BEAUTIFUL EVENT VENUES YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU COULD RENT
Weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, corporate events… Even if you don’t have an event on the horizon, you can still admire these unique and dreamy event spaces around Richmond — and bookmark them for a later date.
— by Celeste Chance
West Coast Provisions
For any boujee festivities, consider booking at West Coast Provisions. The event space offers private dining for up to 50 guests (36 with Virginia’s latest COVID-19 restrictions).
For larger events, a total restaurant buyout is available for up to 90 guests, excluding the patio. For food and drinks you can choose from a variety of menu options or customize your own.
Location: 301 A Maltby Blvd, Henrico (Short Pump)
Capacity: 50 people
Square Footage: 406 sq. ft.
Bartizan
Bartizan is the sister event and dining space from the operators at Dover Hall, also known as the “castle” in Goochland. This intimate restaurant and bar offers packages ranging from wedding receptions to corporate meetings. The space itself has a built in audio visual system and turn key service.
Location: 4305 Whittall Way, Glen Allen (Short Pump)
Capacity: 150 people
Square Footage: 2,500 sq. ft.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - West Creek
For a rustic, refined look, consider Hardywood West Creek taproom. This location is available for casual event bookings such as baby showers, engagement parties, or informal rehearsal dinners.
Location: 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr (West Creek)
Capacity: Main event space -775 people
Private -175 people
Square Footage:
Entire Venue - 10,000 sq.ft
Image Source: @havana59rva
Havana 59
If you want to experience the enchanting pastimes of Cuba, then book Havana 59. Plaster walls, palm trees, and cigar aromas transport you to a 1950s-era Cuba. The three story restaurant offers indoor/outdoor seating on the second and third floors for private parties, each with a full bar and menu options. If you’re looking for a smaller get-together, the first floor dining area is also available.
Location: 16 N 17th St (Shockoe Bottom)
Capacity: First Floor Mezzanine - 180 people in summer, 150 people in winter
Second floor - 120 people
Third floor - 40 people
Square Footage: Contact Event Coordinator
Image Source: @shagbarkrva
Shagbark
Shagbark offers a modern dining experience with locally sourced foods and beverages. They offer options to book between two private rooms, the shagbark table, or the main dining room. Choose from one of the private dining rooms or combine them for a larger event space. Audio/ visual capabilities are available depending on your event.
Location: 4901 Libbie Mill E Blvd (West End)
Capacity: Private dining room #1 - 26 people
Private dining room #2 - 21 people
Shagbark table - 10 - 14 people
Square Footage: Contact Event Coordinator
Triple Crossing - Fulton
Triple Crossing’s Fulton location features an event space that includes tables, chairs, linens, plating, AV equipment, and more. The venue does allow you to bring outside food and drink if you don’t choose to use the in- house catering kitchen.
A small corking fee is charged for outside wine and requires parties to obtain an ABC Banquet License.
Location: 5203 Hatcher St (Fulton)
Capacity: Main event space - 225 people standing, 120 people seated
The Barrel Room - 80 people standing, 50 people seated
Square Footage: Main event space - 3,000 sq. ft.
Barrel Room - 1,250 sq. ft.
Mise En Place
Nestled in Shockoe Slip in the historic Bower Building is Mise En Place, which translates to “setting up.” Luckily,, you won’t have the hassle of doing that with the various options for caterers, bar and wait staff, and cleaning services, for a rental fee. This intimate space has a full kitchen with a banquet area that can comfortably seat 40. Parking is conveniently located across the street for a fee per car.
Location: 104 Shockoe Slip (Shockoe Slip)
Capacity: 40 people
Square Footage: 950 sq. ft.
Image Source: @mainstreetstationrichmond
Main St. Station
Main St. Station, located in downtown Shockoe, is more than just a train station — it’s also a gorgeous location where you can host your next event. They offer two event spaces: A regal French renaissance-inspired banquet hall known as “The Headhouse” and a modern glass-walled event space, “The Shed,” which showcases views of the city and is two football fields in length.
Location: 1500 E Main St. (Shockoe Bottom)
Capacity: The Headhouse - 200 people
The Shed - 3,000 people
Square Footage: The Headhouse- 7,200 sq. ft.
The Shed- 48,000 sq. ft.
Common House
Looking for a place that has it all? Common House is a social club that features four stories of work spaces, a restaurant, a movie theatre, wine cellar and even a rooftop pool. All their amenities make it the perfect place to book your next gathering or event. Private events include in-house catering, sommelier curated wines, audio, visual equipment and professional waitstaff. Choose from three different spaces such as their courtyard or banquet hall with 20- foot high ceilings to fit your events needs. Due to the uniqueness of their spaces, you can inquire within on curating the perfect event to meet your capacity and square footage needs.
Location: 303 W Broad St. (Monroe Ward)
Capacity/ Square Footage: Contact Event Coordinator
The Valentine
In the heart of downtown lies The Valentine, a museum full of Richmond history and plenty of space to plan your next get together. They provide a variety of options from their garden where you can enjoy a night under the stars to their multi-purpose room that can transform into a business meeting space or office party.
Location: 1015 E Clay St (Downtown)
Capacity:
Garden - 150 people reception
75 people seated
Gray Family Terrace - 150 people reception
75 people seated at round tables
60 people classroom seating
90 people theater seating
Stern Conference Room - 16 people at a large conference table
24 people at round tables
Square Footage:
Garden - 15,000 sq. ft.
