The Tanglin Club is one of the most prominent and prestigious social clubs in Singapore. As of end 2009 the club had an active membership of 7,810, comprising approximately 70 different nationalities. Its clubhouse is located off Stevens Road, near the centre of town in Singapore. The club's facilities include four restaurants, five bars, several function rooms, a cinema/theatrette, two libraries, and extensive sports and recreation facilities including two swimming pools, a gymnasium, a four-table billiards room, four outdoor and two indoor tennis courts, six single and two jumbo double squash courts and a large roof-top lawn bowls green. The Club's sports sections offer external activities such as scuba diving and golf, and a new sports complex was completed in 2008.
The Tanglin Club was founded in 1865. Its founding President was Singapore's first Police Commissioner, Thomas Dunman.
Tanglin Club, one of Singapore's most prestigious and prominent social clubs, was founded in 1865 to cater to the social and recreational needs of locally based British officials and expatriates. That year, an interim committee was formed, and it comprised Thomas Dunman (President), Herbert Buchanan (Vice-President), Lancelot C. Masfen, Jos. M. Webster, William Mulholland, Walter Oldham, Edwin A. G. C. Cooke and John R. Forrester. Although race was not stipulated as a criterion for membership, only Europeans were admitted. Club members however, were mainly British. On 26 June 1866, Tanglin Club purchased a property in the Claymore Estate for $600. In the same year, the construction of a clubhouse with bowling alleys, billiard rooms, stables, and a dance floor began.
The clubhouse was constructed from bricks made to British standards by a brickfield in Serangoon area. After plastering, the brick walls were washed or distempered. The building had a long overhang roof that was slabbed over with red Chinese clay tiles. The upper storey of the clubhouse, where the main activities were held, had verandahs around its perimeter. Its floor was laid with Changai timber, and supported by timber joists. The dance floor, which was later reputed to be the best in Singapore, was reinforced with cast iron supports. The kitchens, changing rooms and toilet which were located on the ground floor, were laid with red Malaccan tiles and bricks.