Austin event venues research by intern Bianca Hsieh
Planning an event in Austin and not sure where to have it? We got you. Researching all the Austin event venues can be time-consuming and frustrating so we’ve rounded up options for all kinds of events. Whether it’s a small and intimate get together or a large festival, here are the best Austin event venues to host your next event.
SEE ALSO: Austin’s Best Restaurants For Private Dining
THE REFINERY ATX
Shameless plug but my top recommendation if you’re researching Austin event venues would be The Refinery ATX. The space is going to be super cool when it opens in December 2017 and I will be officing out of there! The Refinery is a shared work & event space offering local makers, chefs, photographers, e-commerce retailers, freelancers, creative agencies, and local tastemakers a place to work, connect, and grow in the heart of downtown Austin! The Refinery comes equipped with a 13 ft. marble top bar, photography studio, retail space, catering kitchen, tables, chairs, decor, AV equipment, staging, and an in-house event production + design team.
Seated + Standing: At least 100 people
Venue square ft: 4,199 square feet
Food + BYOB: Preferred vendors available but no restrictions
612 Brazos St., therefineryatx.com
Photo credit: Feather and Twine
PEACHED SOCIAL HOUSE
A multi-functional event space, the Peached Social House gives off sleek and modern vibes which are perfect for your sophisticated events. Designed by architect Kevin Stewart, the space is minimalistic and suited for any type of event.
Seated: 100 people
Standing: 250+ for cocktail style service
Venue square ft: 4,500 square feet
Food: Outside catering allowed by there is a $500 outside catering fee. Peached Tortilla can cater!
BYOB: BYOB not allowed but have very reasonable bar minimums based on the number of guests.
6500 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752, peachedsocialhouse.com
SUNSET ROOM
The Sunset Room is a gallery style event space in the heart of the Convention Center and historic Sixth street districts. Formally an abandoned textile warehouse, the Sunset Room was designed by Claire Zinnecker and Xavier Schipani.
Seated: theater capacity 250, seated dinner 150-175
Standing: 400 – no furniture at all
Venue square ft: 3,709 square feet indoors, 45X45 gravel lot out back (north side of venue), and you can also rent out the adjacent lot that is 3900 square feet
Food: Unlicensed but The Sunset Room does have a bar partner. They prefer you to use the bar partner but do allow you to bring in your own alcohol depending on the event.
BYOB: You are able to use whatever caterer you like!
310 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701, sunsetroomaustin.com
ROCK ROSE HALL
For events that you want to have more of a creative say in, the Rock Rose Hall is suited for exactly that. Self-described as a “modern, blank-canvas event space”, the Rock Rose Hall can host up to 250 standing guests. This industrial space is perfect for any event you may have.
Standing: 360
Venue square ft: 2,769 square feet indoor and 669 square feet on the balcony
Food + BYOB: They do have preferred vendors but you’re welcome to use your own.
11420 Rock Rose Avenue, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78758, rockrosehall.com
Photo by Raudel Hinojosa of Delfoto
ZILKER PARK CLUBHOUSE
If beautiful, sprawling views are your thing, the Zilker Park Clubhouse is your location. The clubhouse overlooks downtown Austin and is complete with a terrace and rock patio. Though this venue is suited for smaller events, the built-in backdrop more than makes up for it.
Seated + Standing: 200 max
Venue square ft: 1,296 square feet indoor and 1,980 square feet on the patio
Food: BYO
BYOB: BYO
Zilker Clubhouse Rd, Austin, TX 78746, austintexas.gov/parkevents
PALM DOOR ON SABINE
Located in downtown Austin, Palm Door on Sabine utilizes a blank canvas approach to allow the event of your dreams to come to life. The location can host up to 350 standing guests and is described as an “urban loft space”. However, for folks who may want to be on Austin’s famous (or infamous) 6th street, Palm Door also has a location here. This contemporary event venue can host up to 1,000 guests between its indoor and outdoor areas.
