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Hi,
I am hoping to have a cocktail party/reception somewhere in Hilo sometime in the next month or 2 and I wonder if anyone here might have a suggestion of a nice classy place to do it. I'm looking for a pleasant place that will accommodate maybe 25 people for an after work mingle kind of thing on a Friday. Just pu'pus and wine - maybe beer.
I looked at a couple of restaurants, but the only drawback is I'd have to buy their food and...the wine aint cheap. I may go with one of them, but I thought I'd check for other venues first where I can bring my own food and drink.
Thanks in advance!
Alicia
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The finer hotels have reception rooms; I attended a computer class at a hotel in Hilo when I worked for certified pest control on Maui. I don't know if it would be suitable for 25 peeps networking and schmoozing.
There may be a bed and breakfast that would be happy to host. A vacation rental "home" could work. I think you can get a permit to have a party with libations at the beautiful park behind suisan by the boat docks (I think it's Liliokulani park). Maybe get a quote for tents-table-chair set up.
The clincher is bringing your own booze. I don't have any solid leads, just brainstorming.
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Getting a vacation rental is a great idea! There's some really beautiful homes here.
Carrie
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"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
Carrie Rojo
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
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Contact an event planner in Hilo - there are a couple and see what they have - they typically keep a list. Or check out the Big Island film commission locations and see if they have anything suitable.
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Aloha Alicia and welcome to Puna Web! Some good suggestions here for you to pursue. If you are not locked into a Hilo location, perhaps you can achieve your venue goal through your local Community Association longhouse or 'activity center'. If you are resident in one of the subdivisions that has one, usually you can reserve it for no cost as long you sign a contract and pay a cleaning deposit so things are as you found it before your party.
-dwajs
-dwajs
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The problem w/ renting a space where liquor is involved there's the liability and damage deposit to think about for a B&B host. Simplest approach would be to warn a Bar & Grille like Cronies that you will want to have 25 guests for happy hour and have them prepare some finger food ahead of time (small deposit to cover food). To keep it cheap have the guest order their own drinks. That way any liability is put back onto the bar Owners to watch for drunkeness adn clean up afterwards.
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My friends and I rented an oceanside suite on one of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel's upper floors, provided our own bar and catered the food. It was great, and we could spend the night before having to clean up everything by checkout time the following day. Also plenty of parking space.
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There is a botanical garden kind of a country club type of place just past the Macadamia Nut Factory, it would be ideal for you. They do lots of weddings there too, it has a huge covered lanai and a huge room inside too. They have a liquor license and can do pupus or dinners as well. I can't remember the name but I'm sure one of the locals will help out.
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