- 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 at the Commonwealth Club
Italian Family Sunday Dinner – Sunday, January 15th 1:30pm to 6:30pm
Mark Sunday, January 15th on your calendars for the Club's annual paen to all things Italian-that's this Sunday!. A sumptuous Sunday Family Italian feast will be served, all prepared by our exceedingly talented chefs. Doors open at 1:30 for appetizers, dinner is served beginning at 2:30. The cost is a mere $45 per adult, $15 for kids 10-20 and free for children 9 and under. Venmo payments in advance are welcome, @commonwealth-club1904.
This event has always been a wonderful family affair, so gather up the relations and come on down! Beer and soft drinks will be provided, bring your own wine.
Here is just a sample of the amazing menu you'll be enjoying (the full menu is on the enclosed flyer): incredible antipasto table featuring Mikey Muzz's homemade mozzarella; chicken savoy; Mama Frattura's homemade lasagna, pasta and meatballs and gravy, pasta marinara, eggplant parmesan, linguini with clam sauce, vegetable giambotta, roast pork roast with broccoli rabe, salad, Italian dessert pastries, ice cream, coffee, cordials and much more!
If you'd like to reserve a table for parties of 8 or more, contact James Cousins at jacousinsbci@aol.com
Oh, and the NFC playoff games (including the Giants) will be blazing on our collection of enormous TV screens throughout the club!
This is always a great event, so plan on attending and a word to the wise, get there early if you want to sample everything!
Jess Dodd Endurance Tournament– Saturday, February 4th at 10:00am to 6:00pm
The 77th Annual Jess Dodd Endurance Tournament makes its triumphant return on Saturday, February 4th. Who is Jess Dodd, you ask? Don’t ask. This is a 2 man team bowling tournament, so if you are a single, you need to pair up and form a team. If someone needs a partner, put it out there either here or on the Facebook page. If you are signed up and can't make it, let me know at jfxa@blackwatchproductions.com, so that we are not waiting to start on Saturday.
Let me see if I can put this as concisely as I can for our reading-challenged members:
What: Endurance Tournament-2-man teams of Club bowling members, bowling with their current league handicap
When: Saturday, February 5th, 10:00am; sign in around 10:30, probably be done by 6pm, if recent history is any indication
How: Each team member will bowl 6 games; total pins will determine the team winners and the individual high series wins the Conover Trophy and will be immortalized forever, as he gets his name added to the trophy along with the champions who have gone before.
How Much: Each player pays a $20 entry fee; Each player brings a Door Prize valued at $20 (this is mandatory!) usually consisting of re-gifted items from Christmas, bottles of booze, lotto tickets, and, of course, the lazy man's fallback-Starbucks gift cards; every participant will get a prize, and there are big cash prizes!
So clear your Saturday, grab a partner and sign up on the sheet provided near the lanes, sign up here or email me at jfxa@blackwatchproductions.com. We'll provide some lunch and some snackage and you can drink what you will (pay for or bring). It's our oldest, most prestigious bowling event, and those who participate always have a blast, so give it a shot.
Super Bowl Party – Sunday, February 12th; 4:00pm to 11:00pm
If you haven't yet been to a Commonwealth Club Super Bowl party, you have not properly lived! Sunday, February 12th, we will once again throw the tailgate party of the year, and, irrespective of the game itself, a great time will be had by all. The food, self-catered by our cadre of member chefs, will be fantastic and plentiful; beer will be in abundance and there is a 25 foot friggin' HD screen that will headline the visual coverage. So come on down and enjoy the scene!
$30/adults $15/Kids 10-18 Kids under 10 are free, but discouraged
Hot Dogs, Burgers, Subs - Adult Beverages - Huge HD Screen plus many smaller ones. Doors open at 4:30 Food starts at 5:30 - Raffles throughout. Game starts 6:30
- Commonwealth Club Facebook -
We Are on Facebook

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB
First of all, we’d like to welcome all of the new members who signed up both at the Open House and during the summer. For those who had guests/potential members […]
OPEN HOUSE
I hope that all of you had a wonderful summer and are ready for a transformative year at the Commonwealth Club. We are ready to build on last year’s strong […]
Annual Dinner Highlights
The Club’s annual dinner was held on June 2nd and was a success on many levels. We discovered that the Club’s finances and membership roster have significantly improved over the […]
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!