- Every membership is annual. All four tiers are 12-month memberships, paid annually, and renew every 12 months.
- The initiation fee is paid once. It is collected when you join, not at each renewal.
- Emerging is for members aged 27 to 30, and converts on its own. At your first renewal after you turn 31 it becomes a Social membership automatically, at the Social founding rate if your membership has stayed continuous. Nothing to re-apply for.
- Emerging and House + Studio are limited, and Barkada House is limited to 450 members. We will close a tier before we reduce what an existing member in it already has.
- Annual memberships renew automatically unless you give written notice at least 60 days before the renewal date. We will send you advance notice of every renewal.
- Ohio law gives you a cancellation window once the House is open — three business days after your first service is available, or seven if the House was not yet open when you signed. Full refund, less at most a $10 expense fee.
- The $250 founding deposit is non-refundable, except where applicable law provides cancellation or refund rights. It is credited toward your first-year dues. Initiation fees are also non-refundable except where the law requires otherwise.
- Life happens. We cancel and prorate for death, qualifying disability, a move of 25 miles or more, and a permanent closure of the House.
- Freezes are possible but not automatic — one per 12 months, 30 to 90 days, for medical, caregiving, military or hardship reasons, at 25% of dues.
- To cancel, put it in writing. Email hello@barkadahouse.com or use the member portal. Telling a staff member or removing your card does not cancel a membership.
This Membership, Renewal and Cancellation Policy governs all individual memberships in Barkada House (“Barkada”). By signing a Membership Agreement, the member agrees to this policy, Barkada’s Code of Conduct, House Rules and any membership-specific terms disclosed during enrollment.
1.Nature of Membership
Membership in Barkada is a commitment to a private cultural community and not merely a payment for occasional access to Barkada House.
Memberships are personal, revocable, nontransferable and subject to Barkada’s approval. Membership does not create an ownership interest, voting right, tenancy, leasehold interest or right to continued admission.
Barkada may accept, decline or place an applicant on a waiting list, subject to applicable law.
2.Membership Term
Unless a membership agreement expressly provides otherwise:
- Emerging, Social, House, and House + Studio memberships are annual memberships with an initial commitment of 12 consecutive months.
- Organizational, institutional and corporate memberships are governed by their respective written agreements.
The commitment begins on the membership activation date stated in the Membership Agreement.
Membership dues are billed annually. First-year dues, less any founding deposit credited under Section 3, and the one-time initiation fee are collected on the membership activation date.
Founding rates (annual dues / one-time initiation fee / first-year total): Emerging $1,010 / $250 / $1,260; Social $2,030 / $500 / $2,530; House $3,050 / $750 / $3,800; House + Studio $5,050 / $1,250 / $6,300.
Standard rates, for members who join after the founding enrollment period: Emerging $1,280 / $250 / $1,530; Social $2,540 / $500 / $3,040; House $3,830 / $750 / $4,580; House + Studio $6,380 / $1,250 / $7,630.
Barkada House membership is limited to 450 members.
Emerging membership is available exclusively to members who are aged 27 to 30 on their membership activation date. Barkada may require reasonable verification of age at application.
At the member’s first annual renewal following their thirty-first birthday, an Emerging membership converts automatically to a Social membership. No application, request or re-approval is required, and access does not lapse.
Where the Emerging membership has remained continuous, the converted Social membership is charged at the Social founding rate rather than the Social standard rate, and the founding-rate protection in Section 14 continues to apply to it.
Emerging and House + Studio memberships are offered in limited numbers. Barkada allocates them at its discretion and may maintain a waiting list, close a tier to new members, or reopen it. Closing a limited tier does not affect an existing membership in that tier, and does not affect an Emerging member’s automatic conversion described above.
House + Studio included studio hours are sized against the rooms available. Barkada will not reduce the included studio hours of an existing House + Studio membership in order to admit additional members to that tier.
3.Initiation Fees and Founding Contributions
Each membership tier carries a one-time initiation fee — $250 for Emerging, $500 for Social, $750 for House and $1,250 for House + Studio. The initiation fee is collected once, on the membership activation date, and is not charged at renewal.
Initiation fees, joining fees, founding-member payments, founding contributions and other one-time membership charges are nonrefundable, except where a refund is expressly required by applicable law.
Every founding membership requires a $250 founding deposit, the same at every tier, submitted after the applicant’s membership is approved. The founding deposit:
- Reserves the applicant’s founding membership upon approval;
- Is credited toward the member’s first-year annual dues and applied when the membership activates;
- Is part of the published first-year total and is not an additional charge; and
- Does not replace the one-time initiation fee.
The remaining first-year balance — first-year annual dues less the founding deposit, plus the initiation fee — is collected when the membership activates.
