Seattle Cocktail Hour Room needed

[jld]

So I'm graduating in June and my family is coming up. I'd like to have a cocktail/hours d'overs/small dinner hour for my family and friends.

I'm looking for some place where I can get a semi-private room at a restaurant that will hold ~25 people. The idea is that it will start at 5PM-ish. 2 or 3 hours total. People can have wine, snacks or small entrees from a small menu. I'd like to keep people standing and mingling, but with some places to sit as well. The menu should be suitable to tying people over to a later dinner, and might offer a few items that could satisfy a light eater.

Downtown/Capitol Hill would be ideal.

Atmosphere would ideally be classy but relaxed and informal at the same time.

I've never done this before, so I don't know quite how the pricing works. Is it typical to have a cost for the room plus everything consumed, plus a set gratuity? I'd like to keep the room cost around $100 or so, but I have a gut feeling this won't get me very far. Am I wrong? I dunno. Like I said I'm new at this.

Can anyone suggest someplace that would fit the bill or can anyone enlighten me to what I should expect in organizing and paying for this?

Thanks a bunch.

[laurel]

I've never done anything like this either, so I can't help much, but a friend rented out the back room at the Capitol Club for a party, and it was very nice (I have no idea about the cost though). The room is probably about the right size for you. Their website is here.

[heyjude]

We attended a graduation party at Ponti Seafood Grill last year that exactly matched your needs. Of course, I don't know what the hosts paid, but it was a lovely event. The location is right by the Fremont Bridge with a view of the Ship Canal. There is plenty of free parking.

[tighe]

The Warwick Hotel has a room on the top floor with a nice view of Seattle Center and Lake Union that I really like. It's fairly small, so it wouldn't feel oversized for 25. The food is catered by Brasserie Margaux. I don't know what the pricing is like.

[rockdoggydog]

The room at the Capitol Club is actually free, you just have to leave a deposit against a minimum tab. I went to birthday party there a last year and it was great, pretty decent hors d'ouvres too.

Rocky

[tsquare]

At the high end - EL Gaucho, Waterfront (ooh the view!), and Troiani all have private dining rooms. Flying Fish does too. Sazerac as well. I believe Harvest Vine rents out the lower floor, but wine-beer only? Many small restaurants will close for a private party, including Matt's in the Market (again, no cocktails.) Brasa curtains off part of the upper floor. Lots of places have private dining rooms. Marjorie (in Belltown) would have a great vibe with a outdoor area as well, if you get lucky weather-wise.

Do you have a favorite restaurant? Discuss it with them. Your hours are early enough that they can reopen for dinner at 7:30 or 8, so this might make them very happy, especially if it isn't Friday or Saturday night.

Places vary as to whether they charge for the room, or a minimum. Menu or pre-order. For mine, some time ago, I arranged a sit down dinner with no-host bar at Sea Garden for a dozen or so - pre-ordered, pre-determined the price. Not a pretty setting, but otherwise quite enjoyable.

And congratulations on your graduation - from where and in what?

[jld]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. They've been very helpful, and somewhat eye opening. I've realized how many possibilities there actually are.

It'd be great if there was someplace where people could be either inside or outside. I'm planning this for mid June and the weather (should) be very nice. I'm sorta afraid of getting stuck in the back of a dark bar when the weather is really nice.

I'd like to stick to places that don't actually cost (much) extra for the room. I'm willing to pay some, but I'm still a poor college student and I can't afford to drop a significant fraction of a G on a party. I hate throwing parties like this, but it looks like guests will have to pick up their own tabs. I'm just trying to provide a venue.

Oh, and I'm graduating with a BS in physics from Seattle U.

Thanks for all of your help.

[reesek]

hey there,

i threw a couple of parties at waterfront...they have 2 private rooms both with private decks - the staff have ranged from very helpful to moderately helpful, the food was fine and the view is terrific...and the price was high. you might also check out the restaurant at the edgewater - i think they'd have a deck of some sort. by the way - congratulations on your graduation!

[little ms foodie]

Here's another nod for the Waterfront. I had my wedding rehearsal dinner there last year in the private room and it was stellar. Service is top notch, views are outstanding and they really work with you, call and get some info from them.

Also Dahlia has a private room, no view though. And Il Bistro will do a private party in their bar but it's a bit cramped I think.

Congrats!!