Are you bored with having parties at home? Or, maybe you don’t want to rent out the banquet hall or the community room from your housing complex. One of the easiest ways to wow your party guests is by having a super cool, outside the box party venues. So, I’ve compiled a few unique party venues for you, that you might not have thought about before!
Furniture or Auto Showroom
Best for: Large Groups, Casual, Cocktail, or Networking Parties
I went to a party (or after party) for the Newport Beach Film Festival one year. (Shout out to NBFF!) This party was held in the courtyard of a shopping center as well as within the furniture showroom right by the outdoor space. I will tell you, as a furniture and art lover, it was super cool. It was definitely fun to drink and mingle within a visually stimulating environment. There was always something to talk about, and you constantly noticed new things about the space throughout the evening.
A similar idea would be an Auto Showroom. During my search for Wedding venues, this has come up a few times in my searches. Similar to the furniture showroom, having cars around always provides talking points. So if you don’t know a lot of people at this shindig, it’s perfect for helping you navigate the small talk.
Pros of a Furniture/Auto Showroom:
- Visually stimulating
- Won’t need a lot of decor
- Plenty to talk/mingle about
- Usually large and good for big groups
Cons of a Furniture/Auto Showroom:
- Might need more liability insurance, in case people break things
- Would consider security for the same reason, depending on size of party
- Might be too overwhelming for small groups
- May have food or drink restrictions, based on location
VRBO.com
Best for: Small to Medium Groups, Casual or Formal Parties
VRBO isn’t just for overnight stays! You can search VRBO for venues for your events. There are places like large homes, lofts, and penthouses. When you search on VRBO, you type in your location, and then you can filter. Under filter, you need to select the option “Events Allowed”. This will show you all the listing where events are allowed as part of their rental.
Make sure you check all the details of the property, check in, check out times, parking availability, etc. This is an especially good option if you want to let people stay over when there’s alcohol involved. Also, if you’re planning a wedding and have elderly people attending, or someone who can’t travel a lot in one day, this gives them an option too. It’s one of the unique party venues that is also close to home! (literally). You can surf on VRBO.com.
Pros of a VRBO rental:
- Very cozy, can feel comfortable
- Place to stay overnight for guests that need to (or for people who don’t want to travel)
- Can be formal or informal, depending on decor/catering
Cons of a VRBO rental:
- Property manager not usually onsite, check reviews for their responsiveness
- Can have restrictions on guest count, noise, and time of stay
- May have different availability/pricing during different time of the year
Preforming Arts or Movie Theater
Best for: Medium to Large Groups, Semi-Formal to Formal Event
It can be kind of surprising, but a lot of preforming arts centers host events on off times. I’m talking about places you go for concerts or theater. Sometimes, they even have event rooms and packages for your party. It’s not only one of the more unique party venues, but full of culture and interest. It definitely provides a talking point for your guests.
Similarly, on a less formal end is a movie theater. If you find a smaller, independent movie theater, they sometimes have deals and packages for renting out a theater room. Talk about the ultimate movie night! Even some of the fancier movie theaters, like the ones that let you order food from your chair, have event rental packages. Check with your local theater.
Pros of a Preforming Arts/Movie Theater:
- Great for a cultured crowd
- Lots of space for attendees (large groups)
- Provides a different experience
Cons of a Preforming Arts/Movie Theater:
- May not be flexible for more casual mingle and talk events, more experience based
- May not be able to have all amenities or vendors (i.e. DJ, Photobooth, Decor)
Museum or Art Gallery
Best for: Small to Medium groups, Semi-formal to Formal parties
I love a museum. There is no hiding my geekness here. But, did you know a lot of museums host events! Some have special event rooms and others actually host events in the gallery. It just depends. So, for your party, consider a children’s museum, a Natural history museum, or whatever is local. Like, for me, I live in Las Vegas, so places like the Mob Museum and The Neon Museum make for great party venues!
Another option is an Art Gallery. Go into your local or nearest Art Gallery and talk to the owner. They might be open to hosting your event, especially because you’re bringing new eyes into their gallery! It helps them with exposure too. Just make sure you also ask if you will need any event insurance too. The gallery might have their own, but definitely check, to be safe.
Pros of a Museum or Art Gallery
- Great for an intimate, cozy setting
- Unique setting for your guests
- Can be dressed up for formal parties or down for semi-formal
Cons of a Museum or Art Gallery
- May have limited availability
- May be very specific about vendors
- They have challenging layouts sometimes makes for a difficult decor plan
A College or University
Best for: All group sizes, Casual to Formal parties
Colleges and Universities host their own events all the time. However, some have programs for outside events as well. The unique thing about colleges and universities is that there is such a variety in terms of scenery. Some schools can have super modern buildings and other are full of beautiful history. There are a lot of options.
Universities and colleges will also sometimes have very affordable catering options, especially if they have a culinary program. However, part of the challenge with a college venue is definitely parking. So make sure you know if/where it’s available a well as if it will cost your guests money. That way you can accurately prepare them.
Pros of a College/University
- Variety of backdrop options
- May have affordable catering
- Variety of spaces that can host all group sizes
Cons of a College/University
- Parking may be a challenge and/or cost money
- May be restricted to certain times of the year/dates
- May not be set up with the newest event supplies (chairs, av tech)
Wrap Up
What do you think? Any unique venues that you have hosted parties in? Share below in the comments. Just remember, when you’re looking for venues, to think outside the box! A unique party venue is a super easy way to make a big impact on your guests! When you do find a few venues to choose from for your event, make sure you ask all the relevant questions.
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