Baby Shower Venues

6 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Good Place for a Baby Shower?

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    Feb 13, 2024

    Does anyone have recommendations in the Berkeley/Oakland region for a cute place to hold a baby shower?  The outdoor area of a particular restaurant, a cafe, etc.? Any advice would be much appreciated!

    Feb 13, 2024

    La Note in downtown Berkeley has a cute back patio, I have been to bridal showers there.

    Feb 14, 2024

    Hi! I looked at a lot of options for my own before holding it at a family member’s home. One that was a runner up was Friends and Family in uptown Oakland. It’s a bar, but then can hold all ages private events and cater light food and drinks including incredible, creative mocktails. It is a gorgeous, very cool and designy space with a patio and very convenient to public transit. Their rates are very reasonable. Email them and they will quote you, or stop by and check it out. Good luck!

    Feb 14, 2024

    I used Peerspace to rent my venue. I ended up going with a photography studio and the owner provided tables, I brought linens and catering from Whole Foods. 

    Feb 14, 2024

    We had a baby shower at the end of September at Ocean View Brew Works in their back patio space that isn’t open to the public normally. You can have a whole variety of food and drink options and the staff was wonderful to work with. There isn’t a ton of parking but ample street parking in the neighborhood if you can walk a few blocks.  

    Feb 14, 2024

    I had my baby shower at the Lake Chalet in Oakland in the summer which was nice because we could enjoy the outdoor area by the water and take some lovely family pictures, but we also had an air-conditioned interior area reserved for the main event. We didn't do any games or opening gifts at the actual party, it was more an opportunity for folks to mingle and have some good food and drinks. We set up bulletin boards with baby pictures of my husband and I which people loved. Felt maybe more like an engagement party than a traditional baby shower, but it's what we wanted and we really liked it!

    Feb 14, 2024

    Friends of mine had their baby shower at North Light on Telegraph in Oakland a couple of years ago. They have a lovely back patio, which they reserved for the afternoon. Great drinks, tasty food. 
    https://northlight.bar/

    Feb 14, 2024

    I went to a baby shower at Faction Brewery in Alameda. -can bring your own food.
    My baby shower was at 7th West in Oakland.-purchased from their catering menu and regular menu. 

    Feb 14, 2024

  • Fall Baby Shower Venue

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    Jul 12, 2023

    Hi! I'm looking to host a baby shower for my sister in early November for ~30-35 people. I moved away from the area a couple of years ago and COVID turned everything upside down, so I'm having trouble finding something low key and affordable that can support this amount of people (seems too many for small venues and not big enough for larger venues). The Temescal beach house is an ideal scenario for reference, but they are unfortunately booked. Fern Cottage may be an option. I also have an ask out to the Gardens at Heather Farms, and Leona/Sequoia lodge. We'd ideally stay somewhere between Oakland and El Cerrito, time of day is flexible, and it needs to be kid friendly. I don't want to count on the weather in early November and just reserve a park picnic spot, though that is really the vibe we're going for. Any ideas based on current intel or recent experience is appreciated! Thanks!

    Jul 12, 2023

    What's your budget? Sequoia Lodge is probably too big/expensive for this. (That's where I got married, with 100 guests.) I agree that's kind of an awkward number of people. Do you have to include children?  Otherwise I would work with your sis to pare down the guest list to 15-20 and beg, borrow, and steal a private home for hosting, with plans to do it in a backyard if weather permits but easy to move inside if needed. Ask the guest with the nicest house and tell them that will be their gift, and you will handle all the food/decorations/table and chair rentals. If you end up renting a venue, the cost soars. My final thought is perhaps the Galileo Club in Richmond early on a weekend, there's bowling. :/

    Jul 13, 2023

    If it’s not booked, the Garden Center at Lake Merritt sounds perfect for your needs. Book through City of Oakland—they have a large, though simple, room that opens onto a beautiful garden patio. We also had a shower at the Lake Chalet for about that number years ago, but that was pricier (a generous gift from family). It was a nice space, though.

