Less is More: 8 Grand Forks Venues for Your Next Small Event

Searching for a small event space to host a graduation party, baby shower, or business meeting can be a difficult task without looking in the right places around town. Many venues that are designed for weddings and other large groups can be too big or pricey for a small get-together. Listed below are eight different types of scaled-down venues in the Grand Forks region that are affordable, easy to rent, and perfect for your next small event.

At The Spud Jr. restaurant in East Grand Forks, something else they offer besides amazing food and drinks is a rental space called the Prohibition Room. This event venue has beautiful historical brickwork and fun lights hanging from the ceiling–great for a staff Christmas party or bridal shower! You can view more details about this space here on their website.

• The Olive Ann Hotel – The elegant Olive Ann Hotel in downtown Grand Forks is not just for big weddings or a weekend getaway, but includes two different meeting spaces to host smaller events in as well. The Boardroom is a conference room-style round table that holds 12 people (perfect for work-related meetings) and The Landing is a larger ballroom capable of holding around 60 guests. Call the front desk or inquire online for details about these two spaces!
• CanadInn – The CanadInn on N 42^nd St is not just the cool hotel with the waterpark – there are a couple rental options for your next event there. Capable of setup for banquet halls or boardrooms with audio/AV capabilities, catering, and personal bar service, this is a great option for hosting guests from out of town. View the CanadInn’s website for more information.
• Hilton Garden Inn – Similar to the CanadInn, if you are expecting guests from outside of GF and need a hosting space, the Hilton Garden is a great spot for a rehearsal dinner/wedding reception, business meeting, or banquet. There are a few smaller meeting rooms but, personally, I had my wedding rehearsal dinner in the larger ballroom and it was perfect for us! Book today on their web page .

Calling the East Grand Forks community! Did you know your local Campbell Library has rental space available? With a large meeting room capable of seating 50 and study rooms for two, the library is a great space to use if you need private spaces with AV capabilities for business meetings, study groups, or presentations.  Check out their website for more details!

• UND Memorial Union – Moving on to our UND students – there are a few options for those in the community who bleed Kelly Green. One is the UND Memorial Union. Although a bit on the pricier end, the Union has study rooms, ballrooms, and every accommodation you could possibly need from stage pieces, tables and tablecloths, AV/audio, you name it! Best of all, the MU staff are always happy to help. View room options and rates on UND’s website.
• UND Gorecki Alumni Center – Another event space at UND is the Gorecki Alumni Center. This space includes a wide variety of rooms that can provide banquet setups, outdoor seating, or conference room meetingsalong with great parking options in the back parking lot on weekends which are very easy to reserve. UND’s event spaces landing page has details about this space as well with pictures of each available room.
• Other spaces on campus – UND has a ton of buildings to rent out for events, depending on your needs and wants. The Nistler College of Business, Chester Fritz Auditorium, Hopper-Danley Chapel, ND Museum of Art, and even the Ralph Engelstad Arena are available as private venues. Explore UND’s website for these options and choose what is best for you. Go Hawks!

The recently renovated and reopened Ember Coffeehouse downtown has a side room that can be reserved for events and gives nonprofit discounts! There are plans to renovate the room this spring and summer to make it even more modern and accommodating for a wide variety of uses. Seats approximately 50 people and coffee is available for purchase alongside your reservation. Fill out their online rental inquiry today!

Ever thought about renting Town Square for an outdoor venue? Good news, you can! You don’t need to put on a city-wide event like the Farmer’s Market to reserve this space. Fill out this digital form for a special event permit and a city representative will get back to you about availability and details.

Grand Forks summer is the perfect time to host a family barbecue, wedding reception, or yard game tournament at a local park. Reserve a shelter through the Grand Forks Parks and Recreation web page and check out all the al fresco options they have to offer!

• The Fire Hall Theater – Local theaters are great places to have performances or host watch parties. With just 108 seats, it’s perfect for intimate events. Plus, they’ve got all the tech you need – HD projector, Wi-Fi, wireless mics – you name it! Rental starts at $200 for up to 4 hours, with additional hours at $25 each. Need extra gear or tech support? No problem! Just hire one of their tech wizards for $25 per hour. And if you’re a nonprofit, they have a special rate for you too. Shoot them an email at [email protected] to schedule a tour or book your event.
• The Empire Arts Center– Did you know The Empire Arts Center has multiple rooms you can rent as well as the main auditorium? The Gallery surrounds up to 100 guests with incredible local art while Studio E, or also known as their black box theater, can host up to 60. If you’re looking for something a little more industrial and unique, their Backstage seats 45. All are great options for small band performances, meetings, grad parties, comedy shows, and more. Inquire via email about rates and availability at [email protected]!

So, next time your party gets too big for your house, or there’s rain on your parade, consider utilizing these community venues! Any of these spaces would be a great choice, so pick which one best suits your needs. Each venue has a unique feel to it and many different features that can accommodate a variety of events. Happy hosting!