Big Red Barn
The Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center (the Barn), an old carriage house turned student center, is located in the heart of campus and surrounded by lawns and gardens. A central place for eating and relaxing, the Barn hosts more than 500 events per year including trivia night, study/writing breaks, cultural celebrations, and the ever popular T.G.I.F. (Tell Grads It’s Friday).
Connect with the Barn on Instagram (@brbcornell) to stay up to date on Barn events and community-related news.
History
The Big Red Barn is located behind the A.D. White House and next to the Space Sciences building. Built in the 1870s, it served as the carriage house for the home of Cornell’s first president, Andrew Dickson White. The Barn, one of the oldest structures on campus, was converted to a social center by Cornell alumni in the 1950s and underwent a complete renovation in 1991. Antiques and farm implements recollect the building’s past, while new additions remain faithful to its rustic atmosphere.
Dining
One of Cornell Dining’s 23 restaurant locations, the Big Red Barn serves soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee, and pastries during the semester. Relax outdoors at our picnic tables in the warm weather or sit by the fireplace on our comfortable lounge furniture. Whatever the season, this is a great place to take a break and relax from your studies. For more info visit Cornell Dining or contact Jill Shufelt, jaa19@cornell.edu, 607-255-8080.
Hours
Hours for Spring 2025 are posted on the Barn door as well as below.
- Building hours
- Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and during TGIF (from 4:30 – 7 p.m.)
- By reservation only: Friday after 8 p.m. – Sunday
- Dining hours
- Breakfast and Write In, Monday – Friday: 8 – 11 a.m.
- Lunch, Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Snack service – run by the Barn staff (alcohol and snacks – Barn gift card only, available for purchase)
- Monday – Thursday: 2 – 10 p.m.
- Friday: 2 – 4 p.m., 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Payment
Big Red Bucks, CornellCard, and credit cards are accepted during dining hours. Credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Wallet are accepted to purchase a Barn gift card (minimum $20) during snack service.
Signature Events
The Big Red Barn hosts over 500 events each year. Below are a few examples of the types of programming available. Be sure to check out the Graduate School events calendar to see upcoming Big Red Barn events! Also, be sure you are subscribed to our email newsletter for the most up to date information. To be added to the programming newsletter list, contact bigredbarn@cornell.edu.
Weekly Trivia Night
This allows students to get out and socialize with other students outside of their fields and enjoy a bit of competition.
TGIF – Tell Grads It’s Friday!
A weekly get-together of all graduate and professional students, staff, and faculty in a social setting. This allows for interaction across fields.
Art Events
The Barn hosts monthly art shows to display graduate student works and painting events to give students outlets for stress reduction and creativity.
Pumpkin Carving
An annual event that brings families and kids old and young together to carve a pumpkin for Halloween. It is also a great way for international students to participate in American holidays.
Kids’ Science Day
A day full of exciting experiments and demonstrations by graduate students to display their research to kids. This hands-on program is known for bringing graduate student families together.
Chocolatada
Hosted near Valentine’s Day every year. A collaboration with the Cornell Botanic Gardens, we hear about the history of chocolate, cultural significance, and we get to taste different kinds of chocolate.
Cultural celebrations
The Barn hosts a variety of cultural programs to learn about holidays, rituals, food, dance, music, and art from around the world. Previous celebrations include St. Patricks Day, Diwali, Nowruz, Lunar New Year and more!