Societies and clubs at Clare Hall, Cambridge

The Dining page (opens in a new tab) says Formal Hall is every Wednesday, 19:00 for 19:30, with no high table. A member books and pays for themselves and their guests through Upay; tickets are sold first come, first served and can reappear after cancellations. Students may invite two guests and Seniors three; more need the Domestic Bursar’s approval, and in the quieter summer months the Upay allowance rises by one. The hall holds 108. Booking typically closes at 15:00 the Monday before a Formal Hall (feasts close at 23:59 seven days before); there are no refunds after booking closes. Hosts are responsible for their guests’ behaviour and for telling them the dress code. Under-18s may not attend, and phones and tablets may not be used at dining events.

Formal dress is required, for example a tailored jacket and tie, trouser suit, skirt or dress, and national dress is acceptable; shorts, trainers and sleeveless vests can mean refusal of entry. Feasts are black tie. Dietary details go in the Upay booking; strictly kosher meals are not available for guests (questions to formals@clarehall.cam.ac.uk). The Graduate Student Body’s External Officers arrange formal swaps by email. Its once-a-term black-tie Jazz Formals have limited tickets that the college says “sell out extremely quickly”.

Prices from October 2026: £17.50 student, £21.00 for a student’s first guest, £32.00 for each further guest; optional wine £6.00 per person. 2026/27 tariff (opens in a new tab).

Practical assessment: ask a Clare Hall member to host you and book before Monday 15:00; a second guest costs noticeably more than the first.