A series of Pop-Up Pub events at Hotung Café kicked off on Thursday evening, November 7. A combined effort of the TCU Senate and Tufts Dining, the events, officially titled “Pop-Up Pub: Tufts Campus Pub & Social Spot,” are designed to foster a sense of community, giving students, faculty, and staff a place to gather while enjoying beverages and a bite to eat.

The Pop-Up Pub events are open to students of all ages and to faculty and staff; a valid Tufts ID and a purchase of a $10 ticket are required to enter the Pop-Up Pub. Alcohol is only served to those with a government-issued ID to prove that they are at least 21 years of age. 

The pub offers a cash bar with local craft beers, ciders, hard seltzer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Also on offer: Pub food options at no additional cost, such as soft pretzels, sliders, nachos, wings, tacos, and other small bites. The food offerings will differ at each event.

“Part of the vision is to have a place for our community to just take a break together,” said Patti Klos, senior director of dining services. “Maybe you'll just pop in for a few minutes or maybe you'll be there for a couple of hours with your friends relaxing or getting into a deep conversation.” 

The Pop-Up Pub has the support of the deans of the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, the dean of students and chief student life officer for Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, and President Sunil Kumar. In offering these events, the aim, according to Klos, is to respond to a desire by members of the Tufts community for a pub that operates on campus since the closing of MacPhie Pub in 1994. 

“The pub will serve as a welcoming social hub where students, faculty, and staff can come together in a relaxed setting,” said Arianna Shalhoub, A27. “I think it will open up so many opportunities for engagement and make campus life even more vibrant.”

While the pub is currently operating in a pop-up format, Klos is hopeful that, as interest and awareness grow, opportunities will expand. “We’ll try to gauge interest and flow of people in through the space over these next few weeks,” said Klos. “Later on, if we find that we have the systems and capability of doing more, students, faculty, or staff may be able to come in, verify they are a member of the Tufts community, and then order food à la carte; that may be something that we will be able to do a little further into the process, which will feel more like a regular pub experience.”

A key takeaway: Everyone in the Tufts community is welcome. “Whether you’re looking to meet with friends or have an informal chat with one of your faculty members, or if you’re looking for a convenient spot that’s outside the classroom or office setting, the Pop-Up Pub might be just the place for you,” says Klos.

The Pop-Up Pub events are scheduled for two additional Thursdays this semester: November 21 and December 5. The events run from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Hotung Café. Earlier events were held on November 7 and 14.