8 Unique New Orleans Event Venues
New Orleans is the best place to host your event whether you’re here for a conference and want to set up a corporate happy hour, you’re here to get married, or you want to have a lavish gala reception. Event planning is very important and should start with selecting a venue. Look through our carefully curated list of New Orleans event venues and bring your vision to life.
Vessel NOLA
This early 20th-century church building is one of the most unique restaurants in New Orleans, and the great news is that it also doubled as an event venue, whether it’s a small group dinner or a whole restaurant buyout with catering. This unique ship-themed venue uses twelve unique glasses to serve drinks, to ensure that their drinks are served in “proper vessels”, as they say. The vessel theme is based on the holy vessels used in church services, which complements the historic church setting. Furthermore, the church ceiling is modeled after a ship’s hull, again playing into the vessel theme. A beautiful patio is also available for warmer months.
Location: 3835 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70119. 504-603-2775
The Jaxson on The River
Located in the Jackson Brewery Building on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, this gorgeous New Orleans venue has beautiful river views, top-notch food, and professional staff that will simplify your event planning every step of the way. With a spacious terrace right on the river, this event venue can host your event whether it’s a 50-person private dinner or a 450-guest lavish wedding or gala reception. With portable LED lighting and customized floor plans, the experienced staff at The Jaxson will custom tailor your event, however big or small, and bring your vision to life.
Location: 629 Decatur St #2b, New Orleans, LA 70130. 504-571-6333.
The Civic Theatre
Anything is possible when you host your event at The Civic Theatre, a New Orleans event venue that’s well-equipped to handle private events that focus on dramatic, elaborate, and overtop décor. Their arsenal of state-of-the-art equipment, curtained stage, hydraulic flooring system, and a world-class audio-visual team will bring your deepest imagination to life. This historic theatre was originally built in 1906 and has a history of hosting a variety of events such as vaudeville, disco, musicals, and national big-name music acts from a variety of genres that require unique visuals.
Location: 510 O’Keefe Ave., New Orleans, LA 70113. 504-272-0865
St. James Cheese Company
Celebrate the cheese lover in your life by hosting an event at this cheese wonderland. This cheese shop restaurant has the capability to host a variety of events, providing exquisite cheese and charcuterie spreads, such as corporate happy hours, private tastings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, even weddings, and so much more. Whatever kind of event your heart desires, this New Orleans event venue can do. With location options in Uptown and the Warehouse District, you can expect to get the best fully catered and professionally staffed event over at St. James Cheese Company. Make the cheese lover in your life happy and host your event at St. James Cheese Company. Don’t forget to order one of their tiered cheese (lovers’) cakes, which are wheels of cheese on top of each other.
Uptown Location: 5004 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115. 504-899-4737
Warehouse District Location: 614 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130. 504-304-1485
Paradigm Gardens
A hidden gem that’s located in the heart of New Orleans, this outdoor event venue is so unique that they host a weekly pygmy goat yoga lesson. Their in-house planning pros at Paradigm Gardens go above and beyond to create a magical experience for you and your party guests. Using their very own wood-fired oven and grill, their private events chef is available to prepare a customized menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Also available are customized libations packages to go with their provisions. Book your own entertainment or choose from their extensive list of recommendations. Start planning your event here by checking out the venue after a relaxing pygmy goat yoga session.
Location: 1131 S Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70113. 504-233-3364
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
Whether you need to rent a deck or the entire ship, the possibilities are endless when you book the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen for your next event. With an experienced party planner available to help you with every step along the way, you can relax and focus on your vision while a professional does all the hard work to bring that vision to life. Custom open bar packages priced on a per person basis compliment their tailored-to-you catered food packages. The ship is adorned in elegant cruise décor and each room has its own complete bar. With nightly jazz bands, theme nights, and escorted jazz parades available, this venue does not skimp on New Orleans-style entertainment either. The best part? You have control over everything; you can bring your preferred entertainment if needed. Whether you’re hands-on or completely hands-off when it comes to planning, the pros at Paddlewheeler Creole Queen will make it happen.
Office: 4220 Howard Ave. New Orleans, Louisiana 70125. 504-529-4567
Departure Location: 1 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
French Quarter Wedding Chapel
For a unique New Orleans wedding experience, check out French Quarter Wedding Chapel, which is the only wedding chapel in the French Quarter. This spot is open 24/7 and provides traditional weddings, as well as themed ceremonies. This full-service wedding venue offers many amenities and add-ons, allowing you to mix and match to perfect everything to your liking. French Quarter Wedding Chapel can also plan and execute your carriage ride, second-line parade, and whatever else your heart desires. If you want a truly unique New Orleans destination wedding, look into booking one (or more) of the packages offered at this chapel.
Location: 333 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70112. 504-598-6808
Elms Mansion and Gardens
No New Orleans event venue list would be complete without The Elms Mansion & Gardens, one of the most highly sought-after private event spots in the city, featuring an experienced event planner known for their attention to detail, attentive service, and good old Southern Hospitality. This gorgeous, historic Garden District historic mansion dates back to the 1800s and features exquisite Italianate architecture. This elegant mansion boasts elegant hand-carved marble, 24-karat gold sconces, and a grand ballroom adorned with jeweled windows. The period furnishings, patios, and gardens make The Elms Mansion the perfect spot for your next wedding, ball, or gala. The Elms Mansion has been owned and operated by three generations of the Elms family.
Location: 2019 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115. 504-895-9200