After being boarded up for over half a century, the historic Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse is officially reopening this July. But while the sprawling $88 million restoration is being celebrated as a major win for New York beachgoers, a new detail is sparking intense local debate: using the premier facilities is going to cost you.
Following the monumental news that the 40,000-square-foot landmark is finally coming back to life, New Yorkers were thrilled to get “The People’s Beach” icon back. However, the reveal of The Rockaway Ocean Club—a private, members-only beach club embedded right inside the public pavilion—has completely shifted the conversation.
While a significant portion of the bathhouse will remain fully public, this new luxury wing brings exclusive amenities, steep yearly fees, and a wave of controversy to one of NYC’s most democratic waterfronts. Here’s what you need to know about the privatization of the historic bathhouse before hitting the sand this summer.
The Privatization of a “People’s Beach” Icon
While the $88 million reconstruction is undoubtedly an impressive feat—restoring the gorgeous architecture and adding public boardwalk concessions—it comes with a controversial twist that has New Yorkers talking.
The historic public bathhouse’s private wing is being helmed by a development team with deep Soho House roots. They are bringing that exact brand of exclusive, members-only luxury straight to the Rockaway shoreline.
To give you an idea of what “The People’s Beach” is competing with, the private club features an oasis that completely separates members from the public crowd, including:
- The Pool: A staggering, zero-entry, 162-person swimming pool lined with private lounge chairs, daybeds, and umbrellas
- The Beach: Dedicated beach attendants who handle on-demand setup and removal of chairs and umbrellas right on the sand.
- The Club & Studio: A private members-only restaurant celebrating the sea, an outdoor garden bar, and a co-working lounge that transforms into a social space by night
Members also score luxury perks like preferred access and steep discounts on the upcoming 28-room boutique hotel cabins (slated for 2027), private event spaces, and exclusive retail merch drops.
On paper, it sounds like a beachgoer’s paradise—but access to this oasis requires crossing a significant financial barrier.
The Cost of Admission (and the lack of a Day Pass)
Before you start rubbing on the sunscreen, let us walk you through the most important part: the cost breakdown–because perks like this unfortunately don’t come free.
The pricing structure is split into three main categories, depending on where you live, your age, and how quickly you lock in your spot.
The Local Discount (Rockaway Annual Membership)
If you’re a local peninsula resident, you get the best deal on property—but you have to prove you live in one of the specific local ZIP codes (11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, or 11697) to bypass the joining fees.
- Individual Local Membership: $1,000 per year (No joining fee)
- Family Local Membership: $3,000 per year (No joining fee)
The Early Birds (Founding Membership)
For those outside the local ZIP codes who want to jump in right away, the club is offering locked-in “Founding” rates for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
- Under 30 Founders: $1,200 per year (plus a $500 joining fee)
- Over 30 Founders: $1,700 per year (plus a $500 joining fee)
- Founding Family: $3,500 per year (plus a $500 joining fee)
- Companion Pass: $1,000 per year (no joining fee)
The Standard Rates (Regular Annual Membership)
If you miss out on the founding tiers, the standard out-of-neighborhood rates kick in, and this is where the entry fee starts to get steep.
- Under 30 Standard: $1,500 per year (plus a $750 joining fee)
- Over 30 Standard: $2,000 per year (plus a $750 joining fee)
- Family Standard: $4,000 per year (plus a $750 joining fee)
- Companion Pass: $1,200 per year (no joining fee)
What Does That Money Actually Buy?
For New Yorkers willing to drop thousands of dollars on a membership, the club offers a level of seaside exclusivity that simply didn’t exist in the Rockaways before.
While the general public is navigating the crowded public sand, members get exclusive access to a private backyard oasis. This includes the massive, zero-entry pool and plush amenities, completely bypassing the long public boardwalk lines via the club’s private lounges, and a members-only restaurant tier.
Essentially, it buys you an escape from the chaotic peak-summer crowds at one of the city’s busiest beaches.
The Real Catch: The Missing “Day Pass”
However, the steep pricing structure has highlighted a major point of contention driving local chatter: the complete lack of a day pass option.