Seated: 150
Standing: 350
Venue square ft: 2,900 square feet
Food: Pink Avocado is their preferred caterer
BYOB: You can bring your own alcohol but it must be served by Pink Avocado’s bartenders.
401 Sabine Street (Sabine location), 508 East 6th Street (6th Street location), palmdoor.com
GATHER VENUES / VUKA
Though Vuka operates as a co-working space during the day, you definitely won’t think of some boring office space when you take a tour. Vuka can host up to 200 people in their Monroe location and up to 380 people in their North Lamar location. Coupled with the fact that Vuka has hosted some pretty big clients in the past from NBC to Google, this flexible space would be accommodating to any event.
MONROE:
Seated: 150-175
Standing: 200
Sq. Ft: 3,200 indoor sq. feet, 12,000 outdoor
LAMAR:
Seated: 220
Standing: 280
Sq. Ft: 3,500 indoor sq. feet
For both locations:
Food: Gather & Vuka has a list of preferred vendors but do not require you to use those particular vendors.
BYOB: You can hire a bar service to provide full service (ice, liquor, beer, wine) or just have them supply bartenders. You can also purchase your own alcohol and only hire bartenders. If you have a smaller event and only have beer and wine, your guests can serve themselves as Gather & Vuka’s team are both TABC certified.
411 West Monroe Street (Monroe location), 5540 North Lamar (N. Lamar location), gathervenues.com
Photo by Rice Jackson
NEILL-COCHRAN HOUSE MUSEUM
As a history lover, my heart just swoons for buildings that still embody the elegance of an era long gone. When looking for local Austin venues that encompass this elegance, the Neill-Cochran House Museum definitely is on my list. The historic home was built in 1855 and its antebellum architecture is very much still preserved. With space to accommodate up to 85 guests, the Neill-Cochran House Museum is a fantastic choice for events that want to capture that Southern charm.
Seated + Standing: 50 inside and 200 outside
Food + BYOB: They have recommended vendors or bring your own
2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX 78705, nchmuseum.org
WALLER CREEK BOATHOUSE
Austin is famous for its bodies of water and Waller Creek Boathouse aims to ensure that your events have the perfect view of Lady Bird Lake in the backdrop. Owned by the City of Austin, Waller Creek Boathouse is the perfect walking distance from downtown Austin. With both an upstairs and downstairs area, Waller Creek Boathouse is one of the iconic event venues in Austin.
Seated + Standing: 120-150
Venue square ft: Upper level of Waller Creek Boathouse includes a 1,900 sq ft indoor and outdoor rental space. The downstairs rental space offers 2,700 sq ft.
Food + BYOB: Waller Creek Boathouse has a preferred list of vendors but you are able to use other vendors, assuming the vendor provides all necessary catering and health permits.
71 Trinity Street, Austin, TX 78701, wallercreekboathouse.org
ACL LIVE AT THE MOODY THEATER
For your events that require adequate spacing for a large audience and a state of the art entertainment system, the Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater is a great choice. The music venue can host 2,750 people and its claim to fame is that Austin City Limits, the longest-running American music series, was filmed here.
Seated + Standing: 2,750-person standing and 1,500 fixed seats
Venue square ft: Varies depending on floor level
BYOB: Built-in bars
310 Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701, http://acl-live.com/
HOTEL ELLA
Hotel Ella is a beautiful historic mansion located near UT campus and downtown Austin. This building was built in 1900 and is perfect for elegant events that balance the past and the present. Boasting guestrooms, a pool, and glamorous indoor and outdoor spaces, Hotel Ella is perfect for your next event.
Hotel Ella has a ton of different room options for big events and small events. The Grand Ballroom holds 250 people or if you need a smaller space there is the Ella Parlor that holds 25 people.
Food: In-house catering is provided by Goodall’s Kitchen.
BYOB: Guests do have the option to BYOB, but can also purchase beverage packages.
1900 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78705, hotelella.com
