For big holiday shindigs, weddings, birthday and anniversary celebrations, bar and bat mitzvah parties, or any other occasion that calls for renting out a space, various Mercer Island venues offer everything from a private golf simulator bay to a 375-room auditorium with a full stage.
Mercer Island Community and Event Center
8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island
This sleekly modern building perched above Luther Burbank Park features a panoramic view of Lake Washington and the Cascades. It offers a wide variety of rooms, and as a nice bonus, includes some AV equipment in the rental.
The biggest room, Mercer Room, seats 225 people theater-style, or 200 banquet-style, with 10-hour rental packages ranging from $1,500 (Monday to Thursday) to $3,000 (Friday to Sunday during the peak season). The Center also rents each of its five meeting rooms ($50/hour), gym ($130/hour or $65/hour for half the room), and dance room ($65/hour). A free adjacent lot makes parking easy for guests.
To reserve, fill out a rental request form and send it to [email protected].
The VFW Hall
1836 72nd Avenue SE, Mercer Island
A rare example of an intact, early community clubhouse in King County, the Keewaydin Clubhouse presents the opportunity to hold an event inside a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1922 and purchased by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5760 in 1966, it holds up to 150 people, and venue fees both pay for upkeep and support veterans’ programs. Seattle Premier Events owner and islander Michelle Shleifer likes the simplicity of the space because she can use it as a blank space – as she did when she rented it for her own 40th birthday party.
The Clubhouse runs $635/day or $90/hour Monday through Thursday, and $785/day for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with discounts for veterans, non-profit organizations, and youth groups. Though the parking lot holds only 15 cars, additional parking can be arranged.
To reserve, mail a security deposit ($400) with a completed rental agreement to: P.O. Box 101, Mercer Island, WA 98040. For questions, contact [email protected].
Stroum Jewish Community Center
801 East Mercer Way, Mercer Island
Everyone is welcome at the Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC), and the venue fits nearly everyone. The 375-seat auditorium underwent a full renovation in 2013, features a full stage, and rents for $170-$250/hour, with free onsite parking and discounts for SJCC members and non-profits. An activity room ($60-80/hour) and several meeting rooms fitting 10 to 50 people ($30-50/hour), and Kidstown ($65-90/hour) and the gym ($155-175/hour or $85-110/hour for half) are also all available for rentals. For details, contact Nicci Burrell at [email protected] or fill out the J’s online rental request form.
Mercer Island Golf Club
2448 76th Avenue SE, Suite 100, Mercer Island
Founded in June 2020 by third-generation islander Daniel Marinello, this downtown Mercer Island club features two golf simulators, a lounge area, and a small putting green. The full club costs $200/hour and 20-person capacity. The back room simulator bay, which accommodates six people, costs $125/hour. Both areas have a two-hour minimum, and parking is free.
To reserve, email [email protected].
Barrels Wine Bar
7605 SE 27th Street, Suite 107, Mercer Island
Tina and Joe Kennedy rent out their intimate wine bar for both private and semi-private events. With the decor, staff, food, and drinks all already on hand, it makes for an easy one-stop shop for small parties. For a private party, the minimum charge is $2,500 for four hours, including all the wine, food, and service for up to 50 people ($3250 with tax and gratuity). They also offer semi-private parties at the big community table for up to 25 people, with no venue fee above the cost of wine and food (plus tax and a 25 percent gratuity), though it must meet a $200/hour minimum.
Call Barrels at 206-268-0588 to book.
