So…you’re planning a rehearsal dinner/welcome reception/birthday party/bridal or baby shower In St. Augustine?
We love a good party, but unfortunately, cannot accommodate a lot of non-wedding events*. But there are lots of great event spaces in St. Augustine that can, and we’ve gathered some information about them to help you in your search. Just remember—if you need a beautiful place to sleep after (or before!) your party, the Bayfront Marin House is really nice!
*Note: We do host intimate weddings and vow renewals, with a variety of beautiful spaces accommodating 2 to 30 people. Larger event packages are available with room block reservations, and allow us to accommodate up to 60 guests. If you do not need a venue for your ceremony, here are our suggestions for great venues for rehearsal dinners, receptions, and even private parties in St. Augustine:
Downtown Historic District (5 Minute Walk from the Bayfront Marin House)
Chatsworth Pub. Most of the week, Chatsworth’s is a laid-back bar with lots of taps, and exceptionally good bar food. But for a special occasion, they will reserve their back room and create a lovely tea party for you and your guests. It is PERFECT for a bridal or a baby shower. They serve on adorable mis-matched China sets, and offer a selection of tea sandwiches, as well as sweets and several kinds of tea. If your friends aren’t the tea type, they may be more the mimosa type—and Chatsworth is happy to add mimosas or bloody Mary’s to your menu options. Seats up to 40 in the tea room, or rent the whole pub for up to 65 people. They are affiliated with OC White’s, and can serve seated rehearsal dinners as well. www.thechatsworthpub.com 10 Marine Street. (904) 615-1815
Expert Tip: Our Marine Street Apartment is just upstairs from Chatsworth. Book it for easy access to your planned event.
OC White’s. This beautiful, historic stone home-turned-restaurant is one of the prettiest in town. And it’s a super easy walk from our inn! OC White’s patio is lots of fun (and pet friendly), and usually has a bay breeze (they are right across from the City Marina). For a private space, I recommend asking about their second story dining room, which has a beautiful balcony and view of the Matanzas Bay and Bridge of Lions.
Note: As of August 2021, OC White’s is not taking reservations, but they plan to do so again in the future so I’ve included it on this list.
Downtown Historic District (10-15 Minute Walk from the Bayfront Marin House)
The Floridian. Your group will love the farm-to-table menu at this cute restaurant on Spanish Street. They have an upstairs room that can accommodate 30-60 guests. The owners always point out that it is a second floor room in an historic building, and there is no elevator (just in case anyone in your group has mobility issues). To talk to someone about private events, email info@thefloridianstaug.com, or call (904) 829-0655.
The Columbia. One of my favorites for rehearsal dinners, because they let large groups order from the menu (good if you have lots of picky eaters!), and they have so many little cute spaces for groups up to 20. If you have an even larger group, Columbia can accommodate up to 72 people for rehearsal dinners in a private room. Call the Columbia at (904)824-3341 or email colsaug@columbiarestaurant.com for more information or to book your event.
Roosevelt Room. Located on St. George Street, right next to Prohibition Kitchen (which works well if your guests want to continue the party after the wedding!) Roosevelt Room serves breakfast and brunch during the week, and is open nights for private parties only. Contact them at events@RRStAug.com, or call (904) 209-5700.
Downtown Outskirts (Not easily walkable from our Bed and Breakfast)
St. Augustine Distillery. You don’t need decorations when you have a space with as much character as the spaces in the distillery. Just to clarify—I don’t mean the Ice Plant next door (although that’s one of my favorite restaurants), I mean in the distillery itself. For a smallish group, you can rent their tasting room, which will accommodate 25 seated or 50 standing guests. If you have a larger group, ask about the museum and theater, which accommodates up to 75 guests. If you want an outdoor space during Covid, the outdoor patio accommodates up to 150 guests, but can be made smaller for a more intimate group. Call (904)806-2734 and ask for Zoe McDaniel, or email her at zoe@staugustinedistillery.com.
Expert Tip: The museum and theater space has a great screen if you wanted to show a short video or slideshow showing your love story. It’s a great ending to a rehearsal dinner or even your reception.
