Top Strafford Venues

• Spaces for 400 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Rochester Elks Lodge #1393 has served Rochester, New Hampshire — known locally as the Lilac City — for more than 125 years. The centerpiece of the facility is a smoke-free function hall that seats up to 400 guests, featuring a stage, professional sound system, adjustable lighting, and state-of-the-art ventilation and climate control. The hall is a regular home for weddings, showers, fundraisers, and large-scale community gatherings. The lodge also offers a full bar and lounge with a newly constructed bar and wide-screen television, a renovated full-service kitchen, and a seasonal outdoor recreation area used for clambakes and warm-weather events.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

Rivermill at Dover Landing occupies the Picker Building in historic downtown Dover, New Hampshire — a structure dating to the nineteenth century, when bales of raw cotton arrived by gundalow along the Cochecho River to be cleaned and processed into the calico and fine fabrics that made Dover a textile center of its era. The building's 1800s brick-and-beam bones have been thoughtfully restored, preserving lofted windows, rugged pillars, and hardwood floors while creating a setting that holds both character and quiet intimacy. The event loft accommodates anywhere from 75 to 350 guests under a flexible open floorplan, suited to weddings, corporate gatherings, banquets, fundraisers, tradeshows, holiday parties, and concerts alike. Tall arched windows carry views of the Cochecho River, Henry Law Park, and Dover's historic City Hall clock tower. Included in each rental: tables, chairs, a 16- by 20-foot dance floor, a bridal suite, and valet parking on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Since opening in 2011, Rivermill has been operated by Kevin and Starr Sullivan, each bringing more than thirty years of hospitality experience.

• Spaces for 120 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Historic Space

Gunstock Inn & Suites is a 25-room colonial-style inn on Cherry Valley Road in Gilford, New Hampshire, originally established in the late 1930s. Set just a mile from Gunstock Mountain Resort in the heart of the Lakes Region, the property carries historic character throughout — most notably in its country tavern, where a wood-burning fireplace and antique furnishings evoke the inn's early years. For private events, the inn offers an indoor gathering space accommodating up to 120 guests, suited for weddings, anniversary celebrations, reunions, and holiday parties. An outdoor lawn adjoins the property, providing open views of Lake Winnipesaukee as a backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. A rear fire garden patio extends the outdoor experience with views of the Ossipee Mountain Range. In-house amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a 24-hour café, an indoor Olympic-sized saltwater pool, and a fitness center.

• Spaces for 42-100 Guests
• 2 Restaurants

The Red Blazer Restaurant has been a fixture in Concord, New Hampshire since March 2000, offering American dining alongside a full pub, bakery, and in-house butcher shop. The main dining room — built around a magnificent two-story stone fireplace, vaulted ceiling, and hand-hewn beams and stone — sets a distinctive rustic tone that carries through the entire property. The Peanut Pub rounds out the everyday experience with one of the largest draft beer systems in the area, featuring 35 selections on tap. For private events, The Red Blazer offers two dedicated spaces: the Fox Den, a fully private room suited for gatherings of up to 42, and The Highlands, a second-floor space with a private bar accommodating up to 100 guests. Both rooms are equipped with WiFi, Smart TV, and audio technology for meetings and presentations. A dedicated events team — including a function coordinator with more than two decades of experience — supports planning from initial inquiry through event day.

• Spaces for 140 Guests

• Spaces for 200 Guests

• Spaces for 150 Guests

• Spaces for 150 Guests

Portsmouth Country Club is a private, member-owned club established in 1901 and situated along the shores of Great Bay in Greenland, New Hampshire. Its 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1957, anchors a property that has served as a gathering place for the region for more than a century. The current clubhouse, built in 1998, provides a polished setting for both member activities and private events. The club opens its doors to non-members for private celebrations, with no membership required to host an event. Two dedicated event spaces accommodate a range of occasions: a ballroom suited for formal plated dinners and elegant multi-course affairs, and a covered patio offering scenic views of the surrounding grounds for more casual gatherings and cookouts. The club's culinary team works with hosts to customize menus across both formats, from seated dinners to buffet service.

