Here's a look at new eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces to open in Washington for events this fall. The new and renovated venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
New oyster and alehouse the Salt Line opened in June in Washington’s Capitol Riverfront, near the Anacostia River harbor. With chef Kyle Bailey at the helm, the restaurant serves seafood towers, oyster shooters, lobster rolls, and more. GrizForm Design Architects designed the 3,495-square-foot space, which includes nautical touches like shiplap, brass accents, custom light fixtures, and handmade tile. The Salt Line’s private dining room is set off by three grand archways decorated with two bronze dolphin ship-bow ornaments, while a wooden Dory boat hangs from the ceiling. The private dining room can host 35 seated guests or 50 standing. The restaurant seats 100 diners inside and 150 outside on the patio, and is available for full buyouts. Guests also could rent the private dining room and patio together: the private dining room has its own separate entrance to the patio. Â
The National Arboretum's iconic parkland became available for private rentals for corporate events in June. The sprawling 446-acre U.S. Department of Agriculture research facility is just 1.5 miles from Capitol Hill, but feels worlds away from downtown Washington. A variety of outdoor spaces within the venue's floral and fauna collections are available for group rentals. The Herb Garden, the largest of its kind in the United States, can hold as many as 300 people for a seated dinner on its two patios, while the Youth Garden, with its new education pavilion that debuted in June, can accommodate as many as 100 guests for picnic-style events. A smaller lunch or dinner for 50 seated guests can be staged on the Arbor House Patio, which overlooks the Friendship Garden and Fern Valley. There's also the Arboretum Center Patio, which can seat 100 or host 200 for receptions, and the Visitors Center Lobby, an indoor space that can seat 50 for dinner. Cocktail hours can be held in the Arboretum's Capitol Columns, which are relics from the original United States Capitol; the wide-open meadow overlooking the columns can hold more than 500 people for a seated dinner. Guided tram tours are also available. All space rental is tax-deductible.
Franklin Hall, a 5,600-square-foot beer hall, opened in U Street’s historic Manhattan Laundry building in June. The space has an industrial vibe, with high-tech features like the ability to pay for beers via mobile phones. Franklin Hall offers 20 beers on draft and menu items like brats with sauerkraut or wings with mumbo sauce. A small nook in Franklin Hall called the Roosevelt Room is available for groups, with room for as many as 75 standing guests.
Just a year after Virginia concert venue Jiffy Lube Live added a new V.I.P. space called the Dominion Ultra Lounge, the facility was upgraded this May for this season's concerts. Improvements include a new dining buffet and display along with a new full mobile kitchen trailer to help produce enhanced food options. Amenities at the Dominion include a buffet, table-side beverage service, private restrooms, a dedicated concierge, and premier parking. The decor includes dramatic light fixtures and a curved wooden bar. The Dominion can accommodate 50 seated guests and another 50 standing. The venue is located just to the left of the front gate, in the South Plaza.
Sushi chef and restaurateur Yoshihisa "Yoshi" Ota's new, high-end restaurant opened two blocks from the White House in June, serving sushi tastings and sake pairings. Sushi Gakyu's minimalist design includes two-tone wood walls, a glossy bar, and white maple tables. The space holds as many as 80 guests, with 40 chairs, 19 bar stools, and 21 patio chairs. Sushi Gakyu is available for private events on Sundays when the restaurant is closed to the public, and depending on the group size, private parties may be available Monday through Saturday.
NoMa’s newest co-working option is Spaces in Uline Arena, with 23,000 square feet of office space and a 12,000-square-foot business club. There are three meeting rooms available for rentals: a room that seats six guests, a room that seats eight guests, and a room that seats 10. Spaces also includes a patio. The co-working space opened this spring, and its modern design includes fun D.C.-inspired touches like a Metro map mural.Â
Rosslyn’s new Continental Beer Garden opened in June, complete with colorful murals, picnic tables, and two full-sized bocce courts. Drinks at the bar include slushes, German Weihenstephaner beers, and Virginia craft beers on draft, while the menu leans toward comfort food with pulled pork sandwiches, sausages, half smokes, and deviled eggs. The beer garden can host 150 seated guests or 222 standing guests outside, and 14 seated guests or 40 standing guests inside.Â
In July, Marriott International unveiled a $35 million renovation of Arlington’s Crystal Gateway Marriott. The refresh includes the hotel’s meeting space, guest rooms, lobby, restaurant and bar, and Marriott’s M Club Lounge. Crystal Gateway Marriott offers almost 38,000 square feet of total event space, with a maximum of 27 breakout rooms. That includes two divisible ballrooms: the 16,000-square-foot Arlington Ballroom, which can accommodate as many as 2,100 seated guests in a theatre-style configuration, and the 12,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate as many as 1,500 seated guests in a theatre-style configuration.
Considering a get-out-of-the-city event? Charlottesville social club Common House opened in May. Vinegar Hall is Common House’s co-working and private event space, with quirky art, reclaimed timber tables, original antique herringbone floors, and soaring 16-foot ceilings. The space is available to rent for both social and corporate events outside of traditional co-working hours. Vinegar Hall accommodates 94 seated guests or 150 standing guests. The space is divisible with a soundproof wall into Vinegar Hall North, which accommodates as many as 58 seated guests or 100 standing guests, and Vinegar Hall South, which accommodates 24 seated guests or 50 standing guests.
The Hyatt Regency Bethesda is wrapping up a $37-million dollar renovation, with the front drive still to be completed. The renovation includes the Rooftop at 7400, completed in January. The indoor space offers 2,400 square feet of event space with three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the Bethesda skyline. The space can accommodate 140 guests for standing receptions or 120 guests for seated banquets.
