8 Best Event Spaces in Oakland: Capacity and Prices (2026)
Eight bookable Oakland event spaces, from a 75-guest downtown gallery to a 700-guest Northgate banquet hall, with typed prices, capacity by layout and cancellation terms.
TL;DR
Eight event spaces in Oakland are bookable on Events in Minutes, with maximum capacities of 75 to 700 guests. Three charge a straight hourly rate, five a flat fee plus an hourly rate.
- Several hundred guests: the Northgate - Waverly banquet hall at $600.00 + $450.00/hour, 700 standing or seated, 4-hour minimum.
- Lowest hourly rate: Expansive Event Space at $125.00/hour for 250 standing, 4-hour minimum.
- Indoor and outdoor space: the Mosswood ballroom with courtyard at $200.00 + $150.00/hour for up to 200, flexible cancellation.
- Cocktail mixer: Parliament in Old Oakland at $250.00/hour, 200 standing, built-in bar included.
- Dinner under 60: Montclair's string-light space at $250.00 + $125.00/hour, 56 seated, with a patio.
Last updated: September 2026
Every venue in this guide is a current Events in Minutes listing, and EIM earns a fee when you book through us.
What are the best event venues in Oakland?
The best event venues in Oakland depend on headcount: Northgate - Waverly for 300 to 700 guests, the Splendid and Expansive downtown lofts for 175 to 350, Parliament and Mosswood for up to 200, and Montclair or the art gallery for under 80. This guide compares eight by capacity, price model and cancellation; to see every bookable room, including meeting rooms, browse all event venues in Oakland.
Which Oakland venues hold 200 or more guests?
Six Oakland event spaces hold 200 or more standing guests. Three go past 200: Northgate - Waverly (700 standing, 700 banquet), Splendid (350, 244) and Expansive (250, 175). Mosswood, Striking and Parliament top out at 200 standing. Four seat 150 or more: Northgate, Splendid, Mosswood and Expansive.
What does an Oakland event venue cost per hour?
An Oakland event venue here costs $125.00/hour to $900.00/hour across the 3 straight hourly listings below, with a median of $250.00/hour (Parliament). The other 5 venues charge a flat fee plus an hourly rate, from $150.00 + $150.00/hour at the art gallery to $600.00 + $450.00/hour at the Northgate banquet hall.
Rate and size do not line up: Expansive's $125.00/hour covers 5,000 sq ft, Splendid's $900.00/hour 2,500 sq ft. For San Francisco options, see the best event venues in San Francisco.
Eight event spaces in Oakland
Ballroom with Courtyard for Events in Mosswood
A 1,620 sq ft ballroom in Mosswood with a courtyard, for 200 standing or 200 at banquet tables, with a prep kitchen and a loading dock. It lists public transportation and full ADA access. Best for a reception that wants indoor and outdoor space. Watch-out: AV is extra: microphones $12.00, a projector $50.00 and a basic sound system $95.00/each, as listed add-ons.
Book nowParliament Historic Cocktail Event Space
A 2,500 sq ft cocktail bar in Old Oakland's historic district, one block from the Oakland Convention Center, for 200 standing, 100 classroom or 50 banquet. Included: a built-in bar, dance floor, DJ booth, projectors, microphones and sound system. Best for a mixer or after-conference reception. Watch-out: seated dinners top out at 50, and bookings start at 20 guests. The listing shows microphones both as included and as a $2.00/flat add-on, so confirm which applies.
Book nowBanquet Hall with Natural Light for Events in Northgate - Waverly
A 15,000 sq ft banquet hall in Northgate - Waverly for 700 standing or 700 at banquet tables, with natural light, a stage, a full kitchen, an outdoor area and a projector. Best for an all-hands or gala of several hundred. Watch-out: the 4-hour minimum puts the smallest booking at $2,400.00 before tax and fees.
Book nowExpansive Event Space for Hosting in Oakland
A 5,000 sq ft loft-style space in Downtown Oakland for 250 standing or 175 at banquet tables, with a stage, full kitchen, sound system, microphones and a projector included. Best for an evening party or awards night on a tight budget. Watch-out: it is closed Monday through Wednesday, opens at 4:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, and books for at least 4 hours.
Book nowSplendid Event Space for Gatherings in Oakland
A 2,500 sq ft loft-style space in Downtown Oakland for 350 standing or 244 at banquet tables, with a full kitchen, outdoor area and sound system. Open 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM daily; books from 1 hour. Best for a daytime conference or large reception. Watch-out: $900.00/hour is the highest hourly rate here, and parking is paid.
Book nowStriking Event Space for Celebrations in Oakland
A 3,000 sq ft loft-style space in Downtown Oakland for 200 standing or 140 at banquet tables, with an outdoor area and a view. It opens at 6:00 AM Monday through Thursday. Best for a breakfast meeting or celebration. Watch-out: cancellation is super strict, and sound, microphones and chairs are priced on inquiry.
Book nowEvent Space with String Lights for Events in Montclair
A 1,350 sq ft space in Montclair with string lights, a garden and a patio, for 80 standing or 56 at banquet tables. It includes a stage, built-in bar, full kitchen, sound system and microphones, and full ADA access. Best for a team dinner of up to 56. Watch-out: bookings start at 3 hours, and the listing does not mention public transportation.
Book nowSpacious Art Gallery for Hosting in Oakland
A 1,500 sq ft art gallery in Downtown Oakland for 75 standing or 52 at banquet tables, with a stage and projector. Best for a small launch, talk or client reception. Watch-out: cancellation is super strict, and the listing describes a built-in speaker system and mics but also shows sound and microphones as add-ons on inquiry, so confirm what is included.
