Grand Rapids is flowing with off-site venues for group gatherings, including receptions, banquets and presentations.
One standout event space, located downtown, is the three-floor Waldron Public House, which accommodates groups of 30 to 500 people and offers on-site catering. The venue’s three handsome spaces, including the Waldron Pub on the main level, a lounge featuring a bar and pool table, and the Pearl Room, with a fireplace and picture windows; all feature exposed brick, beautiful wooden floors and accents, leather furniture and warm lighting.
At the LEED Gold-certified Grand Rapids Art Museum, also located downtown, artwork serves as the backdrop for events. This must-visit attraction has a number of spaces for groups, including the main lobby and an auditorium, as well as East Court, which offers views of downtown and is well-suited for small receptions. There is also a boardroom with lots of natural light and audiovisual equipment.
Another popular Grand Rapids attraction, the John Ball Zoo, is home to the Bissell Tree House, an attractive indoor event space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking views toward downtown. The space accommodates seated meals and there is a wraparound deck that’s perfect for a roaming cocktail party.
Located in the Arena District downtown is The Loft at Luna, a 4,700-square-foot venue that is best described as urban and modern. While farmhouse seating works well here, the space accommodates any setup or decor a planner can dream up. A list of preferred caterers is available, as well as suggestions for local entertainment.
The Cheney Place, a warehouse space featuring hardwood floors, frosted windows and concrete, is another versatile blank-slate venue where planners can execute any type of gathering for up to 350 people. The Cheney Place offers flexible pricing and custom packages for weekday events.
