Host an Event
Our award-winning spaces will make the perfect venue for your next unforgettable event.
Private Parties
With its convenient Center City location, the Barnes is a perfect choice for occasions that bring people together—from graduations and class reunions to anniversary dinners, retirement parties, and other memorable celebrations. Our building is fully accessible, and our event spaces can be adapted to fit the specific needs of your event.
Our experienced staff and catering team will help you plan every detail. Other benefits of hosting at the Barnes include:
- Complimentary access to the collection, gardens, and special exhibitions
- Complimentary parking and coat check; valet parking available
- On-site audio-visual support
- Use of Barnes images for invitations and event-related publications
- Circles membership benefits for one year including free admission, exclusive programs and lectures, and invitations to special events
Event Spaces
Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court and Terrace
Adjacent to the Collection Gallery, the light-filled Annenberg Court is a versatile space that can be adapted for events of all kinds. The court opens onto an expansive terrace overlooking the lush landscape along the Parkway.
- Reception (standing): 800
- Dinner (seated): 250–300
Frances M. Maguire Garden Pavilion
The Maguire Garden Pavilion is an ideal venue for receptions or dinners. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, your guests will enjoy a view of the Barnes’s beautiful parklike setting.
- Reception (standing): 40–50
- Dinner (seated): 50
Lower Lobby Suite
Light from the Gallery Garden—an open-air atrium planted with sweet gum, ginkgo trees, and a variety of ferns—bathes the lower-level suite. This cozy, art-filled space is perfect for cocktail parties and intimate banquets.
- Reception (standing): 100
- Dinner (seated): 70–80
Garden Restaurant
The restaurant and adjacent garden provide a beautiful setting for dinner parties. With transitional glass walls and an open kitchen, the Garden Restaurant can transform from casual to formal for an easygoing get-together or a black-tie affair. A reflecting pool and surrounding flora create a private, tranquil oasis right in the city.
- Reception (standing): 40
- Dinner (seated): 50
Constellation Culinary Group
The exclusive caterer of the Barnes, Constellation Culinary Group will create an unforgettable culinary experience for you and your guests, with custom menus and an impeccably precise service plan to match the mission of your event. Shaved white truffle served tableside, gueridon-style cheese service, and a choice of cutlery to complement a perfectly aged NY strip steak are just a few of the unexpected touches you’ll enjoy. And you’ll find that our signature approach to creating culinary experiences and our ability to interpret and feature “food as art” align seamlessly with the refined reputation and the world-class collection at the Barnes.
Meet the Team
Melissa Brannon
Senior Director for Business Strategy, Barnes
Melissa is an arts advocate who brings more than 30 years of experience to the Barnes-Constellation team. She values creating incredible memories for her clients and is committed to providing excellent customer service. Thrilled to be a part of a team that embodies high standards for service and cuisine, Melissa is inspired and motivated by her colleagues and clients every day.
Colleen Delaney
Sales Manager, Groups and Events, Barnes
Born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Colleen is a proud member of the Barnes team. She offers a warm welcome and a wide range of knowledge for all clients. She enjoys collaborating with tour operators and groups leaders to create unforgettable experiences.
McKenna Macko
Venue Sales Event Manager, Barnes
Bucks County native and Philadelphia resident McKenna is an arts advocate with a passion for event execution. She holds a BS in hospitality management and has experience in non-profit event planning with several area organizations. She looks forward to working with you to create special memories with your friends and family.
Alfonzo Luna
General Manager, Constellation Culinary Group
Alfonzo Luna joins Constellation's Philadelphia team from Los Angeles. A UCLA graduate, he has background in both restaurants and catering.
Michael O’Meara
Executive Chef, Constellation Culinary Group at the Barnes
A graduate of the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Philadelphia, O’Meara trained in some of the city’s landmark restaurants before opening his own critically acclaimed restaurant, Sweet Vidalia, in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Michael has also taught culinary training and restaurant development classes at South Philadelphia’s JNA Institute of Culinary Arts and served as executive chef of Trump National Golf Club Philadelphia, chef de cuisine at Jose Garces’s JG Domestic, and as an independent restaurant consultant for several high-end hospitality providers across Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Sarah Duffin
Director of Catering, Constellation Culinary Group
Sarah has over 10 years of experience in creating events for corporate, social, and nonprofit clients. Her passion for culture and culinary has led her on a professional path that has included the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Metropolitan Opera House, and most recently Carnegie Hall, where she served as director of sales. Sarah finds inspiration in others and deeply enjoys bringing her client’s visions to reality. In her spare time, Sarah devours cultures through their culinary history.