Rent a cocktail party venue in Washington, DC

Discover thousands of unique cocktail party venues for rent perfect for your event.

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Washington, DC, United States

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Popular cocktail party venues

Explore all 60+ cocktail party venues in Washington. See All ›

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing and popularity information in this section is based on proprietary data from bookings made on Peerspace from 2016-2026.

How much does a cocktail party venue cost to rent in Washington?

Cocktail party venues in Washington average $147 per hour to rent, but it’s easy to spend less or more depending on what you’re looking for. For a space on the smaller side, expect to spend closer to $210, whereas larger venues run about $334 per hour.

What's the best day to rent a cocktail party venue in Washington?

Saturdays are the most popular day for booking cocktail party venues in Washington. For those seeking a deal, consider booking Friday and Saturday as these days are 20% cheaper on average.

How popular are cocktail party venues in Washington?

Our local hosts have welcomed 3933 people into their cocktail party venues with reviews averaging 4.76 stars. Most even said they would book again -- about 91%.

How long do people rent cocktail party venues in Washington?

Most cocktail party venues are scheduled for 4 hours, with 26 people in attendance. You’ll find the most Cocktail Parties starting between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Explore cocktail party venues in Washington DC

Looking for a more upscale party with drinks and friends? A cocktail party is the way to go, then! Like most big cities, Washington, D.C. has hundreds of great venues to choose from. You'll find cocktail lounges, luxury hotels, international restaurants, and private gardens that all cater to cocktail events. Are you looking to get old friends together, host an after-hours business gathering, or find a cocktail-friendly marriage proposal venues? Regardless of the reason, cocktail parties are a timeless affair that are guaranteed to be memorable once you pick the right venue!

The best places to host a cocktail party in Washington DC

Some of the best places for a Washington, D.C. cocktail party include cocktail bars, naturally! These venues have diverse cocktail menus, elegant surroundings, and enough space for any guest list. Ellipse Rooftop Bar is one of our favorites; you can enjoy skyline views and fresh air with craft beverages and good company! Its rooftop venue offers fire pits, plush furniture, and a canopy in case the weather isn't so cooperative. If you want to bring the festivities indoors, Washington, D.C. is home to some of the finest architecture on the East Coast. Buildings like the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center must be seen to be believed. It has multiple indoor event spaces for galas, corporate retreat locations, and cocktail parties when you expect hundreds of high-profile guests. Cocktail parties can also be held inside of a luxury home or mansion. Mansions include banquet halls, ballrooms, outdoor courtyards, lawns, gardens, and other spaces. Any one of these venues can be where the cocktail party is located - or you can allow guests to wander as they will. You can also set up photo booths, a catered buffet spread, live music, and other entertainments in these spaces.

Explore waterfront cocktail party venues in Washington DC

It's easy to forget that Washington, D.C. is a waterfront city, but it is. The proximity of the Potomac River and the many entertainment venues along its banks makes a waterfront cocktail party a real possibility. We recommend partnering up with a luxury hotel or restaurant for your party planning. Hotels in particular have multiple event spaces suitable for a cocktail party, including rooftop terraces, outdoor courtyards with gardens, ballrooms, and banquet halls. Most restaurants will have a few of these options but not all of them. But some restaurants and bars along the waterfront are more intimate spaces than the grand scale of a hotel venue. If your cocktail party has a smaller guest list, they may be far more appropriate venues.

