Picture this: a sunny evening at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium. You’re on a terrace overlooking the emerald green of the field, cold beverage in hand. Friends surround you, laughter fills the air, and delicious bites await. This isn’t game day—it’s simply an evening at the Ken Garff University Club, campus’s year-round social hub.
Nestled in the stadium’s chic 2021 south end zone addition, the Ken Garff Red Zone, this members-only private club and events venue bolsters efforts to inject energy and life into campus, creating what U leaders call “college town magic.” With an upscale restaurant and the only liquor license on campus, it’s a welcome addition to the U’s dining options. Add to that a packed calendar of social events, and the club makes for an ideal gathering spot.
“The Ken Garff University Club offers a unique way to connect with the university while enjoying the premium benefits of a private club,” says Melisa Griffith MBA’16, senior membership director. “Our goal is to foster connections and provide a memorable experience for every member, whether they’re having dinner with friends, networking with colleagues, or celebrating the Utes.”
Get to Know the Club
The University Club operates in designated spaces on all three floors of the south end zone building. Some areas of the building are closed to club members. On game days, only football season ticket holders and athletics donors can access the building.
Restaurant Level: Restaurant (A) and bar (B) with daily specials and a seasonally rotating menu; (C) Hospitality breakfast station open M-F; (D) AV-capable boardroom for private events; (E) Patios for dining and events in warmer months
Suite Level: (F) Private suites available to work in; (G) Spaces available to rent for private events
Field Level: (H) Large central space hosts away-game watch parties, yoga in summer, and other events
The University Club belongs to a network of reciprocal private social establishments around the country, which includes city and country clubs and a growing “stadium club” division. As one of the latter, it strikes a balance between relaxed and refined, with a welcoming reputation. While many members are U faculty, staff, and alumni, membership is open to all—no university affiliation required. It’s also family-friendly, a rarity among private social clubs in the area.
Jennifer Nelson calls the University Club her social “home base.” As recent transplants to Utah, she and her husband were drawn to the club’s potential for making friends. “We love coming to the monthly socials and meeting new people,” she says.
The club’s location might suggest a sports-centric focus, but it caters to all kinds of interests. “The events are fun and so varied,” Nelson notes, from craft classes to tailgate parties to family nights and more. “You can find what appeals to you.” Here’s how the club offers a little something for everyone.
For the Foodie
Just a quick glance at the University Club’s menu is enough to get the mouth watering: tuna poke salad with soy-sesame vinaigrette, duck confit panini with whole grain mustard and brie, aged ribeye with parmesan truffle fries.
With gourmet offerings and stunning mountain and valley views, the club’s restaurant elevates the campus dining scene. Rotating seasonal menus and daily themed specials keep things fresh for even frequent diners. There’s a different taco special and margaritas and mocktails every Tuesday, for example. Thursdays are for sampling the globe, with dishes from a specific national cuisine. Each Saturday brings new beef and seafood options for the Surf & Turf dinner. The club also celebrates special occasions with themed meals, like St. Patrick’s Day dinner, Mother’s Day brunch, and a Father’s Day barbecue with a live blues band.
“We want this to be more than a dining experience,” explains Griffith. “We want this to be a destination."
For the Fan
If there’s anything better than cheering on your team, it’s cheering them on alongside other fans. The University Club scratches that itch for Utes enthusiasts. During football season, there’s a pep rally before each home game. While the south end zone building is closed to club members on game days (it’s reserved for season ticket holders and athletics donors during home games), the club hosts an exclusive tailgate on Guardsman Way with food, music, and a bar. For away games, the club offers the next best thing to attending in person—watch parties, where Utah fans can eat, drink, and celebrate TDs together.
Traveling fans can take advantage of access to the network’s other stadium clubs. Currently that includes Big 12 schools Baylor, Texas Tech, and the University of Arizona, with the possibility of more in the future.
