With a city as creative and inspiring as Memphis, your options for event venues are as unique as your own special occasion. Many local businesses have opened their doors to event hosts, creating spaces that add a curated look and feel to the atmosphere. From the cozy oasis behind Broad Avenue’s Falling Into Place to the beautiful green expanse of Millstone Nursery’s Greenhouse to the Memphis-infused flavor of Venue901, here are three Memphis venues that can take your next event beyond the expected.
3 Unexpected Event Venues in Memphis
The Backyard at Falling Into Place
2613 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38122 • (901) 249-2834
fallingintoplace.net
The Broad Avenue Arts District draws residents and tourists to its unique, locally owned and artisan-focused shops and restaurants every day. If you want to make your own event one-of-a-kind, walk through the Falling Into Place storefront, and then venture into The Backyard. The inviting patio area welcomes you to enjoy a vintage-inspired seat around the picnic table as you mingle with guests under bistro lights.
Owner Mary Claire White also uses the space for workshops, like her candlemaking class as well as partnerships with local makers and entrepreneurs, teaching everything from painting to assembling the perfect charcuterie board. Hosts can work with the shop to plan a workshop that creates a ready-made centerpiece for a casual gathering.
RELATED: Mary Claire White of Falling Into Place: FACES of Memphis
The Backyard has class seating for 15 guests, but a reception or art show can accommodate up to 60. Although there isn’t an on-site kitchen, acclaimed restaurants like The Liquor Store, Lucky Cat and Bounty on Broad are nearby and happy to help with catering.
The Backyard features shaded seating and a photobooth wall to add a curated touch to a bridal brunch or casual gathering. Image: Instagram
Featuring the work of local artists, Falling Into Place also coordinates workshops like this candlemaking class in The Backyard. Image: Instagram
The Backyard at Falling Into Place makes the perfect setting for an art show, but it can make your event a masterpiece, too. Image: Falling Into Place
The Greenhouse at Millstone Nursery
6993 Poplar Ave, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 730-1183
millstonenursery.com
Millstone Nursery uses its expansive greenhouse for events like its Spring Speaker Series and Outdoors in October market, but the 4,000-square-foot space is also available for event rentals throughout the year. With a staff of full-time designers on site, Millstone applies its own vision to brings yours to life.
The Greenhouse, of course, comes filled with its own inventory of indoor and outdoor trees, flowers, shrubs and an eclectic collection of furnishings and accessories. Still, you are also welcome to bring your own decorative elements to accent an event theme.
Using all of its available seating, this space can accommodate around 125 guests inside, but during pleasant weather, the party can filter outdoors as well. The Greenhouse doesn’t lose any of its magic at night, either. It provides a refreshing backdrop for rehearsal dinners, brunches, corporate events, retirement parties, social club meetings and even wedding ceremonies. If your group has a particular interest in horticulture, the expert staff is also available to give professional presentations. Not to mention the retail facility’s ample, easy parking makes it even easier for guests to enjoy their time.
“I think people like the casual garden setting and being surrounded by plants,” says owner Tricia Hunt of The Greenhouse. Image: Millstone Nursery
The plants may need sun but your event doesn’t. About half of The Greenhouse’s events are evening affairs. Image: Millstone Nursery
You’ll likely be inspired to add some botanical flair to cocktails served in Millstone Nursery. Image: Millston Nursery
Venue901 by Corky’s
5255 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119 • (901) 682-9997
venue901.com
If you’re hoping for a memorable event, it’s a safe bet to bring in an icon. Memphians and tourists spent years navigating around this Poplar Avenue building on their way to Corky’s BBQ next door, but now that former production kitchen and office space is a destination of its own: Venue901.
As the demand for catering grew, the Corky’s team saw it could combine its famous barbecue favorites with a space that represented the restaurant’s welcoming Memphis spirit. The team felt there was a particular need in East Memphis for a lively, flexible alternative to ballroom-and-boardroom meeting spaces. Venue901 is the embodiment of that vision.
RELATED: The Best Venues in Memphis
Although it considers 60 guests its sweet spot, the room can readily accommodate a luncheon for 25 or a reception for 100. Traditional Corky’s favorites are naturally an option, but Venue901 also has a full, upscale catering menu to complement any gathering, any time of day (yes, even breakfast!). An eye-catching mural featuring Memphis attractions creates a social media moment right outside. As anyone who has been to Corky’s BBQ at the dinner hour knows, parking can be a bit limited around the busy restaurant, but Venue901 also provides free shuttle service to event guests.
The versatile space at Venue901 accommodates anything from seated dinners to cocktail receptions. Image: Venue901
One of Venue901’s unique perks is catering is available from one of the most well-known restaurants in Memphis: Corky’s BBQ. Image: Venue901
Venue901 captures a collection of Memphis’ most iconic locations in its 901Mural located right outside. Image: Instagram
When it’s time to start planning your next event, keep these unexpected venue options in mind!
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