The founding deposit is non-refundable, except where applicable law provides cancellation or refund rights, including the statutory cancellation right described in Section 4. If Barkada House does not open, founding deposits will be returned in full.
Founding status:
- Is personal to the founding member;
- Cannot be sold, assigned or transferred;
- Ends permanently when the membership is canceled, resigned or terminated;
- Is not restored automatically if the former member later reapplies; and
- Does not entitle the member to any ownership interest in Barkada.
4.Ohio Statutory Cancellation Period
To the extent the membership is considered a prepaid entertainment contract under Ohio law, the member may cancel for any reason:
- Before midnight of the third business day after the date on which the first regular membership service is available; or
- If Barkada House or the applicable service is not available when the agreement is signed, before midnight of the seventh business day after the date on which the first regular membership service becomes available.
For purposes of this policy, “business day” means every calendar day except Sunday and an Ohio legal holiday.
A qualifying cancellation must be submitted in writing. The member may deliver the notice:
- By email to hello@barkadahouse.com;
- Through Barkada’s designated membership portal at barkadahouse.com/signin;
- Personally or manually to Barkada House at the address in Section 23;
- By certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address in Section 23; or
- By any other written method required by applicable law.
The notice does not need to use a particular form. It is sufficient if it clearly communicates that the member does not wish to remain bound by the Membership Agreement.
Email cancellation is effective when the email is sent. Certified-mail cancellation is effective on the postmark date. Personal or manual delivery is effective when delivered.
If the member properly cancels during the statutory cancellation period, Barkada will:
- Cancel the Membership Agreement;
- Refund payments covered by Ohio law within 10 business days after receiving the cancellation;
- Cancel and return any qualifying evidence of indebtedness within 20 business days; and
- Retain no more than $10 as a reasonable expense fee if the member has already received the first regular membership service.
Barkada will not require a member to waive a cancellation right provided by law.
5.Required Notice of Cancellation
The following notice shall accompany any Membership Agreement subject to Ohio’s Prepaid Entertainment Contracts Act:
You may cancel this contract for any reason at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available.
If the facility or services that are the subject of the contract are not available when you sign the contract, you may cancel the contract at any time prior to midnight of the seventh business day after the date on which you receive your first service under the contract.
If you cancel within this period, Barkada must send you a full refund of any money you have paid, except that Barkada may charge a reasonable expense fee not exceeding $10 if you have received your first service under the contract. Barkada must also cancel and return to you within 20 business days any qualifying papers you have signed.
To cancel, send a written cancellation notice by email to hello@barkadahouse.com, deliver it to Barkada House at the address below, or send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, to that address before the applicable deadline.
I hereby cancel my Barkada Membership Agreement.
6.Cancellation After the Statutory Period
Once the applicable statutory cancellation period expires, the membership commitment becomes binding.
A member cannot cancel the remaining commitment merely because the member:
- Stops using Barkada House;
- Does not attend programs or events;
- Becomes too busy to use the membership;
- Experiences a change in personal preference;
- Is dissatisfied with a particular event, program, menu, member or staff decision;
- Changes employment or work schedule;
- Travels for an extended period;
- Moves fewer than 25 miles from Barkada House;
- Removes or replaces a payment method;
- Disputes an otherwise authorized recurring charge; or
- Verbally informs an employee that the member wants to cancel.
Unless an exception in this policy applies, the member remains responsible for all dues and charges through the end of the commitment.
7.Cancellation Due to Death
If a member dies during a membership term, the agreement will terminate as of the member’s date of death.
After Barkada receives written notice and reasonable documentation, the membership charges will be prorated through the date of death. Barkada will refund any amount paid for the remaining portion of the term within the period required by Ohio law.
8.Cancellation Due to Disability
A member may request cancellation if a documented disability makes the member unable to receive the material benefits of Barkada’s membership services.
Barkada may request reasonable documentation supporting the request, subject to applicable privacy and disability laws.
If the request qualifies:
- The agreement will terminate as of the date the qualifying disability prevented the member from receiving the membership services;
- Charges will be prorated through that date; and
- Barkada will refund any qualifying overpayment within 30 days after receiving the required notice and documentation.
Barkada will not require the disclosure of medical information beyond what is reasonably necessary to verify eligibility for cancellation.
9.Cancellation Due to Relocation
A member may cancel the agreement if:
- The member relocates at least 25 miles from Barkada House;
- No substantially similar Barkada facility within the applicable area accepts Barkada’s obligations under the agreement;
- The member gives Barkada written notice of the relocation;
- The member expressly requests termination; and
- The member supplies reasonable evidence of relocation if requested.
