Privacy Please | Top Picks for Private Event Venues in Austin

These chic venues are Austin’s hidden gems for fully private intimate gatherings

You are ready to re-enter society and reclaim your social calendar but like many, you may be wondering how to go about this safely, while ensuring comfort for your guests.

Trending in our offices is an increase in client requests for venues that can be entirely reserved for their private event. For those seeking a space where a spot on the guest list is the only key to entry, we are giving you an inside look at the Austin locations that rank at the top of our list.

The allure of a secret menu, quirky password, or hidden space is the hint of mystery we are all craving as we discover our new world. In the spirit of keeping occasions intimate and memorable, these turnkey venues offer maximum hospitality and style, delivered in a fully exclusive experience. As they say, the best things come in small packages.

Justine’s Secret House

Amid the new Roaring 20’s, it seems quite fitting that a venue which requires a password for entry would be an ideal location to host a decadent affair for reemerging revelers. Arrive at the Justine’s Secret House landing page and you will be prompted to enter a mysterious password; behind a few keystrokes lies an allusive private venue that certainly lives up to its moniker.

This is the kind of hideaway where sumptuous vintage interiors and fine French cuisine leave you wishing the crimson walls could talk. Think beguiling French jazz music emanating from vinyl records, divine espresso martinis, and that inimitable je ne sais quoi.

Perks of this venue include both indoor and outdoor dining options, with flexibility to accommodate a range of capacities for a seated dinner. With access to bespoke menus prepared by Justine’s newly reinstated Executive Chef Justin Huffman, the epicurious will delight in a multi-sensory occasion that few have experienced, but many have heard the whispers of legendary tales circulated from past soirées.

Greenhouse Dinner at the Commodore Perry Estate

If you have ever dreamed of having the key to the Secret Garden- this locale is for you. Journey down, past the Mansion and the marvelous, manicured grounds of the Commodore Perry Estate, and you will happen upon The Estate Greenhouse, perfectly tucked away under a canopy of flora and flickering candlelight.

Here, you can host an intimate dining experience surrounded by Mother Nature’s bounty and the warmth that comes from reuniting with friends. Chef Bradley Nicholson’s seven-course Greenhouse Tasting Menu will transport you into a botanical paradise that only the most ardent of curious explorers have discovered.

As a bonus, you can tip toe your way back through the tulips to your luxury accommodations on the property, where your personalized, in-room cocktail cart and expertly curated décor await.

The Apartment

You may have spent the last year in the confines of your abode but trust us when we say this is one apartment worth stepping out for. Located above a beloved Austin restaurant in the charming Clarksville neighborhood, The Apartment is a cozy dwelling where you instantly feel right at home.

As part of the Jeffrey’s family, guests have the opportunity to experience a tried-and-true local establishment in an intimate, convivial setting. If you are in the mood to host friends and family in your home, yet not quite ready to open your personal space, this venue will give you the same good vibes without the fuss.

Gather 20 of your nearest and dearest for a relaxed family-style dinner around a long farm table, where you can swap quarantine stories over comforting menu staples. In a time where things around us are constantly changing, there is just something so effortlessly reassuring about revisiting a classic.

Images Courtesy Of 1 | Commodore Perry Estate Auberge Resorts 2 | Justine’s Secret House 3 | Commodore Perry Estate Auberge Resorts 4 | Jeffrey’s

3 Golf-Themed Par-Tees We're Loving

The sun is out, the air has transitioned from crisp to delightfully warm, and fun summer occasions are in full swing. We’re seeing more and more outdoor activities and events happening around the country as many embrace their newfound appreciation for nature and fresh air. One trend we’ve noticed rising in popularity is golf-themed ‘par-tee’s, and we’re loving it! From Father’s Day event ideas to birthday parties, this is a fantastic and fun theme for all ages. Just in time for your upcoming summer celebrations, we’re sharing three golf-themed occasions that deserve a golf clap and insider tips on how we would style them.

