The Shimoga City Club, formerly known as ‘The Shimoga Club,’ originally started as a tennis club, came into existence in a tiled roof house in 1924 by a few close associate friends for playing lawn tennis and cards during leisure hours. Its members were drawn from various sectors, including business, traders, professionals, education, government officials, and others. The executive body, from its inception, has been headed by the deputy commissioner of the district.

Earlier, only annual Club Day celebrations took place, but the by-laws of the club were framed in 1958, and thereafter, annual general body meetings have been regularly conducted. Honorary members enjoy privileges such as exemption from contributions, and provisions in the by-laws allow for the dynastic lineage of club members. The club has a disciplined administration.

The Shimoga City Club provides facilities such as a bar and restaurant, guest rooms, a library, audio-visual entertainment, a swimming pool, lawn tennis, shuttle badminton, billiards, carom, table tennis, cards, and a gym. Adequate space has been provided for parking members’ vehicles on the club premises.

Several members, including the late Chief Minister Sri J.H Patel, who reached higher echelons in the political field, Sri D.H Shankaramurthy, Chairman of the Legislative Council of Karnataka, and Sri K.S Eshwarappa, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, as well as some M.L.A’s and M.L.C.’s, are part of this club. The road in front of the City Club was named after one of its members, Late K.T.Shamaiah Gowda, who also served as an ex-Vice President of the club.

The Shimoga City Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1984 and is now marching fast towards Centenary Celebrations in 2024. The club building underwent modernization and received luxury touches by renovating the existing premises during the new millennium, as the number of members increased, and their family members actively participated in club activities.