When a special event requires a special venue, check out places with spaces for birthday and anniversary parties, family reunions, rehearsal dinners, wedding parties, bachelorette parties and showers, graduation parties, holiday parties and more.
Featured Photo: The Park Bistro & Bar at Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, courtesy of Travis Watts Photography
The Park Bistro & Bar
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, Lafayette
A French chateau-inspired landmark in Lafayette has a newly remodeled private dining room for 12 to 14 guests around a hardwood table just off the main dining room. Suitable for business or personal gatherings, the space can be complemented by outdoor pre-event cocktails and hors d’oeuvres around the patio fire pit. For guests wishing to “take the elevator home,” the hotel (and spa) provides a no-drive solution for the evening. parkbistroandbar.com
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana
Walnut Creek
Founded in Italy in 1972, this popular group of 20 Italian-themed restaurants primarily in California locations, is known for authenticity. In Walnut Creek, there are four options for private dining. East Loggia has natural light and can accommodate up to 80 seated guests, or for groups of 16 by partitioning off the space. South Loggia has a fireplace and access to the patio for groups of 30 to 40. The Florence Room seats up to 16 for lunch or dinner; decorated as a wine cellar, it also has a flat screen TV for presentations. And La Piazza outdoors, can be arranged as a private space from April through October. ilfornaio.com
Julia's Restaurant
Berkeley City Club, Berkeley
One block from the campus of UC Berkeley, The Berkeley City Club is a historical landmark, designed by California’s famous female architect, Julia Morgan, best known for Hearst Castle. At “The Little Castle,” Julia’s Restaurant can provide six private event rooms for group sizes of 2 to 350 as well as on-site AV equipment set-ups. One on-site parking space is available for the event organizer’s use. The Drawing Room is an architectural gem with an oversized fireplace, often used in conjunction with the East and West Courtyards. An indoor heated pool and 38 classic guest rooms round out the venue’s offerings. berkeleycityclub.com
Limewood Bar & Restaurant
The Claremont, Berkeley
An elegant landmark since 1922, “The White Castle on the Hill” is set on 22 acres of landscaped grounds moments from the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge. Fairmont Hotel’s chef-led food program attracts club members and guests to Limewood Restaurant for regionally-sourced cuisine. Its private dining room is a beautiful space to accommodate up to 25 for a plated meal service. Just off the main dining room, there’s an attractive décor and San Francisco Bay views. Hotel guests won’t want to leave, as privileges include use of facilities: tennis, swimming, fitness classes and spa treatments. Valet parking. limewoodrestaurant.com/event/private-dining/
Piatti
Danville
At Piatti, the question is: The Tuscan Room or The Mediterranean Room? Or, dine al fresco on The Patio under sunbrellas and twinkling lights. Traditional, authentic Italian food is served for lunch and dinner at this pretty restaurant set in landscaped gardens. For a cozy atmosphere with its own fireplace and French doors leading to a small outdoor deck, choose The Tuscan Room. to seat up to 38 guests or 50 standing. Somewhat larger, The Mediterranean Room can accommodate 60 seated and 70 standing; it also has a fireplace. danville.piatti.com
Telefèric Barcelona
Walnut Creek
The Dalí Room is the heart of private dining at this Spanish-concept restaurant that was founded in Barcelona. With seating up to 24 guests, the enclosed space has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown. The room is custom-designed for private parties and business meetings, featuring a suspended wood ceiling, porcelain pendants from Spain and original Salvador Dalí sketches, to create a warmth and intimacy. La Terraza is a 780 square-foot open-air terrace accommodating 40 guests seated with its own Spanish-themed bar. telefericbarcelona.com
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