Meetings and Events Houston | Some of Houston's Best Kept Secrets

One of Houston's best kept secrets are the Mediterranean-style venues located around the city. They offer a glamorous feel with their old-charm and distinct architecture. Your guests will feel as they are in another place in time.

Some of Houston's Best Kept Secrets

Article By: Kristie Smith of VI: Volume 4 - Issue 1

Houston is no stranger when it comes to hosting the perfect event. The entire Houston region is overflowing with stunning locations to host your next function. Many of these locations combine long-standing culture and traditions mixed with modern amenities, making Houston one of the most popular meeting and event destinations in the country. When it comes to hospitality, Houston has got you covered.

Currently, Houston is recognized for some of its more widely known venues. However, there are numerous amazing venues that you might not know or think about. These places will allow you to plan for almost any size meeting or event, indoors or outdoors, surrounded by rich Houston culture. This chapter will offer you some of the venues that could be referred to as the best kept secrets in Houston.

Mediterranean Style Venues
Villa Rinata is a beautiful Mediterranean-style Villa located in the Galleria area. This glamorous venue can help your guests escape into the night with their elegant old world décor. The single event venue insures a private and intimate setting for you meeting or event. You will find yourself surrounded by carved stone columns, decretive fountains, ravishingly lush gardens, rich wood floors, and hand crafted wrought iron gates that will almost let you forget you are in a big city. The Villa Rinata features a large oak tree in the main Courtyard and stone-carved arches in the Garden Wine Room. It also features the Grand Staircase lined with wrought iron railing and the Ballroom filled with white stone columns and a large chandelier. Your guests will sure to be at awe when it comes to the grandeur of the Villa Rinata.

Built in 1928, The Parador stands as a testament to the architectural artistry of a distant era. The intimate spaces of the five-sided structure awaken a splendor of the past that meets with the grandeur of the present lounges. The Parador is known for its unique features including a domed ceiling, beveled crystal windows, along with extensive gardens and courtyard fountains. This refurbished masterpiece is one of Houston’s premier social and corporate event venues.

If you are looking for a distinctive Mediterranean-style venue perfect for intimate gatherings and extravagant affairs, The Gallery might be right for you. This galleria-area outdoor/indoor facility is filled with old-world beauty that is sure to make your special event stylish and unforgettable. The Gallery provides a private, architecturally inspired venue in which to indulge you and your guests, offering as many or few additional services as you require. The venue includes a downstairs and upstairs patio, upstairs lounge and the main interior event space. With their proximity to uptown Houston, it will allow your guests to have the finest of overnight accommodations just five minutes away.

Reminiscent of 17th and 18th century’s villas, Las Velas’ beautiful architecture will provide you with an unforgettable setting for your meeting or event. Las Velas has three main areas within the venue. The Monet Room has stunning marble floors and a massive fireplace to entertain guests. The Palm Court is a covered inner courtyard and is known as the focal point of the facility. It is accented with an extravagant hand-carved stone fountain, surrounded by luscious green plants. Just beyond the Palm Court lies the Renaissance Room with an open-air walled garden. With courtyards full of blooming bougainvillea, hibiscus, and other greenery, Las Velas truly presents itself as “a world away.”

Classic Style Venues
Known for its historic architecture, grand scale and superb cuisine, The Corinthian is the perfect venue. The Corinthian is a full service event venue located in a magnificent neoclassical building. They can accommodate anything from grand galas to social events and is perfect for distinguished corporate entertaining. They are detail oriented as well as highly organized and creative. They can help you make your event the talk of the town.

If you are looking for luxury at its finest, then look no further. Column A is known for their grand crystal chandeliers and extravagant ballrooms. The rich mahogany wood gives the space a classic old-world feel. The carefully placed marble and elaborate tapestries in both ballrooms create an elegant setting that guests will sure to love.

The stately, Craftsman-style house, The Hofheinz House was built in 1912. In the 1950’s, the home was acquired by Judge Roy Hofheinz, a former mayor and legendary figure in Houston history. This house was primarily used for business purposes during the conception, planning and building of the Houston Astrodome. President Lyndon B. Johnson, a great friend of “The Judge”, is known to have visited at least once during his presidency. The home underwent renovation in 2005 to make it into the unique historical venue that it is today. The Hofheinz House offers spacious dining, cocktail areas and an antique bar. Your guests are sure to feel right at home.

Originally designed as the Citizens/Heights State Bank in 1925, Rockefeller Hall has developed a long and rich history. Legend has it the bank was held up by Bonnie and Clyde in 1931. In 1979 it became known as “Rockefeller’s, The Night Club,” in which it hosted greats acts like B.B. King, The Righteous Brothers and Roy Orbison. The building was completely renovated in 1999 without altering the gracious, original architecture of the bank building. The extravagant architecture and stunning décor give it the wonderful ambience that is Rockefeller Hall.