Just Fore Dad

A golf-themed party for Father’s Day is a memorable way to celebrate the special dads and father figures in our lives. We all know a golf-lovin’ dad and this is one way to make them feel ultra-appreciated for all that they do for us. This is a great opportunity to get creative with your event styling, from the snack station to the smaller details. For Father’s Day, we would feature:

• Punny golf-themed decorative signs! Some ideas could be ‘it’s par-tee time’ above the snack table or bar and ‘love having you a-round, dad’.

• Bespoke cocktails named after famous golfers. A well-known drink is the John Daly which consists of lemonade, iced tea, and vodka. Put your thinking hats on and come up with cocktails for other notable players that are fan favorites!

• A snack station with golf-themed bites such as potato ‘chips’ or ‘wedges’, devilled ‘birdie’ eggs, and ‘par-faits’.

The dads in our lives have given us so much, from a loving home to what sometimes feels like an endless stream of poor jokes. Throwing them a golf-themed party will help them feel like their love is reciprocated in the most festive way.

Credit: @lapasteleriaderenata

Baby’s Hole In One First Birthday

Your baby may not be able to swing a golf club yet but that doesn’t mean you can’t get them into the game at an early age! A golf-themed hole in one par-tee is a festive and easy way to style a first birthday. Just envision the green smash cake and golf ball-shaped juice bottles! Decorate with eye-catching vignettes like an elaborate balloon arch photo op and a plastic golf ball pit for the little ones to play in.

This is an excellent opportunity for personalized takeaway gifts and to invite guests to dress up in theme. Think Nike caps, knitted sweaters over the shoulders, and white shorts, skorts, and sneakers.

Don’t forget the adults, too! Pimento cheese sandwiches are a signature of The Masters and are always a crowd-pleaser at parties. Tee up a bloody mary bar with all the fixings and serve an array of bar snacks worthy of the 19th Hole.

Company Cup

As team members set their OOO and get ready to embark on summer vacation, a corporate par-tee is a superb way to celebrate the season. If you’re organizing an end-of-year event, planning an outing to treat work teams to mini-golf or a day at the driving range will help them bond over something that allows everyone to take part in. Alternatively, you could consider hosting an outdoor, golf-themed event if you have the space available. You can rent out a local country club and decorate with the theme in mind for a high-end experience that will help your team snap out of work mode and into social mode.

Given the summery weather, it’s also a great time for lawn games such as chipping contests, croquet, and the longest drive competition (space permitting).

For a company cup, we would feature:

• Inspired by golf tournament essentials, the par-tee’s itinerary for the day could be designed as a scorecard, with activities highlighted at each stop on the course.

• We love custom party favors including monogrammed golf towels, branded golf balls, and personalized water bottles.

• Decorate the lunch table with company-branded golf flags, tees, and personalized coolers for the course are always a hit.

• Bring out the spirit of friendly competition with a series of clever trophies to award your team members.

There are endless possibilities for golf-themed parties and we think it’s perfectly fitting for summer celebrations. Whether it’s an end-of-year corporate event or a golf-obsessed friend’s birthday, the theme is applicable for a variety of occasions and will certainly bring an element of whimsy to the day. If you’re looking to hop on the cart with this popular theme, the Cassie LaMere Events team is your caddy — we’re experts in taking your vision and executing it while having loads of fun along the way. We love getting creative with a theme while still keeping an event looking and feeling chic. Get in touch with Cassie if you’re looking for a stylist for your next event.

Credit: Slim Aarons

Landscaping for an Outdoor Event: What You Need to Know

A guide to picture-perfect grounds, whether you have 3 months, 3 weeks, or 3 days.

We get it: after months cooped up indoors, you're ready to spread your social butterfly wings and warmer temps have you dreaming of hosting an outdoor event.

If the only green spaces you've traversed in the last several months are the ones on your Peloton virtual trek, you're in desperate need of some time in the Great Outdoors. With many people electing to entertain at their personal home, your outdoor living space or friend's firepit might have all the makings of the perfect venue, but you may find yourself with a setting that needs freshening up and little time to tackle the project. Not to worry, we've called in the experts to help us map out a guide to solve your landscaping woes.

We chatted with Claire Kelly, Master of Landscape Architecture Candidate at The University of Texas, to get her recommendations for to-do lists to get you party-ready, whether your occasion is a few months out or just a few days away. So go ahead and send out the invitations, grab your sun hat, and mix up a pitcher of margaritas- these pro pointers are sure to earn your al fresco festivities two green thumbs up.

3 - 6 Months | How Does Your Garden Grow

Contrary to popular myth, the key to achieving a sumptuous, inviting look with landscaping is not the number of plants planted in a space, but time! While you can’t do much to make flowers and plants grow faster, giving plants time to mature and “fill in” goes a long way in making an outdoor space look effortlessly lush, as opposed to newly-planted and sparse. If you’re doing a major landscaping overhaul in preparation for an event, aim to make changes such as hardscape installation (incorporating built structures like pathways and pergolas) sodding, bed restructuring, and planting at least three months out.

This may seem like a long time, but having an extra few weeks accomplishes a couple of things: it allows adequate time for plants to get established and grow, plus it allows time for any necessary adjustments to be made. New sod not thriving? Greenery looking leggier than expected? Issues like these can be addressed properly – not just hastily disguised – when there is ample time before an event.

Also, expect some attrition with new plants – unfortunately, not all of them will survive after installation. This is normal, and having more lead-time before your event will work in your favor, should you need to replace a piece to keep the landscaping looking its prettiest.

2 - 4 Weeks | A Feast for the Eyes

Two to four weeks is ample time to go beyond minimal maintenance and really spruce up a space, albeit strategically. It’s a good time to assess anything in your yard or venue that might need replacing – you can shop for new outdoor linens, dinnerware, lighting, and accessories; all of which you and your event planner can usually procure within this timeframe.

Additionally, larger maintenance tasks such as mulching or power washing should also be done in this timeframe. You can do some planting as well, but leave items like mowing or pruning for closer to the event date, as plants will still have time to grow noticeably in the coming days.

You’ll want to make sure that the layout of the space is finalized at this point, so you can know which areas should receive the most attention as the event draws near.

2 - 3 Days | So Fresh and So Clean

It’s officially crunch-time, but there are many small tasks that can be accomplished in just a two-day window to get your outdoor space event-ready!

Two to three days ahead of an event is the perfect time to focus on general maintenance. Have gardeners (or yourself and a friend) mow, weed, clear beds of debris, and trim wandering stems from vines and hedges. You can also do some last-minute, small-scale planting if you have time – just be sure to water new plants adequately so that they do not appear droopy on the day of your event.

Don’t forget your non-planted elements, either; make sure your space is extra clean and ready for people to enjoy without distraction. Sweep porches, patios, and decks, remove cobwebs from overhangs, dust off outdoor furniture, and refresh linens day-of. If you need to up the ambiance, citronella candles pull double duty as mosquito deterrents and mood lighting.

What are key questions to ask your venue's maintenance team to get a better understanding of how they care for, and maintain, the grounds before your event?

It’s always wise to be aware of the fertilizing schedule for your venue or space. Regular fertilizing is an essential part of maintaining healthy soil, which is key to growing beautiful trees and plants; however, whether it's organic or synthetic, fertilizer tends to have an unpleasant smell. The same goes for mulch. You do not want fresh fertilizer or mulch at the time of your event, so discuss the timing of this maintenance with your team or venue manager.

Keep in mind that many parks and larger outdoor venues go as far as to cordon off their lawn spaces while grass seeds germinate and grow, even if the lawn is a major part of the space. This means that although you may be permitted to host an event at these venues year-round, you may not always have access to key areas, which can impact the flow and overall feel of your event.

Finally, if you’re hosting in your own space, make sure to adjust your sprinkler system so that sprinklers don’t accidentally go off during your party! Run sprinklers in the wee hours of the morning (4 - 5am) for optimum water absorption and drying time before daytime gatherings.

Want more tips like these? Be sure to check out part one of our conversation with Claire, where we share industry secrets for perfecting outdoor entertaining.