Community Space Rentals

Looking for a space to gather? The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland provides inviting rooms for meetings, classes, and special events. Host your next gathering in a space that supports community connection and empowerment!

Choose from three rental spaces — Student Lounge, Main Lounge, and Auditorium,  each tailored to best fit the needs for your event.

Spaces for Rental

Auditorium

33’ x 55’ = 1,831

Square footage

150-200

Seated guest capacity

Main Lounge

28’ x 23’ = 655

Square footage

45-75

Seated guest capacity

Student Lounge

17’ x 23’ = 402

Square footage

25-40

Seated guest capacity

Hourly Rates

  • Weekday:
    Morning: $70
    Afternoon: $75
    Evening: $85

    Weekend:
    Morning: $85
    Afternoon: $90
    Evening: $100

    **Cleaning fees may apply

  • Weekday:
    Morning: $70
    Afternoon: $75
    Evening: $85

    Weekend:
    Morning: $85
    Afternoon: $90
    Evening: $100

    **Cleaning fees may apply

  • Weekday:
    Morning: $195
    Afternoon: $220
    Evening: $270

    Weekend:
    Morning: $245
    Afternoon: $270
    Evening: $320

    **Cleaning fees may apply

General Information

  • If any of the following are applicable to you…

    • Artist practice/rehearsal

    • Independent practitioner

    • Financial hardship rates

    • 4 hour & 8 hour rental time

    Let us know when you fill out the inquiry form and we can apply a discount up to 5% off!

  • We offer a tech package add-ons for your event. The $200 package includes…

    • a speaker

    • a microphone

    • a podium

    • a camera

    • choice of projector w/ screen OR TV

    We also offer chairs and tables free of charge, to thank you for choosing to host with us. We offer tables in a variety of sizes…

    • 10 - 6’x3’ rectangular 

    • 4 - 4’x 1 1/2’ tiny 

    • 7 - 3’x3’ square 

    • 2 - 5’x 1 1/2’ 

    • 3 - 5’x 2 1/2’

    • ~80 folding chairs

    If you are interested in using any chairs or tables please notify us when filling out the inquiry form.

    We cannot set up for your event, you are permitted 15 free minutes of set up & 15 free minutes of take down. If you need any more time please take that into account when filling out the inquiry form.

    1. Renter inquiry

      • Fill out our rental inquiry form or contact our front desk with your preferred date(s), time, and a short description of your event.

        Inquiry Form

    2. Availability confirmation

      • We check the calendar and get back to you with which spaces and times are available.

    3. Discuss event details & cost

      • We’ll review capacity, layout, equipment needs, setup/breakdown times, accessibility needs, and provide a cost estimate and any applicable fees or deposits.

    4. Contract & required forms

      • We prepare a rental contract for you to complete. The contract includes required items you must submit:

        • Contact information

        • Card authorization form (a card must be kept on file regardless of payment method)

        • Signature acknowledging our facility rules and regulations

        • Certificate of insurance (as stated in the contract)

          Insurance Instructions

    5. Contract review & reservation confirmation

      • Once we receive the completed contract and required documents, we confirm everything is in order and finalize your reservation.

Upcoming Events Calendar

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FAQs

  • You can rent a room for as long as you need from 9:00 am-10:00 pm (we may be able to accommodate an earlier time if needed). We also have half day and full day discounts.

  • Yes, tables and chairs are provided for your event. If you are renting any of the lounges, a table that sits around 8 people is already provided in your rental. In any case that you need more, you will have to email us one week in advance.

    Note: We may not be able to provide additional tables and chairs the DAY OF, if you do not let us know before your event. The sizes of our tables are as follows: 6’x3’ rectangular, 4’x 1 1/2’ tiny, 3’x3’ square, 5’x 1 1/2’, and 5’x 2 1/2’.

  • Yes, restrooms are located on the main floor in the back hallway of the premises. 

  • The YWCA does not provide parking, but there is street parking in front of our building. The nearest parking structure is the Telegraph Channing Garage. Please see the PDF for more information about the Garage hours and rate.

  • You may NOT use other rooms, hallway, lobby, kitchenette, and reception area of the building during your reservation time, but may use restrooms. 

  • YWCA does not maintain insurance covering loss or damage of Renter’s property; therefore, a Certificate of Insurance is required from all renters. Any individual or group using YWCA facilities assumes all responsibility for injury, death to any person and/or loss or damage to property. 

  • If you are part of a student organization at UC Berkeley, the university provides insurance instructions on this site for on/off campus events. 

  • The following rules are stated in the contract and facility regulation waiver that must be completed in order to confirm a reservation.

    • Renter may only use the specific room(s) listed in the contract and during stated hours. Renter is not allowed usage of room(s) outside of hours stated in the contract. 

    • Keep all doors closed and secured, they may not be propped open.

    • There is no access available to the kitchenette or private garage. Renter may only utilize the bathroom located at the back of the building. 

    • If the hours of the rental are modified (starting earlier or ending later than the times stated in the Agreement), Renter will be charged for the additional time. 

    • No illegal drugs are allowed on the premises. No smoking of any substance is allowed inside/or in front of the building.

    • The YWCA Berkeley/Oakland reserves the right to have a representative at any event held in this building and during any use of any part of the building.

    • Renter must return the premises to its original setup—furniture must remain in its original room and cannot be removed from YWCA Berkeley/Oakland property; removal will incur a fee. Renter should take photos before setup and after, restore the room accordingly. All food must be removed promptly. If YWCA Berkeley/Oakland staff must clean after use, additional fees will be charged to the card on file. Cleaning supplies are available—please check with onsite staff for access.

    • As part of the rental process, the Renter is responsible for completing and submitting the Check-In/Check-Out Form on the day of the event. This form is essential for documenting the condition of the space before and after use. Failure to submit the form may result in a fee of up to $100, and may affect future rental eligibility.