Hillside Club

The Hillside Club is a historic wedding venue in Berkeley, California, set within a beautifully preserved Arts and Crafts hall in a quiet residential neighborhood just north of the UC Berkeley campus. Founded in the late 19th century by a group of Berkeley women devoted to promoting good design in the hills above the bay, the club today is a community-based organization that opens its landmark clubhouse for ceremonies, receptions, and cultural gatherings. The current 1920s hall, designed by John White after the original Bernard Maybeck clubhouse was lost to the 1923 Berkeley Fire, carries forward the simple elegance of the era with rich wood wainscoting, glowing Old World-style chandeliers, and soaring multi-paned windows that flood the room with natural light.

Couples planning both ceremony and reception find a warm, character-filled space that needs little embellishment. Vows can be exchanged on the raised stage, framed by a gracious wood proscenium and draped curtain, or before the built-in fireplace accented by custom stained glass panels. The handsome wood floor invites dancing late into the evening, while the main hall accommodates up to 120 guests for a seated dinner and as many as 180 for a standing celebration. Tables, chairs, a stage, a PA system, and a well-equipped kitchen are included, and couples may bring the caterer of their choice.

Its setting places celebrations within easy reach of the Gourmet Ghetto and downtown Berkeley's vibrant dining scene, making it a natural choice for guests traveling in from across the East Bay and San Francisco. With its intimate scale, excellent acoustics, and genuinely historic atmosphere, the Hillside Club offers a distinctive backdrop for weddings that feel personal, artful, and rooted in Berkeley's enduring craft tradition.

What couples say

• Couples consistently praise the venue's historic Arts and Crafts character, with the warm wood interior and tall multi-paned windows giving celebrations a distinctive, natural-light-filled atmosphere.
• Guests frequently mention the raised stage and excellent acoustics, which make the hall well suited to live music and performances during events.
• Many reviewers describe the staff and management as friendly, flexible, and highly responsive throughout the planning process.
• Its location near UC Berkeley and the city's lively dining scene is often noted as a convenient draw for out-of-town guests.
• A recurring practical note is that street parking in the surrounding residential neighborhood can be limited.