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The Grad Club is a not-for-profit graduate student pub and eatery at Western University operated by the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS). SOGS is a not-for-profit student government, union and advocacy organization that supports graduate students at Western University. Established in 1979, The Grad Club has acted as a pub and eatery and as a wellness space for the campus community through their academic background and the social events they offer. Their events are consistent and include boardgame nights, drag shows, trivia nights, karaoke nights and Rick McGhie nights.

Their menu consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that can be customized to accommodate different dietary needs. The Grad Club also provides a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The Grad Club also offers catering as another service.

The Grad Club recently underwent renovations in the summer of 2023, hoping to rebrand the establishment and deal with the financial losses they have experienced in the last couple of years.

History
Since its inception, The Grad Club has been owned and operated by the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS). The Grad Club and its parent organization, SOGS, are a not-for-profit.

Before The Grad Club’s permanent location at Middlesex College, The Grad Club existed as an entity in many places on the campus of Western University. Firstly, in 1968, SOGS began “Happy Hour”  for graduate students every Friday in the Graduate Student Dining Room at Somerville House, a building on campus. In 1977, SOGS moved to the University Community Centre (UCC) and extended “Happy Hour” to encompass the whole week from Monday to Friday. Finally, in 1979, SOGS secured a location in another campus building called Middlesex College. The new location became established as the "Grad Centre," now known as The Grad Club, marking SOGS' permanent expansion of its "Happy Hour" event.

Renovations
In 2004, The Grad Club had a significant renovation that doubled its capacity, added kitchen facilities and secured permission from Western Food Services to provide year-round food service.

In 2023, The Grad Club underwent another renovation that cost $100,000 and included cosmetic updates such as repainting all interior surfaces, reupholstering seating, installing accessible patio furniture and new interior chairs and updating lighting and fans.

Events
The Grad Club has many perks, activities and events to offer. As a result of the Grad Club being created by graduate students, SOGS members receive a 10% discount on food, up to a total discount of $3 per order when presenting their membership. The Grad Club provides board games for playing anytime and boasts a collection of 60 games. In addition, The Grad Club has a monthly board game night on the third Wednesday of every month.

The Grad Club has a trivia night on most Tuesdays and a monthly karaoke night. The Grad Club hosts drag shows, and a monthly LGBTQIA+ social called the Rainbow Coffee Club, which the SOGS Pride Commission hosts. Additionally, Rick McGhie performs every Wednesday at The Grad Club.

Goblet of Knowledge
The Grad Club has a physical Goblet available, where graduate students can drink a complimentary alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of their choice upon successfully defending their Master's or Ph.D. thesis. However, individuals must reserve the goblet in advance.

Rick McGhie
Rick McGhie has been a solo performer at Western University for the last 40 years and has since become a legend among students. Rick's performance consists of singing and playing the guitar. He is most notable for playing on Wednesdays at the Spoke, another bar and eatery on campus, and his event known as "Rick's Wednesdays" has become an iconic tradition at Western. Since his retirement at the Spoke, Rick McGhie has kept his tradition on by continuing to play every Wednesday at The Grad Club.

Menu and Catering
The Grad Club showcases a menu encompassing breakfast, lunch and dinner items, including vegan, vegetarian and halal options. The pub works with local breweries, offering a selection of craft beers, rotational local season brews, and regular domestic and import options. The Grad Club has a full bar with 20 taps, a full cocktail menu, and non-alcoholic drinks available.

The Western OneCard, a card that individuals can load with meal plan dollars and use at restaurants that support its currency across London, Ontario, was added as a supported payment option at The Grad Club in 2023.

If planning an event, individuals are able to rent the space, and use The Grad Club's catering options.