Not to be confused with its neighbor Palm Beach, which is known as the playground of the rich and famous, West Palm Beach is also a buzzing tourist hotspot that caters to people from all walks of life. At West Palm Beach, you can practically enjoy year-round sunshine. Like most places in Florida, the city is characterized by lines of palm trees, a bustling nightlife scene and an impressive selection of dining spots.
Tourism is the main economic driver of West Palm Beach as it welcomes an average of 9 million visitors per year. However, there's more to the city than its beaches and nightlife; West Palm Beach is also home to a wide range of venues that can cater to all kinds of events. Coupled with the city's status as an upscale destination, it's no surprise that West Palm Beach has become a top choice as a venue for private parties.
Whether you need a private dining room, a unique venue for an intimate gathering or whatever special event you want to celebrate, West Palm Beach can serve as the perfect backdrop for your private party. Plenty of event spaces in the city offer complete privacy while still being accessible to your guests.
Whatever private event you have in mind — be it birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, or corporate events — you can find a wide range of private party venues in West Palm Beach that can provide a memorable experience for the attendees. Below are some compelling reasons to choose West Palm Beach as your next private party destination.
Year-round Pleasant Weather
West Palm Beach is known for having sunshine nearly all year long, which is a convincing enough reason to choose it as a destination for a private event. You can take advantage of the pleasant climate here by choosing an outdoor event space such as an outdoor garden or an al fresco restaurant.
Variety of Entertainment and Activity Options
West Palm Beach is a city that has endless entertainment and activity options that you can enjoy. Whether you're a culture vulture, a foodie, or someone who likes to try a little bit of everything, it's easy to find something to do in the city that will pique your interest. This means your private party guests can enjoy a range of activities before or after the festivities.
Accessible and Convenient Location
As a major tourist destination, West Palm Beach is well-connected and accessible from almost anywhere in the country. It has its own international airport right at the heart of the city center as well as railway connections to other major cities in Florida. This makes it easy for guests to come in from out of town or even from abroad.
Planning a private party in West Palm Beach can be a fun process. However, you will need all the help you can get in order to make things perfect. The city is home to professionals that are adept at making any event come to life. Here are some companies based in West Palm Beach that you should consider hiring for your private party.
Corks + Forks Catering
Corks + Forks Catering is based in West Palm Beach and operated by a team with broad expertise in the catering and hospitality industry. The company offers both event catering as well as private dining experiences in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. They are famous for providing great food made with high quality ingredients for all types of events, from private parties and bridal showers to business meetings and weddings.
Rein Storm Events
Servicing the entire South Florida area, Rein Storm Events can make your private party more fun with delicious and innovative drinks. This company offers an impressive mobile bar setup that can be brought to any event space. What's even more impressive is that they can curate both their bar setup as well as a menu of customized drinks that will match the theme or overall feel of your private party.
EastCoast Entertainment
EastCoast Entertainment is an agency that has multiple locations across the United States, including the Palm Beach region. As its name suggests, the company is known for providing events with entertainment options, including live bands, DJs, dancers and more.
Planning for a private party doesn't end once you find the perfect venue that can accommodate your guests. You also have to organize the other aspects, such as the theme, decorations and the like. If you are looking for some inspiration, check out the following private party trends that you can incorporate into your event.
Private Dining Experience at a West Palm Beach Restaurant
West Palm Beach is steadily making waves as a foodie destination because of its diverse dining scene. This is why you should take advantage of this by booking a private dining experience at one of the many culinary hotspots that the city has to offer. You can book an exclusive room or even hire your own private chef to make your meals for you.
Tropical-themed Party at a Beach Club in West Palm Beach
Take advantage of the year-round sunshine in West Palm Beach by organizing a tropical-themed private party at one of the many beach clubs found in the city. Have your guests dress up in beach attire and have a bar menu filled with tropical-flavored drinks.
Private Retreat at a Wellness Establishment in the City
Wellness activities are getting more and more popular in recent years, and you can apply this trend to your private party. Organize a pamper day with your closest friends at one of the many spas found in West Palm Beach. Another idea is to host a meditation class in a yoga studio complete with a healthy snack section.
As a renowned tourist destination, it's no surprise that West Palm Beach hosts an array of events throughout the year. It's best to be aware of what's going on in the city so you can take the dates and happenings into consideration when planning for your own private party.
SunFest
Perhaps the most popular annual event in West Palm Beach, SunFest is the biggest waterfront art and music festival in Florida and is held at Flagler Drive. Holding its inaugural event in 1982, the festival takes place over the weekend around early April or late May. SunFest has welcomed an impressive list of acts from various genres throughout the years. Aside from the concert, the festival also showcases some artworks and installations from both local and international artists.
Palm Beach International Boat Show
Taking place every March at Flagler Drive, this annual event is one of the country's premier boat shows. The event draws visitors from all over the world, particularly the rich and famous as well as industry professionals who want to keep updated with the latest boating innovations. The show puts on display a wide range of luxury yachts, sailboats and accessories.
4th by Flagler
4th by Flagler is West Palm Beach's annual Independence Day celebration and takes place at the Flagler Drive waterfront. As the biggest 4th of July celebration, the event features impressive fireworks displays as well as live performances by local artists. Food and beverage stalls are also set up around the area in case attendees get hungry during the festivities.
South Florida Fair
Held mid-January to early February, the South Florida Fair welcomes an average of 500,000 attendees every year. The fair features an array of rides for people of all ages, including roller coasters and carousels, as well as live performances by local bands and artists. You can also check out some art exhibits and educational workshops related to agriculture.
When you need to take a break from looking at private event spaces in West Palm Beach FL, you may want to check out some cool spots and attractions at the city's top neighborhoods.
Downtown West Palm Beach
Considered the heart of the city, Downtown West Palm Beach is pretty much where most of the action happens. The neighborhood's crowning jewel is Clematis Street, which is West Palm Beach's most popular thoroughfare and where you can find most of the nightlife and dining hotspots in the city. If you're into shopping, you'll also find a good mix of chain stores and independent boutiques in the district.
Flamingo Park
One of the more laidback areas in West Palm Beach, Florida, Flamingo Park is characterized by its collection of historic homes featuring a range of architectural styles. The neighborhood also has several green spaces and other outdoor facilities that you can enjoy.
El Cid
Situated not too far from the Intracoastal Waterway, El Cid is a historic district in West Palm Beach. Perhaps the most notable feature of the neighborhood is its collection of colonial homes, some of which date back to the early 1920s. Recreational opportunities abound in El Cid as it is home to public parks, golf courses and beaches.