Members
Welcome to Cloister
Hi! I'm Allie Diamond, I graduated from Princeton in 2018 and was lucky enough to serve as Vice President of Cloister in the fall of 2016 and the President of the club in 2017.
When deciding whether you want to join an eating club or which club you want to join, the most important thing is to decide whether you want a true home-away-from-home. Joining an eating club means choosing a place where you should feel comfortable getting breakfast in your pajamas, binging your favorite TV shows with friends, and spending all-nighters in the library to finish up your senior thesis. That is the environment that Cloister provides.
When I think back on my time at Princeton, all of my favorite memories revolve around Cloister. Even my closest friends to this day are the ones who were part of the Inn. I think about the volleyball tournaments, hanging out around the fire pit (sadly, no longer permitted by the township), hot tub fun, formals, and of course the amazing food. It's no secret that Princeton can be an extremely intense place so having a home base like cloister made a world of difference in helping me manage the stressful days (seriously I wrote all my deans date papers and my senior thesis in the Cloister library!).
It may sound cheesy but if you want a place to call home, a place to have some of the most fun nights of your life, a place to make friends that last a lifetime then Cloister is the place for you.
Welcome to Cloister!
Allie Diamond '18
UNDERGRADUATE OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Social Chair
House Manager
About Us
Members of Cloister Inn are part of the most welcoming, open, and vibrant social communities on The Street. Our focus is and has always been on two of the most import elements of an Easting Club experience - Great food and entertaining social events!
Meals:
- Nineteen meals per week prepared by our Award-Winning Executive Chef and his professional team
- Almost famous Weekend Brunch
- Burgers & Beer* Thursdays (*21 and over only)
- ALL day snacks and goodies
Events:
- Amazing food at Houseparties, Lawnparties, and Formals!
- Special Members-Only events including Burgers & Beer, Trivia, Smores -n More, Cinder by the Fire, Hot Tub Socials and more!
- Puppy Study Break, Late-night study breaks with Chick-fil-a, Hoagie Haven, Taco Bell, and more!
- The Annual Cloister Olympic and club-wide Assassins!
- Intramural sports teams!
- Access to alumni events, including the BEST REUNIONS PARTY - all great for networking!!
Clubhouse privileges:
- Two TV Lounges with giant flat-screen TV, surround sound, and comfy couches
- A large library great for quiet studying or group work
- A newly-renovated Study Lounge dedicated as a quiet space for up to 10 members and guests
- Access to the ONLY Eating Club with a Hot Tub - enjoyable for up to 12 members and friends
- Two billiards tables
- Beautiful Great Room w oversize fireplace and Tap Room
- Expansive backyard including a sand volleyball court and basketball
- Largest parking lot on The Street - members received preferred rates
Cloister Inn is a Collegiate Gothic-style mansion located at 65 Prospect Avenue, built from local stone used in many of the University's dormitories. Drawing on medieval English precedents, the Inn's architecture contributes to its rustic, cozy atmosphere: iron chandeliers light the dining room, soft leather couches sit in every corner, a massive stone fireplace warms the living room. There is no better place to spend a cold day.
Our popular billiards room, home to many friendly competitions between members. More importantly, it's also now home to our Wall of Olympians - the Inn's new tribute to our 27-and-counting members who have represented their countries in the Olympic Games. From Tokyo 1962 to 2021, from cycling and swimming to fencing and rowing, we're honored to have these legendary athletes among us, and we're looking forward to expanding the Wall with new additions.
In response to increasing member demand for educational facilities at the Inn, Cloister's second-floor library includes space for both quiet studying and collaborative group work and the newly designed third floor Study Lounge includes desk space for quiet work. The third floor is also home to a large TV lounge where you can find members relaxing after dinner or napping on the most comfortable couch on Prospect Ave.
Outside, our backyard is one of the biggest on the Street, with a basketball hoop and a volleyball court that fills up with energetic members in the warm weather. And, yes, as you may have heard, we are the only club on the Street with a hot tub.
If you'd like to take a tour of the Inn and see for yourself what Cloister Inn is like when we're not on tap, email club President Brendan McManamon (bm18@) or Vice President Hadley Clayton (hclayton@) and we'll have you over for a meal.