Book nowCompare Oakland event venues
Compare prices only within the same pricing model.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Activity | Location | Duration | Group | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballroom with Courtyard for Events in Mosswood | Oakland, CA | 2–19 hours | 1–200 guests | $200.00 + $150.00/hour |
| Parliament Historic Cocktail Event Space | Oakland, CA | 1–24 hours | 20–200 guests | $250.00/hour |
| Banquet Hall with Natural Light for Events in Northgate - Waverly | Oakland, CA | 4–18 hours | 1–700 guests | $600.00 + $450.00/hour |
| Expansive Event Space for Hosting in Oakland | Oakland, CA | 4–10 hours | 1–250 guests | $125.00/hour |
| Splendid Event Space for Gatherings in Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1–13 hours | 1–350 guests | $900.00/hour |
| Striking Event Space for Celebrations in Oakland | Oakland, CA | 2–17 hours | 1–200 guests | $300.00 + $250.00/hour |
| Event Space with String Lights for Events in Montclair | Oakland, CA | 3–14 hours | 1–80 guests | $250.00 + $125.00/hour |
| Spacious Art Gallery for Hosting in Oakland | Oakland, CA | 2–14 hours | 1–75 guests | $150.00 + $150.00/hour |
Which Oakland venue fits which event
A company party or all-hands of 300 or more
Northgate - Waverly is the only venue here above 350 guests or 244 seated.
A networking mixer or post-conference reception
Parliament costs twice Expansive's hourly rate but adds a built-in bar and DJ booth.
A daytime conference or team lunch
Splendid books from 1 hour; Striking opens at 6:00 AM Monday through Thursday.
A holiday party or awards night on a budget
Expansive has the lowest hourly rate and lists hours to 2:00 AM after a Friday event.
A team dinner or milestone party under 80
Montclair seats 56 with a patio and bar; the downtown art gallery seats 52 at a lower flat fee.
Which Oakland venues have a courtyard or outdoor space?
Six of the eight venues list outdoor space; Expansive and the art gallery do not. None mentions heaters or tents, so ask about a rain plan.
Which Oakland venues are near BART?
None of the eight listings names a BART station; three (Mosswood, Striking and Splendid) list public transportation. The 12th Street and 19th Street stations serve Downtown Oakland, which makes the downtown group below the likeliest easy trip from San Francisco.
Which event spaces are in Downtown Oakland?
Five of the eight Oakland event spaces in this guide are in Downtown or Old Oakland, the area served by the 12th Street and 19th Street BART stations: Expansive, Splendid, Striking, the art gallery and Parliament. Together they hold 75 to 350 standing guests. Parliament is one block from the Oakland Convention Center; Splendid lists paid on-site parking, and the other four list free street parking.
Budget examples for Oakland venues
Example estimates for the venue only, before tax, fees and gratuity, assuming the flat fee is charged once per booking.
- Expansive, 4 hours (the minimum): 4 x $125.00/hour = $500.00.
- Montclair, 3 hours (the minimum): $250.00 + 3 x $125.00/hour = $625.00.
- Parliament, 3 hours: 3 x $250.00/hour = $750.00.
- Mosswood, 4 hours: $200.00 + 4 x $150.00/hour = $800.00.
- Northgate - Waverly, 4 hours (the minimum): $600.00 + 4 x $450.00/hour = $2,400.00.
- Splendid, 3 hours: 3 x $900.00/hour = $2,700.00.
Count setup and breakdown in your hours, and check our venue hidden fees checklist.
How we chose
We started from 11 Events in Minutes venue listings in Oakland, set aside 2 that failed verification, and chose 8 of the remaining 9 for range of capacity, neighborhood and price model (the ninth is a pickleball club). Every price, capacity, hour and policy was checked against each live listing on September 25, 2026.
Planning tips for an Oakland venue booking
- Decide standing or seated first: it changes capacity by 106 guests at Splendid and by 150 at Parliament.
- Ask which AV items are add-ons: Mosswood, Striking and the art gallery list sound or microphones as extras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we bring our own caterer to an Oakland venue?
None of the eight listings states an outside-caterer policy. Four include a full kitchen (Northgate, Expansive, Splendid and Montclair), Mosswood has a prep kitchen, and Parliament mentions in-house catering. Ask whether outside caterers are allowed and need insurance.
Which Oakland venues are open for an evening event?
Expansive Event Space lists hours to 2:00 AM after a Friday event. Splendid closes at 10:00 PM every day, and Striking runs until 11:00 PM Monday through Thursday. For the other five, check the listing's hours and put your end time in the request so the host confirms it.
How strict are cancellation policies at Oakland venues?
Mosswood, Montclair and Splendid are flexible; Parliament, Northgate and Expansive are strict; Striking and the art gallery are super strict. Hold a strict or super strict venue only once your date and headcount are firm, and read its refund window first.
Is it worth paying for an Oakland event venue instead of a free space?
A paid Oakland event venue is worth it when you need a confirmed date, capacity and equipment in one booking. Expansive Event Space includes a stage, full kitchen, sound system, microphones and a projector at $125.00/hour, so its 4-hour minimum comes to $500.00 before tax and fees. A free space such as your office or a public park suits a small, informal group, so plan on arranging any permit, power and equipment yourself.
What should you check before booking an event venue in Oakland?
Check four things in each Oakland listing before you request a date: the minimum booking (4 hours at Northgate and Expansive, 3 at Montclair), the cancellation level, parking (none of the eight has free on-site parking, and Northgate and Splendid list paid on-site parking) and what is included versus an add-on, such as Mosswood's $95.00/each basic sound system. Then ask whether outside caterers are allowed.
How far ahead should we book an Oakland event venue?
As planning advice, request 4 to 6 weeks ahead for a Thursday or Friday evening and 8 weeks or more for a December holiday party or a group over 200. The listings show hosts responding within one to three hours.