Hey Grand Rapids

Dig into Grand Rapids with us - from secret spots and new eats to offbeat date ideas. Whether you're hunting for your next neighborhood or just tonight's adventure, we've got the local scoop.

8 Big Group Event Spaces: Perfect for Showers & Birthday Parties in West MI + Restaurants Suitable for Large Parties

West End drink and dessert display

The Great GR Venue Hunt

Finding the perfect event space around Grand Rapids is basically a sport. I speak from experience, as a current athlete gearing up for bridal shower ambiance perfection.

The trouble is, you start out optimistic, coffee in hand…and next thing you know, you’re in Google search spiral comparing parking, vibes, and whether the room says “happy birthday”, or “uncle chaz’s retirement party.”

From birthday bashes to bow-and-bling showers, I have been on a venue safari so you don’t have to – because your celebration deserves more than folding chairs and fluorescent lighting.

Grand Rapids is stacked with options: cozy, chic, industrial, outdoorsy, affordable, and secretly amazing – you name it. The real wildcard is whether your date is still up for grabs. Take a look at these options.

The Blue Jay Hotel

644 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

The Blue Jay is one stop shopping. Nestled within Grand Rapids’ bustling westside in the Bridge Street Entertainment District, they offer guests contemporary comfort & direct access to some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.

Their venue space contains leather banquettes, full bar with stools, bistro tables, seating lounge, 60″ TV and SONOS audio system, full kitchen, and all the glassware, dishes and cutlery you need.

You can rent the full building with the 5 hotel rooms, or just the event space. Perfect for any party with or without out-of-town guests.

event space, blue jay hotel
The Blue Jay Hotel

These Are the Days Event Space

15 N Main St, Rockford, MI 49341

These Are the Days is an event venue available to rent downtown Rockford, MI.

The versatile, cozy-chic space adapts to your needs. Capacity is 75 guests with seating provided for 40. No preference on vendors.

This venue is a perfect set up for Bridal or Baby showers, rehersal dinners, life’s milestones and corporate events or business meetings.

event space, rockford
These Are The Days Event Space

The Honeysuckle Co.

3900 Costa Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525

Honeysuckle Co. is multi purposeful.  They are a store front for unique antique shopping, an event center for community classes, and the back half of their store serves as a cozy venue to host a small private event.

It is the perfect venue for that gathering where you can’t quite fit everyone at your house.

Ideally fits up to 36 people, but can accommodate up to 40. 

It is a great space for baby showers, bridal showers, engagement parties, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, work parties + so much more!

Offering lots of flexibility, access to several amenities, including tables, seating, etc.

 

Honeysuckle Co

The Vault Event Space

218 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331

The Vault Event Space is a walk-in time capsule of 1930s Lowell, Michigan.

Its airy, gold-lined ceilings down to the marble and wood floors lend class to any event: birthday parties, company gatherings, bridal showers, you name it.

Unlimited access to a full kitchen and multi-use areas ensures that your guests will be pampered.

Upstairs, find an actual vault-turned-photobooth to capture memories in our unique historical setting. So cool!

Vault Event Space 1

BGR Event Center

284 Dodge Court NE Suite 100, Comstock Park, MI 49321

Looking for an event venue that’s anything but ordinary?

The BGR Event Center believes every occasion deserves interactive entertainment.

Great ice breakers and memory makers with laser tag, axe throwing, archery tag, bowling and cornhole for any occasion.  Plus they have a 360 Photo Booth and access to DJ, audio visuals and specialty lighting.

Also available is on-site catering and full service event planning. Check them out.

 

Batlle Gr evening event

West End

1159 Godfrey Ave SW Suite S440, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Located in the historic warehouse building, West End is a unique 2500 sq ft loft warehouse collaborative event space and photography studio on the west side of downtown.

It is the perfect space for bridal or baby showers, intimate weddings or elopements, workshops, yoga classes, community events, art shows, or any event of 60 people or less.

Their beautiful space boasts original hardwood floors, three walls of windows with bright natural light, white brick walls and ceiling with original wood beams, and unique elegant decor of chandeliers and furniture.

It’s a perfect balance of modern sophistication and vintage charm that’s ready to host your next event.

 

West End whole room

The Revel Center

1535 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

The Revel Center hosts many small events. If you’re looking for a spot for your corporate retreats, Christmas party, birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, quinceañeras, or anything else you can think of – this is the spot.

Rent the elegant upper level for smaller events, with a bar and ample unique seating to break out into groups for networking or conversation.

Your guests will also have access to their unique free-play arcade! Very unique bonus!

Another bonus, is free, on-site parking just steps from the main entrance.

 

Revel Center chairs and room

Alma Mia Studio, Sweet Details GR

1971 E Beltline Ave NE Suite 123, Grand Rapids MI 49525

At Alma Mia Studio, the most meaningful moments happen in small, intentional spaces.

Created by Sweet Details GR, their light-filled studio in Knapp’s Corner is designed for intimate celebrations, creative workshops, book clubs, teas, birthdays, basically, any heartfelt gathering.

Check their availability and see this sweet space.

Alma Mia exterior

Restaurants That Accommodate Large Parties

While these spots aren’t soley event spaces, they do offer unique rooms or a cozy space to host larger parties.

Hosting your event at a restaurant can be cost effective; saving on catering.

Restaurants that Accomodate Larger Parties:

  1. Silva (Downtown), has multiple, unique, private rooms of various sizes for any occasion
  2. Pursuit of Happiness (Eastown), can rent out whole venue for a private party
  3. Lucys (Plainfield), has a private room upstairs that overlooks the bar
  4. Tulepo Honey (Downtown), has a section of the restaurant under a charming pergola
  5. Nonnas Trattoria (Ada)
  6. Mudpenny (Ada & Downtown)
  7. NOCO Provisions (Forest Hills) has a private room
  8. Garage Gar (Ada) has a couple different private areas
  9. Gimmes Par & Grill (Downtown) has multiple bays/and areas you can make your own
  10. City Built Brewing (Downtown)
  11. Harmony Brewing (Downtown)
  12. 7 Monks Taproom (Downtown)
  13. Pietros (28th St.)
  14. BJ’s Brewery (28th St.)
  15. Taco Barracho (Michigan St.)
  16. Luna (Ada & Downtown)
  17. Social Misfits (Downtown)
  18. The Clique Bowling Alley (Near Bridge St.)

Big Style, Small Guest List

So there you have it – 7 Grand Rapids spots ready to host your next big birthday dinner, baby shower, retirement party, rehersal dinner, work retreat, or just an excuse to get everything together. And a list of restaurants that may work as well.

The hard part (finding the place) is done. Now, all that’s left, is sending the group text, making the reservation, and deciding who’s in charge of the cake.

Have fun hosting and celebrating GR.

Know of another sweet spot for smaller events? Let us know in the comments

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Kate Overbeek

Kate-O-Headshot

Kate is a Grand Rapids native. After graduating from MSU, she landed there to raise her three boys with her husband of over 20 years. She loves to travel, especially to new spaces and places. Her teenage sons keep her schedule busy and her fridge empty. But when she's not rooting for them in sports, she's usually skiing, playing golf, hanging around the lakeshore, and trying to catch a view of sunset.