Question 1

Where is Gather located?

Accepted Answer

1347 Locust St in downtown Walnut Creek, CA — three minutes from BART, freeway-accessible from the entire East Bay.

Question 2

What's the maximum capacity?

Accepted Answer

Up to 49 guests for any event format, seated or standing.

Question 3

How big is the space?

Accepted Answer

The indoor hall plus a private outdoor patio, for up to 49 guests.

Question 4

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Multiple public garages within a 2-minute walk; street parking on Locust and adjacent streets.

Question 5

Is the venue accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes — ground-floor entry, ADA-accessible restrooms, step-free throughout.

Question 6

How do I check availability and tour?

Accepted Answer

Click "Request a tour" anywhere on the site. We'll respond within one business day.

Question 7

How much does it cost to rent the venue?

Accepted Answer

Venue rental is priced all-in by the hour: $120/hr Monday through Thursday, $180/hr Friday, $240/hr Sunday, and $300/hr Saturday. That rate includes tables, chairs, an on-site venue manager, and the indoor hall plus the patio. Floor-length linens are included on Saturdays and Sundays and optional Monday through Friday at $30 per tablecloth. Events with food or beverage carry a separate flat $250 cleaning and dumping fee. The full rate sheet is on our rates page. Request a tour to see the space and talk through your event with us.

Question 8

Is there a minimum spend?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a day-of-week minimum that applies to your whole event total rather than the rental line alone: $400 Monday through Thursday, $1,650 Friday, $2,250 Saturday, and $1,650 Sunday. If your rental plus add-ons come in under the minimum, we bring the total up to it.

Question 9

Is there a service fee?

Accepted Answer

A 20% service fee applies to venue-coordinated food and coffee service. It does not apply to venue rental, separately priced staffing, decor, florals, lighting, A/V, photography, videography, content creation, or planning. Floor-length linens are included on Saturdays and Sundays and optional Monday through Friday at $30 per tablecloth. Events with food or beverage carry a separate flat $250 cleaning and dumping fee (no service fee). Sales tax applies.

Question 10

Are there cleaning fees or linen charges?

Accepted Answer

Events with food or beverage carry a flat $250 cleaning and dumping fee, with no service fee on it. Events without food or beverage have no cleaning fee. Floor-length linens for every table are included with Saturday and Sunday rentals and optional Monday through Friday at $30 per tablecloth.

Question 11

What's the retainer?

Accepted Answer

A 50% retainer secures your date. The balance is due 30 days before the event.

Question 12

Do you offer payment plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes — any package over $3,000 can be split into milestones leading up to the event.

Question 13

Is there a damage deposit?

Accepted Answer

Only if you bring DIY or outside decor. In that case we hold an incidentals deposit of 10% of your total, before tax and any applicable service fee, refunded in full as long as there is no damage to the walls, floors, or building.

Question 14

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Retainers are non-refundable but can be applied to a rescheduled date within 12 months. Full T&Cs in your contract.

Question 15

Are you open-vendor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bring your own caterer, florist, decor, or balloons, with no outside vendor fee for decor, florals, or balloons, and we have partner recommendations if you'd like them. For music and photography, we strongly recommend our in-house team because our team knows this space best: how the light falls through the room and how sound carries in it. Outside DJs and photographers not on our list carry a $150 outside vendor fee.

Question 16

Can we serve alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with a certified and insured bartender. Gather does not sell, serve, or provide alcohol. Alcohol is allowed only when served by a certified and insured bartender; we can provide referrals to independent and qualified vendors. Host liquor liability insurance is also required, and alcohol service ends by 11pm.

Question 17

Is there a kitchen?

Accepted Answer

No. Gather does not have a kitchen, so food should arrive ready to serve. If your caterer needs access to water or power, a $150 utility fee applies.

Question 18

Can we bring our own decor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we love it. DIY decor can be one of the most special parts of an event, so there is no outside vendor fee for decor, florals, or balloons. Light wall mounts and freestanding installs are fine; your venue manager will walk you through what works. If you bring DIY or outside decor, we hold an incidentals deposit of 10% of your total, before tax and any applicable service fee, refunded in full as long as there is no damage to the walls, floors, or building.

Question 19

How long before the event can we set up?

Accepted Answer

All time reserved at Gather is billed, including setup and breakdown. For a DIY event, we recommend booking your rental to start at least 1 hour before your event so you can decorate. For simple breakdowns, we recommend 30 minutes minimum; vendor-heavy teardowns often need 1 to 2 hours. Full timing example on our What’s Included page.

Question 20

What's included with every booking?

Accepted Answer

Indoor space, outdoor patio, on-site venue manager(s), tables, chairs, floor-length linens for every table (included Saturday and Sunday, optional Monday through Friday), basic end-of-night reset, and in-house Sonos speakers for Spotify-based background music. See What’s Included for the full scope of what Gather handles vs. what you take home.

Question 21

Until what time can events run?

Accepted Answer

Events end by 11pm, and any alcohol service must also end by 11pm.

Question 22

Do you handle cleanup?

Accepted Answer

Gather handles trash, garbage, disposal of one-use items (signage, single-use props), and reset of tables, chairs, and floor. You handle packing any reusable decor, gifts, personal items, and any food you want to take home. See What’s Included for the full breakdown.

Everything you might want to know.

The basics

Booking & pricing

Vendors, food & alcohol

Day-of logistics