Clubhouse - Hasty Pudding

Clubhouse
Venue Guide
16 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA
THE HASTY PUDDING CLUBHOUSE
Located on one of the oldest streets in ivy-covered Harvard Square, the Hasty Pudding Clubhouse is both a cultural cornerstone of its storied neighborhood and a modern venue complete with 21st century amenities.
The building itself, named the historic Hyde-Taylor House, was built in 1846 by Isaac Hyde in the Greek Revival style. By
1900, George Mendell Taylor, a local minister and music teacher, had purchased it, beginning the arts tradition at
96 Winthrop Street that has continued to this day.
The building took on many personas throughout the 20th century. In 1950 with the arrival of Geneviève MacMillan it became the first French restaurant in Harvard Square, named Club Henri IV, after the French monarch famous for his gleeful
gluttony. The restaurant was frequented by the likes of William Faulkner, Thornton, Wilder, and Joan Miró. In 1965 it became
home to La Discothèque Nicole, the first of its kind in the area. And in November of 1992 the original House of Blues was
established in the building. The grand opening was nothing short of spectacular with performances by Dan Aykroyd and
the Blues Brothers, Honeyboy Edwards, Paul Shaffer, Paul Rodgers, and Joe Walsh. In fact, the hand and footprints of the
performers from that very first night still remain, set permanently into the cement walk on the east side of the building.
At the end of 2013 the Hasty Pudding Institute moved into the historic Hyde-Taylor House, adding our own mythos to the
centuries-old history of 96 Winthrop Street. The building now boasts refinished hardwood flooring, the original House of
Blues stage, and walls adorned with a rich collection of Pudding ephemera and original student artwork dating back to the
early 1800s.
The Hasty Pudding Institute is comprised of the prestigious Hasty Pudding Club, the oldest social club in the United States; the uproarious
Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the third oldest theater group in the world
after the Comédie-Francaise & the Oberammergau Passion Players; and
the tuxedo-clad Harvard Krokodiloes, one of the foremost collegiate a
cappella groups in the country.
The HPClubhouse serves as a refuge for Pudding Members to relax,
study, collaborate, and engage in the arts. Every year, the Hasty Pudding
Theatricals bestows the Man and Woman of the Year awards on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of
entertainment. This year’s honorees were Helen Mirren and Neil Patrick
Harris. While at Harvard, the honorees adopt the HPClubhouse as their
home base, where they are inducted as honorary members of the Pudding and where they conclude their visit with a fabulous after-party.
Harvard Square, first settled in 1630, is one of the oldest neighborhoods
in America. The Hasty Pudding Clubhouse is located centrally in the
Square, just one block from the Harvard Square MBTA station and Harvard Yard, the historic heart of the College. Walking out of our front door,
you will be immersed in a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of shopping,
fine-dining & ethnic eateries, first-class hotels, museums, music venues,
cafés, bookstores, and, of course, Harvard University. The Square is a
perfect place to take a break during the day or evening to explore one of
the most engaging and renowned destinations in the country.
At once luxurious and whimsical, elegant and wholly original, with artwork dating as far back
as the early 1800s, and rich hardwood floors and furnishings, the HPClubhouse offers a unique
atmosphere that is quintessentially Harvard. It is sure to take your event from the conventional
to the exceptional.
CORPORATE EVENTS:
PRIVATE PARTIES & RECEPTIONS:
PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS:
- Conferences
- Meetings
- Seminars
EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS:
- Holiday Events
- Wedding Receptions
- Alumni Functions
DINING & DRINKING:
- Art Shows
- Auctions (silent & live) - Screenings & Film Festivals
- Trade Shows
- Readings
- Recitals
- Stand-up
- Q&As & Discussions
- Symposiums
- Tastings (wine, beer, cheese, &c)
- Dinners, Lunches, Breakfasts, & Brunches
- Cocktail Hours
- Banquets & Themed Dinners
the space
We can accommodate events ranging from a few hours to an entire week residency. The
HPClubhouse has 2 floors which can be rented together or separately.
The Upstairs Sphinx Theater & κροκόδιλος Barroom are ideal for
large social gatherings, dinners, presentations, exhibitions, and performances. The two connected rooms include a full-size bar, a 10’x7’
stage, and plenty of room for dining or dancing. Both rooms are filled
with original artwork, dating back to 1848 and the Sphinx Theater
boasts 20 foot high cherry wood ceilings. It’s one of the most unique
and beautiful rooms in the Boston area.
The Main Floor’s Ceres Study provides a more intimate setting than
upstairs. This floor includes plenty of comfortable seating and a large
wooden table perfect for smaller dinners, meetings, or breakaway
groups. Also located on this floor is Cambridge’s only bar-turned-library, which is perfect for individual work and serious writing sessions. For larger events, this floor also serves as an overflow for upstairs with the ability to play audio from the floor above and show
video of the stage. The library bar can also be used as an auxiliary
food or drink serving station.
capacity & sizing
Upstairs:
Barroom & Theater: 14’ x 51’ / Stage: 10’ x 7.5’
• Standing- 150
• Dinner Seating - 65
• Presentation- 120
First Floor (11’ x 20’):
• Standing- 40
• Seating- 25
catering
The Hasty Pudding Clubhouse works with a select
group of caterers, who are sure to guarantee the
very best menus and product available. They are:
• Tables of Content, Boston’s Best 2009-13
• Capers Catering, Best of Boston 2013
• Forklift Catering
• David’s Catering and Events
rates
• Base fee starting at $1,500 includes on-site manager, cleaning, and trash removal.
amenities
• Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi service
throughout building
• Two full-sized bars and a commercial kitchen,
perfect for event rentals
• The Sphinx Theater
- Fully mic’ed and lighted allowing for read-
ings, presentations, performances, &c.
- Surround sound audio system, compati
ble with any mp3 player, tablet, or smart-
phone
- 11 foot wide projection screen
- Blu-Ray/DVD player for video presentations or slideshows
• Full 88-key piano keyboard/synthesizer and
house drum set available for rent
• Recordings of performances on the stage can be
captured and exported in HD as the event happens.
• Plasma screen monitor and speaker system, located on the main floor, is able to show video and
play audio from the Sphinx Theater
• Additional fees for use of sound system, video
presentation, and filming.
• All events come with complimentary Wi-Fi usage.
To schedule your next event or to
ask any questions, please contact
our Steward, Pam McCutcheon, at
steward@hastypudding.org.