A world-class museum, beautiful gardens, exciting performing arts venue, science-based attraction, storied theater and historic home are all part of a vast lineup of the most sought-after venues for off-site group functions in Birmingham, Ala.
Following are details about these great options for a meal, reception or other group gathering away from the host hotel in this Southern meetings magnet.
Clubhouse on Highland
In 1910, the architects behind the Arts and Crafts home that is now Clubhouse on Highland, designed a wide-open floor plan with “constant entertainment” in mind, according to Bob McKenna, the event venue’s director of operations.
Those architects would be pleased to know the home remains a source of entertainment after all these years, as it frequently hosts corporate events, seminars, cocktail receptions, lunches, dinners and other group gatherings.
“We are situated in the center of the Highland Park neighborhood, rated one of the Top 10 communities in America,” McKenna said.
The venue is also a great place to book wellness sessions, including yoga, tai chi and meditation workshops.
Other than indoor options, including a main room and four breakout rooms, the venue offers outdoor spaces that include a courtyard and a grand front porch.
“One hundred years later we enjoy the beautiful craftsmanship of the tiger oak walls and porcelain tile porches,” McKenna said. “The chandeliers make the house glow with warmth at night.”
Alabama Theatre
The Alabama Theatre opened in 1927 as a silent movie palace and today hosts live music, including John Prine this November, and other performances as well as conferences and presentations.
“If you’re looking for a break from the typical ballroom, the stage is a great space for meetings, dinners and receptions for up to 100 guests,” said Cindy Mullins, the theater’s event and marketing director.
The adjoining Hill Event Center features two rooms that can be used for meetings and receptions, a banquet hall that accommodates up to 225 people and a loft that holds up to 175 people.
“The banquet hall features stunning crystal chandeliers while the loft overlooks the newly renovated Lyric Theatre just across the street,” Mullins said.
The Lyric also welcomes group events.
“Since the Alabama was originally designed to be a movie theater, groups often enjoy a movie of their choice with popcorn and soda,” Mullins said, and added group tours are available and include a demonstration of Big Bertha, the resident Mighty Wurlitzer Organ that’s been part of the theater since it opened 90 years ago.
McWane Science Center
McWane Science Center welcomes groups, whether they would like to simply explore the museum for an afternoon or hold a memorable off-site event, including business lunches and after-hours receptions.
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Function spaces here include a 4,000-square-foot event center that’s loaded with audiovisual capabilities, an IMAX Dome theater and the Regions Room, which according to Laura Flowers, the museum’s group promotions coordinator, is on a quiet floor and suited for small business meetings for 40 or fewer people.
“Our IMAX Dome theater is one of the most unique venues in Birmingham, and it’s available after-hours for film presentations and large business meetings,” she said, also noting that an event in one of the museum’s interactive adventure halls is another intriguing opportunity. “We also have many interesting activities for your group, including scavenger hunts and breakout activities.”
Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center
The Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC), located on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, boasts four performance venues, including the 1,300-seat Jemison Concert Hall, the100-seat Odess Theatre and the Ingalls Grand Foyer, which accommodates 800 people standing and 300 seated.
Additionally, according to ASC’s Bryan W. Jones, director of operations, the center also has various non-traditional spaces, including a large shared lobby area that’s perfect for banquet-style events, symposiums and receptions.
“The ASC has also hosted many successful outdoor and live performance festivals in and around the flexible Engel Plaza,” he added.
Discounted group tickets for performances and behind-the-scenes tours can be arranged, and depending on schedule and other variables, private meet-and-greets and other VIP accommodations are available.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG), a facility of the City of Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, features 67.5 acres of gardens.
Rental areas here are best suited for groups interested in adding a little nature to their special events.
“One fun thing about the BBG is that changing seasons are such that the same venue will offer a new and different experience each visit,” said Kevin Moore, director of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board.”
The recently renovated 350-seat Ruth B. Strange Auditorium offers state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, and according to Moore is a great option when ample space for movement is necessary during an event.
Birmingham Museum of Art
“The Birmingham Museum of Art is a beautiful and inspiring space, making it idyllic for many kinds of events,” said its external events manager, Jestina Howard.
The museum is available to host receptions, dinners, receptions, meetings and parties.
Public event spaces such as the cafe Oscar’s at the Museum, with its dramatic spiral staircase, the 8th Avenue Lobby, which is adorned with colorful blown glass by Dale Chihuly, and the outdoor Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden, are popular options for groups that would like to book an after-hours event.
“You may also have the galleries in the museum open during your event, which gives your guests who may have never been to the museum a chance to see our wonderful collections,” Howard said. “We only book one event per evening, so you and your guests will have the entire museum to yourselves.”
Among the on-site spaces that accommodate lunch meetings and presentations during the day are the 45-person Members Room and a 332-seat auditorium with a stage and sound booth.
“The Birmingham Museum of Art has a permanent collection of more than 27,000 objects representing cultures from across the globe,” Howard said.
A daytime event can coincide with a self-guided or docent-led tour.
“To tour our galleries is to take a trip around the world,” he said.
