If you've ever ventured toward Main Street in Boerne, Texas, you've likely driven right past its vague signage concealed in plain sight, not knowing what was in store.
For nearly two years, a private social club called "The Oak" has been quietly enjoying an under-the-radar, invite-only clubhouse experience in downtown Boerne, founded by California transplant Mike Zaroudny, who says the connections being made at the private social club are "starting to beg for a bigger audience," and members are ready to crack open the door for others — as long as it's the right fit.
"It’s probably time we stop keeping our own little secret," Zaroudny told MySA. "There's a lot happening out here, and it might just be worth a trip up I-10."
I was given the chance to stop by the private club's shop in early June. As you walk through the parking lot, you may notice a few Ferraris.
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The Oak is aptly named, with its rich interiors, smoky cigar scent, strong wooden deck out back, and live jazz playing in the background.
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With the craft drinks, aged cigars, and hospitality, it's safe to say this is one of Boerne's coolest late-night social scenes. It has more than 325 members, and the clubhouse boasts an "unapologetically masculine design," offering a "retreat for men and women who have achieved success," according to its website.
In the entranceway, you'll catch a game of pool, a social atmosphere, a "where everyone knows your name vibe," and a couple of lounge spaces set in front of an elegant, chic bar.
Among the drinks was the Lavender Collins, an Empress 1908 Gin drink with Monin Lavender syrup topped with Topo Chico and crushed ice.
Off to the back was the Hemingway Library, a comfortable and upscale room thoughtfully decorated with artwork paying homage to literary and cultural figures. This space has a rare vintage book collection, intriguing artifacts and vibey decor.
The room is used for card games, smoking and perusing the books, and you can even catch a game on TV. Oh, and there's a dedicated barber's chair in case you're in the mood for a luxury shaving experience.
To the right was the cigar locker, a bright room with a humidor keeping the product at the right temperature and puffing out a cloud of sweet-scented vapor.
I tried my first cigar there, not knowing what to expect. My bartender Diego helped my boyfriend and me pick out the right cigar. As I puffed away, I finally understood the appeal of smoking jackets and calling perfect strangers "old sport."
Moving past the business suite, a spot where members can conduct work should it call, we grabbed another couple of drinks, an elegant espresso martini and a rich carajillo — two bold coffee-flavored spirits — and headed for the deck, enjoying the artwork along the way.
Among the items on the wall was a windbreaker worn by the late actor Chris Penn in the 1992 Quentin Tarantino film Reservoir Dogs.
The Oak is where the high-key old town crew who still remember Boerne's small-town status and the big city business folks convene for a good time, exhausted from the day's work in a city in transition.
In that way, the club serves as somewhat of a metaphor for Boerne's tension between the fast-paced future of its arriving expansion and the anxiety from residents who want to see responsible growth and the preservation of the city's resources.
In following that metaphor, all of Boerne is a clubhouse, cracking open the door for those who want in.
Also, there's pizza. Think Neapolitan slices, Italian salads, and other late-night bites.
Find it: 605 S Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 1 to 10 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 1 to 10 p.m.; Friday1 p.m. to midnight; Saturday noon to midnight; and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.