- The Commonwealth Club -
THE BEST CLUB IN NORTHERN NJ
- Private Social Club -
100+ Year Old Social Club
The Commonwealth Club is one of New Jersey's oldest social clubs, established in 1904 by Benjamin Moore (yes, that Benjamin Moore), among other community leaders. Located in Upper Montclair, NJ we are one of the most down to earth, friendly and affordable private clubs in the country.
- Bowling -
100+ Years of Bowling
We’re not sure, but this could be the longest continuously running bowling league in the nation. It is most probably the longest running one in the state. And definitely the longest running game in Montclair. What we know for sure is that our six lanes have seen a lot of bowling and even more good times.
- Facilities -
Rent the Club
Located in the heart of Upper Montclair, the club is a great place for parties and events. Whether your invitations are going out to 25 — or 250 — consider the Commonwealth Club for your next event. After the most extensive renovations in its 117-year history, including a new air conditioning system, the club remains one of the best and most reasonably priced gathering options in the area.
- Commonwealth Club News -
What's Happening!
UPCOMING EVENTS 1/18/22
There are a lot of things happening here for a club in the midst of a pandemic surge, so pay attention and buckle up:
1. First and foremost, bowling is back, baby! Here are the details:
Following a survey of the captains on Sunday evening, the teams have overwhelmingly voted to resume the bowling season. The men’s bowling league will pick up NEXT Tuesday, January 25th, and we will be starting with the published schedule for the week of 1/25. This week's position round will be eliminated-no harm, no foul. The week of January 4th will be bowled the week of March 8th, and the week of January 11th will be bowled the week of April 26th, both in lieu of position rounds. The season will still end at its scheduled time, barring any future interruptions.
Since our safety is of the utmost importance, we will be using a common sense approach to the health and safety protocols. The local numbers of cases are on the wane, but it only takes one numnut to shut the club down again, and no one wants that. Masks are not required but are strongly encouraged (especially if, well, you know), as are vaccinations, and we ask that if you're not feeling 100% that you stay TF home. Let’s all stay safe out there!
2. On Saturday, there is a great volunteer opportunity to help out one of the core six groups that we support through our Community Action Initiative, Backpacks For Life.
Here are the deets: The Backpacks For Life team will be hosting a storage clean-up day and packing event to help us get our storage units in tip-top shape AND pack 75 backpacks for veterans in the Camden, NJ area.
Whether you can join us for a few hours or the whole day, every bit of help counts!
Where: Fairfield Self Storage, 226 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ 07004
Date: Saturday, January 22nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (The greatest area of need seems to be between 12-4)
What To Expect:
We'll be organizing all recent donations received which will include ensuring toiletries and supplies are neatly put away in respective storage bins, breaking down boxes, sorting new merchandise, moving boxes and items around to make space for new backpacks arriving. Comfortable sneakers and clothing is best.
Let me know at jfxa@blackwatchproductions.com if you are interested in participating and for what time frame. I will submit one form on behalf of the club with everyone's name on it.
As an added bonus, everyone who shows up will receive one of our brand new Commonwealth Club Cares t-shirts to wear as a representative of the Club.
This is a great organization and a great cause that benefits our veterans, so I hope that we'll get a good turnout.
3. The first Mixed Bowling of the new year takes place this Saturday, January 22nd. (For the uninitiated and newer members, Mixed Bowling refers to couples bowling as a team; think of it as a $10 date night. Insane!)
We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and are looking forward to a better 2022, despite living in a world filled with troubles that conspire to sink our spirits at every turn. There is, however, one great respite from our daily dread, and that, of course, is Mixed Bowling at the Commonwealth Club!
On Saturday, January 22nd, you can blow off steam by hurling heavy objects at defenseless pins that don't even move! Sink our spirits, hell, drown our spirits, I say! That's the spirit! We will gather at 7:15 at the Commonwealth Club and partake in an evening filled with laughter, food(we like folks to bring some snackage), drink (if you buy or bring it), two games of bowling and great music, all for the paltry sum of $10 per couple.
There is a sign up sheet down by the lanes, or you can email me at jfxa@blackwatchproductions that you want to bowl and I will add you to the list. You DO NOT need to be a bowling member of the club to participate in this event, in fact you don't need to be a member at all-guests are always welcome, so bring your friends! We had a full house last time, so words to the wise and all that.
4. Endurance Tournament, Saturday, Feb. 5th
5. Super Bowl Tailgate Party, Sunday, Feb. 13th
More to come on these two events, so stay tuned.
- Commonwealth Club Facebook -
We Are on Facebook
SAD NEWS
Because we were closed over the holiday season, many of you probably don’t know that the club has lost two members, both too young and both unexpectedly. Jim Scancarella passed away over Christmas weekend and John Impenna passed away the other day. Both great guys, great members and both will be greatly missed. For Jimmy, […]
Upcoming Events at The Commonwealth Club
First of all, Happy New Year to one and all! As the new year dawns, unfortunately we find ourselves smack in the middle of the 3rd highest Covid case rate in the nation, and we have had to make some alterations to the upcoming event schedule as a result of this surge. First and foremost, the […]
Holidays at the Club
As the holiday season inexorably approaches (encroaches?), here are a number of events of note on the horizon: The Club Christmas Party is on Saturday, December 18th from 7pm until midnight. It’s a casual affair for members and their other halves to drop by and have a drink and a nosh. We ask anyone who […]
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CLUB
Lots of stuff happening at the Club as we head into the holiday season, so listen up: There will be a meeting of the Community Action Committee at the club on Monday, the 8th at 7pm. If you’d like to join this committee and/or have ideas for how we can be more involved in our […]
Committees
As we set sail into a new bowling season, with a new president, new board members, new website and, most importantly, 25-plus new members, it’s time to make the case for Club Committees. This club is run by a volunteer board of officers and trustees. The real work, however, of keeping the club viable, relevant […]
Quirky, Finicky
1960s BOWLING PINSETTERS
They Be Old But We Love Them
Jack Anderson
Member since 1957
Jack "King of the Machines" Anderson may be old as the Club itself, but he still gets around. Here he is on top of the pinsetters one night, "fixing" them. We're not sure, but we think he used bubble gum and a shoelace to fix them this time. In many ways, he remains the heart and soul of the Commonwealth Club and is still a regular league bowler at the age of 95!