Top Oakland Cocktail Party Venues

Built in 1915 as part of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium derives its name from the late impresario Bill Graham, who began the rock ‘n roll movement in San Francisco in the 1960s. The historic building has hosted a multitude of significant cultural events, including the Democratic National Convention in 1920, a speech from Martin Luther King Jr. to the NAACP in 1956, and served as the Golden State Warriors’ home court from 1964 to 1966. President Barack Obama was a guest of the venue both in 2007 and 2012 for campaign speeches, and the Dalai Lama offered two days of teachings in 2007. As the exclusive promoter, Another Planet Entertainment manages the building with respect to its rich history and keeps the venue active with hundreds of concerts and special events. Past concerts include performances by the Grateful Dead, Elton John, Sam Smith, Swedish House Mafia, Chance the Rapper, The Killers, Janet Jackson, Phish, Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, Tool, Bruno Mars, Zedd, Bette Midler, Juanes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Lizzo and many more. In preparation for our much-anticipated return to live concerts and our commitment to producing safe events, all patrons attending concerts at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium will need to show proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours from the time of entry to the venue. We encourage fans attending our events to plan ahead and arrive early, as heavy traffic is often experienced in the area. Please carpool whenever possible, and we highly encourage the use of public transportation as both BART and MUNI have services within walking distance to the venue.

• Spaces for 100 Guests
• 1 Event Space

BuzzWorks is SOMA's premiere craft beer sports bar, also serving spirits, wine, & cider. Our 40 taps constantly rotate, paired with eye-popping entertainment on our 30 screens. We feature pinball, pool tables & good vibes. Any event is possible at BuzzWorks, from a simple reservation to a full buyout. BuzzWorks is a versatile event space which can be customized to make your event truly special. In addition to our normal day-to-day operation, we are super flexible: Complete Audio & Visual Control 24-hour availabilty (however, we cannot serve alcohol between 2AM-6AM) Plentiful External Food Programs Large Capacity with Open Floor Plan Discounts for large groups. Unbelievable Monday-Friday daytime rates!

• Spaces for 35-75 Guests
• 3 Event Spaces

A trendy hangout in a converted warehouse with an array of popular craft cocktails & eclectic small plates.

West Oakland, California's 16th Street Station is a historic landmark that dates back to the late nineteenth century. At this time, we are not renting the interior space of the building, and we are only renting the area immediately surrounding the building. As a backdrop, the site boasts a magnificent Main Hall that is truly breath-taking. The 16th Street Station will no longer be taking any rental commitments for events that will take place within the Station. Rental of outside areas is still available. Please inquire. The 16th Street Station, which opened on August 1, 1912, marked the beginning of West Oakland as the city's gateway. The Station, which was constructed for $300,000 by the Southern Pacific Railway and designed by Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt, was built by the railroad for $300,000. That same year, the Station was featured in Western Architect magazine. The Station served as the western terminus of the transcontinental railway system, and was the last stop on the Western line. Even as recently as the 1950s, Southern Pacific was one of Oakland's most significant private sector employers. By the 1960s, the railroad company had realized that their primary source of revenue was freight transportation rather than passenger travel. However, in the early years, the usage was quite different from what it is today.

Host to more than 200 functions and 40,000 guests each year, The Green Room is a beautiful example of Beaux Arts architecture, known for its distinctive color, soaring ceiling and russet tiled loggia. It is located on the second floor the Veterans Building, in the heart of San Francisco's Civic Center. The Green Room — perfect for dinners, lectures and receptions — also provides an ideal location for events held in conjunction with performances in the Herbst Theatre and War Memorial Opera House. Five 24-lamp chandeliers, a wide open floor, built-in wet bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to an outdoor loggia overlooking San Francisco City Hall, make The Green Room a beautiful and flexible event space. Rental of The Green Room includes access to the freight elevator and exclusive use of an expansive catering staging kitchen. It also includes a bridal room and public restrooms. Equipment rental is also available at a flat fee for use of chairs and tables. Sound and electrical equipment and stage equipment are not included in the flat rate fee. A separate itemized charge wil be applied. Hours specified in the Short Term License Agreement (STLA) are the only hours Licensee and their staff, vendors, performers, volunteers and guests may access The Green Room or its support spaces. SFWMPAC staff must be present at all times. Events must end at 11:30 pm, unless prior approval is granted by SFWMPAC. The average cost of an event is based on the rent combined with the expense deposit. While costs vary widely, nonprofit events have average expenses of $2,500 to $3,000. Weddings and Private Parties basic package price is $10,000. Only licensed and insured caterers may provide food and beverage service in The Green Room. Caterers must have a manager on site at all times. Special care should be taken to preserve and protect floors, walls, elevators and equipment. Use carts and dollies with rubber wheels to prevent scratching floors. Avoid dragging or rolling metal items, and items with metal edges, bases or glides. There is no use of tape, staples, tacks or nails to affix materials.