Auditorium/ Reception Room - 1,750 sq. ft.
Gray Family Terrace - Outdoors, Contact Event Coordinator for specific measurements
Graduate Hotel
The Graduate Hotel downtown can accommodate your next function from either a business meeting or a celebratory affair. They offer a boardroom with sleek decor and the latest technology to keep your function running smooth or their “Sixty Room,” ideal for small and medium sized events complete with modern accents. Their rooftop bar and game room are also available for small gatherings.
Location: 301 W Franklin St (Monroe Ward)
Capacity:
Sixty Room - 180 people
Davis Boardroom - 32 people
Avail Boardroom - 12 people
Brockie Boardroom - 32 people
Square Footage:
Sixty Room - 1,755 sq. ft.
Davis Boardroom - 360 sq. ft.
Avail Boardroom - 260 sq. ft.
Brockie Boardroom - 460 sq. ft.
Image Source: @lewisginterweddingsandevents
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Surrounded by over 50 acres of garden are rental spaces in the serene botanical gardens at Lewis Ginter. Book a wedding in one of three reception venues paired with a garden ceremony that can be accommodated for any season. Choose from six different venues for corporate or private events with on-site catering and free parking.
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
Capacity/ Square Footage: View Here
Hippodrome Richmond
Transport back to the roaring twenties at the Hippodrome where you can feel major Gatsby vibes. This venue features a speakeasy and the historic Hippodrome theatre, which has hosted the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
The large ballroom theatre encapsulates the essence of the prohibition era with high ceilings, a mahogany bar, and a large dance floor. For smaller gatherings, choose from rooms within the speakeasy for intimate group dinners or cocktail receptions.
Location: 528 N 2nd St (Jackson Ward)
Capacity/ Square Footage: View Here
Visual Arts Center
You may have taken an art class or seen an exhibition at this gallery, but did you know you could host an event here? With four rooms to choose from, this contemporary space makes hosting your event or meeting simple. A rental includes setup and breakdown, tables, chairs, use of the VisArts kitchen, VisArts AV, and a staff member to assist.
Location: 1812 W Main St (The Fan)
Capacity/ Square Footage: Contact Event Coordinator
Studio Two Three
This non-profit arts center offers an open and airy event space with large windows for natural light. Perfect for weddings or corporate events, the space is able to accommodate up to 250 guests with rental equipment such as tables, chairs, and coolers for your booking.
Location: 3300 W Clay St (Scott's Addition)
Capacity: 150 people seated, 250 people standing
Square Footage: View Here
Virginia Museum of Fine Art
If you’re looking for a venue that offers culture and elegance, the VMFA has just that. The museum offers a unique experience for guests to view exhibits, enjoy a catered meal, and sip cocktails within the Cochrane Atrium, the space connecting the museum’s two wings.
Above the galleries you can book a party or gathering in the Amuse Restaurant, featuring a terrace to overlook the sculpture garden.
Location: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Capacity:
Cochrane Atrium: 300 people seated, 1000 people standing
Amuse Restaurant: 60 people seated, 150 people standing
Amuse Private Dining Room: 35 people seated, 50 people standing
Claiborne Robertson Board Room: 100 people seated, 200 people standing
Best Café: 120 people seated, 250 people standing
Marble Hall: 300 people seated, 600 people standing
Pauley Center: Parlor: 60 people seated, 200 standing (in conjunction with dining room and foyer)
Square Footage: Contact Event Coordinator
Diversity Richmond
From a rentable classroom to an event hall, Diversity Richmond has several options for any event. Their classroom is suited for workshops and is equipped with AV capabilities. For meetings or parties, consider their gallery and lounge or their 13,000 square foot event hall.
Location: 1407 Sherwood Ave (The Diamond)
Capacity/ Square Footage: View Here
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Surrounded by one-of-a-kind galleries and exhibitions, you can host your next small or large gathering at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Their elegant rooms with vaulted ceilings and marble floors create an enchanting space perfect for formal gatherings or professional meetings.
Location: 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Capacity/ Square Footage: View Here
Maymont
There are endless possibilities when it comes to hosting an event at Maymont. The 100-acre historic estate park offers unique experiences such as wildlife habitats, gardens, and an arboretum. With up to 19 different venue options ranging from their Japanese garden to their Carriage House, there are a variety of spaces to fit any occasion.
Location: 1700 Hampton St (Maymont)
Capacity/ Square footage: View Here
Virginia House
Overlooking The James on a hillside sits a romantic English Tudor known as the Virginia House. Dating back to the 1920s, this eight-acre plot provides the perfect backdrop for dreamy portraits. The house itself maintains antique elements while offering modern amenities.
Location: 4301 Sulgrave Rd (Windsor Farms)
Capacity:
Standing reception, indoor: 150 people
Banquet-style seating, indoor: 60 people
Standing reception, outdoor: 250 people
Seated dinner, outdoor: 150 people
Square Footage:
Indoor reception - Contact Event Coordinator
Largest patio option - 2,100 sq.ft.
Cocktail - 600 sq.ft.
Ceremony - 1,200 sq.ft.
Thank you to Poor Boys of Richmond for powering this city guide!