Is it true you can dine and drink at a country club as a non-member?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're dressed appropriately, they don't really care. And also, country club restaurants typically need the business anyways. If true, do you call ahead or just show up?

Why would you do this?

[Anonymous]

I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We're in town visiting family, do you have any space for lunch [or dinner]?"

Unless it's an ultra exclusive club, no GM is going to turn you away.

Pretty much all the DMV area clubs are ultra-exclusive. You would have an ice cube's chance in hell trying this at Congressional, Chevy, Washington Golf, Bethesda, Woodmont, Columbia, River Bend, Westwood, TPC Potomac, etc. You might actually have a better chance walking up to the South Lawn at the White House and asking Joe if you can join him for dinner

[Anonymous]

How would you pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

+1. We belong to two. No you can't pay by cash or credit card - your number only and most staff have the numbers and frequent eaters/drinks memorized

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"We're in town visiting family, do you have any space for lunch [or dinner]?"

Unless it's an ultra exclusive club, no GM is going to turn you away.

You’ve never been to a country club have you? You’re not getting past the front desk unless you’re with a member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

+1. We belong to two. No you can't pay by cash or credit card - your number only and most staff have the numbers and frequent eaters/drinks memorized

Yep. Outsiders often assume that there's no way the staff keeps tabs on EVERY single member, but in the case of basically every club in the area sans Congressional (has such a huge membership and lots of the members aren't as active as say, the regulars at Chevy or Washington Golf), the staff and members are typically on a first name basis with each other as long as one or the other has been around for more than a month. But other than tips, I've never seen a non-member number transaction at a DC area country club

[Anonymous]

Are you trying to be Kristen Wiig at Palm Royale?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

+1. We belong to two. No you can't pay by cash or credit card - your number only and most staff have the numbers and frequent eaters/drinks memorized

Yep. Outsiders often assume that there's no way the staff keeps tabs on EVERY single member, but in the case of basically every club in the area sans Congressional (has such a huge membership and lots of the members aren't as active as say, the regulars at Chevy or Washington Golf), the staff and members are typically on a first name basis with each other as long as one or the other has been around for more than a month. But other than tips, I've never seen a non-member number transaction at a DC area country club

Yep. They know if you're a member or not. Even if they don't know your name (and they most likely do) they recognize members.

[Anonymous]

At the one in our neighborhood (that we don’t belong to) a member has to put your food/drink on their bill. They don’t accept other forms of payment. Sometimes we’ll have dinner there with friends and we just hand them cash.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure most of the country clubs in the area do not need the money. Off the top of my head I know WGCC and Congressional are both well over $100k initiation fees now with wait lists somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-10 years. I'd imagine that the same is true at most other clubs. There is no chance that they are letting random folks off the street dine in the clubhouse after forcing families to pay six figures plus and wait a decade to get in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

I regularly pay by card. I think I maybe the only one, but I've been a member for 15 years. I like the cash back - I'm cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of a single country club in the area that would allow this. I also don't even think you can pay cash at any of them. You would need a member number to purchase a drink or food and would likely be escorted off the property unless you are accompanied by a member.

I regularly pay by card. I think I maybe the only one, but I've been a member for 15 years. I like the cash back - I'm cheap.

That's awesome, I honestly wish my club would allow that. With all the cash back, the dues practically pay themselves!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you do this? CC's are not known for their excellent restaurants, lol. Growing up we had to eat dinner at the club once in a while because they charged for a certain amount of food whether you ate it or not.

This was my first reaction. Why on earth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you do this? CC's are not known for their excellent restaurants, lol. Growing up we had to eat dinner at the club once in a while because they charged for a certain amount of food whether you ate it or not.

This was my first reaction. Why on earth?

Proximity and convenience when visiting family who live near one, with very limited dining options nearby.