University Club of Pasadena

About

The University Club of Pasadena is a historic private membership club, founded in 1922, that serves as a local center for professional, academic, and social life. It provides cultural and intellectual programming, event and meeting facilities for members and guests, and supports higher education through the University Club of Pasadena Education Foundation (UCPEF).

History

Founded in 1922 by Howard W. Carter, the Club initially met at the Hotel Green before moving to its current building at 175 North Oakland Avenue in 1926. The Club began admitting women as full members in 1986-87 and created the UCPEF in 2019 to support local students. It celebrated its centennial on April 23, 2022.

Events

The Club runs a year-round calendar of social and networking events for members and guests, including member dinners, speaker and lecture series, art talks, rotating exhibits, dinner and theater nights, musical performances, family art classes, and holiday celebrations. It also hosts private weddings, galas, and corporate meetings; specific listings can be found on the Club calendar.

Programs

Program offerings include the UCPEF scholarship program, managed in partnership with the Pasadena Community Foundation, as well as Art and Social Committee programming that features artist talks, rotating exhibits, classes, and performances. Additionally, member committees and speaker round-table programs produce educational and cultural events.

Membership

Membership categories include Executive, Junior, and Corporate memberships, each with specific initiation fees, monthly dues, and food and beverage minimums. Details about membership privileges, including reciprocal access and event discounts, are available on the Club site.

Eligibility

Eligibility details indicate that Junior membership is available for individuals aged 24-40, with an option to convert to Executive membership before age 40. Executive membership includes equity and voting rights, while Corporate membership allows for two to four designees from the same corporate entity.

Reciprocal Clubs

The Club maintains reciprocal privileges with numerous domestic and international clubs. Members may request letters of introduction and are subject to the host club's rules and reservation policies, as detailed in a published reciprocal clubs PDF.

Facilities

The historic clubhouse, in use since 1926, includes various spaces such as the Main Dining Hall, The 1922 Lounge/Grill, Foundation Room, Garden Patio, and several smaller meeting rooms. It features full A/V capability in event rooms and provides on-site parking with valet service during peak times.

Dining Options

On-site dining is managed by an Executive Chef and includes weekday lunch service, curated dinner events, and private dining opportunities. Members can find scheduled dining events on the Club calendar.

Guest Information

Guests may make reservations by phone or through the contact form. The Club enforces a business casual dress code and provides directions, valet parking, and contact hours for reservations and inquiries on its information page.

Contact Information

University Club of Pasadena, 175 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; Phone: (626) 793-5157; email: membership@universityclubpasadena.com. Additional contact details are available on the Club's Contact page.