Unlike public pools or typical beach clubs where visitors can buy a single-day wristband, The Rockaway Ocean Club requires a full, upfront annual commitment. For an out-of-neighborhood family paying standard rates, that means shelling out $4,750 for the first year just to step inside the pool gates.
Locals are pointing out the stark reality of the New York calendar: the club’s premier outdoor amenities are really only usable for four to five months out of the year.
Paying thousands of dollars for a seasonal amenity on a historically free public beach is a tough pill to swallow for many longtime community members—setting up a fascinating clash between luxury hospitality and the democratic spirit of “The People’s Beach.”
The Culture Clash: Gentrification at “The People’s Beach”
The introduction of high-end membership fees brings a deeper, more emotional conflict to the shoreline.
Historically, Jacob Riis Park—particularly the area near Bay 1, just steps from the bathhouse—has been far more than just a place to swim. Since the 1940s, it has served as a vital, democratic safe haven for NYC’s LGBTQ+ and trans communities.
Dubbed “The People’s Beach,” this stretch of sand has famously been a free, inclusive sanctuary where marginalized New Yorkers could express themselves safely without judgment.
Because of that deep-rooted history, the arrival of an exclusive club helmed by luxury hospitality veterans has sparked intense gentrification concerns among local beachgoers.
Critics worry that bringing an elite, high-priced “country club” element into the heart of the pavilion will inherently alter the welcoming, come-as-you-are energy that defined Riis Park for nearly a century. The fear is that a space historically built for everyone is being subtly partitioned off for the wealthy few.
The Developer’s Defense: “Crowd Control”
The club’s creators insist that the venue is not trying to displace the beach’s historic community. Instead, they frame the private wing as a family-oriented addition and a practical tool for crowd control.
On peak summer weekends, Riis Beach can see upwards of 45,000 daily visitors. Management argues that the members-only tier creates a managed, sustainable sanctuary to absorb some of that chaos, while the revenue helps fund the preservation of the rest of the historic public spaces.
Ursula Damani, one of the club’s owners, told the New York Times the “vibe will be less snooty and more of a ‘modern day version of an intergenerational country club.'”
What is Still Free
The good news: if you’re not willing to shell out $1,000 for a membership, that doesn’t mean the entire bathhouse is off-limits.
In fact, the majority of the food, beverage, and retail options on the property are fully public. The developers are launching the space in phases, starting with a special Preview Season kicking off Fourth of July weekend (operating Fridays through Sundays from July to October, with more weekdays to come).
Here’s exactly what you can access for free on your next beach day:
The Courtyard & Boardwalk Bars
The massive central courtyard is designed to be the public heartbeat of the property.
- The Courtyard Space: A public area that functions as a playground by day and a live concert venue at night
- Live Music: You can catch live bands and DJs through their “Rockaway Sounds” lineup
- Public Bites & Drinks: During the preview season, the courtyard will host a classic American fare food truck, a Cafe serving snacks and subs, and the Boardwalk Beach Bar serving up cold beers and frozen drinks
Coming Soon: The Full Public Food Hall & Shops
As the summer progresses and the venue moves past its preview phase, a massive lineup of public dining and retail will officially open inside the pavilion, including:
- The Food Hall: A vibrant mix of independent food kiosks
- The Pizzeria: Serving up everything from classic New York slices to vegan and vegetarian options
- Marella’s: A soft-serve gelato and coffee bar
- Everlie’s: A health-focused spot for smoothies, salads, and acai bowls
- Public Bars & Retail: The public Cafe Bar and “Boogie” (a tiki-vibe bar with good music), along with variety shops like Sunny’s Spot Beach Mart for forgotten beach essentials
Parking and the Beach
The ocean itself needs no explanation and remains completely free, with lifeguards on duty daily from 10 am to 6 pm through Labor Day.
And if you’re driving down, the club hasn’t monopolized the asphalt—there are still over 8,500 public parking spaces available in the National Park’s Gateway Recreation Area, where you can easily buy a daily parking pass online or a seasonal pass at the lot entrance.
