The Top 15 Unique Orlando Event Venues for Fantastic Group Experiences
When you think of unique Orlando event venues, it’s easy to just default to mouse ears, right?
But you’re more than just ordinary. When you’re planning an event, your clients know to always expect the unexpected with you, especially when it comes to venues. So, if you’re looking for unique Orlando event venues to wow them, look no further. Orlando is a vacation staple for just about anyone, but Orlando can provide you with a special event experience without the use of any Disney magic.
Discover the Top 15 Unique Orlando Event & Meeting Venues
If they don’t fit the bill for you, our venue search is waiting to help you find tons more.
1. The Acre Orlando
Great for: Company parties, birthdays, community events, and celebrations
Capacity: Up to 50
Why we love it: If you like to bring the outdoors in for events, the Acre Orland make it easy. It’s described as “the perfect combination of outdoor rustic charm and Orlando whimsy.” The venue’s bungalow vibe gives guests with an intricate outdoor space to discover for themselves.
2. CityArts Factory
Great for: Corporate events, client entertainment, and social celebrations
Capacity: Up to 200
Why we love it: Art lovers, we’ve found your event sanctuary. At CityArts Factory, you can treat your guests to unique event interactivity. The modern-classic architecture of this flexible space will wow event goers. The dedicated, on-site event staff will be your guide in preparing the event.
3. Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando
Great for: Golf events, weddings, team building and team offsites
Capacity: 240 guests
Why we love it: Combine world-class golfing and catering trends in one venue, and you’ve got the Villas of Grand Cypress Orlando. By hosting your next event at this Orlando location, you can check off thoes boxes that are usually tricky to tick. This premier golf resort has two driving ranges, over 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and ballrooms that overlook their garden terraces.
4. Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Great for: Corporate events, galas
Capacity: 2,700 for theater seating, up to 250 for banquet style, or as many as 5,500 for receptions.
Why we love it: Known for its unique collection of spaces, the Dr. Phillips Center caters to much more than the average theater-goer. The center’s flexibility really sets it apart. It’s made up of varying sizes of theaters, event rooms, and two different tiers that provide a unique backdrop to your event. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down dinner or a lively happy hour, the Dr. Phillips Center is more than capable of transforming its space to meet a planner’s needs.
5. The Citrus Club Orlando
Great for: Weddings and rehearsal dinners, showers, anniversary and birthday parties, school functions, holiday parties
Capacity: Up to 300
Why we love it: Don’t let the traditional feeling fool you! This unique Orlando venue has some serious moxie. While maintaining its ability to create extraordinary event experiences, The Citrus Club is out to have some fun, too. Great views and unmatched service have planners making the trek from all over the state to line up their next event at this location.
6. Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Great for: Any event that wants to be near Disney World
Capacity: Up to 2,100
Why we love it: Nestled between a number of Disney properties, this location lures clients looking for getaway corporate retreats and family reunions. With 78,000 sq. ft. of available meeting space, as well as an assortment of pools and patios to work with, there’s no need to “wish upon a star” at this hotel.
7. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Great for: Weddings, memorials, meetings, anniversaries and birthdays
Capacity: Up to 180 for weddings
Why we love it: Known for its execution of world-class weddings, this venue offers much more than just a stunning outdoor space. Rainbows and butterflies aside, Leu Gardens provides planners with the ability to shape-shift four unique rooms within its very own on-site museum.
8. The Ballroom at Church Street
Great for: Special events like weddings and corporate events
Capacity: Up to 1,000
Why we love it: On the swankier side of things, The Ballroom at Church Street delivers a high-class environment that can suit an array of occasions. A location that’s prepared to dress-up (or down) your next event, you’ll quickly realize this isn’t your average four event setup.
9. Cypress Grove Estate House
Great for: Weddings, social events, corporate events
Capacity: 200 guests
Why we love it: The heart of the south is out in full force at the Cypress Grove Estate House. While you might still be in Orlando, the willow trees and picturesque views of the water may tell you otherwise. Take advantage of this location’s very own amphitheater and house lawn to give your attendees a unique take on outdoor settings.
