Planning a wedding or other swanky life event? Before you worry about the caterer or florist, you need to think about where you want your guests to be entertained. While a 10,000 sq. ft. house, equipped with a ballroom and lavish in-ground pool would be many peoples’ ideal, most of you will need an off-site palace to pull off your event of the century. The venue you choose will set the course for the entire party and Vitale Events has come up with a few of the Motor City’s best venues for your special day, whatever that may be. Of course, there are countless great places to host your event, and while we’ve picked 10 for you to consider, this is by no means the limit of where you can host your party. Call Vitale Events to discuss your specific needs.
Here’s our shortlist, in no particular order…
When the Women’s Colony Club of Detroit opened in the fall of 1929 it was one of four women’s clubs in the area surrounding what is now Detroit’s Entertainment District.
The Colony Club building was commissioned in June 1927 to be a seven-story home for the Club’s members. A Georgian-style building of red brick, limestone with iron grillwork, its graceful elevation evokes gentle elegance and style. The interior of the building is highlighted by the 3rd floor’s impressive Louis XVI ballroom. Painted in Versailles cream and gilt, the room is considered to be one of the city’s finest and has been fully restored to its original magnificence.
Address: 2310 Park Ave., Detroit, MI
Website: www.gemcolonyevents.com
Amenities:
- Bridal Suite
- Handicap Accessible
- Liability Insurance
- Indoor
- Reception Area
- Wireless Internet
Price Range: $$
Guest Capacity: 300+
Settings: Ballroom, Estate, Historic Venue
Imagine dining with your guests on the brick-paved streets of early 20th Century Detroit. Treat your guests to a stroll through more than 100 years of local history and within a setting designed to evoke the grandeur that only one of America’s greatest cities can offer. With several private spaces and the option to setup throughout the entire museum, the Detroit Historical Museum is an outstanding location for parties of up to 2,000 guests.
Address: 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
Website: www.detroithistorical.org
Amenities:
- Indoor
- Reception Area
Price Range: $$$
Guest Capacity: 150-2,000
Settings: Theater, Museum, Historic Venue
Definitely not your typical event space, the Michigan Science Center, located in the heart of Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center, is as unique a venue as you’ll find to host an amazing party. The theme potential is huge here, as is the opportunity to entertain guests with amazing exhibits that are all there for the viewing. The cost of renting the venue may be more expensive than other spaces, but think of the money you’ll save on entertainment. It’s the ultimate “nerd” venue for the coolest party in town.
Address: 5020 John R St., Detroit, MI
Website: www.mi-sci.org
Amenities:
- Indoor
- Reception Area
- Dining Space
- Stage for Entertainment
- IMAX Theater
Price Range: $$$
Guest Capacity: 2,000
Settings: Museum, IMAX Theater, Exhibits, Educational
- The Henry (formerly the Ritz-Carleton Hotel, Dearborn)
Formerly the Ritz-Carleton and rechristened The Henry, this hotel boasts some of the area’s most elegant ballroom space. With an ability to accommodate more than 300 guests, and the benefit of housing them on site, the hotel offers many advantages that its location provides, including: easy access to freeways, proximity to the airport and near-by entertainment for weekend events.
Address: 300 Town Center Dr., Dearborn, MI
Website: www.behenry.com
Amenities:
- Indoor
- Handicap Accessible
- Reception Area
- Dining Space
Price Range: $$$
Guest Capacity: 300+
Settings: Ballroom, Hotel, Restaurant
- Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit | MOCAD
The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, called MOCAD, is an edgy and unique space that really makes a statement. Housed in the former Standard Auto Company building, designed by Albert Kahn and Ernest Willoughby Associates in 1907, you can treat your guests to an urbane setting made unique by your party. It’s a location that screams Detroit renaissance.
Address: 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI
Website: www.mocadetroit.org/
Amenities:
- On-Site Parking
- Valet Available
Price Range: $$$
Guest Capacity: 300+
Settings: Museum, Industrial, Historic Venue
Since it reopened as the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, this grand hotel downtown has been a popular choice for city weddings and other events. An elegant remodel of the historic but dated hotel really classed-up the place. It’s both timeless and modern, which gives you a clean palate on which to plan your ultimate event.
Address: 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI
Website: www.bookcadillacwestin.com
Amenities:
- Handicap Accessible
- On-Site Accommodations
- Reception Area
- Indoor
Price Range: $$$
Guest Capacity: 300+
Settings: Ballroom, Hotel, Historic Venue
A one-time GAP clothing store, the Rust Belt Market is a 4,000 sq. ft. retail space for small artists and local vendors in downtown Ferndale. It’s an intimate setting for small- to medium-sized events that makes a unique setting that is also affordable. Working with the venue’s owners to create exactly what you want is one of this space’s best-kept secrets. The reception space can accommodate a medium-sized dance floor while not crowding the guests out.
Address: 22801 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, MI
Website: www.rustbeltmarket.com
Amenities:
- Handicap Accessible
- Reception Area
- Wireless Internet
Price Range: $$
Guest Capacity: 150-200
Settings: Market, Commercial
The historic Gem Theatre, located on Madison Avenue, is a beautiful theater with ornate Spanish Revival and Arts & Crafts architecture, hand-painted frescos and an gorgeous landscaped garden patio. It’s a perfect choice for either an outdoor, city-centric venue or an indoor theater-style party. It’s rich in history, well-maintained and makes a cool statement about your choice of setting.
Address: 2310 Park Ave, Detroit, MI
Website: www.gemcolonyevents.com
Amenities:
- Handicap Accessible
- Outdoor – Covered
- Outdoor – Uncovered
- Indoor
- Reception Area
- Wireless Internet
Price Range: $$
Guest Capacity: 250-200
Settings: Ballroom, Historic Venue
The ultimate urban setting, the Waterview Loft sits right on the Detroit River and gives guests sweeping views of the city skyline and Detroit’s Canadian neighbor, Windsor, Ontario. The space is sleek, elegant and dramatic. The outdoor terraces provide the “wow” factor every party seeks to own.
Address: 130 Atwater St, Detroit, MI
Website: www.waterviewloft.com
Amenities:
- Handicap Accessible
- Outdoor – Uncovered
- Indoor
- Reception Area
- Wireless Internet
Price Range: $$$$
Guest Capacity: 300-400
Settings: Ballroom, Waterfront, Downtown, Loft
No list of venues would be complete without this timelessly elegant hotel in downtown Birmingham, one of Detroit’s tony suburbs. Its reputation as the hotel of movie stars and musicians who are in town, visiting, The Townsend is always a perfect choice. The Ballrooms are well appointed and the staff’s white glove service is why, in part, The Townsend is arguably the most luxurious hotel in the area.
Address: 100 Townsend St, Birmingham, MI
Website: www.townsendhotel.com
Amenities:
- Handicap Accessible
- On-site Accomodations
- Indoor
- Reception Area
- Wireless Internet
Price Range: $$$$
Guest Capacity: 250-300
Settings: Ballroom, Downtown, Hotel
So there you have it, in a condensed nutshell. While we just gave you 10, there are countless other venues that would be perfect for your event. Shoot Melissa an email and let her help you create the party of your dreams.