Published rental rates for a 60-guest banquet hall, and what "cheap" should and should not mean.
Summary: A genuinely cheap banquet hall rental in Columbus, Ohio runs about $175 per hour on a weekday with a 3-hour minimum — $525 total — or $1,000 flat for a 6-hour Friday–Sunday block. A full 12-hour Saturday is $2,000, and Sunday full days are $1,300. Those are the published rates at Blanco Event Center for a 60-seat hall with tables, chairs, chandelier lighting, sound, Wi-Fi, a kitchenette and free on-site parking included, no catering minimum and no required vendor list. A $200 refundable retainer holds the date.
Most "banquet hall" quotes in Columbus are not really room quotes. They are food quotes with a room attached. That is why the price you hear on the phone and the price on the contract are so far apart.
The actual numbers
- Weekday (Mon–Fri) — $175/hour, 3-hour minimum, so $525 to start
- Half-day (Fri–Sun) — $1,000 flat for 6 consecutive hours
- Full day (Fri–Sat) — $2,000 flat for 12 consecutive hours
- Sunday full day — $1,300 flat for 12 hours
- Extra hour — $175
- Black Room add-on — $200 for a separate dark-aesthetic room (photobooth, lounge, cocktail overflow)
Setup and breakdown happen inside the rental window, not after it. Budget for that when you pick a block.
What "cheap" should include, and what it usually doesn't
At this price the hall should already be furnished. Included here: 16 white rectangular tables, 60 white chairs, a white mobile bar, 4 crystal chandeliers, 8 wall sconces, climate control, a professional Bluetooth speaker system, a wireless microphone, Wi-Fi, a private changing room, a kitchenette with fridge and microwave, 2 restrooms, free on-site parking and an ADA-accessible entry.
What a cheap hall typically does not include anywhere in Columbus: staff, food, alcohol service, linens, or a coordinator. If a quote looks unusually low, ask what the chair and table rental costs, because that line item is where a $600 hall becomes a $1,400 hall.
The three questions that decide whether a hall is actually cheap
- Is there a food and beverage minimum? A $400 room with a $60-per-head minimum is a $4,000 event at 60 guests. An open-vendor hall lets you use a $20-per-head caterer or drop-off food.
- Is the vendor list closed? Required in-house catering, bar or DJ packages erase the rental savings.
- Are setup hours billed separately? Two hours of decorating at $175/hour is real money if it sits outside your block.
Guest count is the hidden constraint
A 60-seat hall is the sweet spot for repasts, showers, birthdays, graduations, church functions, anniversaries and small wedding receptions. If you are at 120 guests, small halls stop being cheap because you start renting a second space or a tent. Get a real headcount before you shop, not a guess.
One number from our own booking data
Demand for affordable halls in Columbus is heavier than most people assume: Blanco Event Center received 130 new inquiries in July 2026 alone, of which 8 reached a paid deposit. Practically, that means Saturdays get claimed months ahead while weekday and Sunday dates — the cheapest rates on the list — stay open far later. If your date is flexible, flexibility is the discount.
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent a banquet hall in Columbus, Ohio?
$525 for a 3-hour weekday minimum, $1,000 for a 6-hour weekend block, $2,000 for a 12-hour Friday or Saturday, and $1,300 for a 12-hour Sunday.
What is the cheapest day to book a banquet hall?
A weekday, at $175/hour. Sunday is the cheapest full-day option at $1,300 versus $2,000 on Saturday.
Can I bring my own food and alcohol?
Yes — the vendor policy is open, including outside caterers, drop-off food and licensed bar service. There is no catering minimum.
How many guests fit?
60 seated at tables, more for a standing reception.
How much is the deposit?
$200, and it is refundable.
Are tables and chairs included in the price?
Yes. 16 tables, 60 chairs and a mobile bar are part of the rental, not add-ons.
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Current rates, live availability and a self-guided tour: bookblancoeventcenter.com — 993 Mediterranean Ave, Columbus, OH.
Keep reading
- See the matching venue page and live availability
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- All Blanco guides and pricing breakdowns
