Societies and clubs at St Catharine's College, Cambridge

The College lists undergraduate formals on Wednesday, postgraduate formals on Thursday, a formal on Sunday, and a Super Hall on a Friday twice each term. Bookings are made on Upay and close at 13:00 on Sunday (for Wednesday), Monday (Thursday), Tuesday (Friday) and Thursday (Sunday); after closing there is no cancellation or refund. Members must bring their University Card and enter Hall with all their guests. Under-16s are not admitted, and 16–18s need the Dean's prior permission. College formal halls page (opens in a new tab)

The College's code says only members of St Catharine’s and their guests may attend, guests' names must be entered when booking, names cannot be changed after booking closes, and diners must be seated by 19:30; latecomers are refused. Formal Hall is not for large groups or societies, which must book private dinners. Each person may bring one bottle of wine or soft drink; no other alcohol. Formal Hall Code of Behaviour (opens in a new tab)

The MCR guide adds that bookings open two weeks before. A member may book up to three guests for a Thursday formal in Hall, but only one at the monthly formal in the smaller SCR (capacity 40). Pre-drinks start at 18:45; the group goes to Hall at 19:20, and there is no entry after 19:30. Pre-drinks and port with the cheese course are provided, and corkage is free. Members wear gowns; guests may. Sunday formals are shared with the JCR. The MCR says its outgoing swaps to other colleges have only 10–20 places; this says nothing about places for visitors to St Catharine’s. No price is published; Upay shows it. MCR formal hall guide (opens in a new tab)

Practical assessment: A visitor needs a St Catharine’s member to book them as a named guest on Upay and to enter Hall with them. Watch the 13:00 closing day for each formal night. Guest numbers come from the MCR guide; the College pages give no general cap.