On Anastasia Island (Across the Bridge of Lions)
Odd Birds. There are plenty of things to love about Odd Birds—their delicious food, their creative drinks, their on-site parking. But one of the things we love the most is their SPACE. There is an outdoor space (covered so there’s no need to worry about weather), a small room separated from the bar area that can comfortably seat 30, and the super cool, enter-through-a-bookshelf, back room, Speakeasy. The Speakeasy space has comfy lounge chairs and sofas, as well as a big bar for your guests. They can seat 70 for a buffet dinner, and provide cocktail space (where people could stand and mingle) up to 100. Ask for Bridget Healy, at venue@oddbirdsbar.com. 200 Anastasia Boulevard (904) 342-8378
Expert Tip: This is a great after-party space for anyone hosting a wedding at the Bayfront Marin House. Odd Birds even has a shuttle that will pick your group up from the inn and transport you back at the end of the night.
Blackfly. Just down the street from Odd Birds, Blackfly is one of our favorite restaurants, so the food is amazing (now I’m going to be thinking about their Furikake crusted ahi tuna and pickled vegetables all night). In addition to some of my favorite dishes, they have onsite parking (nice for any space outside the downtown historic district). AND they have a great back room that is private and separate from the rest of the restaurant and bar. 108 Anastasia Boulevard (904) 201-6300.
Amici’s Italian Restaurant and Banquet Facility. Located on St. Augustine Beach, about a 15-minute drive from the inn, Amici’s is a great restaurant as well as a lovely banquet area. Lots of location options, no matter the size of your group. Their Milano Room holds 20-150, the Fountain Room is great for 15-35, and the Garden Patio room can host 15-40. Under new management. Call (904)461-0102 for more details on their private events.
On Vilano Beach (Across or at the Usina Bridge)
Kingfish Grill. Tucked in at the base of the Vilano Bridge, in Camachee Cove, the Kingfish Grill is a great restaurant. Their second story Harborview banquet room offers stunning views of the Intracoastal and the tidal marshes. They can seat up to 75. Call (904)824-2111 and ask for Mindy Foster, or email her at info@kingfishgrill.com.
The Reef. Located right on the ocean, the Reef is one of my favorite spaces for events. Mike’s sister married at our inn, and held her reception here, and it was wonderful. The restaurant can accommodate groups up to 75 people in their private Ocean’s Edge banquet room. It has a bar, dance floor, two covered balconies, and lots of free parking. They also host smaller events, such as rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and baby showers. For more information, call the restaurant at (904)824-8008 and ask for the banquet coordinator, or email her directly at catalinadanielleevents@gmail.com. See more details and pricing at Private Events | The Reef Restaurant (thereefstaugustine.com).
Expert Tip: Our Beachcomber Cottages are less than a 5-minute drive away from the Reef and the Kingfish Grill. Book a suite there for a luxurious honeymoon, or ask about one of our larger cottages for a whole family getaway.
Off Route 1
St. Augustine Fish House and Oyster Company. Right across from the Home Depot, this family-owned restaurant moved into the space formerly occupied by Creekside Restaurant. The family did a HUGE renovation, creating an open, shiplap covered inside dining area, and building out a large outdoor deck, complete with a stage for bands and a firepit for chilly nights. They have a separate dining area for private parties, which seats up to 40 comfortably. The building was renovated so that almost every space can be shuttered off for a private party. For more information, call Phoebe McFall at (321)745-0339. 160 Boat Nix Road. Main restaurant number: (904) 829-6113. www.stafishhouse.com
Something Different
Sabrage Charters. Sabrage is a 63’ Custom Cooper Catamaran, with a high-end sound system and lots of luxurious amenities. Luxury like a full-service bar, 2 restrooms for your group’s comfort, and LOTS of flexibility to create the event you’re picturing. Accommodates up to 110 people, but is also perfect for smaller groups. Can seat 80. Email charters@sabragestaugustine.com or call (904)310-4999; ask for Captain Glenn Davis.
Expert Tip: Sabrage departs from Culinary Outfitters, on Shipyard Way. Ask them about catering your special onboard event.