Nisei is Chef David Yoshimura's first restaurant after holding the position of Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin-starred Californios restaurant in San Francisco. The restaurant is located in the Russian Hill district of San Francisco. The restaurant Nisei is a celebration of the Japanese-American ancestry of its owner, Chef David Yoshimura. The tasting menu is inspired by the cuisine of California, which is known as Washoku. Washoku, which literally translates to "harmony of food," is the Japanese equivalent of "home cooking." The art of Washoku centers on a set of guiding principles that emphasize harmony in color, sense of smell and taste, and respect for the ingredients used in food preparation. To complement the experience, Nisei offers a selection of drinks from all over the world that have been painstakingly chosen by the General Manager and Sommelier, Ian Cobb. These drinks may be enjoyed with your meal. In 2019, Nisei launched as a pop-up restaurant, offering a 10-course tasting menu at various locations across the Bay Area for more than two years. The staff at Nisei is excited to finally be settled into its brick-and-mortar facility at 2316 Polk Street, and they look forward to providing their services to you.

The California Golf Club of San Francisco, more commonly referred to as "Cal Club," was established in 1918. Its first location was in Ingleside, which is situated to the south-west of San Francisco, on land that was leased from the Spring Valley Water Company. The water company was unable to provide the club with a long-term lease, so in 1924, the club purchased approximately 425 acres of land further down the Peninsula. The land was originally a part of Baden Farm, and because of its undulating hills, wooded terrain, and stunning vistas of the bay, it was a natural choice for the location of a championship golf course. Willie Locke and A. Vernon Macan were brought on board by the members to assist in the design of the initial routing, which was first implemented on May 26th, 1926. After some time had passed, Alister MacKenzie would come back and redesign the bunkers as well as at least two of the greens, just before he began working at Cypress Point Club. Kyle Phillips spent 2007 and 2008 bringing the golf course back to the design and grandeur it had during its "golden age." The restoration work done by Kyle Phillips required the use of fine fescue grass, and the playing conditions on the course are unmatched anywhere else in Northern California due to their speed and firmness. It is a private club, but the California Golf Club of San Francisco can be found there.

The Olympic Club's skilled event staff takes the burden out of planning your wedding, bridal shower, birthday, or other celebratory event, in a gorgeous setting with outstanding food. The Club gives it all with a smile and the experience essential to handle the details, from assisting you through the procedure to crafting a delectable menu to our seasoned banquet crew ready to serve your guests that day. Our menus and packages make it simple to plan any event and ensure that all of the details are taken care of, so you can relax and enjoy your special day. Whether it's a small intimate gathering of 20 or a massive extravaganza for 400, the OC staff is ready to assist and guide you every step of the way. At Lakeside, the Club can provide event space and support for small groups, as well as a standing reception for up to 800 people. The Club can accommodate all types of events, including corporate meetings, business gatherings, and more. Weddings, receptions, and private parties are held in the Lakeside Clubhouse, which offers stunning panoramic views. Lakeside also offers a wonderful array of catering options for your convenience, thanks to its world-class amenities and outstanding floor plan. Our team of specialists will help with our planning needs and put your mind at ease as you prepare for one of life's most memorable moments. The City Clubhouse is conveniently accessible to all of your guests, whether they are San Francisco natives or visitors from other cities. The City Clubhouse crew is experienced and happy to walk you through all the arrangements, whether it's a speaker luncheon, cocktail hour, business seminar, or even a wedding. We offer eight distinct meeting spaces to ensure we have the right place to fulfill your needs. Since 1860, we've been putting on spectacular events. Allow us to make one for you!

