Claflin House Tap Room & Eatery
The Claflin House is named after Arthur B. Claflin, one of the founders of Lakewood Country Club. The Claflin House was originally Mr. Claflin’s residence and was built circa 1885. When Lakewood Country Club’s elegant clubhouse burnt down in 1917, the Club purchased Arthur Claflin’s house for use as its clubhouse. Mr. Claflin then built a larger home on another part of his estate, in what is now Pine Park. The stables behind the house became the new pro shop.
In subsequent years the drive from George Gould’s Georgian Court estate to the Claflin House was often busy, filled with people on their way here for a day of golfing, hunting and dining. The guests included many of New York’s rich and famous of the day. See if you can find any pictured on our walls!
In renovating the Claflin House, our goal was to honor our history, reflecting the times when Mr. Claflin and his family lived in this house around the turn of the 19th century, and also the house’s early days as Lakewood Country Club’s clubhouse.
All of the photographs and memorabilia on display are original items reflecting the long history of golfing, hunting, and other outdoor sports that guests participated in here. As part of our recent renovation, we've reinstalled fireplace mantles which were found in the attic and date back to the original building of the house.
So who is Maggie, after whom our sister venues are named? Maggie was Margaret Claflin, wife of Arthur Claflin. In recreating the Claflin House we strove to create a space reflecting the warmth and charm for which she was noted, and the inviting atmosphere she created.
Whether you’re returning for a favorite meal or visiting us for the first time, the Claflin House welcomes you – with heritage on the walls and heart in every dish. We invite you to join us, relax, and enjoy your time here as you join those who, for over a century, have been guests at the Claflin House.
