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.
Winter/Spring 2021
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 small study groups, meetings, or club events; all while maintaining safe distancing. Our friendly Chum's team members ensure that safety protocols are being followed.
Chum's menu is currently limited to packaged beverages and a few take-out snack items. We only accept cash as payment at this time, but credit card service is coming soon.
Please note that the capacity of the Chum's is currently limited to 10 guests at a time. All attendees must bring their ID, wear face coverings at all times, and maintain safe distancing within the space. If consuming a beverage, you may pull down your mask to quickly take a drink, but do not fully remove it. Consuming food is not currently permitted..
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)
Event Schedule
Check out Cholmondeley's Event Schedule to find out who is hosting an event and when.
Final's Schedule
Chum's Final Day of Operation is May 9
Senior Celebration: Cap Decorating
Thursday, May 6
Noon - 4 p.m.
Bring your cap to Chum's and use our supplies to decorate your cap for the big day! You can decorate at Chum's or take some supplies to-go!
Study @ Chum's
Thursday, May 6, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, May 7 - Sunday, May 9, Noon - 6 p.m.
If you need a place to study, come to Chum's! We're a quiet and cozy spot where you can spread out, get comfortable, and maintain physical distancing.
Hosting Events @ Chum's
We hope to return to hosting coffeehouse events, like poetry readings, theater and dance performances, stand-up comedy, a cappella, open-mic nights, and small concerts next year. In the meantime, Undergraduate Student Union accredited clubs, graduate student organizations, and Brandeis University departments and programs may reserve Cholmondeley's for 90-minute meetings or for longer small-scaled events.
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University departments, clubs, and organizations may reserve Cholmondeley's for small-scaled events by submitting a Cholmondeley's Space Request Form at least three week's in advance.
Cholmondeley's charges a $50 rental fee 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 to pay the rental fee in advance. Cholmondeley's will email an invoice to clubs and Student Union Treasury. Graduate student clubs and university departments should arrange payment by emailing Leigh Hilderbrandt. Payment is due one week prior to the event.
Since Chum's capacity is currently limited to 10 people at a time, events should be scheduled to happen over a period of time that is long enough to accommodate the size of your anticipated attendance.
Event organizers may not charge admission for events; however, donations may be collected. Cholmondeley's is not available for personal use or outside events.
Fill out a Chum's space Request Form
Past Events Hosted by Chum's
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Jack-Go-Lanterns: Pumpkin Carving @ Chums
Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Head over to the Pumpkin Fest: Pumpkin Grab-and-Go on the Great Lawn on Friday, October 30 from noon-4 p.m. then bring your pumpkin to Cholmondeley's to carve it! We'll provide the carving tools and Halloween snacks!
Kindness Day @ Chum's
Celebrate Kindness Day All Week!
November 9-12, 11a.m.-9:30 p.m.
November 13-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Join us any time between November 9th and 15th to craft creative notes for those you care about! Craft supplies and free snacks will be provided.
Valentine's Day Card Making @ Chum's
Thursday, February 11, noon-8 p.m.
Friday, February 12-Satuday, February 13, noon-6 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, noon-4 p.m.
Write a sweet message to a sweet person! Stop by Chum's for materials.
Make Sandcastles at the Castle!
Monday, March 8, Wednesday, March 10, and Thursday, March 11, Noon-8 p.m.
Friday, March 12-Sunday, March 14, Noon-6 p.m.
Throughout Beach Week, you can come to Chum's and build sandcastles in a castle! Remember to take photos of your creations and share them with your family, friends, and Chum's Facebook and Instagram!
All attendees will be entered into the Department of Student Activities' Beach Week Grand Prize Drawing. The winner will receive a navy Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler to add to their next beach trip!
Deicream @ Chum's
Tuesday, April 20, noon - 4 p.m.
Chill at the Castle with the Brandeis Beacons and Cholmondeley's for some FREE Lizzy's ice cream, music, and indoor and outdoor games and activities. Free ice cream and other snacks will be available from noon - 2 p.m. or until we run out, whichever comes first.
