The Historic Boone Tavern

Established in 1909 and owned by Berea College, the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant sits at the center of downtown Berea, Kentucky. The hotel was designed by New York architects Cady & See and built in part by Berea College students, whose craftsmanship is still evident in the handcrafted furnishings, winding staircases, and columned facade. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, holds LEED Gold certification, and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. Over more than a century it has welcomed guests ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt and Maya Angelou to the Dalai Lama. For private events, the Boone Tavern Event Center offers more than 7,000 square feet of flexible space across eight separate rooms, accommodating gatherings from 6 to 150 guests — including weddings, corporate retreats, fundraisers, and reunions. Weddings receive the venue's "one bride per day" commitment, with ceremony options in the historic garden or covered portico and receptions in the hotel's period-appointed interiors. Full-service catering draws on locally grown and Kentucky Proud ingredients, many sourced from the Berea College Farm.