Reasonable evidence may include a lease, closing statement, utility bill, government-issued identification, employment relocation letter or another document reasonably establishing the new residence.
The membership will terminate as of the verified relocation date. Charges will be prorated through that date, and any qualifying overpayment will be refunded as required by Ohio law.
Temporary travel, seasonal residence, an extended work assignment or maintaining a second residence does not automatically constitute relocation.
10.Closure or Relocation of Barkada House
If Barkada permanently closes the member’s facility or relocates it at least 25 miles from the member’s residence, and no substantially similar facility accepting Barkada’s obligations is available within 25 miles of the member’s residence:
- The member may terminate the agreement;
- Charges will be prorated through the date of closure or relocation; and
- Barkada will refund any qualifying overpayment.
Temporary closures caused by maintenance, renovation, safety conditions, private events, emergencies, government orders, circumstances outside Barkada’s reasonable control or temporary operational needs do not constitute permanent closure.
When reasonably practicable, Barkada may provide substitute facilities, services, digital programming, reciprocal access or other comparable benefits during a temporary closure.
11.Membership Freezes
Membership freezes are not guaranteed.
Barkada may approve one freeze during a 12-month period for documented medical, caregiving, military or extraordinary hardship circumstances.
Unless Barkada approves different terms in writing:
- The freeze must last at least 30 days;
- The freeze may not exceed 90 days;
- The member must pay a maintenance fee equal to 25% of the dues attributable to the frozen period;
- Membership privileges and House access are suspended during the freeze;
- The frozen period is added to the end of the commitment; and
- A freeze does not shorten or eliminate the member’s financial commitment.
Travel, seasonal relocation, workload, failure to use the House or an effort to avoid dues does not ordinarily qualify for a freeze.
12.Cancellation at the End of a Membership Term
A member who does not want an annual membership to renew must provide written notice at least 60 days before the renewal date.
Organizational, institutional and corporate memberships require 90 days’ written notice unless their separate agreements provide otherwise.
A cancellation takes effect at the end of the applicable membership term or notice period. Dues remain payable during the notice period, and the member may continue using available membership benefits unless access has been suspended or terminated.
Failure to use the membership, verbal notice, removal of a payment method or communication with someone other than the designated membership office does not satisfy the written-notice requirement.
Barkada will provide written confirmation after processing a cancellation. Members should retain that confirmation.
13.Automatic Renewal
Unless the Membership Agreement states otherwise:
- All memberships automatically renew for successive 12-month terms, and the tier conversion of Emerging to Social at 31 is described in Section 2;
- The initiation fee is not charged again at renewal; and
- Dues will be charged to the member’s authorized payment method.
Barkada will provide advance renewal notice as required by applicable law. The notice will include the renewal date, applicable dues and instructions for declining renewal.
If the member does not submit timely written notice, the membership will renew, subject to applicable law.
14.Changes to Membership Dues
Barkada may change membership dues, fees or benefits by providing advance written notice.
The founding dues rate secured for a member’s tier is held for as long as that founding membership remains continuous, subject to the tier transition rules in Section 2. The general dues-change provisions in this Section do not override that promise. Founding status ends as described in Section 3; separately purchased services and other charges are not included in the protected dues rate.
Barkada publishes both a founding rate and a standard rate for each membership tier. The standard rate applies to members who join after the founding enrollment period and to a membership that has lost founding status under Section 3.
A material increase in annual membership dues will ordinarily take effect at the member’s next renewal unless the Membership Agreement permits an earlier adjustment.
Continued membership after the effective date of a properly disclosed change constitutes acceptance of the change, subject to any nonwaivable rights provided by law.
15.Payment Authorization
The member authorizes Barkada to charge all membership dues, fees, food and beverage charges, event charges, guest charges, damages and other authorized amounts to the payment method maintained on the member’s account.
The member must maintain a valid payment method and promptly update expired or inaccurate payment information.
The member’s payment obligations continue even if a payment method expires, is declined, is replaced or is removed without Barkada’s approval.
16.Failed Payments and Delinquent Accounts
Unless Barkada provides otherwise:
- A payment is delinquent if it is not received on its scheduled due date.
- Barkada may attempt to process the authorized payment method again.
- House access may be suspended when a payment remains unpaid for five days.
- A reasonable late fee may be assessed when a payment remains unpaid for 10 days.
- Membership may be terminated when an account remains unpaid for 30 days.
Suspension or termination for nonpayment does not cancel amounts already due or eliminate the remaining contractual obligation.
Barkada may refer unpaid balances for collection and recover legally permitted collection expenses.
Acceptance of a late or partial payment does not waive Barkada’s right to collect the remaining balance or enforce this policy.
