Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociéteit De Witte

History

The club was founded in 1782 and has been housed in the monumental Plein building since 25 October 1870. The Paviljoen De Witte was acquired by the club in 1918, and the club library, which dates back to 1855, has grown into one of The Hague’s largest private libraries. More information can be found on the club's website.

Facilities

The club offers a members-only Pleingebouw, which includes the Oude Conversatiezaal, Gaanderij, and Barzaal. Additionally, there is an à la carte Pleinrestaurant, a large private library with approximately 30,000 volumes, a Biljartzaal featuring six billiard tables and one snooker table, a renovated Kegelbaan (bowling alley), and a seasonal Paviljoen in Scheveningen with multiple rooms and a large terrace. Details about the facilities can be found here.

Dining

The on-site à la carte restaurant offers seasonal lunch and a rotating dinner menu. The large Barzaal provides an extensive selection of aperitifs, jenevers, cognacs, and wines, supported by a Wine Committee. The in-house kitchen prepares fresh dishes, and the Paviljoen collaborates with selected caterers for events. More about the dining facilities can be explored here.

Events

De Witte organizes events throughout the year, including lectures, concerts, drinks, dinners, sports activities, and trips. Annual club events are published in the Association Agenda, which serves as the member calendar. For more information, visit the events calendar.

Membership

Private-individual membership is available from the age of 18, requiring a written nomination from three existing members, each of whom must have been members for at least two years. This is followed by a candidate period and a ballot meeting. Candidate-members face some restrictions until they achieve full membership, and the Candidate Circle supports their integration. Full voting membership has been available to women since May 1998. Further details can be found on the membership options page here.

Dress Code

The house rules specify a 'tenue-de-ville' dress code in the Pleingebouw, with men required to wear a dark suit or jacket, smart trousers, a shirt, and a tie, while women should wear a smart suit or dress. The dress code at the Paviljoen is slightly more relaxed in summer, but ties are still required indoors. Casual items such as denim, shorts, trainers, flip-flops, swimwear, and leggings are explicitly prohibited. For more information, visit the dress code regulations.

Networking Opportunities

Members have various opportunities to join and network through 'tables', sports clubs, committees, and the Candidate Circle, which organizes monthly activities for candidates. The club also hosts welcome drinks, lectures, dinners, and other social events to facilitate networking. More about these opportunities can be found here.

Venue Hire

The Pleingebouw and Paviljoen are available for hire for conferences, dinners, weddings, and receptions. Reservations are handled by the Reservations Department. For more information on venue hire, please visit this page.

Leisure Activities

Leisure offerings at the club include billiards, traditional bowling (kegelbaan), cultural tables, concerts, and seasonal terrace life at the Paviljoen. The club also organizes cultural and sporting activities, including golf, and various trips. More about leisure activities can be found here.

Sports Facilities

The club features a Biljartzaal with six billiard tables and one snooker table, as well as a refurbished Kegelbaan. Several sports clubs and sporting activities are organized for members. More information on sports facilities can be found here.

Special Events

The club hosts recurring major social events, including the Orange Ball, multi-society galas, family dinners, and Christmas dinner. Additionally, it frequently organizes concerts and anniversary activities, as well as the Littéraire Witte Prize, awarded biennially for literary work related to The Hague. More details can be found on the club's website.

Affiliations

De Witte maintains reciprocity with sister associations, and reciprocity rules apply to visiting members. The club has a partnership with Museum Beelden aan Zee for the Paviljoen site and holds the Golden 'Green Key' environmental label. More information is available here.