10. The Mezz
Great for: Weddings
Capacity: 300 people for a standing reception
Why we love it: A standout among the unique Orlando event venues, The Mezz consistently gives planners and attendees the best event experiences. A clean-cut venue with customization options aplenty, The Mezz gives planners the freedom they need to dive into their most creative ideas.
11. ICON Park
Great for: Conventions and large corporate events
Capacity: Up to 5,000
Why we love it: The landmark formerly known as the Orlando Eye (now called ICON Orlando) can be seen from as far away as Cocoa Beach. Riding the Eye is an hour-long experience that starts with a 4D cinema experience and continues with a ride around the Eye in a capsule that holds 20 people. Food and beverage, including champagne toasts, can be provided during the flight. Plus, it has one BIG thing that makes it superior to any other Ferris wheel: air conditioning!
12. The Pointe
Great for: Block parties, private events, venue buyouts,
Capacity: Up to 1,500
Why we love it: If you want to stay close to the Convention Center area, check out The Pointe. There’s plenty of outdoor space at this unique Orlando venue, plus indoor dining options that make for a true night on the town. Inside, you’ll find the ever-popular B.B. King’s blues restaurant; Itta Bena, a New Orleans speakeasy-style piano bar; and the Southern-contemporary Lafayette’s, offering live music every day. Pointe Orlando plays well with event planners, allowing the entire space to be branded, uniting several venues into one event.
13. Fun Spot
Great for: Group events that want more than just dinner & dancing
Capacity: 15 person minimum. 200 maximum indoors / 350 maximum outdoors.
Why we love it: Looking for something different in Orlando? How about good, old-fashioned carnival merriment at Fun Spot? The team at Fun Spot is eager to work with corporate groups, and they make the process easy, allowing branding all over the park. Guest can bond over funnel cakes, fried candy bars, and slushies while riding roller coasters and bumper cars. Sometimes simple nostalgia brings people together more than hoity-toity affairs ” and there’s no place that does this better than the Fun Spot.
14. Citywalk at Universal Studios
Great for: Groups that want some exercise and creativity.
Capacity: Groups from 10 to 1,000
Why we love it: Universal really knows how to pump up the excitement and make guests feel like it’s time to party before they even arrive. And at Universal Orlando Resort’s Citywalk entertainment district, several recent updates make it even more attractive for event planners. Streetmosphere performers, huge TV screens, music, flashing lights and a modern waterfront setting make Citywalk perfect for parties of up to 10,000 people. Four new restaurants: Antojitos, Hot Dot Hall of Fame, The Cowfish, and Vivo, make it even more appealing. Antojitos serves authentic Mexican street food in a lively atmosphere, with a wide balcony overlooking the stage that’s always filled with mariachi bands and dancers. The Cowfish is a unique concept that has proved very popular here. It’s pretty much a fusion of EVERYTHING, with delicious sushi and burgers forming the centerpiece of an eclectic menu in a fun and colorful setting.
15. iDrive 360
Great for: Convenience for groups large and small, who want to move throughout rooms during the day
Capacity: Groups from 10 to 1,000
Why we love it: Any discussion of new Orlando venues must include the much-buzzed-about I-Drive 360 complex, home to the iconic Orlando Eye, Madame Tussaud Orlando, and the Sea Life Aquarium. This center near the Orange County Convention Center is designed with planners in mind, with convenient transportation and parking, attractive outdoor event space at the Lawn, hot restaurants and plenty of attractions to ensure guests of all ages will be engaged and delighted. Madame Tussaud’s is the perfect spot for celebrity selfies, and the Sea Life Aquarium brings the thrills of the ocean to International Drive. We love I-Drive 360 because it combines several different activities to keep attendees engaged for longer, and the variety ensures that everyone will find something to enjoy, says Vic Laxson, Hello! Florida’s Orlando General Manager.
Up next, discover how to plan an event step-by-step, the best event planning timeline, and how to create a custom event planning checklist.
Not sold on these unique Orlando venues? Then check out our favorite venues in other major cities: