25 Washington D.C. Event Venues That Attendees Will Never Forget

Welcome to Washington D.C., the epicenter of America and home to no shortage of museums, government buildings, and marble monuments. The compact city is a hub for conferences and events, and there are plenty of Washington D.C. event venues for all kinds of events.

We’ve rounded up our favorite event spaces in D.C. Click each link to see the venue’s capacity, amenities, and more.

Don’t forget: If nothing on this list works for your event, check out hundreds more with our venue search. It lets you search, compare venues, and send requests for proposals to as many as you’d like at once.

The best Washington D.C. event venues for weddings, business meetings, and more

1. The Renwick Gallery

The Renwick Gallery, inside the Smithsonian Museum, is an iconic space that attendees won’t soon forget. Some even call this grand building the “American Louvre.” Its state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, unique installations, and memorable exhibits make it extra special. It offers 4,000 square feet of inspiring space for meetings, weddings, and parties, and can accommodate up to 1,200 attendees.

2. The Mansion on O Street

In the Mansion on O Street, you’ll find over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors throughout four maze-like floor. The expansive space includes 12 conference rooms, large meeting galleries, ballrooms, and many other quirky spaces. The Mansion also includes 23 themed hotel rooms and suites for executive lodging. Each room is jam-packed with hundreds of pieces of art, books, and other treasures to discover.

3. The National Conference Center

Located in Virginia less than 15 minutes from Dulles airport, the National Conference Center is a great choice for large events. Inside, there’s 16,500 square feet of auditorium, ballroom, and patio space. It’s well-suited for corporate meetings, government events, and social gatherings. This D.C. venue has won several awards, including a Green Seal for using eco-friendly products and practices.

4. The Loft at 600 F

Tucked away in the busy streets of Chinatown, The Loft at 600 F is one of D.C.’s hippest hotspots for events of all flavors. For example, it has trendy features like exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and industrial-chic lighting fixtures. You can arrange the floors as lounging areas for receptions, conference space for meetings, and more.

5. The Watergate Hotel

Yes, we’re talking about the infamous Watergate Hotel. This hotel has always American history buffs, and it should interest even planners, too. The hotel offers 27,000 square feet of meeting space in total. For instance, you could host an event in Moretti Grand Ballroom or the world-famous Top of the Gate rooftop bar, which is perfect for cocktail parties.

6. The National Archives

Your guests can channel their inner Nicolas Cage a la “National Treasure” as they explore the National Archives. There are spaces to suit events of all shapes and sizes. The Rotunda Galleries are great for seated dinners or receptions of up to 250 guests. The elegant 290-seat William G. McGowan Theatre is ideal for large keynote speeches and presentations. And don’t forget the Presidential Conference Centre.

7. The Line Hotel

One of D.C.’s most distinct boutique hotels, the Line Hotel offers over 10,000 square feet of event space, including a rooftop terrace and grand ballroom. It has spaces for every event, from intimate gatherings to a 500-person affair. Meanwhile, The Line’s onsite events team will help you create an incredible event experience.

8. Hill Country

Looking to ditch stuffy venues for something with a little flair? Hill Country is an authentic slice of Texas right in the heart of Downtown D.C. The roadhouse barbecue can accommodate parties of over 300 seated or up to 750 standing. And best of all, it serves good ol’ fashioned Southern hospitality and a heaping helping of homestyle comfort food.

9. Nationals Park

For home-run events, give Nationals Park a try. This venue has some fun and unique spaces, like VIP boxes or the Nationals Clubhouse, for smaller groups. To really knock things out of the park, you can even rent out the entire baseball field for the day.

10. The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel

Make a splash at the Embassy Row Hotel Rooftop Bar and Pool. The event space is complete with a bar, grill, daybeds, cabanas, shaded lounge area, and of course, its own private pool. Able to accommodate up to 250 guests, the Rooftop is open May to September. In short, the venue will create a truly relaxed experience for social gatherings and business networking.

11. National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is simply elegant. Located in the bustling Penn Quarter neighborhood, this D.C. venue houses portraits of many American heroes. You can choose from a variety of event spaces for groups large and small, including the Kogod Courtyard, the Great Hall, and the Portico.

