I apologize for cross-posting this in Parenting and here, but I wanted to cover my bases and I usually get excellent suggestions in the G/MA/CH forum. My question -


We're looking for a party room to rent for a child's birthday party. Just the room. My five year old daughter absolutely does NOT want a birthday package (so no Oogles & Googles, Little Gym, Plymouth Meeting Rec Center, Color Me Mine, Mt. Airy Video Library, World Cafe Live, Schuylkill Nature Center, etc.). She wants to have a costume party, which I think we can easily do if we can just find a room somewhere. We don't have the space at home, and an outdoor costume party in August would be miserable.

The only thing that I could think of was The Tree House on Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill, and that's $175 for the room only, which seems a little high to me.

Any suggestions?

Try the Venetian Club on Germantown Ave or the Wyndmoor Fire Company on Willow Grove Ave. in Wyndmoor. I've never used either of these places but I know they do events. They're both non-profit so you may be able to get a better deal than elsewhere. Let us know what you find out.

This is a private club, so smoking is allowed. This doesn't mean that there will be people smoking there during your kid's party, but the place may smell like cigarette smoke.

-Z

Mishkan Shalom in Roxborough (a synagogue) rents space but I don't think it will cost less than the treehouse. You can try though www.mishkanshalom.org FYI- I know when I looked for a local room for a summer party about 6 years ago I couldn't find anything for less than $200, especially if you need A/C, access to bathroom, and permission to serve food.

I've been to a couple of birthday parties at Treehouse, and my spouse works there. They're great people. If you want to talk to someone off-list about it, I can put you in touch.

When I figure in all of the others expenses (cake, pizzas, drinks, paper products, decorations, and favors), The Tree House's $175 fee for a 90 minute party is too pricey for us. It's a darling space, but puts me over budget.

Luckily, friends have offered us the use of their studio at no charge, which is just so generous and kind that I can't believe it.

By the way, I've gotten lots of great suggestions, which I'll try to post as a list here later this evening in the event that others might be interested.

Thanks, everyone!