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Think big when you plan your special blowout. Climbing walls or dining with the fishes can make for a standout party.
By AMY ABBOTT
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2001
With all that has been happening lately, it may be tough to get into the festive spirit for the holidays ahead. But if ever there was a time when friends and family need to be around each other, this is it.
Whether you're in charge of the annual office gathering, a cocktail mixer to rub elbows or a festive fundraiser for a worthy cause, it's not too early to think about where you're going to celebrate.
Sure, you can invite everyone to your house, but think of all the red wine that could sploosh onto your beige carpeting.
So why not take the party out? The Tampa Bay area offers all kinds of options for creative merrymaking. Most hotels and restaurants will be happy to host your soiree, and remember that many big places have small rooms to accommodate groups of any size.
Want to try something else? Here's just a sampling of the many other kinds of venues -- from museums to skating rinks to party buses -- you might consider to make your fete the party of the year.
Big Red Balloon, 16302 East Course Drive, Tampa
Atmosphere: If you're a morning person with an adventurous side, take your party to a higher level: the clouds. Just after dawn, you lift off and soar 1,000 feet over the lakes and fields of north Hillsborough County and southern Pasco County for 31/2 hours. Upon touchdown, a traditional Champagne toast balloonside and breakfast buffet at First Watch follows.
Capacity: 8-10 people
Price: $175 per person. Discounts available for large groups.
Food: Included in the package.
Make reservations: At least three weeks in advance.
Contact: (813) 969-1518
Vertical Ventures, 5404 Pioneer Park Blvd., Tampa
Atmosphere: If idle chatter and uncomfortable silences are your worst party fears, check this place out. Learn how to rock climb or wow your party guests with your ability to belay. Instructors and equipment are provided for all the newbies. If it's an office party, a deluxe package gives you complete use of the gym, along with team-building exercises, games and food.
Capacity: 10 or more.
Price: $150-$500 for a group of 10, $15-$25 for each additional person.
Food: Can provide pizza, drinks and cake but will allow caterers to be brought in.
Make reservation: At least 2-3 weeks in advance.
Contact: (813) 884-7625
Ybor City State Museum garden, 1818 E Ninth Ave., Tampa
Atmosphere: The lovely garden here includes a stage for ceremonies, a dressing room for the bride and attendants, and a kitchen for the caterer. It's available only after 5 p.m. Another plus: your most party-hearty guests can keep the festivities going in Ybor's many bars and clubs long after you've collapsed from exhaustion.
Capacity: Up to about 200 people.
Price: $125, plus $22.50 per hour.
Food: Bring your own caterer.
Make reservations: Depends on the date; some dates are booked as far off as next summer.
Contact: (813) 247-6323
Party Bus USA (All over the area; they come to you)
Atmosphere: Take your party on the road in a bus. Most people have tried the luxury of a limo at prom time, but for the real full-service treatment and the most responsible way to party, a bus is the way to go. Mirror-lined interiors reflect the revelers getting down on the lighted dance floor in back, and a metal pole extends from the floor to the ceiling to help with, ahem, balance. The rest of the coach is furnished with plush captain chairs and comfy benches. A full bar with a bartender keeps the libations flowing. Capacity: Up to 43.
Price: Starting at $6.21 an hour per person.
Food: Bring your own or hit the drive-through.
Make reservation: At least 2 weeks in advance.
Contact: (727) 573-4888
Weeki Wachee Springs, 6131 Commercial Way (corner U.S. 19 and State Road 50), Spring Hill
Atmosphere: World renowned for the mermaids, this place has more than mythological appeal. From the banquet hall, there is a full view of the park, and partyers have the option to explore the park for a reduced rate. If you want to go all-out, you can arrange an after-hours 40-minute mermaid show for $250 in the underwater dinner theater.
Capacity: Up to 150.
Pricing: $50 an hour. Catering, $13.95-$19.95 per person.
Food: Full catering is available.
Make reservation: At least a month in advance.
Contact: (352) 596-2062
Harborview Center, 300 Cleveland St., Clearwater
Atmosphere: Whatever the size of your bash, this place can probably handle it. With 35,000 square feet of ballroom and public space, the whole place can be rented, or it can be sectioned off for smaller events. The Clearwater Room has sweeping views of the harbor waters and gulf beaches skyline. Getting in is easy, too, with 800 on-site parking spaces and 1,500 more in the immediate vicinity.
Capacity: Up to 2,200
Pricing: $250-$3,000
Food: On site catering
Make reservations: At least three weeks in advance
Contact: (727) 462-6778
Jannus Landing, 200 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Atmosphere: Usually a major concert venue in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, it can be rented on off nights. Inside or outside, you have access to a stage, tons of seating and bars at every turn. During the cooler months, the outdoor area is the place to be. A canopy of trees overhangs the courtyard, and there are plenty of tables. The indoor area has slightly less room but all the same amenities. You can even get help with the entertainment if you want to book a band.
Capacity: Up to 1,500
Pricing: About $500-$2000
Food: There is a wide selection of party favorites, but you can bring your own caterer.
Make reservations: At least three weeks in advance.
Contact: (727) 896-2276
Heye Grand Room, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater
Atmosphere: If elegant surroundings are what you're looking for, then the Heye Grand Room is the spot. Suspended balconies, sparkling chandeliers and vaulted ceilings lend to its elegance. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the woods behind the hall.
Capacity: Up to 450 Pricing: $290-$1,500
Food: Catering a must; a full kitchen is on site.
Make Reservations: At least three weeks in advance.
Contact: (727) 712-2707
The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Atmosphere: After many renovations and touch-up work, the massive hall is used for everything from community dances to trade shows. With more than 800 parking spaces, it's the place for those really big bashes. The giant, domed interior twinkles with lights suspended in the eaves. Smaller alcoves provide intimate seating, and the stage can accommodate any band, speaker or karaoke machine you wish.
Party for: Up to 2,000
Pricing: $500-$2,500
Food: Catering and beverage service available, or bring your own caterer.
Make reservations: At least a month in advance.
Contact: (727) 892-5202
Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Atmosphere: Cafe Ray and the Taylor Great Room are available for smaller parties. Renting out the entire aquarium is also an option after hours. You can eat with the fishes in the Coral Reef Gallery, where management will set up a dining area beside the 500,000-gallon tank. Daytime boat charters on the Bay Spirit can take up to 40 of your guests out on Tampa Bay for a couple of hours.
Capacity: Up to 3,000
Pricing: Classrooms, $350; Cafe Ray and Taylor Great Room, $500 and up; Aquarium rental, $1400 and up. Food: Aquarium restaurants will provide food, or you can bring in a caterer.
Contact: (813) 273-4000
Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
Atmosphere: This lovely building offers all kinds of atmosphere for your party. You get the two gardens (one is a sculpture garden), the Marly Room with its parquet floors, chandeliers and a big stage for a band or DJ, and your guests can tour the galleries (without food and drinks in hand, of course).
Capacity: The Marly Room accommodates about 120-130 for sitdown dinner, leaving room for a dance floor.
Price: $4,000 for an evening.
Food: Bring your own caterer; there's a complete kitchen on site.
Make reservations: Very far in advance; call only if you're planning a party for next year, since 2001 is all booked up.
Contact: (727) 896-2667, ext. 214.
BlackHawk Coffee Cafe, 1628 W Snow Circle, Tampa
Atmosphere: This is like having a party in a comfy living room, but minus the work. The party room has an old world library feel complete with cushy leather seats tucked into the corners and dark, polished wood tables. The outer wall consists of floor-to-ceiling glass windows decorated with hanging stained glass. Domed reproduction Tiffany glass lamps provide light, and the art is by Dr. Seuss. That's right. The shop's owner has a collection of work Theodore Geisel created for his own pleasure. And they're for sale -- pretty nice party favor.
Capacity: Up to 25.
Price: Round table, free. Full room, $75 per hour credited towards food purchases. Half day (4-6 hours), $175; full day (6-12 hours), $300, includes service.
Food: Bakery, sandwiches and desserts. Can bring in your favorite caterer.
Make reservations by: At least 2 weeks in advance for the whole room.
Contact: (813) 258-1600
Lowry Park Zoo, 7530 N Boulevard, Tampa
Atmosphere: Sections of the zoo can be rented out at different times of the day. Lush tropical gardens make any setting out of the ordinary. You can arrange to have certain animals on display or dine next to the manatees swimming in their pool.
Capacity: Up to 4,500
Pricing: Starting around $400
Food: Catering can be provided, or you can bring in outside vendors.
Contact: (813) 935-8552
Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey
Atmosphere: You can create your own dinner theater here by hiring actors and singers to perform for your party. Or you can be your own entertainment and get on stage to do a little Punch and Judy. The theater was built in 1922 with a Moroccan art deco look. The spacious lobby provides enough room for a large party to mingle comfortably.
Capacity: About 125 in the lobby.
Pricing: Around $1,150, up to 4 hours.
Food: Bring your own caterer. No food in the auditorium.
Make reservations: At least a month in advance. Contact: (727) 842-6777
Suncoast Skate, 10451 County Line Road, Spring Hill
Atmosphere: Relive your past and skate in circles to the Village People's YMCA under the swirling lights of the disco ball. Okay, you don't have to do that. Leave that to the other people in your party and head over to the new computer room complete with Internet hook-up. The DJ is brought in to entertain your masses.
Capacity: 1,200 Pricing: $300 for two hours. $100 for each additional hour.
Food: There is a snack bar with deli sandwiches and munchies, but caterers are not frowned upon.
Make reservations: At least a month in advance
Contact: (352) 688-0545
Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg
Atmosphere: If you're a baseball fanatic or just very popular, you can rent out all sorts of spots for a few hours or a whole day. Meeting rooms, restaurants, the Beach and a party spa are just some of the places you can select to party down.
Capacity: Up to 50,000
Pricing: Ranges from making reservations in the Budweiser Brewhouse (no fee for the reservation) to numbers you'll want to talk to your accountant about.
Food: In-house catering.
Make reservations: Depends on the size of your party
Contact: (727) 825-3413
If you hold a party that doesn't have a liquor license, and you choose to BYOB, both you and the establishment could be liable for drinking-related injuries.
You must provide transportation for your guests if they have been drinking.
Having the office staff decorate the hall for an office holiday party could make the company liable if somebody falls off a ladder.
Call the fire marshal's office for a free inspection of the hall you're considering to find out the safe capacity.
Choose a place that has the equipment you need, or your costs could skyrocket.
SOURCE: Patti Coons of Patti Coons and Associates International event planning, Tampa.