Reviews for cocktail party venues

Kareem C.
Bedstuy Brooklyn Duplex w/ access to Backyard & Roof Deck
How responsive was the host? Very Responsive and Helpful Did the space appear as advertised? Even better in persoon What activity did you do in the the space NYE event...
Andrew S.
Tiny Tiki Bar Tropical Oasis (THRILLIST BEST BARS 2021-2023)
Booked for a New Years Eve / Birthday party and it was a blast. Had plenty of space for my group of 25 and people really liked the set up/decor. The bartenders were great too!...
Candido G.
Saint James - Spacious, Elegant Lounge w/ Exposed Brick and Woodwork for Birthdays, Baby Showers, Musical Performances
We had our annual NYE party with about 120 people here and we comfortably fit everyone including a band set up. The place is conveniently located off the L and very easy to get to. Great bar space with tons of fridge space to keep...
Parnaz P.
Huge Industrial Loft With Incredible Natural Light
I recently hosted a New Year's party in this space, and it was truly amazing. The host was incredibly responsive and easy to communicate with throughout the planning process. The loft itself is stunning, with its spacious layout and numerous windows that added a beautiful ambiance...
Mohit S.
Dynamic Venue for Networking Events, Parties, Art Gallery Showings, and Open Mic Nights
Beautiful venue with a lot of amenities. We had a NYE party and it was a blast. Joe and Khua were helpful throughout.
Alex R.
The famous Rain room features several different rain options and pre-installed RGB lights.
Was an ideal location for theme I wanted to capture. Parking was accessible & was able to play music at a decent volume.
Kenneth A.
FILTHY DIAMOND: Quirky & Cozy Bar
This was a beautiful, wonderful space for a private party. Erin was such a gracious host and was very accommodating to all my requests. She was also a fantastic bartender! The cocktails were delicious and the sound system sounded great. ...
Jordan D.
Elegant Lounge w/ Kitchen in Manhattan Valley
Space was beautiful and fit our needs for our 1-year old's birthday party. One note is that it seems to have capacity that far exceeds the 30 person limit; we were able to comfortably fit our group into only half of the space, with then became...
Luthel J.
Once Upon A Time - Earthy Event Space & Pop Up Storefront w/ Secret Garden (Williamsburg)
Our experience at this venue was absolutely wonderful! From the moment we stepped in, we were captivated by the elegant ambiance and impeccable decor. The host, Danielle, was truly amazing - incredibly attentive, accommodating, and made sure every detail was perfect. Our event was seamless and...
Cynthia G.
Colorful Lounge in Arlington
I booked this space for a small tea party. The host was responsive and the place was as advertised. They even allow you to tour the place beforehand to make sure it's the right fit....
Vladimir A.
1980s Video Game Arcade Lounge
Celebrated my birthday here & had an amazing time with friends. Our host Erik was more than welcoming, extremely kind & very attentive. Two thumbs up! 👍 ...
Chelsea S.
Tiny Tiki Bar Tropical Oasis (THRILLIST BEST BARS 2021-2023)
Amazing experience from start to finish! The space itself is so charming and perfectly laid out for a not-too-big gathering (we hosted a 40th birthday party for 20 people). The staff were AMAZING - our bartender was so kind and engaging and willingly made all kinds...
Ashley W.
Modern NY Chelsea Loft
Eric’s space was perfect for my 30th birthday! He was in contact me before the party, during and after to make sure everything was set to go! He recommended a bar tender that was amazing and helpful throughout the event. It was the perfect amount of...
Ashley D.
Sexy bar/lounge in historic Greenwich Village - Bedouin Lounge (Atrium side)
I threw my 30th birthday here and I, along with all my guests, loved this venue. It was very easy to book and Amy was so responsive . The DJ was fabulous and the atmosphere was to die for ! I definitely recommend this venue and...
Marilyn K.
New Bar and Lounge in the Heart of Washington DC
My daughter's 35th birthday was amazing. The venue was the perfect size for the private party. Everyone had a blast, drinks were on point and the bartenders did an amazing job 👏🏽 . I definitely recommend this spot for your private events. I'm looking forward...
Sacdia H.
WINTER SPECIAL: $100 off any 3+hr bookings! U Street Multi-Purpose Event Space
This was a lovely space for a birthday dinner and I would recommend it to anyone! Plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate guests and the venue is quite spacious!...
Adam H.
Modern Intimate Event Studio
We rented this space for an engagement proposal/party and it was absolutely perfect! The host was kind and generous and the space had such an elegant and sophisticated touch. There was also a section for food and a bar area which was sectioned off perfectly. Would...
Funmi O.
Ideal Event Club Room in the Heart of Arlington
This is a great venue where I hosted a birthday party, it was convienent, the place is beautiful and the staff was helpful in supporting me and answers any questions that we have ! ...
Katie M.
Boho Style Williamsburg Event Space
I hosted my boyfriend’s 30th birthday here and it was the perfect space! Amazing location, great vibe and decor, and plenty of seating and table space for ~30 attendees. Would definitely book again!! ...
Patricia H.
State-of-the-Art Private Boutique Space for your next Event
Great space and great view! Host provided extra chairs when needed and we were able to set up quickly. Perfect space for a small birthday party...

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