Q:  What is the dress code?
A: Business Casual will be the standard dress for members and guests at both Clubhouses.  Please note these exceptions:
--  Athletic attire is considered acceptable in the Grill Bar and entire athletic area of the Main Clubhouse.
--  Men’s hats and all caps should be removed within the Harvard Club at all times except while in use in an athletic exercise.
--  Appropriate denim slacks are acceptable at both Clubhouses. Torn, frayed or excessively worn attire is not appropriate.
--  From time to time, specific attire may be required for special Club events.
Management has final discretion with regard to the appropriateness of attire within each Clubhouse.

Q:  What is the tipping policy?
A: The Harvard Club maintains a firm no tipping policy.  Giving cash or non-cash gratuities to employees is not allowed.  Accordingly,
any money left by a member or guest for an employee in cash will not be treated as a tip or gratuity and will be returned to the member or guest. To the extent that a member or guest declines to accept the returned money, it will be donated to the Harvard Club of Boston Foundation.  Any money left by a member or guest for an employee on a chit, charge slip, or invoice will not be treated as a tip or gratuity and will not be charged against the member or guest’s account.  Any fee or charge imposed by the Harvard Club for meal or beverage service, private functions or use of the Club’s facilities, including the Club Charge, pays for regular maintenance and restoration of the Club and other costs incurred by the Club.  No fee or charge added to a statement for a meal or beverage service, private functions or use of the Club’s facilities is a tip, gratuity or service charge for the Club's wait staff, service bartenders or service employees.

Q:  Where can I use my cell phone?
A: The use of cellular phones at the Main Clubhouse is permitted all day in the guest rooms, the Massachusetts Room Foyer, the Harvard Hall Foyer, the sitting area across from the Front Desk, the Athletic Area in front of the Squash Desk, the Pro Shop and the Pusey Room, but only until 5 pm the Commonwealth Lounge.

Q:  Where can I use my laptop?
A:  The use of laptop computers is permitted all day in the guest rooms, the Massachusetts Room Foyer, the Harvard Hall Foyer, the sitting area across from the Front Desk and the Pusey Room, but only until 5 pm in the Commonwealth Lounge. Recognizing that the Commonwealth Lounge is a dining venue after 5pm, we request that members use their laptops in the Pusey Reading Room.  It is requested that cell phones and pagers be put into silent mode when occupying the dining areas.

Q:  Where can I use my cell phone and laptop at the Downtown Club on One Federal Street?
A:  The use of cell phones and laptops at the Downtown Club is permitted in the Miller Room and Gallery.  Allowing the use of such devices is intended for short-term convenience of members.  Members are encouraged to be considerate of other members and guests nearby.  It is requested that cell phones and pagers be put into silent mode when occupying the dining areas.

Q: Is there public transportation?
A: The Hynes Convention Center T stop is located just across the street from the Clubhouse.

Q: Where is parking located?
A: On-site parking is available to members and guests at the rear of the Main Clubhouse at 415 Newbury Street. Our One Federal Street location offers parking in the building garage, with reduced rates after 4:00 pm daily.

Q: Are children welcome?
A: Membership in the Harvard Club of Boston includes your entire family and children are always welcome. If you would like to make special arrangements for unaccompanied visits by your children, please call ahead and we do everything that we can to accommodate you.

Q: Are reservations required for dining?
A: Reservations for breakfast, lunch, or dinner are required only for parties of five or greater. For Main Clubhouse arrangements, please call the Front Desk at (617) 536-1260. For Downtown Club arrangements, please call (617) 450-8465.

Q: Can my parents become members? How about my children?
A: Under our Legacy Program, your children, parents, grandchildren, and grandparents can apply for membership. Please contact Lauren Waldron at (617) 450-4492 for more details about our Legacy Program.

Q: How old can a child be to remain under my membership?
A: At 21 years of age, a child must get his or her own membership.

Q: Are there special rates for seniors?
A: There is a special dues category for members who are 70+ years of age and living in the Boston Metro area.

Q: Do I have to be member to utilize the facilities?
A: Yes, if you are considering joining the Club and would like to experience it before hand, please contact the Membership staff.

Q: Are there minimum spending requirements at the Harvard Club of Boston?
A: Currently, three types of Harvard Club memberships include minimum spending requirements. In each case, the Club offers reduced monthly dues in return for members agreeing to spend a modest amount of money on food, beverage, or club events every three months. The Club helps members manage these programs by sending occasional notices of their spending to date as the end of each three-month period approaches. These three-month periods are based on the Club’s Fiscal Year and are:

At the end of each period, members’ accounts are charged the difference between actual spending and the minimum spending level. Members enrolled in any of the Club’s minimums programs are required to sign up for auto-pay.

The three membership categories including spending minimums are listed below. No other membership categories include any minimum spending requirements.

Harvard Affiliate Resident Members 26 to 30 Years Old:
Beginning September 1, 2011, the Club lowered dues for all members in this category. In conjunction with this benefit, the Club also began a minimum spending program to encourage younger members to visit the Club and enjoy their memberships more fully. Members in this category pay a one-time initiation fee of $360 upon joining the Club, and monthly dues are $30 per month. Resident members 26 to 30 years old MUST participate in this program.

Minimum spending requirements for Resident Members 26 to 30 years old are
$100 per quarter.

Harvard Affiliate Resident Members 31 to 35 Years Old:
Beginning September 1, 2011, the Club lowered dues for all members in this category. In conjunction with this benefit, the Club also began a minimum spending program to encourage younger members to visit the Club and enjoy their memberships more fully. Members in this category pay a one-time initiation fee of $984 upon joining the Club, and monthly dues are $82 per month. Resident members 31 to 35 years old MUST participate in this program.

Minimum spending requirements for Resident Members 26 to 30 years old are
$150 per quarter.

Downtown Club “Minimums” Members:
This voluntary program is open to all Downtown Harvard Club of Boston members who wish to enroll in it. A one-time initiation fee of $400 applies to all new members (current Downtown Club members who wish to change to the minimums program are not charged any fee to change their membership program), and monthly dues are $40 per month.

Minimum spending requirements for Downtown Club “Minimums” Members are
$250 per quarter.

Q: How do I manage my minimum spending requirements?
A: The Club makes it easy to manage your minimum spending. In addition to setting the very reasonable spending requirements listed above, the Club’s membership office tracks member spending and reports any potential shortfalls to members in minimum spending programs twice per quarter via email. The first email is issued about 60 days before the end of each quarter/spending period, and a second email follows about 30 days before the end of the quarter. Each email lists the amount that is left to spend in order to meet a member’s quarterly minimum. Each email also includes suggestions on upcoming events and dining specials members might enjoy on their way to meeting their minimums. A sample report can be viewed by clicking here.

Q: What counts toward my minimums?
A: All food and beverage charges at both Clubhouses and all club activities charges excluding purchases from third-party vendors (i.e. admission to sporting events, books at author events, etc.) will count toward your minimum. Applicable Club Charges will also count. Charges that will not count toward your minimum include membership dues, parking charges at either Clubhouse, the purchase of any Club merchandise, athletic fees, overnight room charges, all private function charges, Massachusetts meals tax or sales tax, the voluntary employee recognition fund, and voluntary contributions to the Club’s foundation. 

Q:  How do I make a request or file a complaint?
A:  All requests and complaints with regards to the Clubhouse or its management must be made in writing to the General Manager, Downtown Club Manager, or Chairman of the House Committee.  Such correspondence must be signed or it will not be considered.  Members shall not reprimand employees directly.