Some of our more legendary social events have been Cloister traditions for decades - something we're very proud of - and our outdoor events during Frosh Week are one of the most beloved traditions for Princetonians celebrating the start to a new school year. And in accordance with our belief that every member can be a leader within Cloister, members are highly encouraged to organize their own impromptu events, whether it's a Bachelor/Bachelorette viewing, a billiards match, or a party in the hot tub.
Yet we're not afraid to get a bit more dignified, with our members-only wine or beer tastings drawing great amounts of excitement, and our Winter Formals, Spring House Parties, and regular semi-formals are highly anticipated occasions on the social calendar.
Simply put, the members of Cloister Inn appreciate food and Executive Chef Tim Murphy delivers big time! Chef Tim has delighted his guests in casual and fine dining settings, as well as intimate and large-scale catering events, and as a personal chef.
Along his culinary journey, Tim has been honored to have cooked for numerous entertainers, fashion designers, NYC socialites, and political figures, including former US Presidents.
Chef Tim serves exactly what our members have asked for: fresh ingredients, a focus on healthy recipes to fuel an active lifestyle, and creativity that introduces members to new cuisines and concepts. Tim's farm-to- table philosophy makes sure the members of Cloister Inn consistently dine on high-quality food that will remind you of home cooking, or an elegant restaurant, not a dining hall, and which strikes a balance between comfort food and an attention to healthy ingredients in order to satisfy all palates. Members consistently rave about our entrees, sides, and desserts, including his popular vegetarian options -plus daytime (and nightly) snacks are a huge hit!
Thursday and Saturday night members' dinners are the best dinners served anywhere at Princeton, on par with what you would find at a fine dining restaurant. With top-quality steaks, fresh seafood, a fully loaded salad bar, delicious desserts, and select bottled beers and wine, members' dinners are the perfect way to celebrate the end of the week and begin transitioning into the weekend.
The responsiveness of Cloister Inn's kitchen to the requests of the members may be the most unique aspect of dining at Cloister. Our culinary team actively responds to requests for specific dishes from the membership (no matter how obscure) through an online suggestion box and makes sure to add them on the menu. Moreover, dishes can always be made to order for members who have specific dietary restrictions or who just want something different on a whim.
Our locally sourced products include fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, poultry, and meats. Fresh baked breads, muffins, bagels, and scones are delivered daily from local and New York City bakeries. Gluten-free products are always available.
DINING HOURS
Monday - Friday
Breakfast 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Lunch 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Dinner 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Saturday & Sunday
No breakfast
Brunch 11:30 am - 1:15 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm
LINK: TO CURRENT WEEKLY MENU
Frequently Asked Questions
.How much is the full cost of joining Cloister with a breakdown of meal plan, social dues, and other costs for an entire year?
The price for this year is $9,500 (Social dues included). Parking spots (20) are $650 for the year.
How much are sophomore dues? What kind of perks or benefits can sophomores who join receive during their sophomore spring?
Sophomore dues are $800. Sophomores who join may receive many benefits such as full access to all club social events, members nights, formal events, and semi-formal events. They get two lunches/dinners per week on top of all breakfasts (M-F). Finally, sophomores have full use of the club every day, where they can watch movies/tv, study in our library or one of several lounges, play video games, play pool or ping-pong, use the hot tub, nap on one of the many comfy couches, enjoy snacks all day, or just hang out.
Is financial aid of any sort available? How does payment work?
Financial aid is available on a case-by-case basis. Those seeking financial assistance are asked to complete a simple form for consideration.
We have multiple payment plans: in full, by semester, and monthly installments. We work with each student to make it work.
How does sign-in work? There will obviously be people who bicker who will not successfully biker and then wish to sign in to Cloister? When can students sign in? Do sign-in slots fill up in Cloister?
There are several rounds of sign-ins; one is at the start of bicker week, and one is at the end. For the past several years, Cloister has welcomed EVERYONE who has signed-in. More detailed information is available on the main eating club website (princetoneatingclubs.org). Sign-ins are first come-first served, but we work to accept people through the whole spring. If anyone wants to sign-in after the website is closed, the officers and the grad board will work with the student directly to situate the contract.