    Jul 17, 2023

    You could reserve a picnic area AND the clubhouse at Arlington Park in El Cerrito (via the city recreation site). If the weather is bad you can decorate and use the clubhouse and if weather is good can pivot to outside (I do this for my child's winter birthday). It's very bare bones though so you'd need to decorate to liven it up. 

    Jul 19, 2023

    With a huge caveat that I haven't personally hosted an event here myself: Ocean View Brew Works in Albany might be a good option given the vibe you're looking for. They do private events, have indoor / outdoor space, and may even have outdoor heaters. I haven't been in a bit, but generally love this place and the owners here. 

    Jul 19, 2023

    I always suggest that people look at area yacht clubs; I got married at Berkeley Yacht Club. It's on the water, lovely setting, plenty of parking, kid friendly. I don't see the rates on their website, but it was reasonable back in the day compared to other options. The website says weekends are booked through the end of the year, but weekdays are available. Other yacht clubs outside of your Oakland to El Cerrito geography that you could check include Encinal and Oakland yacht clubs in Alameda, and Richmond YC in Point Richmond.

    Jul 19, 2023

    Check out places like the Brazil Room at Tilden--structures that are part of parks, so you have an indoor option but they are pretty affordable since they're city owned. 

    Jul 20, 2023

  • Outdoor baby shower venues

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    Jun 5, 2022

    Hello! I’m due in November, and my aunt (who lives elsewhere) has offered to throw me a baby shower in the fall. Since she’s not familiar with the area, I need to pick a venue. Looking for something outdoors and casual, either that provides food (small bites, not a meal) or where we could bring a few platters. I suggested a park but sounds like she’d like somewhere with some infrastructure for setup/cleanup since she’ll be flying in the day before and leaving the next day.

    Appreciate the suggestions! 

    Jun 5, 2022

    It'd be helpful to know how many people you'd like to have at the baby shower. There are a lot of cool outdoor dining spots. Nido's backyard would be nice for a small group. My friend had a birthday party there and there were about 20 of us in the semi-private outdoor area. I am not sure if you can bring in food...

    Jun 7, 2022

    Sounds like fun! I'd suggest your aunt consider working with a catering/event management group like Culinary Excellence -- they could provide a handful of location options and also cater or provide other event needs like flowers etc. I've worked with Culinary Excellence before and suggest your aunt reach out to Jessica Murphy at jessica [at] culinaryexcellence.com for more info. (I particularly love that they can match any dietary need out there, which is SO helpful for events.) Good luck and have fun!

    Jun 8, 2022

    Agree with Nido's. Drakes Dealership is another option, but would have to go with their food + beverage.

    Jun 8, 2022

    Yes, forgot to mention that. It would be 20-25 people I’m guessing. Nido’s is a great idea! Thank you 

    Jun 8, 2022

  • Venue for baby shower in or near Berkeley?

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    Nov 14, 2019

    Hi,

    Any recommendations for an indoor and kid-friendly venue for a baby shower in or near Berkeley?

    Thanks

    Nov 14, 2019

    Not Berkeley but close: we had a kid friendly baby shower at Fenton’s! They were great!

    Nov 20, 2019

  • Outdoor baby shower location

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    Dec 25, 2018

    we are looking for an otudoor baby shower location for late fevruary and were considering the Little Farm at Tilden.  Any other iseas?   There will be lots of kids there, so we want a place where they will be comfortable and able to play.  

    Dec 25, 2018

    I had my baby shower at Lake Temescal and have since had our son's first and second Birthdays there. Each reservable site has a lot of space and there are play structures nearby. If you are unable to reserve a site there are some really nice unreserved spaces as well. Lot of parking too.

    Dec 26, 2018

    Since your event is in February and weather is unpredictable, perhaps a place like Sequoia Lodge in Oakland would work well. I've attended events there, and it seems perfect for something like a baby shower. The lodge is an indoor space, with a kitchen, but has a playground/outdoor space attached (the Lodge host a preschool during the workweek, and areas like he sandbox are closed, but the play structure isn't and there is running around space. It is a city owned property.

