Formal Hall Booking

Formals are a key part of the Cambridge experience, and we hope you are keen to make the most of it. Below is a useful guide to booking and attending formals.

Timings:

Pre-drinks will normally begin at 18:45 in the bar, unless otherwise indicated. We will head to the hall at 19:20 to be seated by 19:30. You must check in as you go into the hall. The formal begins at 19:30 and you may not enter after this point. The formal will end at 21:15.

Dress Code and Gowns:

Members of St Catharine's College must wear a gown unless clearly indicated otherwise (as for some themed formals, for instance). Guests do not need to wear gowns but can do so if they wish. You may not remove gowns during the formal.

Members and their guests must be dressed in suitably smart dress. This means a suit (or trousers and jacket), a shirt with a collar, a tie, and shoes (not trainers or sandals), or equivalently formal dress. 'Smart dress' is defined regardless of gender identity or expression. The staff are instructed to refuse admission to anyone coming to formal hall improperly dressed.

Drinks:

Pre-drinks are provided, and port during the cheese course. You may bring one bottle of wine or soft drink free of corkage. No other beverages are permitted. Wine/soft drinks can be purchased from the bar or at the table. We may also introduce formals with wine served for an additional cost; keep an eye out for further information closer to the time.

Bookings:

Bookings open two weeks before the formal and closes a few days before. You can book a formal on UPay (sign in via SSO). In the events sections you can pick a formal, choose the number of tickets (i.e. guest tickets) and dietary requirements. The number of guests you can book depends on the type of formal as explained below:

On Upay you will see:

• Thursday Formal: regular formals which may be held in the Hall or SCR (once a month). The SCR (Senior Combination Room) is smaller and fancier, and has the smaller capacity of 40 – guest numbers are therefore limited to just one per member. You may book up to three guests for a normal formal in the Hall.
• Superhall Formal: These have an extra course thus are more expensive.
• Sunday Formal: These are mixed with the JCR. The MCR formal hall officers do not organise these, but feel free to book them.
• Swaps: A swap is where we attend another college. These are very much in demand as there are only 10-20 tickets available, so book early!

Do not book other formals such as "Boat Club Dinner" or "Fellows Dining" — as these are not organised by the MCR — unless you are a part of that society/club.

As long as the UPay booking is open, you may refund a ticket. Students need their CamCards to get into a formal and to register their guests. Tickets, therefore, cannot be sold to someone else, and dietary changes cannot be made, after the UPay booking is closed. This system is to ensure people aren't buying tickets with the intention of not attending themselves.

Rules:

I would encourage everyone to read the behaviour code on the website: Formal Hall Code of Behaviour | St Catharine's College, Cambridge

These always apply, even when there are no fellows present. There is a strict ban on disruptive behaviour such as singing, dancing etc. Doing so may lead to disciplinary action. You may not wander around between tables after grace has been said, nor take photographs.

The most important rule is to arrive on time to be seated. This means 19:20!

Questions?

Please email mcr.formalhall@caths.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions.

You will be redirected to the University's UPay system to complete your booking.