Welcome to the plush surroundings of Dublin's newest private members club, so exclusive that even an It Boy couldn't make the cut.

We might be in the middle of a recession but that hasn't stopped the good times for new private members club Residence as it celebrates it's first week in business today, already closed to new members.

Set in one of the most prestigious addresses in Dublin, 41 St Stephen's Green, Residence has become the most exclusive venue in town, and unlike some more traditional Dublin members clubs, both women and men are welcome to join.

ratio

Indeed it might be a good option for single professional women to pay the joining fee as the ratio of men to women is about 60:40.

For an annual fee of €1,600 and a joining fee of €250, members can enjoy the privileges of the exclusive club, which includes a concierge service, nightclub, two different restaurants, with different and not extortionate prices, meeting facilities, screening rooms and a garden.

Run by the Stokes twins, this is the third enterprise under their belts, after The Clarendon and Bang Café.

Though the cream of Dublin society are now members (including Bono, Ryan Tubridy, Gerry Ryan, Brian O'Driscoll, Pamela Flood and Victoria Smurfit), the club has opened without fanfare. "We decided not to have a big opening night but had two dry run test nights for the members, with a free bar.

"Our members include actors, actresses and businessmen and we wanted to do something a bit different for them," says Christian.

"We had the Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan in on Tuesday night, she was in Bang for dinner so I took her across for a drink and she loved the place," added Simon.

The aforementioned 'It Boy', gossip columnist Gavin Lambe Murphy, was not made to feel so welcome earlier on this week. He was politely asked to leave following the departure of his dining companion, the only Residence member in his group.

The Stokes brothers have been working together for almost ten years since they opened Bang Café in 1999.

"We work very well because we're different, we have a love-hate relationship!" says Simon. "I look after the money and Christian is the creative one."

The club has proven to be a family affair; the twins' father, interior designer Jeff Stokes, along with Deirdre Whelan designed the stunning interior while their mother, Pia Bang, provided the decor.

levels

The club spans over four levels, in the basement is the nightclub, on the ground floor there is a lounge bar, the first floor has a formal dining room and on the top floor is a more casual restaurant.

"We've 400 members now and have stopped taking new members but will reopen membership in a couple of months," says Christian.

"We could have taken more members on but the place doesn't lend itself to too many people. We don't want our members standing shoulder to shoulder but want them to enjoy all the club has to offer."