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Yale Club of New York City
Rating Details »
Category: Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
Neighborhood: Midtown East50 Vanderbilt Ave Lbby 1
New York, NY 10017
(212) 716-2100
- Nearest Transit:
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Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S)
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
Lexington-3rd Aves-51st St (6, E, V)
14 reviews for Yale Club of New York City
Whenever I come to New York for work I stay at the Yale Club. It makes me feel like I have crazy powerful connections, but really our Managing Director is a member. It's in a great location right across from Grand Central with the friendliest of doormen.
The interior is very old school and I love the old black and white photos on the walls. The rooms are modest, but clean, with big bathtubs. Internet is free but you have to call for the code (I would love them to change it so you get a code for the entire duration and not each and every day).
The gym is really nice and has been upgraded since the last time I was here, with many elliptical machines, bikes, and squash courts and fresh lemon water. The people who run it are friendly and they have all kinds of equipment which is perfect when you're in town to work and don't have time to wait around for 1 of 2 treadmills in a hotel. Bonus points for the steam room and sauna in the ladies locker room.
They have a dress code, but they didn't seem to mind that as a hotel guest I wore jeans each day, though if you plan to visit the bar or dine, you best dress it up a bit.
I enjoy the Ivy league feel of the bar area and it's high backed chairs, as well as the huge portraits of the Yale-attending presidents. I like to wander the halls and speak of clam bakes and summering in cape cod. My sister came to meet me there in the hopes of meeting a husband, but she learned that was not going to happen if she was looking for anyone under the age of 50.
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No doubts. This is the best place for breakfast in NYC and one of the two or three best places to stay when you are on your own and paying yourself. The only drawback is you have to be an Eli or know one. Which might be a fairly high bar for the typical Phoenix yelper, say. Five Stars.
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Note: I have no personal attachments nor detachments to the Yale Club. It's not my alma mater nor is its arch-rival Harvard. This review is as objective as it gets.
I came to the Yale Club for a corporate holiday party, which was hosted in the handsome honey-colored library, which by no means, was intimidating but rather warm and welcoming with intellectual Ivy charm. I appreciate the meticulous architectural details of the room.
When the elevators opened to the library, I was greeted with a glass of Moet-Chandon champagne and thus began my festivities with the buffet tables. The catered food was pretty decent, and I have been through my fair share of receptions and catered food. One thing they should improve on is the quality of sushi, but overall, no major complaints.
I just had a great time at the Yale Club - it's a beautiful venue. If it's not making as much money from membership, it should be making some as a great event space!
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The Yale Club is hard to beat in terms of class and civility. It is really terrifically run, the staff is always extremely pleasant and attentive. The drinks are great ( and generous - I ordered a martini and they brought a full drink with another little caraffe of gin for a refill).
The food is just ok. Despite the Yale Club's exclusivity, for NYC it's actually not terribly expensive to dine there ($25 entrees) at least in the upstairs terrace dining room - I suppose that's because people are expected to eat there regularly, so it can't be outrageous. I had scallops which were fine, but a little too fishy in taste. Wine selection was short but well chosen.
On the other hand, in nice weather, the terrace dining room on the 22nd floor is possibly one of the best outdoor dining venues in the city, with breathtaking views of midtown.
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I'm torn about the Yale Club.
On the one hand, I love the library and dining rooms, with their wainscoating and beautiful architectural detail. I love the gym, with its wooden lockers and fruit-flavored water. And I love the idea of lectures, meals and receptions with my fellow alumni.
However, as a relatively recent Yale grad who isn't a lawyer or a banker, who likes nice things but not the snooty atmosphere that can come with them, I always feel a little out of place here.
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It is, in fact, true that Harvard sucks and Princeton doesn't matter. This same logic applies to those "universities" clubs. The Yale club absolutely rules and is a landmark.
Notice that when the Downtown Athletic Club was smashed up, they didn't take the Heisman to the H-Club, or the P-Club... straight to the Yale Club. It should have just stayed there, frankly.
