PHOTO BY RICHARD COOK

For the Sports Fan

Heinz Field
The home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers provides seven available venues for private event rental, including the field’s official press box area and the Fedex Great Hall: Museum and Hall of Fame. Each space has custom seating arrangements for banquet and dinner style events. Standing cocktail-style setups also are an option. The UPMC Club, the largest space, can hold up to 800 people sitting and 2000 people standing. The smallest venue is the Ford Fan Zone, an outdoor patio overlooking the football field that holds up to 200 guests.

Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Side
heinzfield.com/private-events/

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

PNC Park

PNC Park boasts 11 different venues available for private event rentals. Nine of the event spaces are recommended by the park’s staff to host celebrations and other social events while the remaining two are traditionally reserved for seminars and business meetings. Each venue also has options for formal seating and standing cocktail hours.

Spaces include the Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level, a floor of the building that separates into three different venues — Club 3000, Keystone Corner and Gunner’s Lounge. The PBCL locations are placed around the playing field, providing a different view from each room. 

Club 3000 is located on the first base line. The sports-themed room can hold up to 200 guests and features memorabilia and photos of baseball’s 3,000 hit club. Keystone Corner provides a view of the field from the third base line and includes a bar, pool tables and a mix of regular seating for guests to enjoy. Gunner’s Lounge has a view of home plate and includes a private balcony. There is a combination of formal seating and lounge furniture for party goers.

The largest site is the Home Plate Club, which holds up to 425 people. The smallest is Club Cambria, which holds up to 50 people and combines a bar and “stadium-style soft seating” for a comfortable experience.

Renters may also add signature experiences onto their venue rental. Options include batting practice on the field, use of the indoor batting cages and a game of baseball or softball on the field.

PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Side
mlb.com/pirates/ballpark

Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium’s turf field is available for hourly and full-day rentals for sporting, entertainment and private events. The stadium’s suite and banquet facilities can be customized to cater for private functions. A large balcony space provides a generous view of the Pittsburgh skyline. The banquet area measures around 4,000 square feet and can host events for up to 250 guests.

Highmark Stadium, 510 W Station Square Dr., South Side
highmarkstadium.com/book-your-event/

PHOTO BY TOM DAVIDSON

For History Buffs

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Carnegie Museums have more than 20 event spaces available for rental, including venues in the music hall, science center, art museum and history museum. The Museum of Natural History also offers four immersive venues for event dining and cocktail hour options.

These include Foster Overlook, a space that looks out over the Dinosaurs of Their Time exhibit. The space holds 60 guests seated and up to 100 guests standing for cocktail hour.

In the historic Founders Room, guests will be greeted in the same space where Andrew Carnegie once welcomed his visitors. This venue features a high ceiling with an ornate design, hanging alabaster lamps and a fireplace. The space holds 40 guests seated and 60 standing for a cocktail style event.

Guests may also explore the wild side of history in the Hall of North American Wildlife. The second-floor space includes stagings of black bears and jaguars among other depictions of animals in their natural habitat. Up to 100 guests may be seated amongst the beasts, while 150 guests can stand during cocktail hour.

Hosts also can add some sparkle to their party in the Hillman Hall and PaleoLab Lobby. The space holds up to 100 guests for cocktail hour and provides full access to a showcase of 1,300 gems and minerals. 

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland
carnegiemuseums.org/great-event-spaces/carnegie-museums-in-oakland/ 

Heinz History Center
Full rental of the history center is available for private events. For smaller affairs, there are seven individual venues that can be more categorized to the host’s interests.

The venues include, but are not limited to, the Great Hall, which features vintage cars placed around the room, the sixth floor Library and Archives Reading Room and the Mueller Center, a contemporary ballroom. 

Each event space has multiple seating options, including banquet style, reception placement and standing cocktail hours. There are multiple rental time options with most venues becoming available after 5 p.m.

Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh 
heinzhistorycenter.org/rentals/our-spaces 

For Gamers

Victory Pointe Arcade
The vintage arcade will bring up nostalgic feelings thanks to its classic arcade games, gaming tokens and an ice cream bar that sells themed milkshakes. Guests are able to reserve hours of unlimited gaming for themselves and up to 30 guests, starting at $250. Victory Pointe is BYOB for adults and has a full alcohol policy on their website.

Victory Pointe Arcade, 1113 E Carson St., South Side
victorypointe.com/visit-us.html

For Nature Lovers

Schenley Park Plaza
Outdoor events in Schenley Plaza are a breath of fresh air. The park has six different venues and an option for full plaza rentals. Rain or shine, the event can go on with the use of the Oval tent, which can hold up to 250 people seated. The PNC Carousel also is available for birthday parties. A package includes 125 tokens, 10 tables and 40 chairs.

Schenley Park Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave., Oakland
pittsburghparks.org/pittsburgh-park-rentals/

Frick Park Environmental Center
The Frick Park Environmental Center has seven venues available for private event rental, including indoor and outdoor spaces. 

For birthday parties, the staff recommends a $250 package that includes a two-hour use of the Forecourt and the Natural Play Area for up to 100 people. For a smaller party, there is a $300 package that includes the two-hour use of the Outdoor Classroom or Amphitheater and use of the Natural Play Area for 30 people. There is a personalization option for each venue, and rental rates include staff assistance.

Frick Park Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill
pittsburghparks.org/pittsburgh-park-rentals/

PHOTOS BY ABBY WARHOLA

For Art Lovers

Warhol Museum

Andy Warhol famously said, “As I always say, one’s company, two’s a crowd, three’s a party.” In the spirit of this declaration, the Warhol Museum’s staff goes all out when it comes to party planning.  Rentals include event furniture, audio visual equipment and staffing. The staff also works exclusively with one catering company to create a menu fit for the event.

The museum’s entrance space is available for a 120-person seated event or a 300-person cocktail reception. The Warhol Theater is available to host events as well. There also are options to add gallery floors, guided tours, and studio activities.

Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St., North Side
warhol.org/rentals/

Mattress Factory

The alternative art gallery has private event rentals that can be personalized to fit each party’s unique theme. Guests may choose from multiple venues, including the Winifred Lutz Garden, the museum lobby or galleries throughout the building. Each space has an option for cocktail hour setup and select rooms have options for seating. Visitors may also add galleries and floors onto their rentals for an immersive experience.

Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side
mattress.org/private-events/