I grew up in Decatur, AL and I also had my wedding here in April '09. Many of my posts will be about event planning in Decatur. There are so many great venues that are overlooked. I realized a need to identify many of these venues for the Decatur bride-to-be so, I hope this is helpful! Just remember that Decatur has many beautiful and unique aspects and you know if your childhood friends are involved everyone will have a great time...you just have to think outside of the box!
A railroad bridge stretching over the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama during a beautiful sunset.
www.flickr.com/photos/robinlynne/3468584834/
Many of these venues have space to have luncheons, showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and receptions. Also most of the restaurants cater!
Albany Bistro
1051 Grant Street Southeast
(256) 686-1667
Albany Bistro is located in the Historic Albany District. The restaurant has a unique atmosphere due to the history and charm of the building. The exposed brick walls and hand carved mantel add warmth to the dining room. The bistro also offers an outside patio area.
Burningtree Country Club
2521 Burningtree Drive Southeast
(256) 355-5827
(256) 355-5827
Burningtree Country Club is a full service facility that can accommodate all of your special function needs. With the help of our trained and experienced team, we can accommodate all of your special event needs ranging from: bridal tea's, groom tee's, rehearsal dinner, weddings, wedding receptions, birthday parties, anniversary parties, retirement parties, Christmas parties, baptisms, corporate meetings, conferences and class reunions. The Burningtree Clubhouse hosts over 24,000 sq. ft. which allows accommodation for small, intimate parties to an extravagant event of 800 or more. The clubhouse and grounds are equipped for outdoor as well as indoor events.
Cahoots
107 2nd Avenue Southeast
(256) 301-8909
The restaurant holds 80 people total. She said it's divided into 2 rooms so your party would somewhat separated. Putting 20 people in one room would be tight. She has a huge table that holds 16 people though.
Carnegie Visual Art Center
207 Church Street Northeast
(256) 341-0562
The Carnegie Visual Arts Center welcomes you to this beautiful facility. The Historic Carnegie was built in 1904 and served as the public library in Decatur for over 70 years. The Carnegie is a public building that now serves as the area’s first art museum and education center. As a public facility, the Carnegie is available for public use as a rental facility for meetings, receptions and similar events. The Carnegie must be treated with respect for its historical significance and value to the community. The following rules are designed to insure the safety of the building and it patrons.
Basic rental rates for the Carnegie Visual Arts Center are as follows:
• $500 base rental which includes set-up, first three hours of rental, and basic cleaning fees
• Each additional hour will be billed at $75 per hour
• A full day’s rental shall not exceed $1000.
• Rental includes the facility, one Museum staff person on site at all times and basic cleaning of facility after the event.
• For events exceeding 150 guests, $15 per hour will be added for additional Museum personnel.
• Charges for excessive cleaning will be billed at $20.00 per hour and all damage repairs or replacements will be billed at actual cost to the CVAC.
The Casual Gourmet
1721 Somerville Rd SE
(256) 351-0604
Casual Gourmet is a cute restaurant that also offers catering. The owner, Jackie Grimsley, has become known for her event catering. She catered my rehearsal dinner and it was delicious.
The Corner Bakery & Eatery1123B Somerville Road Southeast(256) 353-8400 - Owner, Kay Stevens
http://www.cornerbakeryonline.com/
If you have a reception, banquet or other special event coming up, The Corner Bakery & Eatery can help you make it one to remember by catering a variety of hot and cold food selections. Our beautiful, custom designed cakes are the perfect touch for birthday celebrations, anniversaries and other special occasions.
The Corner will also hold Bridesmaid luncheons and showers depending on the size of the group with no additional party fees.
They did my wedding cake and the groomscake and they were delicious!
Curry’s Restaurant
115 1/2 Johnston Street, SE
(256) 350-6715
Curry’s is the perfect spot for your next special event. We make it easy to host a casual anniversary party, a formal rehearsal dinner, or an impressive business dinner for out-of-town clients you need to impress. Our team will go above and beyond to make you and your guests welcome. We will be happy to work with you on a menu that caters to your tastes.
