Buttery

The Buttery Dining Room (normally called just the Buttery) in Second Court, is an informal cafeteria open for Lunch and dinner every day. Cooked breakfast is served every Wednesday morning in term time, with Brunch being served on Saturday Lunchtime (this is extremely popular so expect to queue!).

Menus for hot meals, which include a vegetarian option, are posted weekly during Full Term in the SBR and the Buttery, and are also sent out on the weekly SBR newsletter. You can pay for the à la carte fare by credit using your University card or by cash.

Café and Bar

The College bar offers a varied selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages specialising in local craft beers and ales.  It is a lively social space with a great friendly atmosphere, and hosts a weekly quiz on Monday nights at 8:30 pm during term time

Formal Hall

During full term, formal three-course dinners are served in the College’s beautiful Hall every evening except Saturday and Monday.  This can be booked via uPay up to 24 hours beforehand, provisional to tickets not being sold out. Out of term, there is a BA table held when available in the Parsons room, but is only available to a maximum of 16 people, with a minimum number of six diners required for the event to go ahead.  Diners will be informed by the Catering office if the event is cancelled and your tickets will be refunded by the Catering Office directly back onto your U-pay account.

Dresscode

When dining in Hall, diners often dress formally, though this is not compulsory. Dinner is three courses followed by coffee.

Drink

Those who purchase wine tickets (most people) are served three glasses of wine, either red or white for each glass, and the available wine is usually excellent. For those who don’t wish to have wine, non-wine tickets are available (and cheaper).

Food

Vegetarian, kosher, halal, dairy/nut-free, and gluten-free meals are all available, and are booked in the same way as the default meal.

Guests

Guests are also welcome to dine in Hall, and it is a great way to entertain family and friends. You are permitted bring up to two guests per person. Graduate Students wishing to bring in extra guests will need to complete the Deans Permission form which can be found via the link:

Dean’s Extra Guests in Hall Permission Form

BA Table

One of the key aspects of graduate-student life at St John’s is BA Table. This is when one of the three tables in hall is set aside for graduate students only, and it takes place every Tuesday and Friday during full term. Make sure you purchase your BA Table ticket online well in advance, since it often sells out. A key part of the social aspect of BA Table is Port & Sherry offered in the SBR before and after hall, for just £1 per glass, charged to your college account. Tickets for BA Table are available only to graduate students, and can be purchased in the same manner as regular hall tickets (via uPay).