Dining in College

Alumni who joined the College as undergraduates are entitled to dine at High Table or Formal Hall after seven years have elapsed since their matriculation. Those who joined the College as postgraduates or exchange students are entitled to dine after three years have elapsed since matriculation, unless they have not yet graduated. Alumni may dine in College a maximum of ten times per year. 

Bookings

Bookings for High Table and Formal Hall can be made online or by emailing the Catering Office at mealbookings@christs.cam.ac.uk. Bookings must be made before 2pm on the day before you wish to dine (and by 2pm on Friday for a booking on a Sunday). There is no High Table or Formal Hall on Saturdays. When making a booking, please confirm with the Catering Office your name, date of matriculation, and any dietary requirements you or your guest might have.

A maximum of six alumni and their guests can exercise their dining privileges at High Table on any one night. Please note that High Table will only take place if at least two Fellows have also signed up to dine.

Guests

It is possible to bring one guest to High Table or to Formal Hall by prior arrangement and subject to space. If you wish to bring more than one guest, or a guest who is under 18, extraordinary permission must be obtained from the Fellows' Steward - please contact the Development Office in the first instance (alumni@christs.cam.ac.uk) for advice.

High Table

Those dining at High Table with the Fellows assemble in the Senior Combination Room where wine is available from 7.15pm. Gowns are generally worn except when dinner is served in the Senior Combination Room, which is normally outside of Full Term. After dinner, coffee can be taken in the Fellows' Parlour and wine and coffee will be served in the Senior Combination Room when there is sufficient demand. Guests are advised to enter via ‘The Octagon’, the entrance for which is in Second Court.

Formal Hall

Eligible alumni may alternatively dine at Formal Hall, where gowns are also worn. They should make their own arrangements for wine at the Buttery.

Prices

For alumni, the first dinner of each academic term is at the College's expense, but there is a charge for subsequent dinners and for guests. The rate at High Table for 2024-25 is £49.92 per head (including wine and soft drinks), while the rate at Formal Hall for 2024-25 is £17.39 per head (excluding drinks - these can be purchased at the Buttery).

Dress Code

The standard dress code is ‘smart’ but gowns are typically worn at High Table and Formal Hall during term-time. If you do not own a gown please contact the Development Office (alumni@christs.cam.ac.uk) as we may be able to leave one in the Porters' Lodge for you to use. Guests do not need to wear gowns.