• Spaces for 170-300 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Historic Space
• 2 Total Spaces

The Flood Mansion, located in San Francisco's Pacific Heights area and home to the Schools of the Sacred Heart, turns from a school to a private event venue with over 6,000 square feet of space available for rental throughout the day. The Flood Mansion is a symphony of classical styles, including elements from the Italian Renaissance, Rococo, Tudor, and Georgian periods. Since Mrs. Flood bequeathed her home to the Religious of the Sacred Heart in 1939, this exquisite building, built in 1915, has been well conserved. Despite the fact that the facility is now a private school, it is nevertheless open for special events after school hours and on weekends. Our stunning Grand Hall and other rooms can accommodate up to 165 people for seated parties and up to 299 people for reception-style events. We can mix and match the ideal combination of rooms for your event's needs, or use just one for a smaller, more intimate gathering, thanks to the flexibility provided by the multiple spaces.

Ghirardelli Square, considered the first successful adaptive reuse project in the country, has a history that spans more than a century and covers three continents. This specialty retail and dining complex, housing shops and restaurants, was originally a chocolate factory established by Domenico “Domingo” Ghirardelli.Born in 1817 in Rapallo, Italy, Ghirardelli served as a Genoa confectioner’s apprentice and at a young age developed a strong interest in the business. He left for Uruguay when he was 20 years old, then sailed around Cape Horn to Peru where he became a coffee and chocolate merchant.James Lick—Ghirardelli’s neighbor in Lima—left for San Francisco in January 1848 taking 600 pounds of Ghirardelli’s chocolate with him. He arrived just thirteen days before the first shiploads of gold-rush pioneers. Lured by his friend’s tales of the gold rush, Ghirardelli joined Lick a year later and opened a general store supplying mustard, coffee, spices and, of course, chocolate. Between 1852 and 1895, Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory was located at four different sites before the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company took over the Pioneer Woolen Mills on North Point Street—today’s site of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory & Soda Fountain and Ghirardelli Ghirardelli delights visitors with its lively retail mix, while maintaining Ghirardelli’s tradition as a trendsetter for the rest of the world. In 1982 the owners applied for and were granted National Historic Register status, a move that ensured the preservation of Ghirardelli Square for future generations. Always on the cutting edge of retailing in the United States, Ghirardelli Square continues to serve as a model for restoration complexes throughout the country such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston and Baltimore’s Harborplace.

• Spaces for 12-100 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

For all of your event needs, Harris' Restaurant offers three magnificent private dining rooms. Lunch, supper, speaker events, holiday parties, wedding receptions, and rehearsal dinners can all be held in our private rooms. For each occasion, we will personalize the meals to your guests' preferences and give excellent service with genuine hospitality. Harris' Restaurant has long been known for serving the best midwestern beef on the West Coast. Our award-winning cuisine, prepared by Executive Chef Michael Buhagiar, features a wide variety of aged beef, including our distinctive dry-aged Porterhouse and Harris' bone-in New York steaks. Our in-house butcher prepares and grills our steaks to perfection. In addition to Maine Lobster, Lamb Chops, Salmon, and Chicken entrees, Harris' offers a choice of appetizers, salads, and soups to start your meal. Finish your meal with one of our delectable seasonal sweets. Our largest private dining area is the Skylight Dining Room. Dinner, corporate meetings, speaker events, and special occasions are all possible in this setting. This opulent room features Honduran mahogany paneling, a skylight, and a private bar.

• Spaces for 40-90 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Historic Space

Built in 1902, The Majestic Hotel holds the distinction of being San Francisco's oldest and longest-operating hotel. Situated in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, the boutique property reflects early 20th-century craftsmanship through its original Edwardian architecture, French and English antique furnishings, and high-ceilinged rooms filled with natural light. For private events, The Majestic offers a 1,200-square-foot dining room that accommodates up to 90 guests for social mixers or up to 40 for classroom-style gatherings. The space comes equipped with a full-service kitchen, full liquor license, beverage packages, portable dance floor, and limited A/V equipment. Past events in the space have ranged from baby showers and engagement parties to fundraisers and corporate dinners. The on-site Butterfly Lounge provides a more intimate bar setting, while Cafe Majestic serves a complimentary continental breakfast. The hotel is ADA accessible and operates as a smoke-free facility.