• Spaces for 1 Guests

• Spaces for 120 Guests

• Spaces for 50-100 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

The One Hundred Club is a private event venue occupying the top floor of 100 Market Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The club features a wrap-around rooftop terrace with views of the Piscataqua River and the surrounding historic cityscape, a 50-seat member dining room, an 18-seat bar, and three exclusive meeting rooms spanning more than 2,400 square feet — accommodating groups from 10 to 125 guests depending on configuration. Located one hour north of Boston and 45 minutes south of Portland, Maine, and accessible via Interstate 95, the venue sits steps from downtown hotels, parks, and entertainment. The club hosts private celebrations, rehearsal dinners, corporate meetings, and executive retreats, supported by professional on-site meeting planners and in-house catering.

• Spaces for 80 Guests

• Spaces for 150 Guests

• Spaces for 250 Guests

• Spaces for 50 Guests

• Spaces for 60-220 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 2 Country Clubs
• 1 Meeting Space

Abenaqui Country Club is a private, member-owned country club and golf course situated along the New Hampshire Seacoast in Rye Beach, established in 1903. The full-service clubhouse includes an in-house restaurant, a bar room, and event spaces suited to both intimate celebrations and large-scale receptions. The main function room hosts up to 220 guests for weddings and private events, with direct access to an outdoor deck. On-site ceremony space overlooking the golf course is also available. The second-floor Abenaqui Room accommodates up to 60 guests for smaller dinners and private gatherings. The club hosts one wedding per day and makes its event spaces available to non-members with a member sponsor.

• Spaces for 150 Guests

Parsonsfield Seminary is a historic campus on eight acres in North Parsonsfield, Maine, operated by the Friends of the Parsonsfield Seminary, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to preserving and maintaining the property. The complex of four Victorian buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having first opened in 1832 as the first Free Will Baptist school in the United States. The seminary played a significant role in American history, with staff and students actively participating in the abolitionist movement and operating a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1840s. Today, the handsome Victorian buildings and grounds are available for weddings, conferences, seminars, and graduations. Couples can choose between a magical outdoor ceremony on the grounds, or an intimate indoor ceremony inside the white School House building, with options for an alfresco cocktail hour or an elegant indoor reception complete with dinner and dancing. The campus accommodates all the festivities of a wedding day — ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception — within a single historic setting that helps capture an important part of the past while enriching the lives of those who celebrate here.

• Spaces for 240 Guests

Murphy's Taproom, an Irish Restaurant and Taproom, opened its doors in Manchester, New Hampshire, in April 2007. The Taproom, which has a casual, pub-like atmosphere, has 120 taps of draft beer, making it the largest selection in the state. Keith Murphy and his family have expanded the restaurant since opening, adding a separate room for functions and live music, a two-story deck with seating for over 350 people, and a popular diner next door that serves breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. seven days a week. Residents of Bedford and proprietors Keith Murphy were on the lookout for the ideal location in which to open a second location in the city. Murphy's Restaurant in Bedford, New Hampshire, has been in business since July of this year. Our regular happenings throughout the month are a great addition to our special events and are suitable for guests of all ages. A good night out with friends at your favorite taproom or restaurant is unbeatable if you ask me. Everyone is invited to come enjoy some delicious food and beverages with their friends, family, and even coworkers at any time of the day or night. We'd be delighted to serve you a delicious hot meal along with a refreshing beer or glass of wine while you enjoy good company and entertainment. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events at Murphy's Taproom and Carriage House. Please contact us today if you would like more information on upcoming events, our delicious menu and extensive beer list, reservations, or anything else you might be interested in. We're thrilled to have you here in Bedford, and we appreciate you taking the time to welcome us to the community! The Carriage House is a wedding and function venue that can accommodate up to 240 guests and offers a variety of options for weddings and other private events of all sizes. It has been designed in a rustic chic style, and it has a mezzanine on the second level that is ideal for taking group photographs. We are now accepting reservations for upcoming events. Please fill out the form below if you have any questions about our events.

• Spaces for 300 Guests