No Venue No Problem
Are you planning a corporate event but still need to find a location? Our agency has experience working with various locations, including traditional venues and unique options like museums and arboretums.
We have the expertise and resources to help you find the perfect venue for your event.
This article includes our sizing tool, real-life examples of unique event spaces, and our top venue alternative ideas.
Venue Sizing Tool
When selecting a venue, we recommend keeping in mind:
- The Date of Your Event
- Location of the Event
- Estimated Guest Count
- Your Venue Budget (learn all about event budgets here)
Our sizing tool below requires only basic information to calculate the best venue offers for you. This tool is great for selecting a traditional venue, meeting space, or alternative party venue specific for corporate events. Wedding venues are not included unless they are designed for multi-purpose.
Alternative Venue Ideas
Alternative venues come in numerous shapes, sizes, and forms. Whether you prefer the city or nature, we have something for everyone.
For example, we turned this wide open space into a branded and themed experience for NEOM’s gala. Let your imagination run wild with the following alternative venue ideas.
Urban Gems:
- Parks
- Factory Tours
- Urban Tours
- Bowling Alley
- Brewery
- Food Truck Party
- Stadium
- Industrial Space
Hidden Treasures:
- Art Galleries
- Museums
- Historical Reenactments
- Train Stations
- Planetariums
- Observatories
- Forts/Missions
The Great Outdoors:
- Farms
- Ranches
- Vineyards
- Gardens
- Arbetoreums
- Lakefronts
- Beaches
- Yachts
- Harbors
- Nature Reserves
Unique Spaces:
- Lofts
- Empty Buildings
- Empty Malls
- Popup Spaces
- Ghost Tours
- Private Jet
- Hot Air Balloon Tours
- Drive-in Theater
- Wellness Retreat
- Your Own Location
The Power of Hybrid Events
Adding state-of-the-art hybrid elements into your event planning can be a game-changer. Hybrid events save money and boost attendance. They allow people to join in person or online.
This approach improves the overall return on investment. This flexibility ensures a broader reach and a more inclusive experience. Discover more about this in our article titled “Should My Next Event Be Hybrid?”
Your Venue, Your Rules!
An onsite event can be a great alternative. Bell’s Family Day, hosted at their own location, gave loved ones a glimpse into the business and their family’s professions.
See what our event planners do to prepare your location in our article “Bring Your Family to Work Day: Your Guide”.
Even More Ideas
Think outside the box about alternative reception venues and event spaces. Is your preferred location most active during daytime hours? Consider a nighttime event or vice versa.
What about turning your entire city into a venue by hosting a city tour?
This remote team toured Las Vegas as a company event, making the entire city their alternative conference venue.
Host an outdoor event with a unique experience, like this company did with their beach bonfire.
Top Alternative Venues By Location
Visit the LA, San Francisco Bay, DFW, and Las Vegas pages for more specific ideas.
Los Angeles
| Name | Capacity | Description | Amenities | Estimated Price Range |
| California Science Center | 500 | Mingle under the Space Shuttle Endeavour! | Indoor venue, Unique museum exhibits | $$ – $$$$ |
| Griffith Observatory | 500 | Stunning views of the Los Angeles basin | Hilltop location, Planetary exhibits | $$ – $$$ |
| California Botanic Garden | 8,000 (total garden) | Diverse botanical collections with walking paths and scenic views | Outdoor venue, Educational programs, Variety of plant collections | $$ – $$$ (depending on event type and size) |
| Descanso Gardens | 500 | Serene and picturesque setting | Variety of outdoor gardens, Rental facilities | $$ – $$$ |
| Santa Monica Pier Carousel | 100 | Unique and whimsical setting | Iconic landmark, Limited capacity | $ – $$ |
San Francisco
| Name | Capacity | Description | Amenities | Estimated Price Range |
| The Exploratorium | 800 | Interactive science exhibits with Bay views | Indoor venue, Interactive exhibits | $$ – $$$ |
| San Francisco Ferry Building | 1500 | Bustling marketplace with historic architecture | Multiple event spaces, Grand Hall | $$ – $$$$ |
| 111 Minna Gallery | 500 | Modern art gallery with open space | Stylish venue, Exposed brick walls | $$ – $$$ |
| Foreigner Sake Brewery | 200 | Unique venue with sake production tours | Brewery tours, Sake tastings | $$ – $$$ |
| Rooftop at The Battery | 500 | Stunning rooftop with Bay Bridge views | Outdoor venue, Breathtaking views | $$ – $$$$ |
Dallas/Fort Worth
| Name | Capacity | Description | Amenities | Estimated Price Range |
| The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | 1500 | Variety of event spaces with beautiful gardens | Multiple event spaces, Scenic backdrops | $$ – $$$ |
| Panther Island Pavilion | 800 | Scenic setting alongside the Trinity River | Pavilion space, Outdoor space | $$ – $$$ |
| Six Flags Over Texas | 5000 | Theme park with event spaces and entertainment | Unique event venues, Excitement and activities | Varied (depends on chosen space) |
| Fort Worth Stockyards | 1000 | Historic district with rustic saloons | Variety of event venues, Western atmosphere | $$ – $$$ |
| The Dallas World Aquarium | 1500 | World-renowned aquarium for events | Unique venue, Underwater atmosphere | $$$ – $$$$ |
Las Vegas
| Name | Capacity | Description | Amenities | Estimated Price Range |
| The Neon Museum | 1000 | Restored historic neon signs with outdoor space | Unique atmosphere, Iconic Las Vegas signage | $$ – $$$ |
| Topgolf Las Vegas | 700 | Entertainment complex with climate-controlled golf bays | Games, TVs, Food & Beverage service | $$ – $$$ |
| Dueling Axes Las Vegas | 72 | A safe and fun environment for social axe throwing | Team-building activity, Private event space | $$ – $$$ |
| Flightline at Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 500 | High-speed ride-along, racing simulators, and driving courses | Adrenaline-filled experiences, Racetrack backdrop | $$$ – $$$$ |
| The LINQ High Roller | 40 (per pod) | Private pods on the world’s tallest observation wheel | Breathtaking 360-degree city views, VIP experience | $$$$ – $$$$$ |
Case Studies of Alternative Venues
Company Picnic
We’ve planned countless events at alternative venues across the nation. Huy Fong hosted its annual picnic onsite at its headquarters. Holding your event at your office or at different branch locations makes it easier for employees to travel.
Hybrid Event
This business’s meeting turned their alternative conference venue into a hybrid event. By combining an in-person and remote event, they ensured high attendance.
Corporate Anniversary Party
For a unique venue, this business hosted its 150th anniversary party in the California Science Center. The event’s unique location included a space shuttle!
Team Building Event
Children’s Aid hosted a team building event inside the Armory track for its annual staff summit. Tying the theme to the location, they held an Olympics-inspired game session.
Why Choose an Alternative Party Venue?
Having an alternative party venue in mind is helpful because:
- Venues book out quickly
- A unique location can take your event to the next level
- Often, alternative venues are more sustainable than traditional venues
Planning Events at Your Alternative Venue:
We handle the logistics so you can focus on looking forward to (and then enjoying) your next work event. Our event managers are experts in booking, permit acquisition, and turning any venue into your creative vision.
Ready to select a location and start planning your event? Contact Event Solutions today by filling out the form for full service event planning, including finding your ideal venue.
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