The Dailey Brew
350A Market Street NE
(256) 686-1593
It's all good at the Daily Brew, Decatur's newest deli and espresso shop. Come say hi to the brew crew and enjoy the best Reuben in town, or try some delicious gelato. Grab a latte and enjoy our view of the Tennessee River and Rhodes Ferry Park. The Brew has a back room that holds up to 35 people and also a large outside patio area that. They have a woman that does catering for any type of event so they do luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and receptions where they can take advantage of Rhodes Ferry Park if they need extra space (a large tent can fit easily at Rhodes Ferry with a great view of the river!)
Rhodes Ferry Park
100 Market Street NE
I had my wedding reception here and in a big tent. The Daily Brew was not here so I had to use a different caterer, Food Fite (I'll do a whole post on Caterers later) It turned out great! 
Photographer- Alyson Clemons, www.erpbyalyson.com/ 
Decatur Country Club
2401 Country Club Road
(256) 353-5773
Our dining facilities include formal and informal dining rooms, a large ballroom, a lounge, and an outside dining area when the weather is suitable. Our chef, Rick Waters, has trained at the Greenbriar Resort and has gained extensive culinary experience at a number of fine dining operations and clubs. Our facilities are available to members and, on a limited basis, to non-members, for wedding receptions, rehearsal banquets, and engagement parties. Our ballroom can seat 250 for dinner or accomodate 350 persons for receptions and other stand-up gatherings. Our golf course is an excellent venue for golf outings for your wedding party.
Historic Bank Street:
Old Decatur was the original downtown of Decatur, built in the early 1800s. The neighborhood was nearly destroyed during the civil war, with only four structures remaining. One of those structures is the Old State Bank, which was occupied by troops during the war. The neighborhood is now known for its historic Bank Street shopping district. I found the great print (above) and absolutley love it. To order it please go to www.stricklandsart.com/prints.html. Also there is great hotel located at the end of Bank Street that is within walking distance from shopping and restaurants as well as two great venues, Simp McGhee’s and Syke’s Place on Bank. Country Inn and Suites, 807 Bank Street, (256) 355-6800, www.countryinns.com
Simp McGhee’s
725 Bank Street
(256) 353-6284
Simp McGhee's can make your next event a success! Let Chef Dean Moore bring his 23 years of experience to your table, no matter the occasion. His masterful creations are perfect for:
• Birthdays
• Supper Clubs
• Christmas Parties
• Class Reunions
• Rehearsal Dinners
• Receptions
We can cater any event. In addition, our second story fine dinning room is also available for booking your private party. Any gathering is the perfect time to enjoy Simp McGhee's unique atmosphere and delectable flavors with your friends. For more information, please call Christy Wiley at (256) 353-6284. Christy helped with my wedding reception and was an absolute lifesaver!
Syke’s Place on Bank
726 Bank Street
(256) 355-2656
Welcome to Syke's Place on Bank Street. We are Decatur Alabama's newest reception and banquet facility! Located in the heart of downtown Decatur, we are convenient to the entire Tennessee River community! Our facility has floor space for tables and chairs which can hold approximately 250 guests. We also have a bar area and band/dj stage. Our 4,000 Sq Ft floor is made of real bamboo hardwood and the red brick walls provide a nice accent to just about any kind of event decor. We also feature flourescent and/or incadescent lighting to fit a variety of lighting needs. My rehearsal dinner was here and it we wouldn't have had it anywhere else! Sykes' big room allows everyone to be together and the head table to really be featured. Also the layout is set-up great for having any type of slideshow, video presentation, etc.
Outside Ceremony Venues:
Rose Garden at Delano Park
825 Gordon Drive SE
Frazier Park Japanese Garden
309 Cherry Street NE