17.Membership Suspension
Barkada may temporarily suspend membership privileges while it investigates:
- A reported violation of the Code of Conduct or House Rules;
- Threatening, unsafe or disruptive behavior;
- Payment fraud or misuse of a member account;
- Unauthorized access or credential sharing;
- Damage to Barkada property; or
- Conduct that may endanger members, guests, employees or the House.
A temporary suspension does not automatically stop membership dues or extend the membership term.
If Barkada determines that no material violation occurred, it may restore access and provide an appropriate credit when warranted.
18.Termination for Cause
Barkada may immediately terminate membership for cause, including:
- Violence, threats, harassment or intimidation;
- Discrimination or targeted abusive conduct;
- Sexual harassment or sexual misconduct;
- Theft, fraud or intentional property damage;
- Possession of unlawful weapons or illegal substances;
- Illegal activity on Barkada property;
- Sharing membership credentials or facilitating unauthorized access;
- Repeatedly disregarding staff instructions;
- Serious or repeated violations of House Rules;
- Material dishonesty during the application process;
- Conduct that threatens the safety or privacy of another person; or
- Conduct that materially harms Barkada, its members, employees, operations or reputation.
When Barkada terminates a membership for cause:
- Access ends immediately;
- Dues and fees already paid are not refunded, except where required by law;
- Outstanding balances remain payable;
- Barkada may prohibit the individual from entering the property or attending Barkada events; and
- Barkada may make the individual ineligible to reapply.
When immediate action is not required for safety, Barkada should provide notice of the alleged violation and an internal opportunity for review before final termination.
19.Resignation Versus Termination
A resignation is a member-requested cancellation that complies with this policy.
Termination is Barkada’s decision to end membership because of nonpayment, misconduct, ineligibility or another authorized reason.
Resigning while an investigation or disciplinary matter is pending does not prevent Barkada from completing its review or recording the final membership status as terminated for cause.
20.Reapplication After Cancellation
A former member who voluntarily resigns must ordinarily wait at least six months before reapplying.
Reapplication:
- Is subject to the current admissions process;
- Is subject to available membership capacity;
- May require payment of the initiation fee then in effect;
- Does not restore former pricing, tenure or founding status;
- Requires payment of any outstanding balance; and
- Does not guarantee readmission.
Barkada may establish a longer waiting period when a member has repeatedly canceled and reapplied.
21.Member Property and Credentials
Upon cancellation or termination, the former member must stop using all physical and digital membership credentials.
At Barkada’s request, the former member must return membership cards, keys, access devices or other Barkada property within 20 days. The former member may be charged for property that is not returned or is returned with unreasonable damage, subject to applicable law.
22.No Transfer or Substitution
A member may not transfer, sell, assign, lend or substitute another person for the member’s membership.
A member may not avoid cancellation requirements by transferring the payment obligation or membership benefits to another person.
Household, partner, spouse, guest and organizational access is governed by the applicable membership category and does not create an independent membership unless Barkada approves it in writing.
23.Cancellation Communications
All member-requested cancellations, nonrenewals and hardship requests must be sent to:
21 E State Street, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Email: hello@barkadahouse.com
Member portal: barkadahouse.com/signin
Barkada may request information reasonably necessary to verify the member’s identity, membership account and claimed cancellation exception.
Barkada will not reject an otherwise valid statutory cancellation merely because the member did not use Barkada’s preferred form.
24.Records
Barkada will maintain records of:
- Membership agreements;
- Statutory cancellation notices;
- Renewal and nonrenewal notices;
- Cancellation confirmations;
- Refunds;
- Payment authorizations;
- Approved freezes; and
- Suspension or termination decisions.
Records will be retained for the period required by applicable law and Barkada’s record-retention policy.
25.No Waiver
Barkada’s decision not to enforce a provision on one occasion does not waive its right to enforce that provision later.
No employee or representative may modify this policy or release a member from a financial obligation unless the modification is confirmed in writing by an authorized Barkada representative.
Nothing in this policy waives any right that cannot legally be waived.
26.Conflict With Applicable Law
If any provision of this policy conflicts with applicable federal, state or local law, the law will control, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the fullest extent permitted.
27.Member Acknowledgment
By signing the Membership Agreement, the member acknowledges that:
- The member has read and agrees to this policy;
- The member understands the length of the membership commitment;
- The member understands that membership is annual, renews every 12 months unless declined, and that the initiation fee is charged once;
- The member understands that the founding deposit is non-refundable except where applicable law provides cancellation or refund rights;
- The member has received a copy of the Membership Agreement and cancellation notice;
- Barkada has explained any legally required cancellation right;
- The member authorizes recurring charges under the Membership Agreement; and
- The member understands the process and deadlines for cancellation and nonrenewal.