DC offers venues for any event

Whether you’re a private organization looking to treat your clients, an interest group raising money or just an ordinary person wishing to celebrate a special occasion with family and friends, finding the perfect place to host your event can be challenging. Fortunately, Washington offers many options for events of any occasion.

For more formal events and meetings, the Jefferson Hotel is an ideal place to look (1200 16 St. NW). Since 1923, this Beaux Arts gem has catered to savvy Washingtonians and the world’s elite travelers, attracted by the hotel’s proximity to many key D.C. landmarks.

“Meetings at the Jefferson are distinguished by intimate spaces that allow one group to enjoy the full attention of our experienced staff, who hosts every event with unrivaled warmth, skill and discretion,” said Alicia Rodrigues, marketing manager for the hotel.

Each of the hotel’s meeting rooms is individually designed and named after one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite spaces at his treasured Monticello home. They include three small meeting rooms, a boardroom, a private dining room and several parlor-like spaces.

The largest accommodates 80 and the smallest no more than three. The Gallatin room, in particular, is a great example of the hotel’s flexibility with space. For smaller groups, the Gallatin room can be partitioned into two smaller rooms. It is also equipped with two projection screens that descend from either side of the room and offers both wired and wireless Internet access.

Another excellent venue is a National Historic Landmark, which was the only private residence to be destroyed during the War of 1812. Beneath the shadow of the Capitol and Supreme Court, the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum (144 Constitution Ave. NE) serves both as a place to commemorate the women’s suffrage and equal rights movement and a perfect location for a variety of events. “With our prime location and exceptional customer service, the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum is the perfect venue to host your next private event on Capitol Hill,” said Paul McClellan, event and facility operations manager.

The recently opened second-floor galleries provide space for smaller occasions, such as congressional breakfasts, press conferences, meetings and other events. For larger sit-down dinners like weddings, an outdoor tent can accommodate up to 150 people. All food and drink are offered through catering services.

An adjacent outdoor garden delivers an extra special touch. “The garden provides a relaxing setting designed to delight and inspire visitors,” said Elisabeth Crum, public programs and outreach manager. “The trees and colorful foliage provide a beautiful setting for any event.”

If you’re thinking of holding an event for that special someone, you might want to consider where first lady Michelle Obama celebrated her 48th birthday in January. BLT Steak (1625 I St. NW), within a stone’s throw of the White House, brands itself as more than the typical American steakhouse.

Their impressive menu consists of raw-bar selections, tasty warm popovers and top-notch steak and fish. These can be complemented with satiating sides such as grilled asparagus and hash browns.
Parties of up to 28 for a sit-down lunch or dinner and up to 50 for standing cocktails and hors d’oeuvres can enjoy each other’s company in the private dining room, conveniently equipped with a 42-inch plasma-screen HD satellite television and DVD player.

If you strongly value attentive service from an experienced staff dedicated to making its clients happy, your next event might be at the cool and comfortable Lounge 201 (201 Massachusetts Ave. NE) located near Capitol Hill.

While also open to the general public, this nightlife establishment puts great emphasis on serving private events of all kinds. As founder and owner Matt Weiss put it, “This is what we love to do.”

Serving private events Monday through Friday and exclusively on Saturday nights, groups have ranged from 15 to 300 people. An evening in one of three private lounge rooms might consist of enjoying homemade tapas-style appetizers and drinking the popular Sinatra martini, made with blueberry vodka.

Besides half-priced happy hour every weekday, Lounge 201, in appreciation of your business, will not charge a room rental fee for your private event.

Finally, if you prefer the food and service to come to you, Jennifer Tye of DC Taste (202-487-4414) can meet all your event’s catering needs. A former marketing executive who traded office life for kitchen labor, Tye channels her passion for cooking into serving events large and small. Willing to cook for any event, she proudly says, “I like a challenge.”

Cooking only from the freshest ingredients, mostly from local producers, DC Taste’s catering menu is pleasingly versatile.

A private dinner party can start with an antipasto platter for 25 and an assortment of hors d’oeuvres such as a three-cheese crab and artichoke dip or miniature beef brisket sandwiches. Guests can then enjoy a main course of apricot glazed pork tenderloin medallions and fresh-made wild mushroom ravioli, topped with tomato cream sauce. If there is room for dessert, choices range from a five-layer chocolate ganache cake to good old American apple pie.

Whether it’s a formal business meeting, a relaxing night out in the town with old friends or a private family dinner party at home, D.C. offers a wealth of options to make your event memorable for all.