The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing is located in Tobacco Row on the James River. In 1888, this brick building was the power plant for downtown Richmond’s trolley car system, the first successful electrically-powered trolley system in the United States.
Group Reservations: Groups of 8 to 19 guests may make a restaurant reservation. The group will be divided into tables of 8-10 guests each. These groups may order from the regular Boathouse menu.. Separate checks are available for reservations of up to 19 guests. Reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card.
Private Rooms: Private rooms are available for reservation at both of our Boathouse locations. Private rooms have a food and beverage purchase minimum. Payment is with one transaction.
Menus: All reservations for groups of 20 or more must use one of our Event menus. We do require an entrée preorder for events taking place outside of our normal restaurant operating hours, and for all events of more than 50 guests. As an alternative to a seated meal, we also offer a Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres menu. No outside food or beverage, with the exception of a professionally prepared special occasion cake, may be brought onto the property. All food and beverage prices are subject to 20% service & coordination fee and applicable VA state (5%) and local (Richmond City 6%) sales tax.
Event length: Parties in the private rooms receive 3 hours of time. Access is available one hour prior to the event start time for setup and delivery. All personal items and equipment should be removed within thirty minutes after the event’s contracted ending time.
The Harbourmaster Suite is a private, fourth floor room with floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible views of the James River and the Richmond city skyline. The Harbourmaster Suite is available for private events of 20 to 30 guests. The Harbourmaster Suite has a weekday (Monday through Thursday) Food and Beverage purchase minimum of $800.00. Weekend (Friday through Sunday) food and beverage purchase minimum is $1000.00. Payment of a $200.00 deposit, and completion of a reservation contract, are required to reserve the private room.
Guaranteed Guest Count Confirmation for Harbourmaster Suite: A final, guaranteed guest count is required three business days prior to the event date and time for events in the Harbourmaster Suite.
The Captain’s Dining Area, a semi-private area of the Boathouse restaurant, is available for private events during the daytime, Monday through Friday, ending by 3:00pm. Reservation of the Captain’s Dining Area does not include use of the Boathouse restaurant bar and patio area. Daytime events in the Captain’s Dining Area have a Food and Beverage purchase minimum of $1000.00. Payment of a $200.00 deposit, and completion of a reservation contract, are required to reserve the private room.
The Boathouse Restaurant main floor is available for private events during the daytime: Monday through Friday, ending by 3:00pm. Rental of the main floor includes use of the full restaurant bar area, and the outdoor patio facing the Richmond City skyline. The restaurant main floor can seat up to 150 guests. Daytime events reserving use of the entire main floor of the restaurant have a Food and Beverage purchase minimum of $2000.00. Payment of a $500.00 deposit, and completion of a reservation contract, are required to reserve the private room.
Guaranteed Guest Count Confirmation: A final, guaranteed guest count is required seven days prior to the event date and time for events in the Captain’s Dining Area and the Boathouse Restaurant.
The River View room is the street level floor of the historic power plant building. This room is a blank slate for your event design, with space to accommodate 135 seated guests, or up to 175 for an hors d’oeuvres reception. The River View room features exposed antique brick, private rest rooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the James River. From the covered patio, your guests will be treated to a panoramic view of the Richmond City skyline.
The weekday (Monday through Thursday) food and beverage purchase minimum for use of the River View room for a 3-hour event is $2000.00. Friday evenings have a Food and Beverage purchase minimum of $3000.00. Payment of a $500.00 deposit, and completion of a reservation contract, are required to reserve the private room.
The River View room may be reserved for a 3-hour party on a Saturday or Sunday ninety (90) days in advance. Saturday and Sunday parties have a food and beverage purchase minimum of $4000.00.
For information on using the River View room for Weddings and Receptions, please see our special Wedding Information and Menus.
Guaranteed Guest Count Confirmation: A final, guaranteed guest count is required seven days prior to the event date and time for events in the River View room.
Cancellation Policy: To receive a refund of a paid deposit, the event must be cancelled in writing at least 30 days in advance.
Bar Options: We offer several different ways to customize your event bar:
· Cash Bar: Any alcoholic beverage ordered by a guest is on the individual guest’s separate tab.
· Host (Consumption) Bar: Guests may order any alcoholic beverage, which is put on the host’s tab.
· Limited Bar: A Host Bar with specific options. Often used when the host wants to offer beer and/or wine only. Any alcoholic beverage that is not one of the host’s approved options is put onto that guest’s separate tab.
Decorations: All decorating must comply with local health and safety codes, and should be pre-approved by the Boathouse Event staff. We do not allow the use of confetti or glitter, and ask that nothing be taped, tacked, or nailed to any surface. Candles are allowed, as long as the flame is enclosed. You have access to the property for setup one hour prior to the event start time.
Extras: The Boathouse provides the following for all of our private events:
· Standard white restaurant linens for the guest tables. Special event linens in a variety of colors are available, beginning at $25.00 per table.
· Gift and cake tables if requested.
· Personalized event menus.
Event Contact: To make your event planning experience a little easier, we recommend having just one person to act as the contact for Boathouse Event staff. This person should be listed on the contract as the contact for the event. This is the one person who will have the authority to make changes to the menu and provide the guaranteed guest count.
For more information or to make a private party reservation, please contact our Event Department at 804-622-2628 or events@boathouserichmond.com.
