ideas for high school reunion venue downtown

[cmubryan]

Need some ideas for a good but somewhat inexpensive venue for a large 10 year high school reunion. It is being planned for the evening before Thanksgiving, 11/24/10. Thanks in advance.

[smogboy]

What about the Hotel St. Regis in midtown?? Kinda swanky without breaking the bank.

[detroitbob]

I thought the St. Regis was closed...???

[detroitbob]

How many attendee's...large is vague in the banquet/catering business? That night is also difficult as a significant number of streets will be closed from mid Wednesday till after the parade. Midtown to downtown.Hotels like the Book Cadillac or the Doubletree will likely be booked in adance.

[smogboy]

I thought the St. Regis was closed...???

I called their front desk just a few seconds ago and they seem open to me. I heard that they were under receivership last month but so far so good.

[DetroitDad]

-The Leland [[Bagley and Cass Avenue) has several ballrooms that can be rented for fairly cheap. Tell them Sean and Kally recommended them.

Link: http://www.theleland.net/

-5 and 10 Cafe and Bar located near Campus Martius on Woodward Avenue, in the old Kresge Department Store. Ask for Jackie, and you can tell them Sean of Detroit recommended them.

These two places should give you a good initial price. They should also be able willing to either negotiate or give you a transparent price breakdown.

-The Detroit Princess Riverboat is an option, there are virtual tours of the boat on their web site.

Link: http://www.detroitprincess.com/index.php

[DetroitScooter]

Above the Detroit Beer Company there is an empty 3rd floor that they use for big events [[like the Final Four). I don't know how much it costs, but you could call the manager Frank and he could fill you in.

[Neilr]

The Boll Family YMCA on Broadway converts their gym into a party room for large catered events.

[Wesley Mouch]

Don't ignore the Masonic Temple, 313-832-7100, Dorothy. Detroit's best and maybe only remaining original 1920's ballroom -- the Crystal Ballroom

[DetroitPlanner]

The Antheneum was a nice place for us to have our H.S. reunion a few years back. There is a large ballroom on the top floor with windows overlooking the City. A bonus was having the casino and Fishbones nearby so we could cause trouble after they kiked us out of the ballroom at 12.

[DetroitPole]

Detroit Historical Museum or Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

Really, really inexpensive.

Renee books the rentals: 313-833-7979.

[gnome]

Need some ideas for a good but somewhat inexpensive venue for a large 10 year high school reunion. It is being planned for the evening before Thanksgiving, 11/24/10. Thanks in advance.

The issue you will run into is finding a place at this late of a date. Even the cheapest hall is going to cost you a couple of grand plus cost of food/drinks. Since you haven't sent out invitations yet, people haven't sent their reservation money back to you. which means you and the planning committee will have to poney up the downpayment.

I think that might be a problem for you.

What you need to do is find a slightly dive bar who isn't expecting a large crowd that evening. A place you wouldn't have to rent, just take it over, and "own" for the evening. However, since you are doing this the night before Thanksgiving, ... which is one of the largest bar nights of the year, ... finding such a bar could be a trick.

Having the event downtown also limits your options. The best situation wold be to find a place that recently closed, but nothing jumps to mind. Of the open places Cafe d'mongo might work, but Larry is pain and can change his mind on whether or not he'll be open; Sweetwater Tavern could work; Forans will be too crowded; the Post is too small; The Anchor is big enough for a 50 - 75 person group; the gals at The Checker might be your best bet.

You should pm forum member, DetroitStar, he has a relationship with the Checker ladies.

If you'd consider Eastern Market, Butcher's Inn would be perfect. It is dead at night and plenty big enough to handle a smallishly large crowd.

[Wild]

Need some ideas for a good but somewhat inexpensive venue for a large 10 year high school reunion. It is being planned for the evening before Thanksgiving, 11/24/10. Thanks in advance.

What about the Michigan Arts League in Harmony Park?

[JohnnyFreddy]

'The Furniture Factory'
On Third Ave., btwn.Warren/Mack ave.
Great location, near Thanksgiving Day Parade.
They've held occasional events there, so I'm sure it's ready to be used, although
it's empty most of the time.
It has a fairly large bar area and ballroom, bathrooms of course, plus multiple
upstairs rooms which could possibly be used for side matters.
The place is well situated in Midtown, near Wayne State University, and has
a paved [[big deal in this town, especially if it's wet outside, which it sometimes is)
well lit parking lot. You could also hire a security team for the evening to keep
an eye on the lot, and your guests.
You should hire me to take care of the proceeds relating to this subject.
I know people in the music business, catering, Dj's, security, etc.
Anyway....whether you hire me [[I would be great!!) or whatever....
I'm telling you, besides the fact that you should probably find a place with a fantastic view of the Downtown Detroit skyline.....you probably WILL have a very difficult
time finding a good place this late in the game, and the cost, as previously mentioned,
will most likely be astronomical.
This could be what you're looking for. Contact me. We'll talk.

[sumas]

Try the Players Club on Jefferson [[beautiful Renaissance style building) or Sinbads.