The Space Downtown

The Space was the perfect venue for our small wedding reception. The atmosphere was great; I loved the exposed brick walls and the “lounge seating” near the dance floor, my husband loved the paper lantern lights and the outside areas. Everybody loved the food; it was beyond our expectations and we received so many compliments after dinner. Perhaps the best part, though, was working with Laura. She was wonderful. From helping me relax about all the small details leading up to the wedding, to making sure everything was taken care of on the day-of – I’m not sure we could have survived without her! We can’t recommend The Space enough. Truly a 5 star experience! More...

Reviewed on WeddingWire

Went there for a graduation party and overall it was a great experience. The atmosphere was nice and the staff was friendly and attentive. The food was very tasty as well. My only complaint was that the drinks were kind of expensive and they really tried to rip us off with the tip. When we paid our tab at the end it just gave a total (no breakdown drink by drink) and we just went with it because we trusted the place. Below the total was an option for percentage to tip to add so we chose 20% like a normal person. Little did we know (only later found out on the credit card charge) that a 20% tip had already been included in the total so the option to tip on top of that was such a scam! The bar tender never told us that the tip was already included in the price and there was no way to know since there was no breakdown of the total. It was then super misleading with the options to tip on top of the mysterious total. Whether or not they were really trying to trick us, it just lacked transparency and no one likes to feel like they're being tricked. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Our family held my mother's 90th birthday reception. The staff and food were excellent. the staff was extremely attentive to the attendees

Reviewed on Google Maps

We used The Space Downtown for our rehearsal dinner and welcome party ahead of our wedding, and had such a great experience! Every step of working with the team was amazing. Tim is a true artist as a chef, and was so creative and fun to work with - we really enjoyed sitting down with him to conceptualize our ideal menu. Laura was so organized in helping to pull together all of the details of the event for us. Laura did a cocktail tasting with us for signature cocktails prior to the event, and made everything easy and perfect on the day of the dinner! Laura hung out the whole event, helping to move people from cocktail hour to dinner to the welcome party. The bar staff and servers on the day of were also great, and everything went off seamlessly!We also used Laura as our florist for the event, and she helped us to find the right floral theme to fit our event and did a great job of pulling everything together.All of our guests loved the venue, food and drinks. Everything was delicious for dinner and the venue was perfect to transition from our rehearsal dinner (53 people) to our Welcome Party (100+ people).We had an amazing experience and highly recommend The Space! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We recently hosted our son's rehearsal dinner at The Space Downtown. It was an unqualified success thanks to the professional expertise and attention to detail of Laura, Tim and Vincent. The atmosphere, food and beverages were terrific and a wonderful way to bring our two families together! Laura had excellent advice and suggestions and was prompt and responsive to my questions. We could not have been more pleased. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had our wedding reception here. Everything was perfect. The food was exceptional. The chefs were very willing to experiment and work with us to create the perfect menu. All of our guests commented on how good, original, and fun the food was. Wine selection was also good, especially the Cava. Laura and Tim were easy to work with, responsive, and extremely helpful. Laura made sure everything went perfectly day of and the staff was extremely friendly. I could not have asked for a better reception venue: everything was easy and flowed well, the food was a hit, and everyone had a great time. If you want good, interesting food, in a convenient, indoor location with a dance floor, I don't think you will find a better wedding reception venue in or around Charlottesville. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Wedding Reception - August 2018Laura and Tim at The Space are absolutely great! The event space itself is gorgeous! Between the exposed brick walls with tiny pop-outs holding candles and small plants, string lights and paper lanterns, wine racks, chalkboards, covered outdoor patio, there wasn’t much decorating that we as the bride and groom even felt the need to do. Tim was great in designing the menu - he asked us what our favorite foods were and then made those into fancier, wedding-style dishes. We received tons of compliments on the mashed potato bar, bacon-wrapped scallops, sliders, macaroni - all of it! Laura was incredibly friendly and accommodating, making sure that my husband and I had everything that we could need throughout the evening. She had drinks and plate of food waiting for us when we first arrived to the reception, and sent us home with a package of goodies to snack on late at night. Overall, we were incredibly pleased with the entire reception! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I hosted a wedding at The Space and it was absolutely wonderful. Laura and Tim made planning easy and took care of so many little details that I never would have considered--the candles on the wall, the thoughtful table set up, the timing, and the event flow. Everything went so smoothly thanks their consummate professionalism. The Space felt warm and welcoming and each portion of the night fit perfectly into each section of the area. I had worried about many details including there being too few guests (50 total), but it all felt perfect--somehow it felt cozy and warm with enough room to move about easily! Laura and crew took care of so many details that alleviated all of my worries almost instantly. The food was absolutely delicious! I loved the fresh Virginia produce and the mix of flavors and textures. Many guests mentioned how delicious dinner was (and at least one went back for seconds). Choosing the menu was very easy thanks to Tim's excellent suggestions. The Space is run by two chefs and the quality of the food reflects their passion for tasty dishes. I was on a tight budget. The Space is very affordable but feels luxurious, and they will work within your budget. Overall I was extremely impressed and delighted with how the night went. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Trendy place with good food

