L'Hirondelle Club
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°23′47″N 76°38′46″W / 39.39639°N 76.64611°W |
| Location | Ruxton, Maryland |
| Established | 1872 |
| Type | Private |
| Website | The L’Hirondelle Club |
L’Hirondelle Club is a private social club located in Ruxton, Maryland, and is the oldest such club in the Baltimore region. It opened in 1872 as a boat club for rowing on nearby Lake Roland. The club moved north into Ruxton, then a summer colony for Baltimore's élite, at the end of the century; and with the decline of the lake, punctuated by the construction of the Jones Falls Expressway in the 1960s, L’Hirondelle evolved into a club for racquet sports, with a focus on tennis in the summer and paddle tennis in the winter. The club also features duckpin bowling, swimming, dining, and social events. It publishes a monthly newsletter, “The Swallow,” so-called after the bird for which the club is named.[1][2]
Facility
Dining
The club is noted for its American Fare as well as its seafood. It features two main dining rooms: the Grille Room for casual and family dining, and the Lounge Room for formal dining. Gentlemen are required to wear jackets in the Lounge, and sportswear is prohibited. Dining is also offered in the bar area, with a full menu and bar food available. The club hosts numerous fêtes for its members, including an annual Crab Feast, poolside grill nights, wine tastings, and Oyster Roasts.
Bar
The club features a large dine-in bar area which was constructed in 2007. Unlike some other clubs in the region, the L’Hirondelle bar does not prohibit women. One of the most popular drinks at the club has been the "Southside."
Other Facilities
The Tavern room, on the ground floor, features a bar and bowling. The Great Room, in the center of the main level, is the usual site of balls and buffets. The club also features locker room facilities in the clubhouse, as well as in the tennis house, a paddle hut for winter activities, and parking facilities. Use of cellular phones is prohibited within the clubhouse.
Membership
Exclusivity
Membership is attainable only through nomination by a current member. Nominees must then be approved by a membership committee. An initiation fee and a monthly fee are required.
Guest policy
A private club, L’Hirondelle members are permitted to host guests. Moreover, members of select local clubs are also permitted to attend under certain conditions and circumstances. L’Hirondelle has such arrangements with sundry Baltimore area clubs, including the Baltimore Country Club, the Sparrows Point Country Club, the Greenspring Valley Hunt Club, and the Elkridge Club.
References
- ↑ “The Swallow,” August, 2009.
- ↑ L’Hirondelle Club