What is Ned's? DC private club referenced in Kash Patel lawsuit

A private Washington DC social club is included in court filings by FBI Director Kash Patel, who filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.

What is Ned's, and why is it entangled within Patel's suit?

What did The Atlantic say about Ned's?

In its April 17 story titled "The FBI Director Is MIA," The Atlantic claimed Patel's alleged drinking habit is well known within Washington DC circles.

"They said that he is known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication, in many cases at the private club Ned’s in Washington, D.C., while in the presence of White House and other administration staff," the article stated, citing unnamed sources. "He is also known to drink to excess at the Poodle Room, in Las Vegas, where he frequently spends parts of his weekends. Early in his tenure, meetings and briefings had to be rescheduled for later in the day as a result of his alcohol-fueled nights"

What is Ned's?

Ned's Club is described on its website as being a private space "for diverse professionals to meet, work and have a good time."

Also with locations in London, New York and Qatar, Ned's is located on 15th Street NW across from the White House.

Ned's offers daily events, including CEO-led workshops and panel discussions, exclusive restaurants and bars, spa access, special bedroom rates and other perks.

Potential members must provide a photo of themselves as well as referrals before they can be admitted.

Ned's takes its privacy seriously, with photography not allowed inside the club.

Upon the club's opening last year, WTOP said it cost $5,000 to join, along with $5,000 annual membership dues.

What did Kash Patel say about Ned's?

Patel said The Atlantic's accusation that he frequently gets intoxicated at Ned's and the Poodle Room is "false and defamatory."

"Director Patel does not drink to excess at these establishments or anywhere else, and this has not, and has never been, a source of concern across the government," Patel said in the lawsuit.

Patel alleged The Atlantic never contacted Ned's to coobororate what its sources had said.

"They never cross-checked Director Patel’s public schedule against the claim that meetings had to be rescheduled for 'alcohol-fueled nights,'" according to the lawsuit.

In a statement Monday, The Atlantic said "we stand by our reporting on Kash Patel."

"We will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit," the publication said.