FAQs
Dining at the Club
Are reservations required in the restaurants?
Reservations are recommended in the Presidents and Provosts Room but are not required in The Grill Room, unless you are a party of 5 or more persons. All reservations must be made by Penn Club members in good standing only. Non-members may not dine at the clubhouse unless accompanied by a member or sponsored by a member to stay in the overnight rooms.
How are my dining charges billed?
At the end of the month, you will receive a house statement with all current charges. Your dining charges will include a service fee and applicable taxes.
The food and beverage at the Penn Club is great and at a fabulous value. Can I order food and beverage to go?
No, all food and beverage must be served within the premises of the clubhouse. The New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regulates the sales and service of alcoholic beverages. Members may not buy alcohol (e.g. bottles of wine) to go because the members enjoy the tax benefit as a not-for-profit organization on all food and beverage; the club's charter for this tax advantage is to benefit our members as they socialize with each other and their guests.
Member Sponsorship
Because The Penn Club of New York is a private club, we require that a Penn Club member sponsor each event. A non-member may be billed directly, but the sponsoring member is ultimately liable for any unpaid bills or damages. Any event or reservation with 8 or more people requires a member to complete a simple one-page member function questionnaire (it only takes 1 minute to complete this form) that is required by law.
Can a prospective member use the dining room?
Although prospective members cannot utilize the facility, a guest pass (maximum party of two -- no exceptions) is issued to eligible select member candidates who request membership information about the Club for the first time and have completed a tour of the clubhouse. This one-time use guest pass allows the member candidate to utilize the dining room, Palestra, or attend a club social event prior to joining the facility. It cannot be used for stays in the overnight rooms or for hosting events in the banquet rooms. All fees and purchases must be settled by a major credit card by the member candidate. Those who do not intend to join the Club will not be provided a guest pass. Anyone who was previously a member or who has requested a guest pass before will not be granted one. Because of the Club's not-for-profit charter, any use of the Club by a non-member is considered "unrelated business income" which is limited and fully taxable. The Club reserves the right to decline any provision of guest passes if it has reached its quota of unrelated business income, as determined by the IRS.
You may obtain a guest pass by scheduling a tour and requesting a membership package by emailing membership@pennclub.org or calling the Membership Admissions Office at 212-403-6627.
Banquet and Conference Rooms
What size functions can the Penn Club accommodate?
Meetings from 3 to 100. Food functions from 8 to 250.
Do I have to be a member to utilize the facilities?
You must be a member or a sponsored guest of a member.
What kind of meeting facilities are available at The Penn Club?
From a meeting room in the Business Center that accommodates 5 to a small ballroom-like setting for 250.
Are private functions ever held in the Main Dining Room?
Yes, the Dining Room can be made available evenings and weekends for appropriately-sized functions.
Does The Penn Club do Weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs?
Absolutely, we cater all "life-cycle" events from a Bris to a Wedding for members.
Is Kosher Catering available?
With the approval of the Penn Club, a Kosher caterer can be selected to provide the food.
Can I bring an outside caterer?
Only a Kosher caterer can be brought in.
Can I bring in my own wine/liquor?
No food or beverage may be brought in or taken out of the Club.
Palestra Fitness Center
Is use of the Palestra Fitness Center included in my annual dues?
No. For an additional yearly fee, members may add the Palestra Fitness Center to their account. New members of the Palestra will be given two (2) complimentary fitness evaluation/personal training sessions. Palestra dues are are billed quarterly based on a yearly contract, and will be charged to the member's house account upon admittance into the Penn Club.
Can I use the Palestra Fitness Center on an a-la carte basis?
Yes, Penn Club members may use the Palestra and pay a per-visit fee for use of the facility, if they do not join the Palestra.
Does the Palestra get crowded?
The Palestra gets the most use before and after work. However, since we are not a commercial gym, members find they do not have to wait for equipment.
Are private lessons and training sessions offered?
Yes. As a new member of the Palestra, members receive three (3) personal training sessions. After your complimentary training sessions are over, members may purchase individual training sessions or packages.
Can I bring my own trainer?
No, the Palestra provides personal trainers who are certified and insured to train at the Palestra Fitness Center. We are unable to accept the liability of injury or any other damage should an external trainer be brought into the Club to train our members.
Is there a summer membership to the Palestra Fitness Center?
Yes. Summer membership to the Palestra Fitness Center is available only to CURRENT Penn students (graduate or undergraduate). It is available only from Memorial Day till Labor Day. To join, please complete the Palestra Summer Membership Application.
Can I join the Palestra Fitness Center without joining the Penn Club?
No. You must be a member of the Penn Club to be able to join and/or utilize the fitness center.
Can my spouse also use the athletic facilities?
Yes. Spouses can use the Palestra provided that you are present with him or her. There is a guest fee (per visit) assessed to your account. However, your spouse or life partner may also join the Penn Club at a spousal rate. Once your spouse joins the Penn Club, s/he may also add the Palestra to his/her house account. Please contact the Membership/Admissions Office for a Spousal or Life Partner Membership Application at 212-403-6627.
Overnight Accommodations
How many overnight rooms are there?
The Club has 39 overnight guest rooms including one suite available for our members and their guests.
Can I have guests stay at the Club?
Yes. Guests are welcome to stay at the invitation of a member. Please note that a member must make the reservation for the guest. A nightly guest fee is assessed to any room not occupied by a member.
Can a prospective member stay at the Club?
No. Overnight rooms must be reserved for members and their invited guests. Penn Club representatives are happy to show member candidates a guest room during a tour of the facility.
What time is check in and check out?
Check in is at 3 p.m. and check out is at 12 p.m.
What if I arrive before check in time?
The Front Desk Staff will do their best to accommodate members who request early check-in, however, members and their guests may leave their luggage in the coat room until their room is ready.
Do you have a parking garage?
Convenient parking has been made available to members and their guests with Central Parking Garage, located at 100 W. 44th Street (between Sixth Avenue and Broadway). The garage has two entrances, one on 43rd Street and the other on 44th Street. The Penn Club has a special rate for its members, which is $22 for each 24 hours. In order to get this rate, members and their guests must have their parking tickets validated at the front desk. Valet parking is also available at $40/day.
Are children welcome in the overnight guest rooms?
Yes. Children under the age of 21 are welcome in the club provided that an adult accompanies them.
How far is the Club from area airports?
The Penn Club is approximately 30 minutes from Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK International Airport.
Catering Polices
Menu Selection
Menus are to be the same for all the attendees and must be selected no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the event.
Food & Beverage
All food and beverage must be purchased from and served by The Penn Club of New York. Due to insurance liabilities, remaining food items cannot be removed from the premises.
The New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Board regulates the sales and service of alcoholic beverages. Therefore, it is a strict policy that no liquor or wine may be brought into The Penn Club from outside sources.
Member Sponsorship
Because The Penn Club of New York is a private club, we require that a Penn Club member sponsor each event. A sponsoring member is ultimately liable for any unpaid bills or damages.