The Monterey Peninsula Country Club welcomes you. It's no secret that the Monterey Peninsula is home to some of the best golf in the world, and MPCC and our two 18-hole courses, the Dunes and Shore Courses, are right in the center of it all. Both have long histories and fantastic layouts set in some of the world's most beautiful golf landscapes. Samuel F. B. Morse founded the Del Monte Properties in 1919. The state of California granted the Monterey Peninsula Country Club a charter in 1925. A month later, the newly constituted club conducted an organizational meeting, at which Samuel F. B. Morse was elected president. The Monterey Peninsula Country Club had 68 original members. The new country club officially opened on July 2, 1926, with about 300 people in attendance. The club properties cover around 400 acres of land in the Monterey Peninsula's central section. After the members purchased the club from Del Monte Properties in 1959, Bob E. Baldock and Jack Neville developed the Shore Course. On the Monterey Peninsula, our pros specialize in group and corporate golf events. We create personalized events and tournaments for groups of all sizes while maintaining the greatest level of customer service possible. Because of our established partnerships with local golf courses, we are able to offer our customers discounted pricing. Our mission is to exceed our clients' expectations by providing exceptional customer service. Monterey Peninsula Golf hosts a variety of golf activities, from small group outings to huge corporate outings. Our skilled staff organizes every detail of the event, ensuring that it runs smoothly for our clients. Our first priority is to ensure that your event is a success and that you have a good time. We look forward to helping you arrange your next outing to North America's #1 golf destination.

The health and safety of our guests and workers is of the utmost importance to us. We advise our guests to examine state and municipal approved traveler guidance prior to their trip, since this guidance is updated on a regular basis and is subject to change. The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square is open in accordance with the regulations and operational parameters established by the City of San Francisco. Face masks are necessary in indoor public locations, such as our lobby, public spaces, and restaurants, while people are not actively eating or drinking, in order to ensure compliance. For further information on current travel requirements in California, please see the state government's website, which may be found here. We provide event settings that are truly one-of-a-kind. It is the ideal site for parties of up to 100 people, thanks to its modern amenities, breathtaking bay views, and practical layout. Plan your next event with us and we'll ensure that it is a memorable occasion. In our outside Carillon Gazebo (450 square feet), which is absolutely unique, you can take in panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz, as well as Ghirardelli Square. Ideal for either a daytime or evening event, combine this beautiful venue with our Mustard Terrace or one of our Mustard Terrace Residences to create an amazing celebration that will be remembered forever. In our outside Carillon Gazebo (450 square feet), which is absolutely unique, you can take in panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz, as well as Ghirardelli Square. Ideal for either a daytime or evening event, combine this beautiful venue with our Mustard Terrace or one of our Mustard Terrace Residences to create an amazing celebration that will be remembered forever.

The food at Nari, a modern Thai restaurant, is inspired by the cuisine of Thailand's past yet prepared with an eye toward the present. The term "woman" in Thai has its origins in Sanskrit, which is where our name, "Nari," comes from. A personal love letter to the women in her life who taught her how to cook and, more importantly, how to eat, Nari is our chef and owner Pim's tribute to generations of Thai women who laid the foundation for Thai cuisine. Nari was inspired by the women in her life who taught her how to cook and, more importantly, how to eat. In the intimate setting of our Suda private dining room, we can accommodate up to 24 people. When combined with the adjoining lounge, this room may seat as many as forty people. A party of up to twelve people can also be seated in the semi-private Wine room, which is located in a separate area from the main dining room and features a window that provides a view of the activities taking place in the kitchen. Please email info@narisf.com for booking inquiries and any other information.

• Spaces for 5,000 Guests

Craneway Pavilion, set on 25 waterfront acres, offers a breathtaking view of the Bay, San Francisco cityscape, and surrounding areas, rivaled only by the stunning architecture and high-end amenities accessible within. Our open, airy design makes this the ideal location for world-class corporate meetings, product launches, speaking engagements, concerts, film or photo shoots, and any other type of celebration. Our experts will assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind, high-end experience that guests will remember for years. Our crew will inspire your boldness, excite event programming, and support everybody involved to think creatively, dexterously, and with a holistic vision of success, thanks to our comprehensive production capability and broad network of great vendor partners. At Craneway Pavilion, our success is inextricably linked to the success of our clients. We encourage you to let your imagination run wild. Craneway Pavilion is a 45,000-square-foot venue with a 20,000-square-foot open-air terrace that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. It is housed in an award-winning, aesthetically noteworthy Ford Assembly Plant that dates back to 1931.

