After looking at several different venues, we finally found something that is just our style, and within our budget. It has a beautiful landscaped outdoor space for the cocktail hour, and unique room for the reception. The only thing is the building itself. It's kind of a cross between an art museum and a community center. There's a music school, a pilates studio, catering offices, etc. The guests won't notice that as they'll walk in the front building, through a short hallway lined with artwork, and right outside to the cocktail area.
But to get to the restrooms, which are beautifully decorated with sofas and mirrored vanities, they must walk through this large room, that serves as a "bistro" during the week - in other words, it resembles a cafeteria. The food/cashier stations are portable and will be out of sight, and we can do anything with the room. There are small round tables in there that we could use or have put away.
At first I thought a lounge, rent some furniture, dim the lights and make it like a VIP club scene. But that was proving expensive, and it's far from the dance floor.
Maybe a coffee bar - put in some old furniture and make it look eccentric while guests who like coffee can escape the loud music for a few minutes. Maybe candy stations? Maybe put rom dividers up creating a hallway to the bathroom, eliminating use of the room altogether?
Please offer any suggestions.