New Maryland Club Offers Upscale Dining on Campus

The best way to enjoy a Maryland lump crab cake might be here: surrounded by Terps memorabilia from a century-old boxing glove to a championship-winning lacrosse stick, looking down the iconic Gary Williams Court and hearing the squeak of soles against hardwood.

The Maryland Club at the university’s Xfinity Center is a new upscale restaurant and gathering spot for colleagues to grab lunch or professors to host book talks while steeped in UMD pride and tradition.  

“We’re excited to have it transformed into what it is now,” said Director of Social Clubs Ben Richards. 

Formerly the multipurpose Heritage Hall, the reimagined space was soft-launched in April and celebrates all things Maryland: The 25-seat bar is bracketed by red, black and yellow glass reminiscent of the state flag, while a driftwood turtle, created and donated by an avid fan, adorns the lounge. A rotating collection of Terps sports mementos infuse a sense of inspiration and history into the space, and student-created art is featured on the walls. And if you come on the right day, you might be able to see the men’s and women’s basketball teams practicing via the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the court. 

The lunch and dinner menu highlights local delicacies like blue crab and favorites like steak frites and roast chicken, as well as sandwiches, salads and burgers.

“It is one of the nicest places you can come with curated food from Maryland and the surrounding area,” said Kerry Petz, membership manager. “It highlights the state and the university, showcasing what Maryland is doing in education and athletics.” 

To access the club, membership is required. For UMD faculty and staff who want to apply, the initiation fee is waived, and once they’re accepted, they pay $50 a month. This includes not only the restaurant, but also reservable private dining areas, Wi-Fi connected work and meeting spaces, and exclusive events like beverage tastings, workshops and watch parties. Members also get designated parking spots just steps from the building. 

In Athletics, men’s basketball head coach Buzz Williams has already used it for recruitment visits, and Terps courtside and premier seat holders who pay an extra fee can enjoy a full buffet before, during and after games.  

But Petz hopes the club becomes a campus-wide venue for office happy hours or faculty celebrations. In the future, the club hopes to establish partnerships across campus, such as offering “dinner and a show” deals at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

“It’s so easy to be athletic-driven in this space, but there are so many people around campus that do amazing and interesting things, so we hope they find us,” Petz said.