L'Hirondelle Club

L’Hirondelle Club is a private social club located in Ruxton, Maryland, and is the oldest such club in the Baltimore region. It opened in 1872 as a boat club for rowing on nearby Lake Roland. The club moved north into Ruxton, then a summer colony for Baltimore's élite, at the end of the century; and with the decline of the lake, punctuated by the construction of the Jones Falls Expressway in the 1960s, L’Hirondelle evolved into a club for racquet sports, with a focus on tennis in the summer and paddle tennis in the winter. The club also features duckpin bowling, swimming, dining, and social events. It publishes a monthly newsletter, “The Swallow,” so-called after the bird for which the club is named.FacilityDiningThe club is noted for its American Fare as well as its seafood. It features two main dining rooms: the Grille Room for casual and family dining, and the Lounge Room for formal dining. Gentlemen are required to wear jackets in the Lounge, and sportswear is prohibited. Dining is also offered in the bar area, with a full menu and bar food available. The club hosts numerous fêtes for its members, including an annual Crab Feast, poolside grill nights, wine tastings, and Oyster Roasts.