12. Meridian House

Once the home of Ambassador Irwin Boyle Laughlin, the Meridian House is a residential jewel. It was designed by renowned architect John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial and the National Archives. It’s available to host up to 200 guests. And, because it’s located in the heart of Washington D.C., it’s easy for guests to get to.

13. Pinstripes

It’s all fun and games at Pinstripes! The fancied-up bowling alley’s ballroom can accommodate up to 240 guests for receptions, dinners, and conferences. For something less formal, host your event at the bar, bowling lanes, or bocce courts.

14. The Graham Georgetown

The Graham is a luxurious boutique hotel in the charming Georgetown neighborhood. The hotel has many high-end meeting and conference spaces, such as a private restaurant and bar, the Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar & Speakeasy, and the Graham Rooftop. It’s next to Embassy Row and has a multilingual staff, so it’s great for events with an international audience.

15. Blind Whino SW Arts Club

Bring some color into your next event at the Blind Whino. It’s housed in the historic Friendship Baptist Church, which was built in 1886. The Blind Whino has 15,000 square feet of spaces available for cultural, corporate and social events, from art showcases to hip weddings. Each space pops with color and unique amenities, making for a totally immersive and experiential event venue.

16. Engine Company 12

The Engine Company 12 firehouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is a beautifully renovated space. The meticulously restored D.C. venue offers four timeless, industrial-chic spaces. It can accommodate 12 to 200 guests; therefore, it’s ideal for small to mid-size weddings and more.

17. Liaison Capitol Hill

Liaison Capitol Hill offers 17,000 square feet of event space to accommodate up to 500 guests. Plus, it has nearly 350 spacious rooms for guests who need to stay the night. Because of this, it’s the perfect D.C. meeting space for mid-sized, multi-day conferences.

18. Long View Gallery

What was once a small gallery focused on local artists has grown into a popular Washington D.C. event space. The gallery has over 9,000 square feet of space and lots of contemporary art for guests to admire. It’s situated next to the Washington D.C. Convention Center, so it’s in a central location. Long View Gallery features cutting-edge event technology, a dedicated catering staff, ample natural light, and space to host anywhere from 25 to 400 guests.

19. Capitol Hill Hotel

Capitol Hill Hotel offers 2,000 square feet of versatile D.C. event space, spread across three meeting rooms and two multi-use lounge spaces. The hotel has a stylish Federal-chic design and first-class audio/visual technology and amenities. Because of this, you know that your next event will feature exceptional service and an air of sophistication.

20. Lincoln Restaurant

While in Washington, it’s fitting to pay homage to one of America’s most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln. This unique space does just that! For instance, it has a one-million penny floor, walls scribbled Abe’s words, and more. The Lincoln Restaurant is a unique D.C. event venue suitable that’s great for up to 80 people.

21. Josephine Butler Parks Centre

The Josephine Butler Parks Centre has earned the nickname “the Embassy of the Earth” for good reason. It’s surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and overlooks Meridian Hill Park. In addition, this 40-room Renaissance-style mansion can host both indoor and outdoor events and performances.

22. STUDIO 52

A boutique event venue located in Ivy City, Studio 52 has been home to some of the hottest events in D.C. Its unique details ” such as the reclaimed wood wall sourced from 100-year-old barns ” were all handpicked to give the space character. The ever-popular photo lets guests create lasting memories of events.

23. Embassy Suites Georgetown

Nestled between the historic Georgetown and hip Dupont Circle, Embassy Suites Georgetown is in a great spot for traveling attendees. It offers a variety of meeting spaces, including 4 boardroom suites. As a result, this hotel is a great choice for corporate events, business meetings, and conferences.

24. Newseum

The Newseum exhibit galleries offer 250,000 square feet of event spaces that work well for standing wedding receptions to seated corporate events. You can also rent the New York Times Great Hall of News or fully take over the museum to enjoy access to all exhibits. Add the Annenberg Theater to the mix (pictured above) to seat another 450 guests.

25. Dock 5

The trendy Dock 5 sits directly above the artisanal marketplace in the historic Union Market district. The large warehouse venue spans over 12,000 square feet. You’ll love the urbane architectural design features, such as 22′ ceilings and glass garage doors. Similarly, in warmer weather, guests can enjoy the outdoor dock and private alley.

Not sure about D.C.? Check out our roundups for other major U.S. cities.

Did we leave a great venue off the list? Let us know in the comments below!