Wedding Venue Review: 501 Union

501 Union St.,
Brooklyn, NY 11215
347-529-6486
View their website

Average Base Cost: $56,000

Our average base cost for a 501 Union wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for a Saturday night ceremony/reception in July using a food/beverage cost of $259/pp ($175/pp for food and $84/pp for alcohol using their Choice Bar 5-hour package). Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, planner/coordinator, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax is included in our average base cost.

*Prices subject to change

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: The venue fee varies according to month as follows. For Sunday weddings on a 3-day holiday weekend, take the Saturday rate of that month. For Mondays, take the Sunday rate. Hourly venue rates are also available for Monday-Thursday weddings, just send them an e-mail.

January-February:

• Monday-Thursday: $4,000
• Friday and Sunday: $6,800
• Saturday: $9,800

March-April:

• Monday-Thursday: $4,600
• Friday and Sunday: $8,200
• Saturday: $11,200

May-June:

• Monday-Thursday: $6,500
• Friday and Sunday: $11,200
• Saturday: $14,800

July-August:

• Monday-Thursday: $5,500
• Friday and Sunday: $9,600
• Saturday: $13,000

September-October:

• Monday-Thursday: $6,500
• Friday and Sunday: $11,200
• Saturday: $14,800

November-December

• Monday-Thursday: $5,500
• Friday and Sunday: $9,600
• Saturday: $13,000

What’s Included in a 501 Union Rental:

• Full-Day Access: They only book one event per day. Venue access for setup begins as early as 9am. Events usually last 5-6 hours onsite.
• Thorough cleaning of the venue before and after the event
• Event Sales Manager: Pre-event support coordinates appointments at the venue, can advise on venue-related questions, from contract signing until the day of your event
• Venue Operations Manager: On location the day of your event to greet your vendors and assist them with venue related questions.
• Onsite Operations Manager: On-site manager for the duration of the event ensuring the building is maintained
• Host: Greets your guests upon arrival, can assist with end-of-night transportation needs
• Private Suite: Can be used as a couple’s suite/wedding party suite or VIP green room
• Coat Check Room: Equipped coat racks and approximately 160 hangers and check tags
• Kitchen Prep Space: 500 sq-ft food prep area with freezer, refrigeration and a commercial-grade convection oven
• Fully Integrated Sound System: With independent volume adjustment from room to room, includes two wireless microphones and is compatible with iPod, DJ, and live band setups. Projector with screen available.
• [Optional] in-house furniture rental options available photos here
• Basic furniture including 6’ banquet tables, 30” round tables, cocktail tables and chairs are included in the venue rental rate. 
• A four-part mobile stage; each piece is 4’x8’ and can be set at 7”, 12”, or 24” tall
• Garbage cans (heavy-duty 55-gal garbage bags must be provided by client/caterer)
• High-definition projector with projector screen
• [Required] Choice of one of their exclusive bar packages including all glassware, beverages, and bar staff.

Extras: You are required to hire a wedding coordinator or event planner as the point person for vendors on site on the day of your event. 

Vendors: Outside vendors are allowed except for furniture rentals, which must be sourced through 501 Union and Broadway Party Rentals. Additionally, 501 Union must provide the bar/beverage service.

Food/Beverage: You may bring in your own food caterer. 501 Union must provide the bar packages, however, outlined below:

501 Union Bar Packages

Brunch Bar:

Includes cocktails such as Mimosa, Bellini, Bloody Mary, Greyhound, Screwdriver, and Cape Cod. Can also add beer for $2/per guest.

• 3 hours: $32 per guest
• 4 hours: $38 per guest
• 5 hours: $44 per guest

Beer & Wine Bar:

Includes Draft Beer, Seasonal Draft Beer, Bottled Beer & Hard Seltzer, and Wine

• 4 hours: $50 per guest
• 5 hours: $57 per guest
• 6 hours: $64 per guest

Classic Bar:

Includes Draft Beer, Seasonal Draft Beer, Bottled Beer & Hard Seltzer, Wine, Liquor (Bombay London Dry Gin, Bacardi Light Rum, Tito’s Vodka, el Jimador Tequila, Dewar’s Blended Scotch White Label, Evan Williams Straight Bourbon, Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey.

