The men’s grill is typically a casual dining outlet connected to the men’s locker room in a country club.
Many country clubs offer what is known as a men’s grill. On a basic level, the men’s grill is exactly as it sounds—a men’s-only restaurant, pub, or lounge, typically located off of the men’s locker room for gathering before or after a round of golf or any other time men are interested in grabbing a casual bite at the club.
Clubs that offer the men’s-only dining area typically advertise the lounge as a place to unwind after a day of golf, to watch a game on TV, or to enjoy specialty drinks with the other male members of the club.
Grills will often come equipped with whiskey or beer bars, fireplaces, and specialty menus. The area may also host special cocktail events or late-night events. In some clubs, cigars are also permitted. The men’s grill may also have a particular dress code to uphold the standards of the club, reflecting either a more formal or more casual requirement depending on the design of the dining room.
The tradition of a men’s grill stems from a time when many clubs only offered membership to men. The remaining male-only clubs and grills have received significant negative attention in the past decade. The gender-specific practice only avoids breaking anti-discrimination laws since membership-only clubs are not open to the public. Additionally, some clubs argue that the gender-specific grill is simply an extension of the male-only locker room.
Additional pushback comes from the lack of reciprocal spaces for women. While men’s grills have been prominent for decades, clubs often state that there is no demand for a women’s grill. Instead, alternatives such as family grills, open to all, often take their place.
With the rise of women on the golf course and in the country club, the role of the men’s grill is no longer as relevant as it was. However, the practice remains intact in clubs that retain older traditions.