Reception and Large Gathering Space in WASHINGTON

About the Space

Our largest indoor reception space, the newly renovated Assembly Room features coffered ceilings, contemporary lighting and dark floors. Three full-height doors open onto the lower west terrace and gardens, rented separately. The room also has a nonworking fireplace. A portion of the room has an optional partition for breakout groups. The adjacent North Room will be refurbished as a more informal space that may be used as a break out space during meetings, buffet setup, or as a retreat from the crowd during receptions. Enjoy access to a large serving kitchen for catering service or for limited food preparation. The Assembly Room is the perfect space for a celebration, a larger workshop or office retreat, dinner or a reception. Your event may be expanded by the use of the lower west terrace and gardens, rented separately, which you may tent.

COVID-19 • During the COVID-19 pandemic, all regulations and guidelines set by the DC government (posted online at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/) and effective as of the date(s) of your event, will be applicable to events in this space. This includes, but is not limited to, use of face masks, contact tracing, social distancing, and maximum event size. THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED: • Smoking/vaping (any substance) or drug use is not permitted anywhere at the venue, indoors or outdoors. Cannabis / edibles may not be consumed onsite or sold for later consumption or delivery. • Guns, weapons, and ammunition (real or props) are not permitted. Any event security must be unarmed. • The sale or distribution of anything related to the military or combat as well as partisan political activity including the sale or distribution of partisan political items are also not permitted. POINT OF CONTACT • A point of contact for the day of the event must be provided, if different than the Guest, including a cell phone number for this individual. CATERING / ALCOHOL / DELIVERIES • Outside catering is allowed. The venue maintains a list of preferred caterers with which has a relationship. Events are strongly encouraged to contract with one of the preferred caterers. With permission of our office, Guests may bring their own precooked food and nonalcoholic beverages. • Access to the serving kitchen is included. It is available for final food preparation only, reheating, and storage; no cooking. • Consumption of alcohol (without prior permission arranged in advance) is prohibited. If alcohol is permitted by staff for celebratory events and receptions, only beer, wine, and champagne will be allowed; no liquors or spirits. A DC alcohol license (caterer's license or temporary one day alcohol license) is required. • The Guest or their caterer supplies serving utensils, table service, linens, table cloths, napkins, ice, coffee urns, cups, plates and all other materials needed for the event. These are not supplied by the venue. • Food and other deliveries (and associated pickups) must occur during the hours booked unless agreed upon in advance. NOISE LEVELS • Per the DC noise control ordinance, noise must not rise above 60 dB(A) during the daytime or 55 dB(A) at night (after 9pm). Staff may monitor noise levels during your event and are empowered to request that music or other sound be turned down. Further, events must not disturb office tenants who may be onsite, particularly during the day on weekdays. • Guests and attendees are asked not to linger in front of the building before, during, or after the event to avoid disturbing our neighbors. DECOR • Candles are permitted (when continuously attended) if placed on plates or in cups/hurricanes for safety and to prevent wax drippings. (Candles must be extinguished in unoccupied rooms.) • Nothing may be affixed to the walls, ceilings or floors except with painter’s tape. • Glitter and confetti are prohibited. • All decorations and other materials must be removed from the premises at the conclusion of the event. WIFI & AUDIOVISUAL • The WIFI may be used at guests' own risk. We will make a reasonable effort to make our WIFI services available during each event but the WIFI’s functionality is not guaranteed. Simultaneous use by multiple devices, livestreaming and other high bandwidth activities may severely affect the efficacy and speed of the WIFI network. • The event organizer may borrow the venue's audiovisual equipment for the duration of the event and is responsible for returning it and all cables in the condition they were found in. Functionality is not guaranteed. SETUP AND CLEAN UP • Setup may not begin prior to the agreed upon start time of the booking. All decorations and other materials must be removed from the premises at the agreed upon end time of the booking. The venue will charge overtime for setup that begins before the agreed upon start time -- or if the event or its cleanup continues past the agreed upon end time. • Unless agreed to in advance, setup and takedown of furniture and chairs by our staff is not included in the cost of the space. Setup and cleanup time must be included in the total rental time. Furniture must be returned to the location in which it was found at the beginning of the event. PETS • No pets allowed other than service animals. LIABILITY INSURANCE • Guests must provide event liability insurance valid for the duration of the rental naming our organization as additionally insured and providing at least $1 million in liability coverage. This must include liquor liability if applicable to the event. Insurance is an additional cost and not included in the pricing shown on Peerspace. The venue has recommended vendors for purchasing this insurance. CHILDREN • Children are welcome but must not be left unattended. OVERNIGHT STORAGE • In certain situations, we may grant you overnight storage or allow items to remain in your space(s) or other areas of the venue before or after the agreed-upon dates and hours of your event. These arrangements shall be wholly at your own risk. We shall have no responsibility or liability for items stored at, delivered to, or shipped to our venue except in cases of gross negligence or intentional acts. HONEY BEES • Guests should be aware that we have honeybee hives onsite (but not in event spaces). GARDEN ACCESS Garden access is not included unless purchased as an add on for an extra charge or otherwise agreed to in advance. If your rental also includes garden access (available for an additional charge): • DJs and loud music may not set up to play in the gardens due to the neighborhood noise ordinance. Background and ambience music may be allowed outdoors. • Lighting in the gardens is limited after dark. String lighting may be available but its availability is not guaranteed. • Do not step in landscaped areas. • Tents, lighting, heat lamps, and fans may be erected in the gardens (with our approval in advance and from approved vendors). We do not own any of these. Heat may not be used on the grass. • Do not pour any substance other than water on the grass.