4 hours: $58 per guest
5 hours: $66 per guest
6 hours: $74 per guest

Choice Bar:

Includes Draft Beer, Seasonal Draft Beer, Bottled Beer & Hard Seltzer, Wine, Apertif, Liquor from Classic Bar, plus Malibu Coconut Rum, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Ketel One Vodka, Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey, Four Roses Straight Bourbon, Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky.

4 hours: $72 per guest
5 hours: $84 per guest
6 hours: $95 per guest

Premium Bar:

Includes Draft Beer, Seasonal Draft Beer, Bottled Beer & Hard Seltzer, Wine, Apertif, Zero Proof (IE: Seedlip), Liquor from Classic and Choice Bar, plus Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Espolon Reposado Tequila, Absolut Elyx Vodka, Glenlivet Single Malt, Bulleit Bourbon and Rye Whiskey.

4 hours: $84 per guest
5 hours: $96 per guest
6 hours: $108 per guest

Ultra Luxe Bar:

Includes Draft Beer, Seasonal Draft Beer, Bottled Beer & Hard Seltzer, Wine, Apertif, Zero Proof (IE: Seedlip), Liquor from Classic and Choice and Premium assortments, plus Hendrix Gin, Appleton Estate Aged Rum, Don Julio Anejo, Grey Goose Vodka, Johnny Walker Black, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye

4 hours: $96 per guest
5 hours: $110 per guest
6 hours: $122 per guest

Plus, add bubbles for $8-12/guest on top of any package.

Classic and signatures cocktails also included.

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside/Outside.

There are three main spaces:

The Lounge: 1,400 sq ft of mingling room around a 15 ft Carrara Marble top bar, detailed woodwork, brass fixtures, luxurious wallpaper and a lustrous white tin ceiling lit with suspended pendant fixtures on dimmers.

The Atrium: 1,400 sq feet covered atrium with seasonal plantings and a wall of glass open up to Union Street and the main space. It is ideal for ceremony seating and socializing extending from the lounge.

The Space: 3,500 sq ft space featuring lofted ceilings and a custom-built 50 ft skylight. Wrapped in exposed brick and hardwoods, the main space includes eight Modo chandeliers on individual dimmers, a fully integrated in-house sound system, and its own full-service cocktail bar for convenient service throughout your event.

Size: 501 Union can accommodate guests in the following layouts:

• Fully-seated wedding ceremony: 144 in the covered atrium; or up to 250 in main space, depending on furniture
• Fully-seated dinner with dance floor: 140-160 depending on furniture & layout choices
• Cocktail party: 200-250 depending on limited seating, stage, and dance floor layout
• Standing-room only or conference events: 299

Bridal Suite: Yes

Parking: Street parking is available. There is also a QuikPark garage located at 365 Bond Street, which is approximately a four (4) minute walk from the venue. Valet companies are also available to hire.

How Will Grandma Get There? 501 Union is located in between Carroll Gardens and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. There are mostly budget hotels located nearby (Fairfield Inn) with more upscale hotels located in nearby Williamsburg (The Wythe) or Brooklyn Heights (The Marriott). 501 Union is just a few blocks away from the N/R Subway line which connects to Manhattan for guests looking for easy access or to visit or stay in the city.

Party On! Live bands can play until 12 a.m.; DJs until 1 a.m. Guests must leave the venue by 1:30 a.m.

The Report: 

Built in 1916, this former classic car restoration shop was transformed into a wedding/events venue in 2013. Besides boasting industrial-chic design details (such as Jason Miller Modo chandeliers) and undeniably old-time architecture, the venue also features distinct spaces and contemporary style. 501 Union is a member of the Gowanus Hospitality Group, which also has the sister venue Green Building (which is across the street!).

Woman Getting Married Says:

Brooklyn is kicking NYC’s butt when it comes to cool wedding venues, and 501 Union is a perfect example of that. This is a sleek venue that is a bit more expensive than our favorite Green Building, but it provides a great alternative if the Green Building is booked and you have the budget. I love that you have the flexibility to make your event as low or high brow as you want it. Looking to bring in food trucks to feed guests? Do it. Or maybe you want a unique venue that you can add a touch of modern glamour to? Call their preferred black tie caterers, instead!

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