Here's a closer look at Seattle’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Seattle venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Summit, Seattle Convention Center
The Seattle Convention Center nearly doubled its capacity with the opening of its $2 billion downtown addition in January 2023, known as Summit. Touted as North America’s first high-rise convention center, Summit consists of 573,770 square feet of event space—all located one and a half blocks from the Seattle Convention Center's original Arch building. The addition is projected to achieve LEED Gold certification, with sustainable features like rooftop solar panels, reclaimed wood, and a rainwater harvesting system. Large windows and skylights provide natural light, while focal points include a wooden chandelier designed by local artist Cathy McClure and a grand, suspended stair and escalator system incorporating wood that's native to the Pacific Northwest. The multi-level Summit offers 62 meeting rooms totaling 99,620 square feet. There's also a 58,000-square-foot, column-free ballroom that can accommodate up to 5,000 for theater-style events and 3,780 for banquet-style events. The Exhibit Hall boasts an additional 149,200 square feet of exhibit space, while the Flex Hall on the second floor offers 99,250 square feet that can accommodate 8,000 for theater-style events or 5,860 for banquet-style events.
Photo: Cory Parris
Hilton Motif Seattle
Hilton Motif Seattle opened in January 2023 and is perfect for business and leisure travelers alike thanks to its downtown location, which is within walking distance from the Seattle Convention Center and tourist attractions like the Space Needle and the waterfront. Formerly Motif Seattle, the newly Hilton-rebranded, 319-room hotel includes a rooftop restaurant and more than 36,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Highlights include the divisible, 8,460-square-foot Emerald Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 630 for receptions or 608 for banquet-style events in a space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. There are also 13 meeting rooms, including the 5,950-square-foot Seattle room, which can accommodate up to 372 for receptions or 320 for banquet-style events. The fifth-floor Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails includes a rooftop curling rink and stellar views, with room for private events with up to 260 guests in more than 4,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space.
Photo: Courtesy of Hilton Motif Seattle
Rough and Tumble
A self-proclaimed "home for women's sports" opened in Seattle, and it's the perfect place to catch an OL Reign match. Rough & Tumble debuted in December 2022 in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, and female athletics are top priority when it comes to what plays on the venue's 18 screens, including a 120-inch screen over the bar. (Patrons can still expect to catch games from the Mariners, Kraken, Sounders, and more.) The sports bar boasts high ceilings, bay windows, a vintage photo booth, and two pool tables. The menu is heavy on comfort food, like fried chicken sandwiches and "Billy Jean King" wings, with cold pours from 17 taps and cocktails like the "Offside" with strawberry gin. Rough & Tumble can accommodate up to 165 seated or 230 standing guests for full buyouts. Hold a private event in the on-site banquet room, a four-season, fully heated terrace that's open during the summer months beyond rolling glass doors. The alfresco space can accommodate up to 50 guests and boasts two 90-inch screens and its own dedicated sound system.
Photo: Courtesy of Feed It Creative
Gemini Room
All-day cafe and lounge Gemini Room opened in December 2022 in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, with flashback decor including '70s-inspired orange couches. The woman-owned restaurant serves cardamom orange lattes and kimchi tomato toast by day, and transitions to a cocktail bar by night. Expect groovy drinks with equally fun names, like the "Rosemary Fizz" or the "Midnight Sun" that's made with pineapple, orange juice, and coconut cream with a pea flower rum float. Gemini Room has the capacity for up to 50 guests seated and standing. Full and partial buyouts of the space are available—without a space fee, but with a food and beverage minimum that varies depending on day.
Photo: Tanner Mclaughlin
Camp West
Tacoma's outdoorsy Camp Bar added a Seattle outpost with the opening of Camp West in October 2022. Fitting for its name, the restaurant is decorated with axes, antlers, and natural wood accents, along with nods to camp life like thermoses as water vessels for each table. Food is also on theme, with mini tableside grills on hand for roasting s'mores, as well as charcuterie and snacks served in a tackle box. Other menu highlights include short ribs, chicken and dumplings, and mushroom cassoulet. Camp West can accommodate up to 70 guests, and private events with a buyout are available on a limited basis. For semi-private events with seating for up to eight guests, consider booking a tented table with camping chairs and a leather booth.
Photo: Courtesy of Camp West
Maiz Molino
Seattle restaurant Mai focuses on using heirloom, non-GMO Mexican nixtamal corn, and the restaurant added a new location to its portfolio in September 2022. Maiz Molino is much larger than its counterpart at Pike Place Market, and the new outpost is decorated with ornate tile and murals. The restaurant serves tamales, sopes, quesadillas, tacos, and more, with fillings ranging from pork pastor to chicken tinga. Maiz Molino is available for private events, and the space can seat up to 40 guests, with room for an additional 20 standing. The restaurant is outfitted with 24 seats at regular tables and 16 high chairs in the bar area.
Photo: Courtesy of Maiz Molino
