A Wedding Venue Rooted in Gowanus
A Gowanus Wedding Venue With Real Neighborhood Character
If you want a Brooklyn wedding that actually feels like Brooklyn — not a hotel ballroom with exposed-brick wallpaper — Gowanus is where to look, and 501 Union is its most established wedding venue. Gowanus sits between Carroll Gardens and Park Slope, and it's spent the last decade transforming from a purely industrial strip into one of Brooklyn's most interesting neighborhoods — Curbed NY named it Neighborhood of the Year in 2015. 501 Union itself is part of that story: the building went up in 1916 and spent decades as a hub for classic car restoration before being reimagined as an event venue in 2013, so the industrial character isn't a design theme, it's the building's actual history.
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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 Gowanus a good neighborhood for a wedding weekend?
Yes — it's walkable to Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, has a growing restaurant and bar scene for rehearsal dinners and after-parties, and offers a genuinely distinct backdrop for photos compared to more generic event districts.
How far is 501 Union from Manhattan?
About four subway stops from Lower Manhattan via the F/G or R trains.
Can our ceremony and reception both happen at 501 Union?
Yes — most weddings use the Covered Atrium for the ceremony and the Reception Hall for dinner and dancing, all within the same building.
Is there a green room for the wedding party?
Yes, the VIP Suite includes a private restroom, vanity area, and lounge seating.
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.