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had our rehearsal dinner at the Space and it went perfectly! Tim and Laura made everything work out - the food was great and the atmosphere was amazing. The Space has everything you need for your rehearsal dinner - a mic for speeches, great bar, cool ambiance, all rentals and linens and a great menu to choose from. One other aspect I was very excited for was the outdoor space - it is a perfect spot for a celebratory cigar. I would definitely recommend the Space to anyone. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had our Rehearsal Dinner & Wedding Weekend Welcome Party at the Space. Tim and team made the whole experience leading up to the event very turnkey and seamless - from menus, to table arrangements, to other details (slideshow, music, lighting, etc) to help make the event special. The food was also absolutely incredible - we went for the family style Italian menu, and all of our guests loved the food. On the night of the event, we decided to extend the Welcome Party beyond 11 PM and the Space was gracious with accommodating this request. All in all a great venue in downtown Charlottesville - we can't recommend it enough! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I rented The Space Downtown for my welcome dinner that kicked off my wedding weekend. I recommend to anyone looking for an event space in Charlottesville, VA to select this venue. The beginning communication with Tim was very informative and professional. They have a wide selection on their menu and will spend time perfecting it until it is the way you like. The venue itself is beautiful and does not require too many additional details. For our event we had nearly 40 guests with an open full bar and buffet style dinner. It was incredibly affordable and to us, was worth more than what we paid. The food was AMAZING. Everyone continued to talk about how delicious it was the entire weekend. The staff was attentive and professional throughout the planning and execution. I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Space. You are missing out if you do not select this venue for your next event! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We chose The Space Downtown for my son’s rehearsal dinner, and couldn’t have been happier with how everything went. The venue itself is was spacious for our 60 guests and had that great Cville vibe we were looking for; Chef Tim Burgess worked with us to plan a delicious menu to match our price and theme; and Event Manager Laura Price was responsive and patient with my many questions leading up to our day. On the day of, we had plenty of time before the festivities to decorate and set up our A/V equipment (you can rent from them if you don’t have your own); all the event staff were professional, competent and charming; the food tasted and looked as AMAZING as it had sounded when Tim described it; the bartenders were generous with the alcohol in the drinks; and the final bill came in nearly to the penny of what they had estimated. The only thing to be aware of is that your guests will be competing for parking with Downtown Mall events/venues, which may be an issue for guests who are mobility challenged and/or weather (we had both). Overall, we had a wonderful party and I would highly recommend The Space Downtown for your event! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I had my rehearsal dinner at The Space, and was so pleased with the entire night! The food was phenomenal, drinks were perfectly made, the atmosphere is very romantic and perfect for an event. Tim was so easy to work with and made the whole process seamless! Also, the personalized chalkboard art was a big hit! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic venue. Excellent food and service. Very classy.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The Space was a great venue for our reception event - clean, helpful staff, yummy food, easy parking, and walkable to the Downtown Mall.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fabulous food! Superb service! Great time! Thanks!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Good spot for private events

Reviewed on Google Maps

Had a work function here. Very cool space for a function like this and can see how this would be perfect for a wedding rehearsal or reception.

