Venue for a sweet 16 party?
Hi parents, my daughter wants a sweet 16 party and I am looking for a place to host it, any suggestions would be appreciated! Our "wants" are: space for about 50 kids to dance, and 6 or so adults to supervise 2) DJ is allowed and won't bother the neighbors 3) does not require us to use a caterer (she wants pizza) 4) in Oakland/Berkeley are 5) Has some outdoor space as well as it is in the summer. Thanks so much!
Feb 18, 2019
Parent Replies
The building at Lake Temescal is WONDERFUL. I guess I'd look under parks and rec. Also, have you checked out peerspace? Some great spaces there. Happy Birthday sweet 16!!
reen
You could try Joaquin Miller Community Center in Joaquin Miller Park. Sounds like a cool party!
It is located in Joaquin Miller Park with lots of hiking trails. The Community Center has plenty of parking, a big room, an outdoor deck and a view of the bay.
https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/submit-joaquin-miller-community-cent…
I'll recommend the Humanist Hall in Oakland on 27th St in between Broadway and Telegraph. It's an old school social hall type venue, with a modest kitchen space, a stage and a large outdoor backyard space with oak trees and a fire pit. It's not fancy, but it has all the elements you need and the owners/caretakers David and Florence are very kind and will let you decorate. http://humanisthall.net/wp/ Good luck!
I have rented space at the UU Church in Oakland, corner of 14th and Castro. They have a big space where you can have dancing and tables and are not particular about what food you bring in. Seems you can be as noisy as you like on a Friday or Saturday night. Also, I have attended two parties at St. Albans in Albany where there was a dj/band and dancing. The size of their social hall might actually be better for a group the size you are considering. It's a pretty space and my friends who hosted the parties told me it was reasonably priced. Sounds like fun!
Berkeley Yacht Club comes to mind. Or other area yacht clubs.
I recommend the Arlington Park Clubhouse (which is technically in El Cerrito but not too far from Berkeley), or Live Oak Park. Both have indoor-outdoor and no neighbors too close by. I don't have experience renting from Oakland Parks, but they probably have the same types of rentals.
http://el-cerrito.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Arlington-Park-Clubho…
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Parks_Rec_Waterfront/Recreation/Live_Oa…
Check out the Humanist Hall on 27th St. in Oakland's Uptown area. It's an older but charming building with lots of windows, a stage, and a kitchen, and it does have a decent-sized outdoor area as well. They allow you to bring your own food + drink, and they are very reasonably priced. I had my 50th b-day there and it was wonderful. Because it's very DIY, you can decorate as you like, so I think it would be great for a sweet 16 party as well.
Berkeley tennis club?
Sequoia Lodge sounds like it might fit the bill. It's a city of Oakland property and you can self cater (there is a kitchen onsite). There is outdoor space, and I've been to events there with enough room for a DJ and dancing without being so overwhelmingly large that the space would look empty with 50 people.