Whether you’re planning a personal celebration or a company event, organization and planning are essential for a successful party. The first and most important part of throwing a party is finding a venue that fits your vision.
Your venue needs to be comfortable enough to host everyone you’re inviting and beautifully put together so people can dance, mingle, and have a great time.
Read on to learn 7 important things to consider when choosing a party venue for your next big celebration.
1. Venue Capacity
Before you start looking for party venues, you need to define your guest list. This is so you can find a venue that can accommodate the number of people attending the party. Send out the invitations early to make sure people have enough time to RSVP.
Once you have a final guest list, you can start looking for the perfect venue for the type of party you’re planning. Whether it’s a wedding, graduation, or birthday party, it all starts with the guest list and the venue’s ability to host in that capacity.
2. Venue Location
When looking through different party venue options, pay close attention to the venue location. You want a place that’s easy to get to where guests can arrive safely and won’t have to drive for hours to get to your party.
A downtown venue is the best, most convenient choice if you live in a big city like Chicago or Las Vegas. This way, your guests can plan their trip better and get to your party right on time. A more remote location would require more planning and finding transportation which can be too much of a hassle for some of your guests.
3. Venue Layout and Floor Plan
During the party planning process, make sure you have the venue layout in front of you so you can plan your seating charts better. Depending on the space available and the number of guests you’re inviting, you may need to do some shuffling.
This will ensure sure people can mingle, dance, and walk around. The venue floor plan is also important for organizing the buffet, musicians, dance floor, and any extra add-ons you want.
Once you collect the floor plans from different venues, compare them to see which can accommodate your vision best and has the best use of the space.
4. Hiring Staff and Servers
When planning a party, the venue will have its own staff and servers to make sure your party goes smoothly. Talk to the venue to double-check if their staff is big enough for the number of guests you’re inviting. If you need more staff, they can hire extra people or make arrangements to meet your needs.
If you have a special request about the staff uniform, the way they serve, or the type of services you’ll need, communicate this with the venue so you can find the best solution. You can also ask if they have a chef to talk to about the menu options or you can have buffet-style catering with finger foods.
5. Parking and Accessibility
When choosing a venue, keep in mind the parking options and accessibility. If you have hundreds of guests coming, you’ll need a large parking space to accommodate everyone’s car. You can also ask the venue to organize transportation for the guests so they don’t have to worry about parking.
Some guests may arrive with their electric scooters or bikes so you need to figure out where to park those too. Accessibility of the venue is essential for your guests with disabilities and those who use wheelchairs.
This is important for both the entrance and the main venue hall. There needs to be a wheelchair ramp outside and special seating accommodations for wheelchairs inside.
6. Venue Services and Amenities
As your party plans are growing, you need a venue that can support your vision and make your party dreams a reality. When looking at venues, make a list of their services and amenities on-site so you know which venue has everything you need.
For example, does the venue offer chairs and tables, or do you need to bring your own? Does the venue have music equipment or should you organize that as well? Does the venue have a kitchen and catering services for your party? Does the venue have its own setup and clean-up crew or do you need to hire people for that?
Even if some venues don’t have all the amenities, they’ll be happy to get them for you or help you find vendors and suppliers. Even if you have a specific request, a good venue will help you make it happen.
7. Acoustics and Ambiance
The music, lighting, and overall ambiance of the venue are essential for a good party. Check the venue acoustics to make sure the music is loud and clear. Then, see the lighting options available at the venue and see if you have an option to bring your own, if necessary.
Finally, see if the venue offers extras such as confetti, disco balls, decorations, and music equipment to make your party a success. At Emporium Arcade Bar, we offer the most iconic arcade games to keep your guests entertained. We also have video games for the guests who love a little nostalgia, so there’s something for everyone.
Finding the Perfect Party Venue Can Be Easy With These Simple Tips
Whether you’re planning a birthday party or a celebration of any kind, finding the right party venue doesn’t have to be complicated. With these tips, you’ll know exactly where to start and what to look for in a venue so you can throw a party everyone will love.
Ready to book a party your guests will never forget? Book a party with us at Emporium Arcade Bar today and let’s make your party the event of the year!
No matter how many guests you’re inviting, we have options to accommodate parties ranging from 50 to hundreds of guests. Choose your Emporium Arcade Bar location, reach out to us today, and we’ll call you back to talk about your party needs.