A sordid rat story terrorizes stars favorite private club

The San Vicente Bungalows, touted as the most exclusive club in Los Angeles, is reportedly facing health issues, according to Page Six.

$10,000 is the sum allegedly offered by San Vicente Bungalows, a favorite club of stars like Taylor Swift in West Hollywood, to an employee who will identify the coworker who placed a dead rat on the club premises, described as an attempted “sabotage”.

Now, to delve into the heart of the matter, a brief introduction is necessary. The mere curious are advised to keep a safe distance from the elegant white bungalows that make up this complex, reserved for the cream of the elite. San Vicente Bungalows, abbreviated as “SVB”, which offers similar rentals in Santa Monica and New York, boasts amenities such as an intimate “private” bar, a restaurant, a private dining room, a sushi bar, a screening room, and nine rooms and suites for overnight stays.

Membership at San Vicente Bungalows, solely by recommendation of another member, involves hefty entry fees – not to mention annual dues. However, this does not guarantee access to the club; as founder Jeff Klein stated in GQ, shortly after its 2019 launch, only 10% of applications are accepted by the 14-member secret admission committee, regularly renewed.

“Above all, it’s not about having money, but being interesting,” said an anonymous member to the Hollywood Reporter in 2019.

The allure of San Vicente for its members primarily lies in the strict confidentiality measures in place, requiring guests to place a sticker over their phone’s camera lens at the entrance to prevent any photos or social media posts. (Although this measure did not prevent the sightings of Jay-Z and Taylor Swift, as recalled by the Wall Street Journal.)

This incident, as bizarre as it is embarrassing, marks a new chapter in a long history of mishaps and embarrassment for the prestigious Hollywood club that charges its members over 35 a nearly $5,000 annual fee ($1,800 for younger members). Last week, Page Six reported that the establishment’s “event kitchen” had been temporarily closed due to presumed health violations, including the presence of insects, rodents, or birds, according to Los Angeles county health authorities.

An insider at San Vicente Bungalows rebutted, explaining that the space described as a “separate event kitchen” had been “temporarily closed for renovation work” and had not served meals to clients during this period. An inspection reportedly found and corrected some issues swiftly, with full approval granted within 48 hours. However, the event kitchen would remain out of service until the renovation work was completed.

One thing is certain: while this incident may be embarrassing for one of the most mysterious and sought-after places in Los Angeles, which is currently seeking a new owner to expand overseas, its appeal should remain unchanged for the thousands on the waiting list.

As Jeremy Strong, the actor who plays Kendall Roy in the hit series “Succession” and frequents the three San Vicente establishments, smoothly put it to the Wall Street Journal: “Jeff Klein (the owner and founder) possesses an ineffable and incomparable instinct and exceptional gift. He creates places where you want to be.”

Rat problem… or not.