space rental for a first birthday party?

[veek.livejournal.com]

My babe is turning one. I invited a bunch of people, and got WAY more yes-RSVPs than I was expecting. Exciting! And potentially challenging to fit ~35 people into my apartment.

I've looked through the archives but can't find anything: is there a good space to invite that many people (some of them children) for a couple of hours, that'll let us bring food and non-alcoholic drinks? And cost less than the $250 that Together in Motion costs on a weekend?

I know, hope springs etc. But thought I'd ask.

Comments

[veek.livejournal.com]

Friends elsewhere had an answer that turned out great: iYo has a party room. One wall is even painted with chalkboard paint! They told me they charge $100 per 90 minutes, less whatever your guests get at the cafe. So if they get $100 worth of food, the room is "free." They have three big tables there that seat ~18-20 people, but are willing to take one or two of the tables out for us.

Hooray!

Although I think I'm now set, information about other spaces would be great to have in comments on this post, for the future.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Wow, I had no idea about that -- and I LOVE iYo!! Definitely keeping that in mind. :)

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

Me too, that is a great party space idea! Will they let you bring food-that-is-not-stuff-they-serve-there, too?

[veek.livejournal.com]

I didn't ask -- felt awkward, since they're a food place. But maybe they'd let us bring some cheese and crackers... I don't know. Feels weird to ask.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

I love the iYo Space, but it's no larger than your LR. You should definitely check it out in person before you commit.

(If you do this sometime when we can have coffee or yogurt together, all the better. :) )

[majordomo.livejournal.com]

This is probably not quite the right venue, but the old Ball Square bowling alley might work (depending on your one-year-old's fondness for candlepin, of course):
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2010/02/by_danielle_dreilinger_globe_c_22.html

[majordomo.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool! I looks to me like iYo is by far the superior option; I guess you typed that out while I was still editing my message. (Missed it by *that* much!)

[mamabunny72.livejournal.com]

Looks like you found a good place.
I was thinking the cafe at the Armory. Bonus is they have parking.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

The Gibbs Gym in Arlington is one that comes up occasionally. It costs significantly less than $250, but more than $100, if I recall correctly, and they will do party activities with older kids.
Cambridge also offers gym parties at their high school gym, but have in recent years limited those to be hosted by Cambridge residents only.

(I think it would be excellent if the Somerville Y or Somerville Rec department or something would offer low frills kids stuff similar to those!)

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Not much on ambiance, but just because I always forget it's there, there's the Holiday Inn at the other end of S'ville, down on Washington Street. Their nightclub sort of famously got shut down recently, but they'll still have function space. again, meh on ambiance, but if you're collecting ideas of spaces, it's good to remember. If they heat their pool, and if they rent that for parties, your friends' kids might really dig a winter pool party.