Reviews (18)

Cha’e L. booked an event for 70 people

Yes, I would book again.

This space was amazing! Clean, great sound system and av equipment, with all of the necessities needed for a wonderful shindig. Communication with Brian was wonderful as well.

March 4, 2023

Dominique D. booked an off-site for 80 people

Administrator

A great space with amazing amenities and a great staff. Will definitely be using this space again.

March 1, 2023

Joanne W. booked an event for 60 people

CEO

Great space with the friendliest staff. Thank you for everything!

February 13, 2023

Onnika G. booked an off-site for 70 people

Events Manager

We a great experience with this space. The staff was helpful and their provided tables and chairs made the whole day run very smoothly. It is a nice space and we would definitely book again for larger events.

February 7, 2023

Chelsea W. booked a 60th birthday party for 60 people

Great venue! The staff is super helpful and kind too!

November 20, 2022

Maha H. booked a launch party for 75 people

Co-Director

It was a great spacious room.

September 23, 2022

Chynnah M. booked a party for 60 people

Special Projects Coordinator

I absolutely love the Friends Meeting of Washington space. I am a local organizer and have attended retreats in this space in the past, but I was even more delighted at how easy it was to host a reception dinner here for my colleagues. Brian was the most helpful host. He made sure I had all the information I needed about the space to plan and decorate, and also provided us with the best recommendations for catering and bar services. This space is highly accessible, and if you're looking for people that are accommodating for COVID safety, they really have you covered and support the safety plans you have in place for your gathering. The kitchen is outfitted and functional for catering use, and most of the people they recommend have worked with them already and seem to know where everything is at so you don't need to worry about orienting them. If they aren't familiar, Brian or someone on staff will make sure you have the information you need. The space is newly renovated, spacious has an abundance of natural lighting, and there is an outdoor patio overlooking a beautiful, lush, green lawn if you'd like to tent (they have recommendations on who to use for that as well!). Overall, this space has you covered, and I highly recommend hosting an event here.

July 27, 2022

Rian M. booked a graduation party for 60 people

Operations Manager

This space was perfect for our needs! It was better than advertised! We were able to transform the space for our graduation ceremony for our students that attend our school. Brian was super responsive from the jump and made sure that we were able to schedule a walk-through before booking. He was also very responsive when I had questions during the planning process and throughout the week of event. The staff on-site during the event were gracious and very helpful as well! I can't wait to book this space again for other events on our calendar!

June 2, 2022

Reception and Large Gathering Space

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Reviews (18)