Reviewed on Yelp

On March 31, 2017 we held our son's rehearsal dinner there. Tim and his staff did an amazing job! They are very easy to work with before and during the event. We have received so many wonderful compliments on the dinner. Food was superb! Cannot say enough good things about this place and I would highly recommend this facility! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We hosted our wedding reception at the Space Downtown and it was everything we hoped for. Tim and Laura were great to work with - responsive, open to our ideas, and incredibly flexible. The food was fantastic, the wine and beer selection worked perfectly with it, and everyone working there made our evening go by smoothly. We would absolutely host another event there - it's an intimate space with great ambiance. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great space and great food. We had a private party here for about 20 people and couldn't have been any happier with the service we received. All we had to do was tell Tim what date we wanted to hold the party on and what type of food we wanted and he took care of everything else. I strongly recommend The Space Downtown for anyone looking to host a private event in Charlottesville. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We held our son's rehearsal dinner at The Space and could not have been happier. The food appealed to a wide variety of palates. The venue comfortably hosted our 40 guests. Tim and Laura provided a projector for a slide show and a docking station for music on our iPhone. Thank you for making the night special. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The Space is one of Charlottesville's culinary treasures! I hosted a rehearsal dinner for 60 people where we enjoyed a delicious summer buffet. The building had a wonderful aura with exposed brick and high ceilings. People mingled easily as passed appetizers and drinks were easily obtained. The buffet was PERFECT on a summery evening -- Salmon pesto wrapped in filo, grilled chicken with rosemary, capresse salad, a mixed grill of fresh garden vegetables, new potato salad, caesar salad, and haricot salad. So MANY comments on how delicious everything was!Three desserts were offered in single serve bitesize portions. The Blackberry cobbler was superb! Tim helped with planning the delicious menu and was quick to respond to my questions since I was out of town. The night of the event, Laura was a dream to work with. Everything ran smoothly and I was so glad I had selected The Space for the rehearsal dinner! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

My husband and I held our wedding reception at The Space Downtown. I can't be enthusiastic enough - the food, atmosphere, and service were all superb! We kept receiving compliments from our guests all night. Everyone was blown away by the delicious heavy hors d'oeuvres. If you are looking for a great wedding reception venue for a small- to medium- sized wedding, The Space is perfect (and very affordable!). The exposed brick and lovely hanging lanterns made for a perfect ambiance. It's also a great space for a live band. The Space is cozy, charming, elegant, and warm! Tim, the owner and chef, was a pleasure to work with and was always extremely prompt in answering all of our questions. Highly recommended. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I'm so glad my parents decided to host a brunch the morning after my wedding. We had many out of town guests and it was so nice to extend the party a bit longer. The Space made it so easy! The restaurant has a great vibe and the food was absolutely delicious. More...

Reviewed on WeddingWire

Rented this for our rehearsal dinner, had the place to ourselves. Was beautifully setup with candles, linens and full glass/barware. The food was great, only thing to work on is communication by the owner. More...

Reviewed on WeddingWire

Tim was great to work with and helped me put together an 80 person reception last minute with very little hassle.Space is great and the staff were all professional and courteous. Would highly recommend.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The Space Downtown is the perfect venue to have a group of your friends for dinner and/or any celebration. The ambiance is beautiful, clean and unique. Our staff was professional, friendly, courteous and so helpful. We enjoyed a sit down dinner for 30, and everyone's dinner was exceptional. The food, from the past appetizers all the way through the desert bar was delicious and presented beautifully.Thank Tim and Vincent for creating such a lovely and enjoyable experience for our special Christmas celebration. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I recently hosted a work reception at The Space Downtown. The folks at The Space Downtown were absolutely wonderful to work with. They were prompt, accommodating, and very hospitable. The food was incredible and the atmosphere was perfect for really occasion. The guests are still raving about what a great time they have and many of them told me that they will be looking to use The Space Downtown for their own families' graduation parties, wedding receptions, retirement parties, birthday parties and more! I would highly recommend this spot for any event your hosting! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our nonprofit organization hosted a fundraising reception at The Space prior to a show at The Pavilion. We are a local food distributor and the chefs at The Space were more than willing to incorporate our local products to the menu and get creative. They went above and beyond our expectations for the meal and our guests were highly impressed. The space is a beautiful event space with many built in decorations, such as hanging lanterns from the ceiling and chalkboards behind the bar that we were able to decorate with our organization's logo, thank our sponsors, etc. All we brought were flowers for decorations since the rest of the space is already lovely, which was a huge cost saving for us. The staff at The Space thought of everything, including music, a bar list, and food item cards. The staff was wonderful to work with and incredibly easy and accommodating. We look forward to our next event at The Space. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I have worked with The Space Downtown over the past three years to help plan events for a local organization. Tim Burgess is great to work with, and the events have been wonderful. The food, drinks, staff, and ambiance are great. I highly recommend it. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had a wedding rehearsal dinner at The Space. Tim Burgess was great to work with. He made life easy. Everything went off without a hitch. Guests are still raving about the food. The room was beautiful, lighting was enchanting and romantic. Servers couldn't have been more professional and really put everyone at ease. Our experience was just over the top. I can't wait for another event to present itself so we can do this again. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We had a small wedding party in the Space and had a fabulous time. The food was incredible as well as the service. Each of our guests were complimenting the Spaces days after our event. The venue itself is very nice and is pretty much ready to go- you literally just need to bring some decorations to add a personal touch, and only if you really want to!Tim and his staff are very easy to work with as well.HIGHLY recommended. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps