From breezy ocean views and city rooftops to twinkling string lights in the woods, we’ve created a visual summer venues guide.
You don’t have to look far to be inspired by some great North American venues for your next event. “Location, location, location!” is shouted from every event service website as the standard for organizing a successful event. This mantra continues to be true for summer events, with an important distinction: summer venues are much broader than just hotel conference rooms or dark event halls.
The season opens doors to the variety of venues event planners can take advantage of, from beaches to rooftops to banquets and more. However, summer also brings its own complications: how do you create a magical atmosphere while still ensuring a comfortable temperature? How do you define a clear event area while taking advantage of open spaces? What do you do about bugs?
And most important: where do you start? Before diving into the logistics, a successful summer event begins with venue inspiration, and we've got just that for you here.
Waterfront venues
Nothing says “summer” like celebrating by the water, with the sun setting over the horizon and a hint of salt in the air. Though more exposed to the elements than other venue options, a waterfront event can be either elegant or casual and offers a versatile range of event options. Beachside, poolside, lakeside - every side is good from a waterfront angle.
Location: Ixtapa, Mexico
Venue: Krystal Hotel
Why have your event inside when you can have the same setup - on the beach? This event ensured guests would be comfortable while on the beach: mats under the table, comfortable chairs, well-proportioned table settings so people aren't crowding each other, and soft tiki torches for appropriate lighting. Soundtrack of the event: crashing waves and seagulls overhead.
Location: San Diego, California
Venue: The great outdoors
The heaters and creative lighting at this San Diego evoke the moon, giving even the technology in this setting a natural vibe that doesn't disrupt the breathtaking California scenery.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Venue: Indoor/Outdoor Banquet Hall
Opt for a poolside event for an equally-summery but less-exposed event style. The more defined layout pushes guests to naturally interact more with each other, rather than stretching out by themselves on a beach. With standing tables, umbrellas for shade, soft lighting, and comfortable seating, this event can feel more private and personal than a beach. Plus the water is probably warmer.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Venue: Perry's at the Beach
Instead of creating your own space on a beach, find one that is already made for you. A beach cafe like this, or other similar waterside event spaces, ensure a blocked off area, tables and supplies already available, and an easy address for guests to find. This offers convenience with the ability to personalize your beachside event.
Read more: 21 A-List Los Angeles venues to host your event
Open-air venues
Open-air venues such as these give the impression of being outside, but with all the benefits of being inside. Open roofs, glass paneling, and wide decks allow guests to appreciate the summer in comfort.
Location: San Diego, California
Venue: Diamond View Tower
Spacious indoor areas with accessible outdoor decks offer the best of both worlds for a summer event. The Diamond View Tower in San Diego has a comfortable interior with huge windows and opens to the deck for fresh air. The warm wood tones and decor bring some of the summer sun inside to even an elegant indoor setting like this one.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Venue: Capitol View 400
This venue looks over some of D.C.'s finest buildings, and is furnished like the penthouse of your dreams. Similar to the previous venue, the outdoor area and indoor space are equally huge, so guests can wander in and out as they please. Note that the colors here are cool whites and purples - the opposite approach from the warm woods of the other space, and does more to keep the summer heat at bay rather than invite it in.
Read more: 9 unique event venues in Washington D.C.
Location: New York City, New York
Venue: Hudson Terrace
The Hudson Terrace in NYC boasts a retractable roof during summer evenings and opens up the space to the sky. Come night time, guests can look up and see the stars while inside a comfortable and stylish space. This is a good one for events that start in the day and transition into the night, to get the best of both worlds in one venue.
Tented venues
With the right tent, lighting, and decor, choosing a tented venue adds a bit of magic to your event. Tents cover all the facets necessary: shelter, space, and ambiance, whileyour guests can still enjoy the outdoors in style.