It's so awesome and I have so many fond memories from times there that all I can say is, really, the Yale Club of New York City is making it rain on you hoes. Except thanksgiving dinner, no raining, no hoes, I wasn't impressed, but whatever, a drink in the room where the paintings of the presidents are... that was worth the price of being paid to get a Ph.D. at Yale alone!
Errr... nevermind. Harvard sucks! The Yale Club forever!
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I *heart* The Yale Club.
Thank goodness they allow riff-raff from Dartmouth (ahem) & UVA to become members.
The Yale Club is one of the few places in Manhattan that you can be assured of a civil experience.
(Unlike the Harvard Club -- MAN IS 'HARVARD' CLUBBED
http://www.nypost.com/...)
The private club regulates that members be attired in business casual or better in all common areas except for the gym & locker rooms. The dress code is a bit of an inconvenience for some who simply want to use the athletic facilities but need to walk through the lobby to get to the elevators. I've always felt that there ought to be an alternate, additional entrance from the street directly into the gym.
"The following guidelines should help you determine what is and is not business casual dress. If you have any doubt as to whether you are dressed appropriately, you probably are not. It is also important to note that our business casual dress code applies to all seven days of the week. There is no longer a separate code for Fridays or weekends.
Business casual dress consists of professional and tasteful clothing you would wear in your workplace.
For men this includes: blazers or sport jackets (optional), collared shirts (dress shirts, button downs, golf shirts), turtlenecks or sweaters (including cardigans), tailored trousers (dress slacks, khakis, corduroys) and loafers or laceup shoes with socks.
For women this includes: shirts (collared) or blouses with sleeves, turtlenecks, sweaters and sweater sets, skirts or tailored pants, and flats, pumps or boots.
Inappropriate attire includes but is not limited to: denim (jeans and jackets), shorts, tee shirts (sleeveless shirts, tank tops, halter tops, crop tops), sandals (beach sandals, Birkenstocks, flip flops), athletic wear of any kind (sweatshirts, rugby shirts, sweatpants, leggings, stirrup pants, jogging suits, spandex, lycra, athletic shoes or sneakers, caps), torn clothing (clothing with holes or frayed ends), clothing with offensive or profane language, and provocative or revealing clothing.
Please help keep The Yale Club one of New York's most distinctive and distinguished spaces by dressing appropriately."
http://www.yaleclubnyc...
The athletic facilities seem to offer a good variety of equipment -- I'm not certain since I basically only use the elliptical trainers. However, the space is relatively small when compared to gym chains like Equinox, etc.
Since I usually went to the gym in the afternoons during the week, there was rarely a wait. I never saw more than 8 other members in the gym or locker room areas.
I love the fact that there are squash courts on the premises. The swimming pool was TINY -- Though, I believe (My membership ended last year, unfortunately) it has been renovated, along with the rest of the floor.
There is also a sport store & a barber shop. Steam room. Sauna. Massages can be booked by appointment.
The locker rooms are very well lit and stocked. No need to bring: Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, disposable razors, towels, shaving gel, mouthwash, body lotion, cotton swabs, hairdryers, mirrors.
Full and half lockers are availble for day use, but cannot be secured -- Honor system. Lockers which can be secured are available for rent. Laundry service is also an option for a fee.
However, at no additional charge, small mailboxes with keys are provided for little items such as wallets, keys & phones.
The library is a lovely place for quiet contemplation. When I was a member, wifi was not yet available -- Not certain if that has changed.
Books can be taken out on loan -- Again, honor system.
In the afternoon, complimentary tea and coffee are offered. Take it inside the main lounge & sip it under soaring ceilings. Chat with a fellow member or read one of the various newspapers provided.
Guestrooms are much more understated -- Not for those looking for anything hip, luxurious or distinctive unless you really need to use towels embossed with the "YC" logo.
Nonetheless, I would gladly have my wedding at The Yale Club. Great food, beautiful common spaces & intimate quarters. I do!
