Rent the Tavern

Wedding Events / Meetings & Professional Events /
Tavern Gifts / Rental Guidelines

Two Hundred Years of Entertaining

Meet in the same room George Washington met in...Drink in the same room Thomas Jefferson drank in. Gadsby's Tavern Museum has been beautifully restored and furnished to look as it did over 200 years ago - and these historic rooms are now available to you and your guests for your own historic event! The Ballroom and Assembly Room with their hand-crafted woodwork, elegant chandeliers, and unique musicians' gallery make Gadsby's Tavern Museum an ideal setting for your ceremony, corporate retreat, or next party!

General Information

All rentals require a refundable security deposit to Gadsby's Tavern Museum to reserve a date.

Included in your rental fee: Staff time for set-up and clean-up 4' round tables (8) 6' banquet tables (10) White party chairs (100) Green tablecloths Hurricane lamps, brass candlesticks, & ivory candles Museum staff (costumed upon request)

Wedding Events

• Celebrate your engagement with a dinner or cocktail party
• Host unique showers with a luncheon
• Have your rehearsal dinner in an historic setting
• Celebrate your wedding ceremony in the elegance of the 18th century
• Enjoy the intimate, candlelight atmosphere for your reception

The Museum’s romantic setting lends itself to one-of-a-kind photograph opportunities, dining arrangements, and floral decorations. Picture dancing your “first dance” in the same room where George and Martha Washington danced. The experienced Museum staff can help you plan the perfect day. For additional destination wedding information, visit www.myalexandriawedding.com.

Revised rates for Gadsby's Tavern Museum, FY10
Rates:

Capacity

Ballroom:
90 ceremony
72 seated dinner
100 standing reception

Assembly Room:
65 ceremony
40 seated dinner
80 standing reception

Both Rooms:
112 seated dinner
160 standing reception

For more information please contact our Rental Coordinator .

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Meetings & Professional Events

George Washington held meetings and attended parties at Gadsby's Tavern Museum and now you can too!

Plan a meeting at the Museum and enjoy the flexibility of our space with seating arrangements to meet your needs. Have a boxed lunch delivered or enjoy the convenience of catering from Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant.

For your next corporate party, holiday gathering or client reception, consider these unique historic spaces. The Assembly Room and Ballroom are well equipped to host any type of gathering or celebration.

Revised rates for Gadsby's Tavern Museum, FY10
Rates:

Capacity

Ballroom:
90 ceremony
72 seated dinner
100 standing reception

Assembly Room:
65 ceremony
40 seated dinner
80 standing reception

Both Rooms:
112 seated dinner
175 standing reception

For more information please contact our Rental Coordinator.

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Tavern Gifts

Need a wedding favor, corporate gift or just a thank you? Gadsby's offers a wide variety of products from wine to notecards to tavern wares as a special souvenir for your guests. Discounts are available on purchases of large quantities. You can also shop online for many of these items.

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Rental Guidelines

The following guidelines will help you plan your event and ensure the preservation of our historic site. Click here for a PDF of the Guidelines. If you have any questions please contact the Rental Coordinator.

CLIENTS

• A refundable security deposit (check or cash) is required to reserve the Museum for an event. This security deposit cannot be applied toward the fees associated with the event. The deposit will be returned following the event provided there are no charges incurred for damages during the event or additional time used.
• One month prior to the event, the full rental fee (check or cash) is due to the Museum as well as the event schedule and a list of vendors with contacts and anticipated delivery times.
• Should your event last longer than the time indicated in the "Rental Agreement" a fee of $150 will be charged for every 1/2 hour beyond the end of the rental period. In addition, the security deposit will not be refunded.
• The rental fee includes set-up and clean-up of the Museum's tables and chairs, use of the Museum's 8 round tables (4') and 8 banquet tables (6'), white party chairs, barrel trashcans, staff person during your event (in costume upon request), podium, green tablecloths, hurricane lamps, brass candlesticks, and ivory candles. Any additional or different equipment will be at the client's expense.
• For an additional room reset fee ($75 to $300), changes in the setup of chairs and tables during an event can be made. The fee will be determined based on the reset plan. The amount will appear on the "Rental Agreement."
• All cancellations must be received in writing by Gadsby's Tavern Museum. In the event of a cancellation less than 1 month prior to the event, the security deposit is not refundable. All other rental fees will be refunded.
• All events must end and be cleaned up by our staff by 11:00pm.
• Due to the historic nature of the buildings, decorations may not be attached to walls, chandeliers, ceilings, or floors. No confetti, rose petals, bubbles, glitter, rice, feature boas, spray cans of string confetti or similar items will be allowed. Only candles supplied by the Museum or approved dripless/smokeless/colorless candles may be used.
• No smoking is permitted anywhere in the buildings.
• The Museum is not wheelchair accessible above the 1st floor. All rental spaces are on the 2nd floor. Public restrooms are located on the 3rd floor. The City of Alexandria complies with the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers accessible rental spaces at other City-owned sites.
• The Museum, its employees and agents, and the City of Alexandria assume no liability in connection with the scheduled event.
• The renter (and their contracted vendors) are responsible for any and all damage that occurs as a result of this event. The Museum should be left in its original condition at the conclusion of the event.
• The musician's gallery in the Ballroom is off limits by anyone during an event (including photographers, musicians, florists, guests or other vendors). A violation of this policy will result in the loss of the security deposit.
• Tours are available for your guests at an additional $4.00 per person. Advance notice of at least one month prior to event is required.
• If you are having your ceremony at the Museum, a 1-hour rehearsal can be held in the space during regular Museum Hours. Additional rehearsal time may be purchased if needed.

CATERERS AND OTHER VENDORS

PDF of preferred vendors

• The renter is responsible for making arrangements for all food, beverage, and other event needs (i.e. different linens and chairs, coat check, a/v requirements, etc). Gadsby's Tavern Museum is not responsible for set-up or removal of this rental equipment.
• Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant is the on-site caterer, however a list of outside caterers approved by the Museum is available. For all events not catered by the Restaurant or by an approved caterer, the catering contact must meet with the Rental Coordinator to review the Museum Guidelines and receive final approval.
• Museum activities and programs take precedent over event activity during set-up and clean-up periods.
• All deliveries can be unloaded and loaded in the front of the Museum in the unloading/loading zone.
• There is no on-site commercial kitchen for use by outside caterers, therefore all food must be prepared off-site. Warming ovens, other equipment, etc. are permitted only if it measures 32" wide and high due to the front stair dimensions. Plastic floor covering must be put down under all work areas, including the bar.
• One month prior to the event, any outside caterers used must submit to the Rental Coordinator the event plan for approval.
• The Museum will provide barrel trashcans for the event space. All trash created by the event must be properly bagged and removed from the building at the conclusion of the event and put in the City of Alexandria garbage receptacles on Fairfax Street, one block over from the Museum.
• No food or drink should be served in the Passage Room. Drop trays are requested at the stairs in the Assembly Room and in the hallway from the Ballroom. Please be aware and make an effort to clean up if a spill occurs, especially wine, fruit, and cake.
• All catering equipment and supplies must be picked up at the conclusion of the event. Gadsby's Tavern Museum will not be responsible for any lost or stolen catering equipment or other supplies.

MUSIC

• All music vendors must be pre-approved with Gadsby's staff before the event. Chamber and acoustic music are ideal for either room. Amplified music is not allowed, however DJs are acceptable with the understanding that Museum staff will monitor the noise level so it does not disturb patrons in the Restaurant below.
• Dancing is allowed in the Ballroom only.

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