The celebrations go beyond the end zone, too. The club offers an exclusive shuttle to the Huntsman Center for several gymnastics meets and men’s and women’s basketball games. Members can enjoy a meal, then catch a ride in time for tip-off or the start of the meet. The club also hosts special athletics events—members got to meet the Red Rocks last season, for example—as well as watch parties for major games and meets.
For the Professional
“Connecting with people is an important part of my job,” says Jacob Bastian, a development director who fundraises for scholarships at the U. That’s what attracted him to the University Club. “This is a great place to network. You never know who you might meet who could help you.”
The club aims to be a haven for professionals, supplying workspaces, Wi-Fi, office supplies, and meeting venues with A/V capabilities. Members can kick off the workday at the hospitality breakfast station, then retreat to a private suite for focused work. The restaurant is a classy setting for business lunches, and professionals can expand their circles at the club’s social events.
U employees enjoy special rates on individual memberships, with monthly dues starting at $39. University departments can buy memberships for business use, provided the funding doesn’t come from state-appropriated resources.
FAQs
What is the club’s connection to Ken Garff?
The Garffs are not directly involved in the club’s management, but their name is connected to the club through the south end zone renovation project, which they helped fund.
Who can become a member?
Anyone can join. Though many members are affiliated with the U, it’s not a requirement.
Do you get football tickets in the south end zone if you’re a member?
No, football tickets are sold separately.
How much does it cost?
Monthly dues range from $39 (for the U faculty and staff base membership) to $145, depending on the membership level, and there is a $150-200 initiation fee. All initiation fees support the Champion League scholarship fund, established with help from the Garffs to benefit students campuswide, not just student-athletes.
Who is included in a membership?
The account owner, spouse, and dependents under 26 living at home. Members can invite guests if accompanying them.
Is the club open on game day?
No, the building is only open to certain ticket holders and donors on game days, but members can attend the club’s exclusive tailgate on Guardsman Way.
Is it affiliated with the Crimson Club?
No, the Ken Garff University Club is separate from the Crimson Club.
What about parking?
The club offers complimentary parking in the west stadium lot while members and their guests visit the club.
“We also have corporate memberships, and many companies use the club for various events,” says Griffith. Members pay no booking fees for venues, though a minimum food and beverage purchase is required for certain spaces.
For the Family
Spending Easter with his entire extended family is Ben Fogel’s favorite club experience so far. “The brunch spread was amazing, along with the animal petting zoo that the club brought in for the kids,” he remarks.
As the area’s only private social club that allows kids, the University Club works to create enjoyable experiences for all ages. Every Friday night, children eat for free, and once a month, there’s a family night where kids can engage in fun activities while parents enjoy an evening out. The club also hosts seasonal events, from Easter egg hunts to pumpkin carving parties, giving families plenty of opportunities to make memories.
For the Social Butterfly
At its core, the Ken Garff University Club is about social connection, and its calendar is packed with events: live music performances, craft nights, monthly socials, hands-on classes like flower arranging and sushi making, Saturday morning yoga followed by brunch in summer, and “Appy” hour every Thursday and Friday, to name a few.
See for Yourself
The University Club is hosting an open house exclusive to University of Utah Magazine readers on Thursday, Nov. 21. Learn more and register.
For those who love to throw their own shindigs, the club offers a waiver to members on room rental fees for private gatherings, like parties, weddings, and reunions.
“If you need to hold events, a membership makes a lot of sense,” says Griffith, noting the significant savings. “There are a lot of possibilities with the spaces,” she adds. “We can make it as grand or intimate as you want. And our events team is incredible. They make magic happen.”
Lisa Anderson is associate editor of Utah Magazine.
It’s shocking to me how much campus has changed since I graduated back in 1976. I’m too old to make a membership make sense, but 20-30 years ago, this would’ve been very appealing. Thanks for the great article.
That restaurant looks so nice! I used to work on campus and would’ve loved a dining option like this. I ate at the Panda Express way too many times. Love seeing my U growing up! And that illustration is just adorable!