The Gardens and New Orleans-style surroundings create the perfect setting for The Courtyard on St. James Place. Located in the heart of Uptown Houston, The Courtyard on St. James Place is a uniquely elegant event facility. They have two unique rooms, a private cozy Wine Cellar and their namesake Courtyard, one of the city’s most photographed locations. Also, their friendly support staff is committed to make your memorable event as easy as possible.

Outdoor Venues
Treat your guests to an inspirational, untamed, and extraordinary experience when you host your next event at the Houston Zoo. With nine unique venues within the zoo, you cannot match the exceptional environment of the Houston Zoo as a location for your next special event. The zoo recently added a new African Forest Exhibit. The African Forest Exhibit is an immersive experience that will entertain and educate young and old alike. There’s simply nothing else like it.

If you want to be surrounded by nature, the City of Nassau Bay would be perfect for you. They have four designated parks within the city and an environmental conservation area located on the Nassau Peninsula. Each location is beautifully designed to inspire your guests to get closer with nature.

Journey to a place and time where cattle and cotton are king and Texas is a country all on its own. Get away from the distracting buzz of the city and bring your meeting to the George Ranch Historical Park. Visit the park and discover a treasury of Texas traditions.

If you are looking to make a big splash with your next event, look no further. FantaSea Yacht Charters is the premier venue for all corporate cruise events. Your guests can relax on the water and enjoy the breathtaking views of Galveston Bay. Operating from the South Shore Harbour Resort Convention Center in League City, it provides the perfect dockside venue.

Conference Center Venues
There are many well known city facilities like Toyota Center, George Brown Convention Center, Reliant Stadium and Minute Maid park but just a short drive from downtown there is a facility that offers many of the same amenities. The Berry Center is a 65-acre venue and with more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space, this facility is sure to meet your needs. The facility has an on-site arena, stadium, theater and conference center to give you a wide variety of venue space.

Settled on 100 gorgeous rural acres in Cypress, Texas, Northwest Forest Conference Center provides a unique balance of rustic charm, natural beauty and first-class amenities. Their one-of-a-kind facility and stunning scenery make for the perfect location to blend business with relaxation. Your guests will enjoy flowing fountains, impressive architecture and a fishing pond. Next to the La Hacienda and the Las Flores, they also feature a newly renovated Settlement House and an authentic replica of the Alamo. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture the “old west” style that sets this facility apart from all the rest.

Whether hosting a large or small event, Pelazzio Banquets, Catering and Conference Center Houston can accommodate them all. They have 20,500 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,700 guests. Full-scale events can be arranged to have all requirements, from food and beverages to audio-visual equipment and connectivity.

Restaurants, Clubs and Lounges
The House of Blues offers a unique entertainment experience and their private events team is dedicated to designing a special event that is perfect for you. Celebrating more than 35 years as the Ambassadors of Rock, the Hard Rock Café could be the ideal location for your next event. They are a full service event planning facility with state of the art audio-visual options for all events.

Located in the historic Rice Hotel, Sambuca will help you create a memorable event. Whether your hosting an event for 20 or 800, Sambuca has a variety of options and unique spaces to offer. The Crystal Ballroom (part of Sambuca) is located in the historic Rice Hotel. It has been lavishly restored to their original 1913 design and would serve as the perfect backdrop for even the most elegant occasions. The ballroom’s high ceiling, restored mural and crystal chandeliers give the room an exuberant feel. The outdoor terrace provides guests with breathtaking views of downtown.

Perched atop the 43rd and 44th floors of the ExxonMobil Building in downtown, The Petroleum Club of Houston is a symbol of exclusivity and excellence. This astonishing venue will make your next event memorable for years to come. With eleven private rooms to choose from, your guests will surely get the experience and view of a lifetime.

Born of the Southern tradition of casual elegance, Ouisie’s Table provides guests with six different rooms on the property, allowing accommodations for large and small events. Each space has its own unique feel and character and lends itself to entertaining in a special way. At Ouisie’s Table, your guests will be able to enjoy good food and drinks at this one-of-a-kind venue.

Step out of the city and step into Brenner’s Steakhouse on the Bayou. Surrounded by nature on Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, the two-story restaurant will offer you stunning views, making it a truly unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant also features a cozy cocktail lounge, wine cellar and spacious patio. Also located at the facility is Blue Bar at Brenner’s on the Bayou. It is a wonderful place for an intimate style event. It is filled with splashes of blue and beautiful décor. It certainly is a luxurious high-energy patio bar.