    Dec 26, 2018

    I had my baby shower (co-ed BBQ) at lake Temescal. We had a bunch of kids who could play on the lawn, fish, swim or play at the playground. They have bathrooms, parking and built in BBBQs. You can reserve tables in advance by calling the park district. February is hit or miss on weather so you would probably need a cover of some sort if it rains.

    Dec 26, 2018

    I've used https://www.peerspace.com to find location venues in the past based on my criteria.  It's great because you usually find locations that aren't always easy to find or advertised.  Check them out and hopefully you'll find a space that works for you.  Good luck.  

    Dec 26, 2018

  • seeking a venue for a baby shower

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    Oct 30, 2016

    Can anyone recommend a sweet beautiful venue for a baby shower for about 50 people?

    Thank you.

    Oct 30, 2016

    Le Bateau Ivre on Telegraph is nice. https://www.facebook.com/LeBateauIvreBerkeley/

    Nov 2, 2016

    How about the small hall at Arlington Park? It's perfect for small kids too because the park is right there. 

    Nov 2, 2016

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Questions

Venue for a Baby Shower in East Bay

Feb 2004

Hi. Can anyone recommend some good locations or restaurants for a baby shower for about 20 people (plus or minus), preferably in the Oakland / Berkeley / Emeryville area. I have consulted the website. Thanks. anon

I've attended some great baby showers in restaurants in the Oakland/Berkeley area. They all have amazing food and were very accommodating. To meet budgets, you could pre-select a menu of items for your shower guest. Ginger Island on 4th Street - they don't have private rooms, but we had a whole section of the restaurant cornered off for a shower of about 25. Garibaldi's on College Ave - They have a private room and there were about 30 of us. Good luck!

My baby shower was held in the restuarant at the Claremont Hotel and it was absolutely lovely. Kelly Jo

Baby shower in San Francisco

August 2003

I am trying to find a place to host a baby shower in SF for approximately 20 people. Ideas? Gretchen

We recently had a wonderful baby shower/tea at the San Francisco Ritz-Carlton. It was held during their regularly scheduled tea time, but a section was set aside for the shower. I don't know the cost, but they did validate parking...which is a big savings! Lorie

My friends just threw a baby shower for me at La Table (3640 Sacramento St.) in SF. They have a beautiful back room that is perfect for a shower and the service was wonderful. I'm sorry I can't comment on the cost since I don't know how much it was but I can say it was the perfect place for a party! Helen

-- We had a baby shower for a friend at the Sheraton Palace for tea. It was very fun, and apparently a fairly popular destination for such events. Good food, good teas, and easy for the hostesses. The setting could not be more spectacular. And just off the Montgomery Street Bart station, so no parking in San Francisco.

Lovejoy's in Noe Valley is a spot for high tea. They host plenty of showers there for very reasonable prices. AH

You might try Lovejoy's Tea Shop on Church Street in Noe Valley. I have seen other showers being hosted there and it looks like it would be lovely. The food is wonderful and the decor is very charming and quaint. The only drawback is that they may not be able to host 20 people-- it's definitely worth checking though. Good luck! anon

Maybe a tea? You could go all out at the Garden Court in the Sheraton Palace on Market St. or at the Ritz Carlton. Both do lovely formal tea services. Or if cozy and comfy sounds better there's Lovejoy's Tea House on Church. Ann

One of my favorite little restaurants in the city is a french place called L'Olivier it's on Davis Street. They have a couple of rooms that would fit your group and be private- a garden room in the front and a larger room in the back. They do a prix fixe menu for large groups that is very well priced for the city. Give Christian or Ghee a call at 415-981-7824. Juliette

We held a baby shower for a friend at Il Fornaio, near Levi Plaza. The service and room were wonderful. MD

Ask for the back patio at the restaurant, ''the Magic Flute'' wfp