A milestone deserves a room that looks like one.
Birthdays, showers, anniversaries and reunions in a restored waterfront factory, minutes from Fairfield and under thirty from Westport. Bring your people, we handle the room.
A milestone birthday, not a rented banquet room.
Beige function rooms make every party look the same. The Knowlton gives you timber beams, steel sash windows, a 1,200 sq. ft. riverfront deck and a 30,000 sq. ft. waterfront lawn, so your 40th, your anniversary, your reunion looks like an event people will talk about, not a room you booked by the hour.
One room, the whole celebration.
Cocktails, dinner and dancing without a single car ride. Every part of the night has its own setting here.
The Details
A dessert table, a lit stage wall, the little touches that make a milestone feel planned, not just booked.
The Dinner
Seated dinner under warm pink uplighting, with room for the whole guest list at one address.
The Party
Red-draped walls, a mirrored dance floor and the chandeliers doing their part after dinner clears.
Step outside for a toast at golden hour.
A few milestones on the water.
What hosts ask before they book.
What kinds of social events does The Knowlton host?
The Knowlton hosts milestone birthdays, bridal and baby showers, anniversaries and reunions, alongside weddings, mitzvahs and corporate events. Most social events use the Boathouse for dinner and dancing, with the galleries available for a smaller reception or lounge.
How many guests can The Knowlton host for a birthday or anniversary party?
The Knowlton hosts social events from 50 to 500 guests, with the Boathouse, Wilder Gallery and Armstrong Gallery offering a range of room sizes to match the guest list.
Can we do a seated dinner and a dance floor at the same event?
Yes. A common setup is a seated dinner under uplighting in the Boathouse, followed by dancing on the same floor once the tables clear, so the party moves straight from dinner into dancing.
Is there an outdoor space for a toast or photos?
Yes. The Knowlton sits on the Pequonnock River waterfront, and guests often step outside for a toast or photos at golden hour before returning indoors.
Can we bring in our own caterer for a shower or milestone party?
Yes. Outside caterers are welcome, including kosher and specialty caterers, so hosts can pick a caterer that fits the occasion.
Do you provide the bar service?
Yes. The Knowlton holds the liquor license and supplies all the alcohol, which also means outside alcohol cannot be brought in. The bar is staffed at roughly one bartender per fifty guests, either by the venue team or by an approved caterer serving the venue’s alcohol. Last call is fifteen minutes before the bar closes, and for guest safety shots are not served.
Is there enough parking for a large guest list?
Yes. The Knowlton offers 200 secured on-site parking spaces, minutes from Westport and Fairfield. Parking attendants are required once about 50 or more vehicles are expected, and events of 100 or more guests also require licensed security at one guard per 50 guests, booked in addition to the rental.
How much does it cost to rent an event space for a party?
Pricing is customized to the date, the spaces you use, your guest count and the overall scope of the party, so hosts receive a tailored proposal rather than a one-size-fits-all rate. Weekday and Sunday dates generally offer the most flexibility.
How far in advance should we book a social event?
Popular dates, particularly Saturdays and fall weekends, tend to book well in advance, so it is worth confirming a date as soon as it is set. That said, dates open up as other events move, so it's worth asking even on a short timeline, and weekday and Sunday events typically have the most availability.
Come see the room before you book it.
Tell us the occasion and your guest count. We will walk you through the Boathouse, the lounge and the galleries, and help you build a night around it.
Opening the conversation...
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