Barristers Ball 2023
at the Pennsylvainia Academy of the Fine Arts
The Info
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
Location: Hamilton Building, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
128 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Food and drink: dinner stations, open bar
Ticket prices*: $80 non-drinking students**, $100 for drinking students**, $130 for guests
Attire: Black Tie (Optional)
Other specials: Discounted Parking (more information below)
Hype Week: a week of theme days building the excitement for the Barristers’ Ball (week of Oct. 16-19)
*Tickets will be released October 2nd around 8 p.m. All ticket prices will increase by $10 on October 9th and then again by another $10 on October 16th. October 18th is the last day to purchase any tickets.
**Subsidies available, more information below
Hype Week
What is Hype Week?
Hype Week is the second-annual excitement build-up week for Barristers' Ball! Each day, there will be a theme posted on the CSR website, Instagram, and On The Docket. To enter into the hype week raffle for each day:
Follow @pennlawcsr on Instagram
Post a photo/story and tag @pennlawcsr or use #barristershype2023
Get entered for a chance to win a prize!
What are the theme days?
Monday, Oct. 16: Dress Like A Philadelphia Icon Day
Tuesday, Oct. 17: Twin Day
Wednesday, Oct. 18: Dress Like Your Favorite Case / Legal Concept Day
Thursday, Oct. 19: Class Color Day
1L: Green
2L: Blue
3L: Red
LLM: Purple
ML: Yellow
Ticket Sales
What are the ticket prices?
For drinking students: starting at $100 (includes open bar for the majority of the evening, food, and drink). Prices will increase to $110 on October 9th and then to $120 on October 16th.
For guests: $130 (includes open bar for the majority of the evening, food, and drink). Prices will increase to $140 on October 9th and then to $150 on October 16th.
For non-drinking students: $80 (includes food and non-alcoholic drinks). Prices will increase to $90 on October 9th and then to $100 on October 16th.
Please note that all tickets will have a service fee added to the ticket price on the Cvent portal.
What are the policies pertaining to non-drinking tickets?
For anyone purchasing a non-drinking ticket, you will not be able to get any alcoholic drinks from any bar throughout the event. There is no opportunity to purchase an alcoholic drink. Anyone caught passing drinks may be asked to leave the event. Please respect guests’ decisions not to drink, and do not inquire as to why students are not drinking. Regardless of drinking or non-drinking, guests must purchase the guest ticket option.
What if I am unable to pay for a student and/or guest ticket?
Student Affairs generously sponsors the Equal Access Fund, which helps to subsidize tickets. To ensure this fund is utilized responsibly, please complete the application only if you would not otherwise be able to attend Barristers' Ball. Equal Access Fund support applies only to student tickets, not to guest tickets. The link to the Equal Access Fund application is here.
How do I purchase a ticket, and how many tickets can I buy?
Each student will receive an individualized link to Cvent to purchase tickets on October 2 at approximately 8 p.m. Do not share this link. Students are permitted to buy at most one (1) student ticket and at most one (1) guest ticket from the Cvent portal. If you do not receive a guest ticket, you can join this waitlist. However please note that the fastest way to get a guest ticket is through the GroupMe Resale.
What are the limits on tickets?
Based on the size of the venue, we are proud to state that there is no limit on the total number of student tickets that may be purchased. However, there are limits on the number of guest tickets available to each class (based on class/program size). We anticipate the market for guest tickets working out through resale, but CSR reserves the right to modify guest ticket limits up to and including the day of the event.
How can I transfer my ticket?
CSR has created a GroupMe to manage a resale market. Tickets cannot be sold above the price you bought them at (including service fees). The seller must send the buyer a screenshot of the original receipt and must email csrpresident@law.upenn.edu of the transfer (including receipt, buyer, and seller). Students can also inform csrpresident@law.upenn.edu of a guest ticket they are selling, and CSR will go through the guest waitlist and connect the students. Please note that this will take longer than using GroupMe. If you are caught attempting to sell a ticket for greater than face value, your ticket may be canceled.
Are refunds available?
Refunds are not available, and all sales are final. If you wish to sell your ticket, please do so through the resale GroupMe.
Event Logistics
What time does the event start?
Barristers' Ball will begin at 7 p.m. and will conclude at 12 a.m. Please come on time to make the most of the fun!
What should I bring on the day of the event?
You must bring two items:
A digital or physical copy of your ticket from Cvent
Some form of government-issued ID (for international students, this could be a passport or a state ID card)
What if I get COVID or am otherwise ill on the day of the event?
If you get COVID or are otherwise sick on the day of the event, please do not come. Make every effort to resell your ticket if you would like. Please do not risk the health of other students who are attending by showing up sick.
What is the dress code?
The dress code is black tie optional (e.g., tuxedo, suit, ball gown, etc.). This is a formal event, but we recognize that not every student has the same means to purchase black tie clothing, hence the optionality.
Is the venue accessible?
The Hamilton Building at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is an ADA Accessible venue, and elevators are available to access each floor. The DJ and dance floor will be in the Annenberg Gallery. The photobooth will be on the ground floor. For any specific questions, please email csrpresident@law.upenn.edu or call the venue directly at (215) 972-7600. Please be aware that the DJ and the venue may use flashing or strobe lights during the event. We will talk to the DJ to be mindful of any guests who may be affected. Please email csrpresident@law.upenn.edu if you or your guest will be affected by the DJ lighting so we can try to work something out.
Food and Drink
Will there be an open bar?
Yes, there will be an open bar for most of the night. Please drink responsibly. There will be no cash bars.
Will there be food served?
Yes, we will have passed hors d'oeuvres and food stations available throughout much of the evening.
What are the options available for guests with dietary restrictions?
When purchasing a ticket, you will be asked to indicate any dietary restrictions you may have (e.g., Kosher, Halal, gluten-free, vegan), and the venue will prepare food accordingly. All food will be labeled when compliant with various dietary needs.
Will there be a Bar Review the week of Barristers’ Ball?
No, there will not be Bar Review the week of Barristers' Ball (Thursday, Oct. 19).
Miscellaneous
How do I book a limousine for the event?
Philadelphia has several reputable limousine rental companies. We suggest you reach out to Trophy Limousine, Philadelphia Limo, or Philly Limo Rentals for quotes. CSR bears no responsibility for limo procurement, payment, or other liability.
Will there be parking at the venue?
Regarding parking, PAFA will validate for the lot and the garage below. The validation stickers take 20% off of the price.
PARKWAY Parking Garage, 150 N Broad Street. Located at the north end of our lot, at the corner of Race and Broad Street.
PARKWAY Parking Lot, 151 N 15th Street. This open-air lot is directly behind the Hamilton Building and is accessible at their 15th and Race Street entrance points.
Do not drink and drive. CSR bears no responsibility for poor decision-making.
How can I request songs?
Our DJ will accept requests in advance. Complete this Google Form to submit requests. Be sure to check this Spotify playlist to see if your song has been added. It will be updated daily through October 21.