If you are looking for a relaxed lounge atmosphere for your next event, Mercer Lounge might be just right for you. Mercer Lounge offers a fresh, new prospective for the Houston social scene. This lavish venue is sophisticated and yet unpretentious.

Originally built as a storage building, The House of Deréon Media Center housed tour stages, wardrobe, and merchandising for female singing group, Destiny’s Child. The venue made its debut on June 02, 2006 as it held events for the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. The now modern outfitted 4,300 square foot venue surrounds you with elegance the moment you set foot into the courtyard. The two-story art deco inspired building includes several bars and balconies that tower over the first level. This venue will allow you and your guests to celebrate VIP style.

Howl at the Moon and Pete’s Piano Bar are two great places to host your next corporate event or party no matter how big or small. The rock ‘n’ roll dueling piano show is the perfect way to entertain your party goers while their service staff provides the highest quality of service and entertainment to your event.

Museum Venues
The recent expansion and all new exhibits at The Children’s Museum of Houston are for kids of all ages. It’s a fun and exciting place to hold meetings and events. It’s guaranteed to bring out the kid in all your guests.

Are you looking for a unique venue for your guests to explore? The Health Museum offers exciting, seasonal exhibits that are sure to fascinate all of your guests. They have a large meeting space as well as three private rooms to accommodate large and small groups. All of the rooms are equipped for digital presentations, speaking engagements, workshops, lectures and parties.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has ten unique spaces to create imaginative atmospheres. Each space they offer is architecturally stunning and educationally rich. They will help you create the ideal environment to fit any event from 20 to 2,000 guests. The Houston Museum of Natural Science strives to make every event truly unforgettable. From sophisticated and dramatic to out-of-this-world, each distinctive venue offers beautiful settings beyond compare.

Revival Bayou Place
Downtown dining and entertainment destination, Bayou Place, is experiencing a renaissance this year. Don’t worry. The complex is still home to the Hard Rock Café and the Verizon Wireless Theater. However, several new bars and restaurants have recently opened as apart of the center’s re-imagined nightlife experience, Bayou Place Live!

The Samba Grille is Houston’s contemporary take on South American cuisine. They are known for one of the most unique menus in Houston. They serve everything from certified Angus beef and seafood to locally grown vegetables. You will be sure to enjoy their extensive wine list and visually stunning environment.

The 9,000 square foot Western-themed PBR Houston brings you country dancing and a little bull-riding action. The expansive outside terrace offers amazing views of the Theatre District. There you’ll find the guys in chaps, the girls in hot pants and the occasional choreographed dance number atop the bar…not to mention the good selection of beer and liquor basics.

Lucie’s Liquor offers an upscale sports bar experience, Vegas-style. This will transport you back to when the Rat Pack was at the top and the ladies called the shots. This 5,000 square foot tavern features rich wood walls and moldings, spacious booths, two large island bars and a spectacular outdoor balcony.

The retro-beach concept Shark Bar, is home of the endless summers. This bar makes you feel like you are at the beach with their frosty, cool rum-runners, piña coladas and the Shark’s signature drink, the beach pail punch.

The whisky bar, Chapel Spirits, is the ideal downtown destination for upscale happy hour events. Chapel Spirits can customize drinks and catering options for your next office happy hour or social gathering.

The Blue Fish, the Dallas outpost serving up sushi, is finally here in Houston. The atmosphere is similar to the chic and posh appearance of the four Dallas locations. It is covered in lots of blue tones and metal accents for an esthetic that one could only describe as an upscale wharf.

Sundance Cinemas has signed a lease for the former Angelika center space at Bayou Place. The extensive refurbishment work to the 36,000 square foot property to the tune of $2.25 million is almost complete, with hopes of opening on November 1, 2011. The Sundance Cinemas Houston will provide the same unique patron experience and success of Sundance’s two other theatres, located in San Francisco, California and Madison, Wisconsin.

The Sundance Group President Robert Redford spent summers in Austin and San Marcos when he was a young boy. Redford has often said that his love of nature is rooted in those Texas summers. Redford commented on the Houston location opening, stating, “I am so happy to see our newest Sundance Cinemas facility coming to Houston. It’s a great city for our next step forward.”

The cinema will feature specialized film programming, playing the finest for a discerning audience culled from film festivals and the best of general release. The venue will offer drinking and dining choices, reserved seating, filmmaker screenings and exclusive events.

So now you know some of Houston’s best kept secrets. With so many different style venues that Houston has to offer, you will be sure to find a unique location that is right for you and that will make your next event truly special. And with so many new restaurants, clubs and lounges opening around town, you will certainly have plenty of choices when it comes to organize your upcoming event or meeting.