If you give a tiger a cookie: celebrating 50 years of Murray-Dodge Café

What’s a birthday without festivities? Swapping out the traditional cake and candles, Murray-Dodge Café celebrated its 50th anniversary with trays of its most iconic confetti and matcha cookies, adorable merchandise, and student performances. 

The evening began with a delightful number from Opus string quartet, the first group of live performers. Each member donned a pastel party hat, courtesy of the café workers. Their soothing notes serenaded the long line of stressed students vying for one of the free 50th anniversary commemorative mugs and teapot pins. In classic Princeton fashion, students began waiting at 4 p.m. for the 5 p.m. merch drop. Once I made it to the front of this line, I couldn’t help but smile at the mug’s signature gray-speckled design, a pattern I’d seen most nights of freshman year when grabbing yet another cup of tea. After snagging merch, each student helped themselves to cookies from an assortment of trays, unable to resist their sweet allure. Although every cookie option was delicious, the thick, gooey chocolate chip bars and the rich white chocolate matcha cookies had me rushing back to the kitchen all night. 

Students who did not receive a mug hung around, holding out hope for the next giveaway at 7 p.m. To pass the time, students chatted with familiar faces, devoured more cookies, and doodled on vacant blackboards. As the dark walls filled with vibrant chalk sketches, inspirational messages, and club promotions, the café transformed into the colorful, lively hub I so fondly remembered. 

ForWord Collective’s slam poetry was up next after Opus. All the speakers delivered heartfelt, eloquent lines of poetry, tackling themes ranging from the impact of memories on our identities to America’s legacy of slavery. As students filed in for the second round of mugs, Child’s Play improv performances entertained the antsy line with a variety of their comedy games. The best game was “Objections,” where each member jumped in to make a passionate argument on a random topic, which, in our case, was bread. Even as the night crept on and the celebrations came to a close, the café remained filled with regulars. Each patron had a unique connection to Murray-Dodge, built by late-night cookie runs or boisterous study sessions.

Freshman fall, I was compelled to visit Murray-Dodge for the same reason these students were. Rumors of free cookies, tea, and coffee seemed too good to be true. Although these enticements originally drew me in, I quickly discovered my favorite study spot on campus, one I still go to as a sophomore. 

As an anxious first-year, I worried about isolating myself. I knew spending hours combing through readings, drafting writing seminar assignments, and bombarding myself with club applications was certainly not the best way to branch out. However, with its cheery music and cozy atmosphere, Murray-Dodge encourages social studying in a way that can not be matched by the lonely cubicles in Firestone. During the first week of classes, I remember signing my name in chalk on the café wall with new friends. Even as my signature faded throughout the semester, it was a fond memory to return to before each of my late-night study sessions. Murray-Dodge was and continues to be a place I can take classmates I’ve just met or reunite with friends I met during orientation, helping me build what have now become my closest friendships.  

At Murray-Dodge, there is always someone new to talk to or a silly conversation to join. One November evening last year, the café was particularly packed, cramped with students seeking refuge from a rare hailstorm happening outside. There was a brief moment of collective hysteria over the weather, with everyone laughing and chiming in to share their own weather predictions. Though the storm had passed by the time the first batch of cookies was fresh out of the oven, I still remember the unique buzz that night created. Total strangers bonded over their unfortunate lack of umbrellas and ambitious walks down campus. 

My favorite moment at Murray-Dodge came from the tail end of the fall semester. I had just scraped by my first Princeton final and had a final project for my Freshman Seminar due the next day. After an endless, overwhelming day, I was greeted with the familiar sight of Rise Up, the student-run folk group that visits the café every Wednesday night. The group began their rendition of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” and the energy in the room was electric. As the song reached its final chorus, students began singing along, dancing, and even swinging each other between the cramped tables and chairs in the room. Despite the immense stress I was under, that night is one of my most cherished memories from freshman year.

Wednesday’s celebration was well-earned. For 50 years, Murray-Dodge has been a lively haven for students just like me looking to study in a more social environment. In the evenings, the café is consistently packed with regulars and newcomers alike, each student thriving off the bustling atmosphere. Whether you are searching for a quick snack, a table for a study group, or a cheerful break from your work, Murray-Dodge has you covered. After 50 years of warm cookies and even warmer welcomes, this café certainly deserves all the love it gets. I’m excited to spend my next three years at Murray-Dodge and will continue to watch its community grow over another 50. 

Mia Mazzeo is an assistant Prospect editor and a member of the Class of 2029.

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