What are things/traditions/events/nights/activities that are unique to Cloister or Cloister-specific?
We have a ton of traditions at Cloister. The Cloister Cup is a marathon of fun games where the whole membership is split into competitive teams, one of our long-standing traditions. Every Thursday is Burgers and Beers Night; during this members only evening, we open the hot tub, host either a trivia night, pool tournament, or another group activity and have gourmet beef, salmon, and veggie burgers with a different specialty burger each week.
Food is a big deal at Cloister and according to our recent member survey, our food is "AMAZING" and "the BEST on the street." Lunches include Avocado Toast with amazing toppings, made-to-order: noodle bowls, salads, crepes, quesadillas, omelets, and pasta, to name a few, not to mention Cloister Chicken Sandwiches on Fridays - the kitchen is killin' it and goes all out. Each week we have our Inn-former bulletin where fellow members tell us the news for the week in their own quirky way.
Our favorite staple themed nights at Cloister are FROSH WEEK, 80's Semis, 2 Articles Night, Loggers and Joggers, Cloister Dance Auction, Mountain of Busch, Valentine's Day Semis, Wild West, and Luau Semis (with beach volleyball and an actual pool in the backyard!) Every Lawnparties you'll find our favorite steel drummer too!
Why Cloister?
Cloister Inn is the most welcoming and comfortable club on the street. Everyone likes to have fun, but everyone likes to relax too. It's the perfect spot down at the end of the street to get away. Our size makes Cloister special because everyone is close and knows your name. The membership is nice, supportive, down to earth, and here for a good time. With members from numerous varsity and club teams, activities, groups, and clubs, we are much more than just a club for "boaters and floaters."
Food! At Cloister, we care a lot about food!! Word is out about Cloister serving high-quality food. We were asked to provide meals for the Men's and Women's US National Rowing Teams during the summer and during winter break, PU's athletic office asked us to host the Men's and Women's Hockey Teams pre-game meals (they went a combined 2 wins, 3 ties and just one loss, with wins and ties against the #5 and #1 teams in the country!) In addition, the Swim and Diving Teams also eat here during the Winter Break and in the spring the Men's and Women's Rowing Teams have their pre-meet meals at Cloister as well as other teams have asked to host team meals with us.
Lastly, our General Manager and Chef are super nice and very supportive of our membership. Our chef uses fresh, healthy ingredients and serves us new cuisines weekly with a balance of our favorites and comfort food too. Everyone is always happy to accommodate member requests, or surprise you with a delivery when you're stuck in your room with the flu.
ALUMNI
Over the decades, dozens of Cloister Inn's alumni have gone on to world-class accomplishments in business, politics, and the arts. Supreme Court justice Elena Kagan '81, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer '81, novelist Jodi Picoult '87, Sirius Satellite Radio co-founder Robert Briskman '54, and screenwriter Craig Mazin '92 among our notable members.
When Cloister Inn's alumni go on to great things, we love to celebrate their accomplishments - just take a look at our Wall of Olympians, which features alumni from two-time rowing gold medalist Caroline Lind '06 to Olympic cyclist and current USA Cycling CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall '92. (Back issues of our twice-yearly newsletter, the Innsider, are available online for anyone who wants to learn about what some of our alumni have been up to.)
But you need not be a leader in the business world or a renowned athlete to know that as a member of Cloister, you are a member for life. To that end, our members are welcomed back to the Inn on regular occasions for exclusive events that help them connect with one another as well as make new friends from other classes. Our Reunions and Homecoming receptions draw hundreds of alumni back to the clubhouse, and alumni in cities around the world regularly hold gatherings in their homes to reconnect with members young and old. Alumni are also invited to participate in Cloister's future in ways that go beyond traditional financial support, with dozens of alumni returning every summer for Cloisterfest, our annual renovations (and celebration) weekend that is unique on the Street.
Alumni affairs at Cloister Inn are managed by our Graduate Board of Trustees, who have a hands-on approach to the past, present, and future of the club.
