 standing / 150 theater / 120 seated dining), and (4) recurring wellness classes (Tai Chi and Chi Gong, MWF mornings, $20 general / $15 member).

The club operates an extensive cultural programming portfolio, including the Hillside Club Concert Series curated by Music Director Bruce Koball (20+ years), Hillside Echoes folk series, Chamber Music with Ben Simon, HOOT! community music nights, Etude Club concerts (resident since 1946), Bluegrass Jams, theater and opera productions via partnerships with Pocket Opera and Kairos Youth Chorus, monthly Fireside Meetings, an annual member art show, food and wine events, documentary film screenings, and dance programming. The technical platform comprises a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound audio system, full theatrical lighting, digital video capabilities, and a Wix-hosted website supplemented by Eventbrite ticketing, Mailchimp newsletters, and active Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels.

Customer segments include Berkeley-area arts and culture enthusiasts (primary geographic segment), annual club members (recurring relationship), and private event hosts (use-case segment). Go-to-market is community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-consumer, relying on word-of-mouth, member referrals, and event programming. The organization is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and is currently undertaking a 2026 Capital Campaign to complete the full restoration of the clubhouse for its second century.

Name

The Hillside Club

Legal name

The Hillside Club

Website

https://hillsideclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Hillside Club is a member-owned nonprofit social and cultural organization founded in 1898 in Berkeley, California. It operates a historic 1924 landmark clubhouse offering membership, ticketed cultural programming, venue rentals, and wellness classes to Bay Area residents and arts enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Club & Historic Event Venue

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic/Heritage Conference Hotels (THAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hotel & Resort Convention Venues (Convention Hotels) (THAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Community social club
• Historic event venue
• Cultural programming
• Live music concerts
• Membership organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $180 per person providing access to member-only events, discounts on event admission, and reduced venue rental rates. Membership year runs June 1 through May 31.
2. Event Admissions: Revenue from ticket sales for public concerts, theater performances, dances, lectures, and other cultural events. Various price points with member discounts available.
3. Venue Rental: Private event rentals of the club facility for weddings, receptions, memorials, business meetings, and performances. Rental fees vary by event type and duration with a 50% deposit required to secure dates.
4. Wellness Classes: Tai Chi and Chi Gong classes offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at $20 per class for general public and $15 for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Hillside Club is a member-owned nonprofit social and cultural club that operates a historic 1924 landmark clubhouse in Berkeley, California. Its core offering combines venue rental of the 150-180 capacity historic hall (with state-of-the-art Meyer Sound audio and theatrical lighting) for weddings, receptions, memorials, meetings, and performances, with a year-round calendar of cultural programming — concerts, theater, opera, dance, lectures, documentary films, art shows, wellness classes, and food and wine events — most of which are open to the public, with member discounts via a $180/year individual membership.

Product overview

The Hillside Club is a community-based membership organization operating a historic 1924 landmark clubhouse in Berkeley, California. The organization offers a unified portfolio of venue rental services and cultural programming. Core offerings include: (1) Event Venue Rental of the historic clubhouse for up to 180 guests with AV/lighting systems; (2) Live Music Programming through multiple concert series including the Hillside Club Concert Series, Hillside Echoes folk series, Chamber Music, Hoot! Community Music Nights, and Bluegrass Jams; (3) Theater & Opera performances; (4) Health & Wellness Classes (Tai Chi and Chi Gong); (5) Art Shows & Exhibitions including an annual member art show; (6) Lectures & Talks; (7) Food & Wine Events including wine tastings and member dinners; (8) Documentary Film Series; (9) Fireside Meetings; (10) Dance Events; supported by a (11) Membership Program offering $180/year benefits and discounts. All offerings are designed to support community arts and culture while preserving the landmark building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hillside Club Concert Series: Premier concert series curated by Music Director Bruce Koball, featuring classical, chamber, jazz, and other musical performances for over 20 years.
• Hillside School
• HOOT!
• Hillside Echoes

Products and services

• Venue Rental Rental of the historic Hillside Clubhouse in Berkeley for weddings, receptions, memorials, meetings, theater performances, and social gatherings. Capacity: up to 180 standing, 150 theater/lecture, 120 seated dining. Minimum 5-hour rental; 50% deposit to secure the date; balance and $400 security deposit due 30 days before event; $1 million liability insurance required.
• AV & Lighting Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• Venue accommodates up to 180 guests for standing events, 150 for theater seating, and 120 for seated dinners.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Etude Club of BerkeleycoreOthers · 1 January 1946The Etude Club of Berkeley, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting musical development among adults and students, has called the Hillside Club home since 1946. Monthly meetings include live performances, and the club hosts an annual Young Artist Competition for students aged 13-18.
• Pocket OperaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPocket Opera presents opera performances at the Hillside Club, including productions such as La Rondine, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Madame Butterfly.
• Kairos Youth ChorusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKairos Youth Chorus presents musical theater productions at the Hillside Club, including performances of The Sound of Music.
• Bruce KoballcoreOthersMusic Director Bruce Koball curates the Hillside Club Concert Series, the premier concert series featuring classical, chamber, jazz, and other musical performances.
• Ben SimoncoreOthersHost of the Monday Night Chamber Music Society at the Hillside Club. Violist and SF Chamber Orchestra Music Director Emeritus, Ben Simon leads a collective of top classical players.
• World Shibori Network FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe World Shibori Network Foundation presents textile and fashion exhibitions at the Hillside Club, including shows featuring textiles from Southwest China, Southeast Asia, and India.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hillsideclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/BerkeleyHillsideClub
• Instagraminstagram.com/berkeley_hillside_club
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hillside-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hillside Club