Established in 1891, Colonial Club is the fifth oldest club on Prospect Avenue and is easily recognizable by its four large, white columns fashioned in the Colonial Revival style.  As the first of Princeton’s eating clubs to move away from the bicker process and to go coeducational in 1969, we have retained an openness that has encompassed the heart of our community ever since. Members of Colonial Club are a part of a genuine, diverse, and intellectual family, all the awhile enjoying an unparalleled dining experience.

Featuring an open grill and smoothie station, Colonial’s first-rate cuisine has long been the envy of the Street. Our Executive Chef, Gilberto Ramirez, has directed Colonial’s culinary experience for over 20 years. Graduating from the prestigious French Culinary Institute, Chef Gil has worked at the renowned TPC Jasna Polana and continually fascinates our members with his intricate dishes and desserts.

Hosting a variety of events for our community such as weekly study breaks, game nights, classy semi-formals, and extravagant winter and spring formals, Colonial has maintained a history of providing Princeton upperclassmen access to unforgettable social activities. The club was referred to as “flamboyant Colonial” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s debut novel, This Side of Paradise—a reputation and legacy that continues to persist in our members, alumni, and graduate members today.

Furthermore, members of Colonial are able to participate in various academic and professional endeavors including Colonial Investments, the club’s student-run portfolio of over $100k in assets under management; Colonial’s Professor Dinner Series, where notable Princeton professors debate and discuss with our members over dinner and drinks; and Colonial Alumni Panels and Networking Events, where current Colonialites have the opportunity to meet alumni in medicine, law, business, government, and finance.

Affiliated with several Rhodes Scholars and Valedictorians of Princeton University, Colonial prides itself in maintaining a rigorous scholarly community devoted to pursuits in research and academia. According to Princeton Alumni Weekly, among the Princetonians who were involved in the World War II code-breaking at Bletchley Park, several called Colonial Club home during their undergraduate years at the University.

Famous alumni of Colonial include noted Princeton illustrator William B. Pell 1898; Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell ’40, creator of Pell grants in 1973; Pete Conrad ’53, the third man to walk on the moon; Eric E. Schmidt ‘76, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of Google; Texas Senator and 2016 Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz ’92; and Wentworth Miller ’95, star of the popular TV series Prison Break.

Facilities

From the Street, one can easily glean that Colonial has one of the largest clubhouses out of all of the Eating Clubs of Princeton University. Our gorgeous front lawn has been host to several bonfires, barbecues, golf outings, frisbee matches, and various bands and artists such as Audien and Waka Flocka Flame. Our magnificent dining hall boasts lavish tables and fireplaces that contribute to Colonial’s dining experience. It is bordered by the Elk Room, a beautiful common room with a grand piano for musical performance and old-fashion couches for some rest and relaxation. Colonial’s second floor is unrivaled in size along all of Prospect. There is a large, antique-styled library with plenty of room for quiet studying or group work. Next to it is the Del Vento room, a small study displaying Colonial’s profound history with a great view of the Street. Then there is the Colonial Theatre, which boasts tiered, reclinable seating and hundreds of movies, topped off by a huge HD projection system and a large selection of games for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, and PS4. Then, there is another quiet study room with huge, comfy bean bag chairs that are perfect for napping. Near the end of the hall, Colonial has a computer lab courtesy of Google’s Eric Schmidt and, last but not least, a recreational room equipped with a pool table, ping pong table, foosball table, and a cabinet full of board games.

Events

Great music, great drinks, and great people can always be found at Colonial. Open most Fridays PUID, we invite you to check out our lively taproom and bust some moves on our dance floor. Colonial also enjoys keeping it classy with a variety of semi-formals, from wine and cheese soirees to casino nights, for our members and their guests. Colonial hosts four or five events every week for our members including trivia night, food study breaks, movie nights and more. Come check out our events for Sophomores during Street Week!

Food

Colonial provides a variety of culinary options for our members, with vegetarian selections available daily. Breakfast is served À la carte, with breakfast smoothies, assorted fruits, omelets made to order, and standard meat and egg options available. Lunches and Dinners are always a treat, with a wide variety of salads, burgers, steaks, ribs, quiches, and other delicacies often gracing the menu. Lunch also includes a open grill where one of our cooks makes food such as burgers, quesadillas, and tacos to order. Thursdays are our weekly pub nights, where members feast on delicious green bean fries, fajitas, supreme nachos, bison burgers, and buffalo wings and enjoy fine bottled drinks. To top it off, Colonial hosts weekly study breaks on Wednesdays, bringing in exciting options such as Junbi, sushi, Hoagie Haven, and more! 

History

Located at 40 Prospect Avenue, the Colonial Club was founded in 1891 as the fifth oldest eating club at Princeton, and the first club to admit women. Colonial is one of two current eating clubs on the north side of Prospect and is easily recognizable by its four large white columns fashioned in the Colonial style. In his novel This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald referred to the club as “flamboyant Colonial” and identified it as one of the “top five” clubs at Princeton. Originally a bicker club, Colonial went non-selective in 1969 and has retained that openness as part of its philosophy ever since.

Alumni

Colonial Club is proud to boast our Graduate Board of Governors who give their time and expertise to oversee the Club and ensure its ongoing presence and history for many years to come. Colonial Club is truly “Bound together by genuine ties of friendship.” Famous alumni of Colonial include William B. Pell 1898, noted Princeton illustrator; Norman Thomas 1905, the chief Socialist in the United States and perennial Socialist candidate in every presidential election from 1928 to 1948; Claiborne Pell ’40, Rhode Island Senator and creator of Pell grants in 1973; Pete Conrad ’53, the third man to walk on the moon; Edward F. Cox ’68, U.S. politician and son-in-law of President Richard Nixon; Eric E. Schmidt ‘76, former CEO of Google; Ted Cruz ’92, Texas Senator and 2016 Presidential Candidate; and Wentworth Miller ’95, star of the popular TV series Prison Break.

Service

Colonial Club actively partakes in many service events throughout the year, supporting both local and international causes. In spring of 2013, Colonial held its Dare to Donate fundraising event, which received the ICCF Creativity Award from the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. The proceeds went towards the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, as well as schools in New Jersey that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The club also regularly volunteers for the Princeton-Blairstown Center. In the fall, members attend Woodcutter’s Weekend for trail maintenance, and in the spring members frequently give tours of the University for the urban youth through the Princeton Campus Exhibitions program. Colonial holds events with Big Brothers Big Sibs, a national organization that pairs volunteers with young children to foster mentorship and friendship, during which Colonial members help kids with arts & crafts and educational activities. Colonial also partners with EcoReps to support sustainability initiatives such as Clothing Swap, and Colonial continues to be part of the Community Service Intercouncil Club (CSICC), which organizes events such as the Trick-or-Feed Fundraiser and TruckFest that benefit food security chains in Trenton and the wider New Jersey area. Colonial Club also donates excess food and meals to Share My Meals, a local food bank that delivers meals to food insufficient families in our local area.

Financial Aid

Colonial is committed to making sure that our members can enjoy the club regardless of their families’ financial situations. Every member that has applied for aid has received support from us. Colonial is committed to making sure that our members can enjoy the club regardless of their families’ financial situations. Financial aid is available to all members by way of an application. If you are interested and in need of assistance to join the Club, please request the application from the Undergraduate President, Alexis Wu (alexiswu@princeton.edu) or our Club Manager, Kathleen Galante (kgalante@colonialclub.com). Colonial Club is proud to report that all members who applied for aid have received some form of support from the Club.