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For events, there is nothing quite like the Yale Club. White glove service without the pretention, and every detail is taken care of. They won't ask you how long you want the stems of the flowers, where to put the lights, how to set the tables, or anything else that would distract from your occasion. They just take care of it. Compare it to The Boathouse or a museum, and you will see what I mean. The Yale Club actually acts like they have done this before, not like they are trying to sell you something they just invented. I looked at 10 different places in all, and the YC was last. We signed the contract right there.
The food is not 5 stars, but can be a solid 4 on good days. The vichysoisse is excellent with sufficient pepper, as are the handmade salads and much of the pub fare. Agreed that the sushi is forgettable, but unlimited sushi makes Thursday lunches worthwhile.
The entertainment is wonderful. Top recommendation is the Glee Club winter concert, but if you want to hear speakers or meet others, don't be hypersensitive to finer service than your used to, it's a GOOD thing. See you there!
I attended a holiday party here. The interior was pretty cool and the staff was more then accomodating (and good dancers). The food left much to be desired though. Buffet style is never great, but the desserts...YUCK!
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It's probably true that the Yale club is great for its gym, bar, and library, but please do not sleep there overnight. The walls seem ridiculously thin for an old buildling, and I tossed and turned all night listening to people's doors open and close (if you ever happen to be at the Yale Club while guests are staying overnight for a wedding, you won't fall asleep at all!).
I was at the Yale Club as part of a business conference that began promptly at 8:00 in the morning. When I saw my co-workers, they reflected similarly dark-rimmed eyes of tiredness back to me.
However, I will say that their food is excellent (this is the only reason I am giving the Yale Club the three stars; otherwise, I would demote it to 0 stars if I could, remembering my toss turn nights there). During the conference, I enjoyed their breakfasts very much, served by older gentlemen in white jackets. All their food is served on thin porcelain (what happened to the days of thin porcelain and fine dining in America...we've all been Crate & Barreled into eating our food off cheap thick ceramic dinner plates) with beautiful silverware that makes you feel as though you are dining in England. Really, since I still wasn't sleeping at 6:30, I had the time to enjoy a long and full breakfast before each very long day of work.
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I am partial to the Yale Club because it is a home away from home for me. At the end of the day, the staff is always professional and accommodating, dining is always enjoyable, the conversation is stimulating and engaging, and the ambiance is very Yale.
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I have had the privilege to attend a few special events at The Club. Each one was wonderful and the staff extraordinary.
I have been in a few different rooms, all feel like that Ivy feeling you expect. Traditional, wood paneling, some variation of a chandler on the intricate ceiling, and of course, well dressed staff.
I have not been to the bar or gym, but they are supposed to be great as well. If you can get in...
If you get invited to an event here, go. Right next door to Grand Central so you can take the train up to the vacation cottage in Greenwich after you leave The Club.
The restrooms are nothing special in comparison to the rest of the spaces, but are very clean and always stocked. Private stalls and tiled floors are the norm. Did I say they were clean. 4.25 Flushes
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Although I did not, for better or for worse, matriculate from Yale, I had the special privilege to have drinks here with a few friends, one of which who was visiting from Japan.
The waiter address both of my friends by name and already knew their drink preference. Although the high, elegant ceilings invited me to order something classic like a Sidecar, I opted for just a glass of Perrier with lime.
My review may be a bit biased, for the conversations had here were brilliant and engaging. But I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet, stately atmosphere, enhanced by the softly crackling fireplace. Other guests congregated in small groups, chatting animatedly and laughing softly, while other individual patrons sat in tall-backed, deep-seated mahoghany leather chairs, sipping a cup of black coffee and a reading a newspaper.
THE BEST MARTINIS IN TOWN, and wonderful staff to boot, all that, and rooms in which to stay when the martinis take effect.
(If the rooms don't appeal, any of the commodious chairs the library will do in a pinch! Also, some of the better squash courts in the city may be found here, and Servando Velez, the pro, is one of the pearls of human kindness. There can be few better ways to pay penance for impending alcoholic overindulgence than to put in a solid hour at the hands of Torquemada in the form of a squash pro.)
Need one say more?
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