Location: Miami, Florida
Venue: Fairchild Botanical Garden
This gorgeous tent was designed to celebrate the anniversary of one of Florida's finest Botanical Gardens. You can see how decor completely transforms a standard white tent into a tropical garden: fake (or real?) trees, creative lighting, botanical ornamentation, bright tables, even a green turfed floor. Budget-allowing, a space like this can elevate an event beyond what guests may think of when they think of a tent.
Venue: County Marquees
Think a tent is too small for the size of your event? This massive marquee should prove you wrong - it has enough space for a huge group, a stage, and room to spare! The beautiful lanterns add a pop of contrast color and ambiance to this expansive and elegant space.
Location: Suffolk, Virginia
Venue: World Inspired Tents
In this"tipi-style" tent, the back of the space feels cozy while the front stays wide open. Warm lighting and appropriate decor add to the atmosphere, and though for a smaller event, there is more than enough seating to go around. Atipi offers a different event space than other tents as it allows guests to interact both in and out of the interior spaces with ease.
Location: Atherton, California
Venue: A backyard!
A clear tent like this showcases your outdoor event and allows the guests to watch the sun set and night fall right above them. It is particularly best for evening events, as the summer sun might heat up the room, but the transparency displays your surroundings while being comfortably sheltered.
Rooftop venues
Nothing like 80 floors above the ground to take your breath away. Rooftops offer an urban luxury and romance impossible to attain in a different venue. Admire the views of your city in style and comfort, and take advantage of rooftop access while the weather permits.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Venue: Morgan's On Fulton
Indoor room, ample space for dancing, stringed lights, a variety of seating and tables, an outdoor heater in case of cool evenings, a touch of greenery, and a view to die for. This venue'stag line is "It's more than a space - It's a place!"
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Venue: The Bridge Building
A view like this can easily be the centerpiece of your event. As long as there is seating, snacks, and romantic lighting (already supplied here by Nashville's gorgeous skyline),all the ingredients for perfect nighttime ambiance are right there.
Location: Long Island City, NYC
Venue: Penthouse 808
Penthouse 808 in Long Island City is a lounge, restaurant, and event space with flawless views of the city across the river. They have ample seating options and an indoor room that will awe your guests.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Venue: Godfrey Hotel
The blue lighting featured at this hotel rooftop adds a contrast to the glow of the skyline, and the off-kilter decor make the Chicago venue a memorable spot, perfect for guests to snap photos of themselves at your event for social media.
Outdoor rustic venues
Maybe you prefer to throw indoors to the wayside and opt for a completely outdoor event under the sky. Parks, picnics, and banquets are classic summer locations and can be dressed up or dressed down for either a fairy tale atmosphere or a casual picnic in the grass. As a professional event planner and designer, Bronson van Wyck shared his thoughts on summer events with Vogue, especially outdoor ones:
The worst mistakes to make are: "Not having enough ice, shade, bug spray, or tequila.”
Location: Hood River, Oregon
Venue: The Roof Barn
Rent out a barn or picnic area for a casual, rustic day outside. The shelter provides space for food, drinks, and shade, and guests can sit and mingle around the space.Add lighting and fire pits for longer, evening events.
Location: Rio Medina, Texas
Venue: Brady’s Bloomin' Barn, Garden, & Event Center
Speaking of barns and evening events, this venue hints ofa Southern summer cookout with a possible dance floor inside and seating outside. Guests can take a breather from the energy inside and rest under the trees while the high-energy festivities continue inside.
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Venue: Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Furnishing your outdoor event as if it were indoors adds style and comfort to complement your regular seating. Plus, as you can see from this photo, it's very photogenic - and photogenic venues lend themselves to guests making more memories there.
More resources
Now that you have some new ideas after scrolling, you may be thinking about how to source a venue.
Check out what advice the Lime Venue Portfolio team, who curate the largest collection of unusual, sporting, and cultural venues in the UK and Ireland, shared on how to source a high-end venue. It includes 7 tips on what to look for in renting venues like some of the ones you've seen here. Happy hunting!