SPORTS & SOCIAL - UPS Club

Sports and Social - The Ups Club

Web Page Back to pre-COVID Format - Available Sports and Activities - Click on item below for further info.

Since COVID-19 times and temporary loss of the Ups Club Hall, we have sadly lost a number of activities (click for details).

If you would like to restart an activity or start a fresh one, please contact the Management Committee on ups_club@icr.ac.uk.

Forthcoming Events (click for more info)

·    pH Bar Update 26 March 2026
Hello everyone,
I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to share a few updates about the bar:
•     New decking: To get ready for summer, we’re rebuilding the outdoor decking. If you notice people taking it apart, don’t worry—the pHBar isn’t going anywhere! The new decking should be ready by the end of April and will be much safer (no more risky holes).
•     New windows: as some of you may have noticed, the old, bordered windows in the hall have been replaced with new ones as part of the building’s refurbishment.
•     Bingo & Bubbles & “Egg Count Challenge”: Bingo & Bubbles takes place 27 March 2026 from 6pm for ticket holders. For everyone else, we’ll be running an “Egg Count Challenge” at the bar to help raise funds for the new decking.
•     New 0% beers now available: we’ve expanded our alcohol-free range by adding Peroni 0% and Estrella Galicia 0% to the menu, both offered at a reduced price of £2.
•     Pub Quiz: The Pub Quiz has been going well! The next one will take place on 23rd April. If you know anyone who would like to raise money for a charity, please ask them to contact us at phbar@icr.ac.uk.
•     pHBar after Movie Night: We’re happy to host members of the Movie Club after their screenings, starting from 16th April.
•     World Cup in June: With the World Cup coming up, we’re planning some additional openings so we can enjoy the matches together. More details will follow in May.
•     2-for-1 offer (5–6 pm only): We’ve noticed that some people have been purchasing multiple drinks during happy hour and storing them for later. To clarify, each person can only receive one token (i.e. one extra drink). No tokens will be issued after 5:45 pm, and by 6 pm all drinks purchased as part of the 2-for-1 offer must be served.
I’m always open to discussing new ideas and opportunities for the pHBar - especially as the weather improves and we can make more use of the space.
Best, Roberto

·    Pub Quiz 2026 - Thursday 23 April 2026
Hi everyone,
•     Bar opens: 5:00pm
•     Quiz starts: 5:45pm (~1.30h)
We’re also excited to share that the pHBar monthly quiz will now support charity initiatives from members of the ICR.
•     Entry is now £1 per person
•     Or £4 for 2 Peroni + quiz entry
All proceeds will be donated to a selected charity or initiative each month (if available, otherwise the quiz will be free as before)
This month’s cause
We are supporting Grace: “Hi everyone! My name is Grace and I am running the London Marathon on April 26th! I am fundraising for Children with Cancer UK, a charity doing incredible work to support children and families facing cancer. Every donation is split across funding innovative research projects, supporting families, raising awareness and driving further fundraising initiatives. I am currently halfway to my target, and any further donations or support would be greatly appreciated” Grace Battarbee.
If you’d like to suggest an initiative for a future quiz, please email: phbar@icr.ac.uk
We hope to see you there for a fun evening!
Best, pHBar Team

· Science Bites Sutton (New 2026)
Hello Sutton,
We are delighted to announce the launch of Science Bites Sutton this February- a new seminar series designed to share your work in a relaxed, informal setting.
Sessions will run every two weeks on Fridays at 3:30 pm in the BLB Lecture Theatre starting on the 6th of February.
Each session will be followed by pizza and drinks (free), with conversations encouraged to continue in the pH Bar.
Click for more details.
Best wishes,
The Science Bites Sutton Committee

· pH Bar Volunteers Needed: We’re looking for volunteers to help open the pH Bar. If you’re up for lending a hand, you’ll get a £15 voucher to use at the bar as a thank-you ! Let us know if you’re in to help - otherwise, just swing by, grab a drink, and enjoy the vibes - click for details.

· Demolition Notices: These appeared on the Ups Club Main Building and Squash Court in Dec 2024 or Jan 2025. The Club is staying open until at least the end of 2025. April. May and June 2025 pH bar opening times shown opposite.

· New Opening Times pH Bar. Alternating Thursdays and Fridays started in August 2023. See graphic opposite.
Opening days will be just on Fridays from August 2024.

· Please Look Out for the Next Quiz Date. The last one was on Thursday 21^st September 2023 at 6pm. General knowledge News Geography Mystery round Picture Music. £1 per person (card payments only).

· Squash Coaching is on hold for the time being. Supervised Practice for all levels and total beginners - dates to be advised.

· Ups Club AGM 2022 POSTPONED until further notice.

· Free Squash Re-gripping Service Continues to commemorate the Club’s 50^th Anniversary - click here for more information.

Potential Start-Up Activities

The Ups Club has hosted a variety of other activities over the years. With suitable interest these could be restarted or new activities could be initiated.

Please click here for more info.

Downs Hall Bookings - Hall Bookings

The Downs Hall is available for sports (e.g. badminton, table-tennis, aerobics/pilates/yoga) and for hire for functions. Click here for current Hall Booking Calendar

Social - pH Bar

The pH Bar is open on Thursday and Friday evenings from about 5.30pm. Click here for list of pH Bar NewsLetters.

Membership

Please go to the Membership Page for more information and to download membership forms.

Management of The Ups Club

· The Ups Club Constitution & Mission:
The Ups Club and pH Bar (formerly the Downs Club) provides the sports and social facilities listed above for its members who are either ex-staff (Associate), Honorary or Corporate (current staff and family) of The ICR, The RMH, SGH and a few other locally affiliated bodies. These facilities are kindly supported financially by the RMH and ICR and are based on the Sutton site. Some of the activities are offered by private organisations, which will be subject to different charges. Most of the activities are offered onsite, however some sports have matches organised at local venues. All details are on the relevant activity pages (click above for info).

· The Ups Club Management Committee - Contact Names

· The Ups Club History - Formerly Called The Ups and Downs Club: History

· The Ups Club 50^th Anniversary - Fund Raising and Activities for the 50^th Year (2013)

· Annual General Meetings (AGM) - Announcements & Previous Minutes

More Info On :

· The ICR gym facility (click here)

For web editing contact Sandra Edwards with any queries or if an activity is not represented x5027 (email: sedwards@icr.ac.uk)

Last edited, 27 March, 2026.