20 Event Venues in Philadelphia That Bring Out the Best in Every Gathering
Philadelphia is nicknamed the City of Brotherly Love for a reason: It’s one of the best locations in the nation to bring people together. Whether you’re a Philly native or just visiting, it’s hard not to appreciate the city that houses some of our country’s most iconic landmarks, like the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence.
If history’s not your thing, maybe cheesesteaks are, or perhaps the Eagles! Regardless, Philly’s got a lot to offer, and its event spaces are no exception. So we brought together some of our favorite event venues in Philadelphia to help take the stress out of whatever you’re planning. From a grandiose wedding to a hip holiday party or corporate meeting, there’s a venue for every occasion.
Don’t forget: These are just a smattering of our favorite Philly venues, so check out our venue search engine for hundreds more. You can filter down to the best spaces for your needs, compare venues side by side, check out floor plans, and submit a proposal ” all in one go.
Find your top choice of venues in Philadelphia:
1. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
Watch dusk fall over the city skyline at one of Philadelphia’s only outdoor rooftop venues, Stratus Rooftop Lounge. Just a portion of the 13,000+ square feet of chic event spaces at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, the rooftop puts you and up to 100 of your guests 11 stories high to survey the city. Two pavilions, one with a darker, trendier vibe, and the other with a lighter, brighter, and more communal aesthetic, divide the indoor part of the rooftop into opposing ambiances for opposite moods.
2. Philadelphia 201 Hotel (formerly Sheraton)
Looking for a large spot to host up to 2,200 guests? The Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel has limitless space and configurations to work with. The 38 meeting venues range from 320 to 20,000 square feet and can play host to everything from an intimate eight-person meeting to a big, glamorous gala. The Horizon Ballroom is especially dressed to impress, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views of Philadelphia.
3. Westin Mount Laurel
Just outside of Philadelphia, the Westin Mount Laurel has long been considered a prime wedding venue in South Jersey–and it can accommodate groups as small as 10 or large as 750. A popular reception spot is the Atrium, featuring soaring, 15-foot ceilings, Italian marble floors, and glimmering chandeliers throughout. Have special dietary needs, like kosher or vegetarian guests? No problem! The five-star, European-trained chefs will accommodate any special requests.
4. The Inn at Swarthmore
The Inn at Swarthmore, nestled in the campus of Swarthmore College, is imbued with the vivacious spirit of the student body that surrounds it. The Inn has a long tradition of supporting the arts of students and alumni of the school, and the venues inside spotlight a plethora of these creations on their walls. Event space here is cozy yet modern, ideal for smaller gatherings of up to 150 people in a setting that feels intimate and friendly.
5. Hyatt at the Bellevue
For a lavish affair guests will be buzzing about for months, check out the opulent Hyatt at the Bellevue Hotel. The venue is exquisite for weddings, where you can choose between spaces like the decadent seven-story atrium for up to 225 guests, or the top-floor rose garden (modeled after the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles) with room for 400. For an outdoor element, the XIX restaurant is ideal for up to 100 guests, where they’ll take in the Philadelphia skyline on the balcony or gaze up at the 36-foot stained glass ceilings inside.
6. Please Touch Museum
Your inner child will have a field day at Please Touch Museum, where interactive displays allow for lifelong learning and endless fun. Perfect for that out-of-the-box bat mitzvah you’ve been planning, the birthday party your child will never forget, or even a wedding to bring out the kid in each of your guests, venues at the Please Touch Museum can accommodate up to 3,000. And for adults, there’s no place better to sip a cocktail than by a 70-floot flowing river within a whimsical Alice in Wonderland exhibit.
7. Theatre of the Living Arts
The Theatre of the Living Arts is a Philadelphia landmark, originally beloved for its weekly midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Nowadays, it’s better loved for playing host to up-and-coming artists of all genres, and to events like yours. Though it can hold up to 800 guests, the TLA considers itself more of an intimate venue, and the talented staff will make you feel like just as much of a rock star as any musician who’s held a captive audience here.
8. Top of the Tower
For the most spectacular views the city has to offer, Top of the Tower has what you need. The five quirky spaces were built with business in mind, and they are
9. Moulin at Sherman Mills
A sprawling warehouse with big city loft vibes is yours to do with what you will at Moulin, one of Brûlée Catering’s premier venues. The 20,000-square-foot former textile mill is a blank slate to make your vision board come to life, particularly for that dream wedding. With its breathtaking columns and wrought-iron-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows, this unique Philadelphia event venue has quickly become one of the most sought-after spaces in the city.
10. Museum of the American Revolution
You and your guests will be transported back in time to our nation’s founding at the Museum of the American Revolution. As guests stroll through theaters, exhibition galleries, and a unique collection of historical artifacts, the conversations can’t help but flow. Inside the 118,000-square-foot space are a variety of venues, each with their own exquisite features. The Rotunda & Ground Floor Court, for example, feature a sprawling grand staircase that looks especially impressive when creative lighting is added to the mix.
11. Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia features a collection of amazing event spaces that surprise and delight. The U-shaped Second Floor Landing is distinctly library-esque with its breathtaking domed ceiling adorned with plaques that signify theology, poetry, justice, and philosophy. Perched atop the library’s grand marble staircase, the Landing holds up to 130 guests, perfect for a sophisticated cocktail party or an intellectual bunch. Guests can mix, mingle, and discuss the pros and cons of Proust underneath the imposing bronze statue of the library’s founder, Dr. William Pepper.
12. Glen Foerd on the Delaware
Play house as the proprietor of your dream estate when you host an event at Glen Foerd on the Delaware. The spectacular, sprawling mansion and grounds are yours for the day to customize how you wish. The perfect outdoor party for up to 300 awaits guests in the Riverside Pavilion, where they’ll have no limit of picture-perfect backdrops. After all, what could be better than dining, drinking, and dancing by the river?
13. The Punch Line Philly
Many have laughed the night away at The Punch Line Philly, where some of the world’s greatest comedians have taken the stage and forced spit-takes over the years. But you probably didn’t know that guests can dance the night away by booking it as a versatile mixed-use event space. The venue accommodates between 50 to 400, so anything from a private comedy show to corporate meetings and receptions
14. The Liacouras Center
The Liacouras Center at Temple University has played host to some big names: President Barack Obama, Bon Jovi, Hillary Clinton, Boyz II Men, the Roots, Kool and the Gang, and Bill Clinton, to name just a few. Share space with these stars when you host at this multi-purpose, state-of-the-art Philadelphia event venue with limitless possibilities. Versatility is the name of the game at the Liacouras Center, and the staff is obsessed with making that versatility meet your needs. Add convenience to the mix, too, because this venue is located close to all major roadways and public transportation lines.
15. The Logan Philadelphia
Outdoor event venues may be harder to find in Philadelphia proper, but The Logan Philadelphia ” part of the Curio Collection from Hilton ” fills that void in a big way. The Courtyard and Terraces boast 6,300 square feet of tranquil space tucked between a waterfall and a spring: true perfection for a wedding reception or extra-special cocktail soiree. Planners can also move the party upstairs to the rooftop venue, Assembly, featuring stunning views of Logan Square from the top of the world. (Or at least what feels like it!)
16. Philadelphia Convention Center
There really is no place better for big business than the Philadelphia Convention Center, where you’ll find a whopping two million square feet of space featuring 679,000 square feet of exhibit space. When you decide to host here, you’ll have your pick of 82 meeting rooms that can be set up virtually any way you need, and–of course–the best in technology, services, and available space. As an added bonus, the Center places a high value on sustainability, so you can minimize your event’s carbon footprint while keeping attendees happy.
17. Union League
Centrally located on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, Union League is known fondly as the best-kept secret in Center City Philadelphia. Full of impressive old-world charm both inside and out, the club gives events a level of elegance planners would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Hosting 14 beautiful and distinctive event spaces in total, the venue stays true to its historic roots in each, featuring a number of historic art pieces and literature across these different rooms. For instance, in the Lincoln Memorial Room, guests will find a life-size statue of its namesake created by sculptor John Otto Schweitzer, along with a curated collection of Civil War books along the walls.
18. Llanerch Country Club
You don’t have to be a member of this country club to savor its 127 acres of lush, rolling greens and vibrant floral landscapes. The welcoming Llanerch Country Club is yours to enjoy for your special day, be it a wedding, anniversary party, or bar or bat mitzvah. Up to 220 guests or as few as ten friends can enjoy the Llanerch’s exquisite attention to detail, panoramic golf course views, and ballroom with wraparound terrace.
19. Philadelphia Distilling
Break outside of the venue box at Philadelphia Distilling, an intimate yet wide-open space your guests will be talking about well after the caterers have packed up. Here, a private tour makes for a great team-building event where coworkers can sip on craft spirits like Bluecoat Gin or The Bay Vodka. Or, host an unforgettable birthday party in your choice of the private event space, outdoor patio, main lounge, and bar area. The exposed brick walls, rustic wood elements, and industrial-chic aesthetic of this building that was originally the historic Ajax Metal Company, are unlike anything you’ll find in other Philadelphia event venues.
20. The Fillmore Philadelphia
For an event that rings with echoes of the bygone psychedelic music era, The Fillmore Philadelphia is an iconic venue. Your wedding or company party will come to life in a space associated with launching the careers of The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, among many others. (Plus, your guests will know from the moment they step into the space that their hosts are undeniably hip!) Able to accommodate between 50 and 3,000 of your favorite people, this iconic Philadelphia event space will impress even the most difficult-to-please guests on your list.
Not feeling the brotherly love? We have lists of top venues in a number of other great event cities too.