Cholmondeley's Coffee House (Chum's)
Cholmondeley's (Chum's) is Brandeis' iconic student run coffee house, tucked away in the historic Usen Castle, named for a Black and Tan Coonhound belonging to the campus photographer Ralph Norman. Throughout its history, Cholmondeley's has played host to, among others, Tracy Chapman, the J. Geils Band, Joan Baez, and the first American performance of Genesis.
Cholmondeley's is a unique and intimate space where Brandeis community members are welcome to come to study, relax, spend time with friends, and hold study groups, meetings, or small-scale club events.
NEW FOR 2021-2022!
We now have a piano, Giant Jenga, and Giant Scrabble. When weather permits outside activities, we also have Adirondack chairs, corn hole, and chalk for creating chalk art on the pavement.
SPRING 2022 Update
The capacity of Chum's will be restricted to 25 people at a time to facilitate social distancing. Food and beverage are to-go only. Green Campus Passports and masks are required.
Meetings and Events @ Chum's
Cholmondeley's is a great place for meetings and events! Chum's is offering free 90-minute meeting times for departmental programs, clubs and organizations, tutors and study groups, musicians and bands, and other special interest groups. Clubs and organizations may also rent Chum's to host small-scale coffeehouse events, like poetry readings, stand-up comedy, improv, a cappella, open-mic nights, and student concerts.
SPRING 2022 Update
Due to capacity limits and Brandeis-only restrictions, Chum's will no longer host dance parties or concerts with outside contractors, like DJs or professional bands. Also, all events must end by midnight.
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Departmental programs, clubs, study groups, student bands, and special interest groups may reserve Chum's for free 90-minute meetings.
Free 90-minute meetings are held at designated times, using Chum's standard seating arrangement and basic auxiliary audio. To reserve a meeting, please use Cholmondeley's Google Appointment Calendar. Just find a date and time that works for you, click on the appointment time, and add the name of your program, club, group, or interest to the title. Then, add a meeting description, and click Save!
Please do NOT reserve two appointments on the same day. Do NOT use the appointment calendar for club events. If your club or organization would like to host an event at Chum's, please see the section for Renting Chum's for Events.
University departments, clubs, and organizations may rent Cholmondeley's for small-scale events fro Brandeis audiences by submitting a Cholmondeley's Space Request Form at least three weeks in advance. After submitting a space request, clubs must also register your event in Presence.
Cholmondeley's charges a $50 rental fee for every two-hour block of time for each event. The fees are for services and equipment provided by Chum's, including set-up, basic audio-visual equipment operation, event monitoring, and clean-up. Student clubs and organizations must pay the rental fee in advance. Cholmondeley's will email an invoice to the club representative who submitted the space request. The club's treasurer must submit the invoice through Presence. Graduate student clubs and university departments should arrange payment by emailing Leigh Hilderbrandt. Payment is due one week prior to the event.
Monday - Thursday: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - Midnight
Saturday: 1 p.m. - Midnight
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
RENTAL FEES*:
Up to 2 hours: $50
2 - 4 hours: $100
4 - 6 hours: $150
6 - 8 hours: $200
*Rental fees are for the for use of the space from the club's arrival through departure, including set-up and clean-up. Renters will be given up to 30-minutes of grace time at the end of the rental period. Extension beyond the grace period will incur a $15 fee per each 30 minutes beyond the reservation's grace period. Time extension will only be permitted if within normal business hours or if proper staffing is available to remain onsite for the duration of time if outside regular business hours.
Event organizers may not charge admission for events; however, donations may be collected. Cholmondeley's is not available for personal use or outside events.
FOOD EQUIPMENT (Not available Spring 2022 until further notice)
Clubs can host their event at Cholmondeley's and have Chum's staff operate the Chum's food equipment during the event. There is a $10 fee for the supplies for each of the following machines: cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cone. If requesting to use the snow cone machine, clubs will need to supply the ice. If requesting the coffee urn, hot dog steamer, or nacho cheese/caramel/chocolate warmer, clubs will be responsible for acquiring the beverage and food that corresponds with these items and bringing them to Chum's prior to the event.
If you would like to host an event at Cholmondeley's using any of Chum's food equipment, please complete a Cholmondeley's Space Request Form and note the food equipment request on the form.
Chum's Food Equipment (Not available Spring 2022 until further notice)
- Cotton Candy Machine - $10
- Popcorn Machine - $10
- Snow Cone Machine - $10 (for flavored syrups) - Club supplies the ice
- Large Hot Beverage Urn (for coffee, hot cider, or hot chocolate) - Club supplies beverage prior to the event
- Hot Dog Steamer - Club supplies hot dogs prior to the event
- Nacho Cheese/Caramel/Chocolate Sauce Warmers - Club supplies corresponding food prior to the event
Cholmondeley's Space Request Form
Event Schedule
Check out Cholmondeley's Event Schedule to find out who is hosting an event and when.
Past Special Events @ Chum's
1st & 2nd Year Mixer @ Chum's
September 11, 2021
4 p.m.-7 p.m.
First and second year students are invited come to Chum's, located in the Usen Castle, to mix and mingle! Meet new people, make new friends, and enjoy music, games, and free snacks!
Campus Mixer
September 26, 2021
3 p.m.-5 p.m.
The Chum's team would like to invite all students to join us at Chum's for a fun opportunity to meet new people, listen to music, eat free snacks, and play games.
Family and Friends Lounge
October 16, 2021
1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Brandeis families and friends are invited to relax, play games, and enjoy some coffee and snacks at Cholmondley's (Chum's) in the Usen Castle.
Arts, Crafts, and Mental Health
November 14, 2021
2 p.m.-5 p.m.
De-stress with some arts, crafts, and conversation. Chum's will provide the craft supplies and FREE hot cocoa, tea, and coffee.
Study Hall & Create @Chum's: Snowflake Making
Thursday, December 9-Sunday, December 12
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Come to Chum's to study, relax, and drink coffee! We'll also have craft supplies for you to make cut-out snowflakes, which is a great way to relieve stress.
Chum's & WBRS Zine Making
December 11, 2021
6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Bring your magazines and creativity to Chum's for a night of Zine Making. We'll have scissors and glue on hand, as well as FREE pizza!
Chum's Spotify Playlists
Enjoy the cool sounds of Chum's Spotify playlists! If you have a Spotify playlist that you'd like to share, please email your Spotify link to chums@brandeis.edu.
The Coffeehouse Playlist: a collaborative playlist of background music of the Cholmondeley's Coffeehouse
Trizzy's Cafe: Tre's playlist featuring lo-fi instrumentals, jazz songs, calm raps, and piano covers
Tre's Beach: A spring break styled music mix (original lyrics)
