Elope & Celebrate!
10 Tacoma Destinations Perfect for a small reception
Congratulations on your recent elopement! Now that you and your partner have tied the knot with a small and meaningful wedding ceremony, it's time to celebrate. While big receptions may not be your style, there's something magical about having a post-elopement celebration at your favorite local eatery. In this article, I'll share with you the top 10 post-elopement spots in Tacoma that are perfect for your elopement after-party! Whether you're looking for a romantic ambiance or delicious cuisine, these hidden gems will make your celebration unforgettable.
The benefits of post-elopement celebrations at your favorite local establishment
Here are a few benefits of choosing a local restaurant, bar, or eatery for your post-elopement celebration:
Local Vibe: When you choose a local restaurant, you're guaranteed to have a cozy and romantic setting for your celebration. The dim lighting, soft music, and warm ambiance will set the perfect backdrop for an evening of love and laughter.
Fantastic Food: One of the highlights of any celebration is the food, and our favorite Tacoma restaurants never disappoint. From mouthwatering appetizers to decadent desserts, you can expect a culinary experience that will make your taste buds happy and leave you and your guests wanting more.
Personalized Service: Unlike large wedding venues, these smaller establishments offer personalized attention to every detail of your celebration. From customizing the menu to suit your preferences to ensuring that every guest is well taken care of, the staff at these restaurants will go above and beyond to make your post-elopement celebration truly memorable.
So, go ahead and treat yourselves to an unforgettable dining experience after your elopement. It's the perfect way to continue the celebration and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Top 10 Tacoma destinations for post-elopement celebrations
(In order of distance from Elope 253)
Wooden City Tacoma
Just a short stroll of 0.1 miles from Elope 253, Wooden City is a community-focused destination with great food, sincere hospitality, and an inclusive environment catered to all groups and celebrations!
Known for their work in and out of the restaurant, Wooden City Tacoma is a feel-good foodie’s paradise and perfect for your post-elopement celebration! With a covered outdoor deck designed for parties of up to 30 guests, reach out to the Wooden City Team in advance to curate the perfect family-style event for your big day!
McMenamins Elks Temple
If you’ve fallen in love with Tacoma’s Spanish Steps — McMenamins Elks Temple is the perfect place to continue your celebrations (Situated a mere 0.2 miles from Elope 253, they are practically our neighbors!) Located at 565 Broadway and built in 1916, Elks Temple is a historic wonder just minutes from our chapel.
With a different theme on every floor, McMenamins weaves art, history, great food, and entertainment for the ultimate travel-lovers experience! From a brewery and tasting room to the Spanish Ballroom, Doc’s Games Bar, and a mysterious “5th floor” — you can find it all at McMenamins!
Quick Tip: Once you get past the 3rd floor, make sure to fuel up and enjoy the views — they are unbeatable!
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Located just 0.4 miles from Elope 253 on Pacific Ave in Tacoma, this classic gem is the perfect family-friendly spot for your celebrations! Absolutely incredible for groups of all sizes (and FANTASTIC for kids), The Old Spaghetti Factory has space for large groups and catering if you’d like your celebrations to be off-site.
Family-owned and operated since 1969, this is the perfect spot for comfort food and celebrations for all sizes of celebrations!
TheKoi Sushi & Sake Bar
Located 0.8 miles from Elope 253, THEKOI was named “Best Sushi” in 2021 and 2022 and “Best Japanese” in 2022. Known for their premium fish and highly trained team of sushi chefs, THEKOI ensures that every piece of fish is of the highest quality.
With a full cocktail menu and a private banquet room for parties of up to 22 people, THEKOI would be a beautiful place to continue your elopement celebration!
7 Seas Brewing
Located within the Historic Heidelberg Brewery, and just 0.8 miles from Elope 253, our list couldn’t be complete without a taproom!
Founded by Mike and Travis back in ‘09, 7 Seas was the first Craft Brewery in Washington to their beer and are on a mission to create consistently great beers!
With room for casual events and celebrations of up to 200 in their Tacoma Taproom Event Room, contact their team for more info.
El Gaucho
f you're in the mood for a luxurious steakhouse experience, El Gaucho is the place to be. Situated 1.6 miles from Elope 253, this upscale restaurant offers top-notch service and mouthwatering steaks that will leave you wanting more. With multiple private rooms available for groups ranging from 6-100, their service and atmosphere are unmatched!
With a goal of bringing back the “fine” in fine dining — this is a beautiful venue for any post-elopement celebration!
About El Gaucho: The El Gaucho experience blends impeccable service and exceptional quality. Our team of talented chefs and dedicated staff provide old school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. Each ritual, from the greeting at the front door to the fire-dancing desserts, is part of our nod to the past and vision for how fine dining should remain.
The Melting Pot
Indulge in a truly unique dining experience at The Melting Pot, located 1.6 miles from Elope 253. This fondue restaurant allows you to create memorable moments by dipping a variety of delicious ingredients into melted cheese or chocolate.
Perfect for small celebrations (or just the two of you), this gourmet take on a vintage tradition is SO much fun and great for those who love to have fun with food!
About The Melting Pot: The Melting Pot provides a unique, interactive dining experience in a casually elegant, intimate atmosphere. Choose from 1, 2, 3, or more courses, including savory cheeses prepared tableside, fresh salads with house-made dressings, tempting meats and seafood, and of course, creamy chocolate fondue served with an array of delicious dippers.
The Lobster Shop
Located on Ruston Way and just 3.4 miles from Elope 253, The Lobster Shop at Commencement Bay is a scenic destination for seafood lovers. Inspired by their Executive Chef, The Lobster Shop is known for its incredible quality, delicious food, great wines, and good value — all with stunning views of Commencement Bay and Mount Rainier.
With its own dedicated Event Coordinator, The Lobster Shop has celebration spaces that range from 6-30 guests that are perfect for your post-elopement destination!
The Cliff House
Situated 10 miles from Elope 253, The Cliff House is a historic restaurant that offers stunning views of the Puget Sound and delectable Pacific Northwest cuisine.
This is a beautiful setting for your post-elopement celebrations with semi-private and private rooms for 50-100 guests. With a customizable menu for private events, this is a statement venue with a little something for everyone!
Ocean 5 & Table 47
Located 12 miles from Elope 253, in Gig Harbor*, Ocean 5 is known for great food and fun for all ages! Perfect for the kids (or kids-at-heart), Ocean 5 has all the classics — bowling, laser tag, Top Golf Swing Suites… you name it!
With party sizes and catering up to 400 people, this is great for family-friendly fun!
*Yes, this is not technically Tacoma, but since so many Elope 253 couples chose this location for a fun reception location, we just had to include it!
Whether you choose a cozy bistro, a waterfront gem, or a trendy urban hotspot, any of these restaurants are sure to provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable celebration.
And if you're looking for a seamless elopement experience, don't forget to check out Elope 253’s elopement packages. Cheers to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness!