A Brooklyn Wedding Venue With Real History
The Best Wedding Venue in Brooklyn
Couples planning a Brooklyn wedding have no shortage of options — but few venues offer what 501 Union does: three distinct spaces under one roof, a building with real history, and a team that has run weddings here since 2013. Housed in a landmark structure built in 1916 and once home to a classic car restoration shop, 501 Union blends the exposed brick, skylights, and industrial bones of old Gowanus with the polish couples want for a modern celebration. That combination is why 501 Union has been named Best of Zola three years running (2024, 2025, 2026) and won a WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award in 2025. Most Brooklyn venues give you one room; 501 Union gives you a full sequence — an Art Deco–inspired cocktail lounge for arrival drinks, a glass-walled covered atrium for your ceremony, and a soaring, skylit reception hall for dinner and dancing.
.jpg)
Features
Capacity, Catering & What's Included
Capacity: Cocktail-style reception up to 400 guests. Seated dinner with a dance floor, up to 140–160 guests. Ceremony (Atrium, theatre-style) up to 150 guests. Ceremony (Main Space, theatre-style) up to 250 guests.
Catering & Bar: 501 Union welcomes outside catering, with a preferred vendor list available as a starting point — bring your own caterer, a restaurant, or a food truck with a valid Certificate of Insurance. All beverage service runs exclusively through 501 Union's in-house bar program, with tiered packages and custom cocktail menus available.
What's Included: Every wedding booking includes a dedicated venue manager, professional cleaning staff, and a doorman/security guard, with bartenders and coat check available to add. In-house furniture, a built-in sound system, and a projector are included as part of your rental.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 501 Union a full-service wedding venue?
501 Union provides the space, in-house furniture, bar service, A/V, and day-of venue staffing. You'll still need your own caterer and a day-of coordinator, which is required for every wedding.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Yes. Outside caterers are welcome with a valid Certificate of Insurance. Many couples start with the venue's preferred vendor list.
What's the maximum guest count for a wedding at 501 Union?
Up to 300 for a cocktail-style reception, or 140–160 for a seated dinner with a dance floor.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, 501 Union is fully ADA compliant, with eight wheelchair-accessible restrooms throughout the space.
Do we need a wedding planner?
Yes — a day-of coordinator, event planner, or designated sober contact is required to manage vendors and event flow.
Get Married in Gowanus, Brooklyn
It's hard to ignore the energy of Gowanus, a largely industrial neighborhood situated between Carroll Gardens and Park Slope. Stroll the streets and you’ll discover something new around every warehouse corner; bustling storefronts, unique activities like shuffleboard, archery and even kayaking on Gowanus’ namesake canal; studios filled with printmakers and wood workers diligently perfecting their craft.
Voted ‘2015 Neighborhood of the Year’ by Curbed NY, Gowanus has quickly become a haven for artists, creative makers, and burgeoning start-ups pioneering the new wave of Brooklyn respectfully alongside the neighborhood's longstanding industrial manufacturers.
Gowanus has many wonderful and unique options for lodging, dining, culture and nightlife. Our team is happy to point you in the right direction.
501 Union is just four subway stops to Lower Manhattan. Take the F/G to Carroll Street or R to Union Street. We encourage ride share, and the closest parking lot is at 365 Bond Street. We are also happy to make recommendations for valet for your guests.
