Social clubs for the wealthy don't look like what they used to. Members at NYC's newest cook their own food and bring their own liquor.

Maxwell Social isn't just interested in becoming a "third place." It wants to become its members' second home (hence the kitchen), a place where they can host potluck dinner parties, make their own drinks, and hang out with their friends.

The club — named after Elsa Maxwell, a gossip columnist and socialite who died in 1963 — has furnishings reminiscent of living rooms, libraries, and sunrooms. Yet its crème de la crème isn't the comfortable couches — it's the large kitchen.

It wouldn't be a New York City social club without a fee, of course.

The lowest price is the "community tier," Litwak said, an opportunity to keep the club diverse with different genders, professions, and races.

But he did say the lowest tier comes with a shared liquor locker while the upper two don't have to share theirs. After all, it is a bring-your-own-bottle space.

"We're looking for serious people who don't take themselves seriously," Litwak said, a distant callback to dating app prompts. 

And they've already turned away plenty of applicants, they say.

After all, if you're paying at least $5,500 your first year, wouldn't you want a waitstaff to provide you with your food?

Before Maxwell became what it is today, the team experimented with a multi-city dinner party pop-up and memberships at brick-and-mortar bars and restaurants.

"Any regular event-thrower will tell you this: The coolest people they want to show up get invited to the most other events," Litwak said. "It's not a great way to build community if the coolest people in your community are not attending as often."

All three provide this coveted sense of community — similar to places of worship — that Maxwell is trying to emulate. 

But according to Litwak, unlike these organizations, Maxwell doesn't have restrictions based on ethnicity, gender, educational background, or religion.

Instead, the only restriction is how much you're willing to pay.

And by giving guests their own kitchen, Maxwell can save money — no need to hire a kitchen and waitstaff if these roles are already being filled by its members.

The entire interior was gutted and rebuilt over 13 months. But reminders of China Blue still remain in the form of its logo and the Seamless and Postmates stickers on the club's entry door.

And Litwak says it's already profitable with 100 members and additional revenue streams like private event rentals.

To tend to these members, the club will be staffed with five or six people including bartenders, cleaners, a door person, and a manager. 

Inside, the two-floor physical space can be separated into four main areas: the entryway that looks like a giant closet, the kitchen that opens into a larger lounge and dining table, the sun room-esque back room hidden behind a rotating bookshelf, and the downstairs basement. 

This lower level is a mix between a movie room, a bathroom, and a stage for live music. 

The bathtub pictured above is the one on its top floor — Maxwell has two bathtubs.

Maxwell has bartenders but part of the appeal is the ability to pour your own drink.

A mural of the New York and Paris skyline grace the wall near the ceiling while the all-important kitchen opens onto the rest of this upstairs space.

Here, there's a modern stove top with immaculate burners, a glistening golden vent, marble countertops, utensils, and rows of storage.

If the previous space looked like a moody and expensive living room, this looked more like a whimsical English garden or sunroom.

The mismatched pillows, exposed brick walls, and not-too-vintage-looking chandeliers could have the approval of any gardening grandparent.

To prevent this, Maxwell is only open after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

Maxwell is about the community — it is a social club after all.

"We're building a community that happens to have a clubhouse," Litwak says.

In some cases, Maxwell will help with grocery delivery. And cleaners (including dishwashers) come with the membership fee. Now that's a real luxury.