History of the Club
The Domino Club of Bologna, Italy, is among the oldest gentlemen’s club in the world. In 1725, male members of the Bolognese aristocracy gathered to form the Casino dei Nobili as a venue to meet, enjoy fine cuisine, excellent wine, good conversation, and the various «divertimenti» at their disposal. The tradition is maintained to this day.
Casino dei Nobili remained as the nomenclature for the Club until the social, political, and economic upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries caused the Club to assume a more pertinent name; hence, the birth of the Società del Casino, later Domino Club. The descendants of the original Club founders are to this day members.
Distinguished exponents of international significance who have visited the Domino or who have enjoyed membership include composer Gioacchino Rossini, Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi and Nicolò Paganini, to name a few. Membership is a family tradition.
Amenities include a dining room for members, a dining room for members and their guests, a billiards room, a card room, a periodicals room, a lounge, a scriptorium, a library, a theatre box, which is adjacent to the Royal Box at the Teatro Comunale, and lodging at the nearby Antica Casa Zucchini. However, the greatest amenities are the fine cuisine and excellent wines that reflect Bologna’s reputation as the culinary centre of Italy.
The Domino Club is located in the historic and ancient centre of Bologna. The building is an early 19th century mansion built for a prominent member of the Bolognese society. It reflects the sober elegance that was emblematic of that period. The beauty of Via Castiglione was praised by both Stendhal and Goethe during their visits.
The dress code for lunch is tie and jacket while a dark suit is required for evenings. Regarding ladies accompanying their host, appropriate attire is mandatory.
No business may be carried out on the premises nor are cellphones allowed.
In 1947, the Domino Club, along with a very select few historic and traditional Italian gentlemen’s clubs, gathered to form the Unione Circoli Italiani. It is an association that promotes cultural and social events among its adherents.