• Spaces for 20-205 Guests
• 2 Bars
• 1 Outdoor
• 6 Total Spaces

Barebottle Brewing Co. is a craft brewery founded in 2016 and rooted in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood, where its flagship production brewery and taproom occupy a spacious warehouse at 1525 Cortland Ave. The brewery has since expanded across the Bay Area with additional taprooms in Santa Clara, Menlo Park, Walnut Creek, and Salesforce Park in downtown San Francisco. The Bernal Heights location offers seven distinct reservable areas accommodating groups from 20 to 200 guests — from the intimate Parlor to a full taproom buyout. Rotating food truck partners provide catering options on-site, and outside pre-made food is welcome for events hosted at the flagship location. Barebottle takes a community-driven approach to brewing, drawing on local homebrewers and inviting guests to vote on beers before full production. Events at the taproom are complemented by 20–30 rotating beers on draft, wines, kombucha, and house-made non-alcoholic sodas. The space is pet-friendly and open to all ages.

• Spaces for 55 Guests

• Spaces for 12-350 Guests
• 5 Restaurants
• 1 Event Space

Foreign Cinema offers a variety of private dining options for groups of up to 350 people, ranging from small hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to huge, formal seated dinners. Our chefs tailor each menu, incorporating sustainable, seasonal, and market availability into the meal while also taking into consideration the guests' specific preferences and the restaurant's exceptional style of globally-inspired food. Our newest event area is located on the second floor. This quaint spot, located just past the Courtyard, is decorated with an Amate-style bespoke mural by Jet Martinez and designer floor tiles, among other things. This is a picture-perfect location for your next party, made even more appealing by the addition of café lights and heating. From April through October, we are available. In collaboration with acclaimed international art dealer Martin Muller of Modernism Inc. in San Francisco, Foreign Cinema presents Modernism West, an exclusive and one-of-a-kind private dining gallery featuring evolving, curated international artwork, a modern sound audio/visual system, a built-in bar, 18-foot-high ceilings, skylights, and a wall of windows with an electronic shading system. This theatrical grand balcony space, which overlooks the main dining room below, provides guests with the option to share the energy and mood of Foreign Cinema in a semi-private setting, thanks to exposed beams, concrete walls, and wood floors throughout the space.

• Spaces for 500-1,000 Guests
• 1 Event Space

WEDDINGS? CORPORATE GET-TOGETHERS? BIRTHDAY THROWDOWNS? We handle anything, from minor to huge projects, all under one roof. A full kitchen, bar, and event staff assist with the coordination of all the minor things that contribute to a memorable event. HOST YOUR PRIVATE EVENT AT THE CHAPEL The Chapel is completely equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and projection technologies, everything at your fingertips, thanks to its 40' high arched ceiling. We can create the event of your dreams whether you have 10 or 1,000 people. Our turnkey strategy allows us to handle everything from birthday brunches to multi-day conferences because we have all of our services in-house, from food to beverage. THE CHAPEL IS A ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL SIZES AND STYLES OF EVENTS. Are you looking for the perfect location for your next private gathering? We have created and hosted everything from corporate parties to social gatherings, fundraisers, product launches, day and evening conferences, tour and travel groups, and media shoots, and we look forward to putting our expertise to work for you. We offer a very versatile, all-encompassing event space with a full-time crew that will personally supervise your event. Security professionals, dining directors, artisan drink creators, a full-scale audio/video/lighting system with production crew, planning assistance, and an in-house executive chef all work together to create unique, dynamic, and bespoke menus with aplomb and flare. PLEASE NOTE: All patrons will need to show valid proof of full vaccination in order to attend indoor shows at The Chapel. ("Full vaccination" means two weeks after your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.) We will not be accepting negative COVID-19 tests. You are also required to wear a mask at all times while indoors (unless actively eating or drinking.) Let's all stay safe!