A milestone birthday guest list has a way of growing. You start with close friends for a 40th, then add coworkers, the neighbors and the cousins who came in from out of town. For a 75th, it might be three generations of family plus friends from church.
Fleur de Lis Event Center offers three distinct event spaces to match milestone birthday party guest lists and desired atmospheres. For intimate dinner parties and toasts with up to approximately 100 guests, the Private Restaurant is ideal. Mid-size parties with dinner and dancing, accommodating 50 to 300 guests, are best suited for the Jazz Ballroom. Large milestone celebrations with a full dance floor for 100 to 500 guests can be hosted in the Pontchartrain Ballroom, with the choice depending on whether the party focuses on conversation or dancing.
The number you land on decides more about the party than almost anything else. A room that is too big feels empty. A room that is too small feels like a crowded house party. Here is how to match the space to the people, whether your guests are coming from Mandeville, Covington, Slidell or across the Northshore.
Three sizes of birthday party
Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville has three event spaces, and each fits a different kind of celebration.
| Space | Comfortable range | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Private Restaurant | Up to approximately 100 guests | Dinner parties, toasts, family celebrations |
| Jazz Ballroom | Approximately 50 to 300 guests | Mid-size parties with dinner and dancing |
| Pontchartrain Ballroom | Approximately 100 to 500 guests | Big milestone celebrations with a full dance floor |
These are comfortable operating ranges, not contractual minimums. We do not impose a hard guest minimum, and we have hosted events as small as about 10 guests.
Dinner party or dance party?
Decide what the night is for before you pick a room.
If it is about conversation and toasts, the Private Restaurant works well. It is booked as a completely private space with its own entrance, restrooms, bar, front courtyard and covered patio. Across our spaces, a seated dinner works best for about 100 guests or fewer, and servers clear tables throughout the event.
If you want people dancing, look at the ballrooms. Both have dedicated dance floors, permanent DJ locations and fiber-optic star ceilings. The Jazz Ballroom adds two working indoor fountains and a brick-top bar. The Pontchartrain Ballroom adds real gas lighting and a large balcony where nearly 100 guests can be seated at normal reception tables. DJ service is a separate add-on, not part of the room, so ask us about entertainment for your date.
Comfort for older guests
Milestone birthdays often bring grandparents and great-aunts, so plan for them. Our primary event spaces are accessible without requiring second-floor access. Please contact us regarding specific accessibility needs; second-floor areas are accessible by stairs only. The venue is fully climate controlled, and free on-site parking fits 175+ vehicles.
What it costs
Pricing depends on the space and the type of event, so there is no single starting price for a birthday party. Call us with your date, guest count and the room you have in mind, and we will put together a quote.
Food, drinks and décor
Outside commercially prepared cakes and desserts are allowed, but outside catering generally is not, so the meal comes from our kitchen. We can build the bar around the event, from a full bar to beer and wine or a signature cocktail named after the guest of honor; uniformed security is required with an open bar and is currently $220. Balloon drops are welcome as long as there is no confetti inside. Our ballroom ceilings are about 17 feet and the Restaurant’s about 12 feet, which sets the limit for tall installations. See our event policies for the full list of bar and décor rules.
We also host Sweet 16s, quinceañeras, anniversaries and retirement parties.
Questions to ask any venue
- How many guests is the room actually comfortable for, not just the maximum?
- Is there a dance floor, and where does the DJ or band set up?
- Will another event be running at the same time, and what is shared?
- Can we bring our own cake?
- What bar options are there, and is security required?
- What décor is not allowed?
See the rooms in person
The easiest way to choose is to stand in each space. Tours are normally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings, with virtual tours for anyone planning from out of town. Call 985-626-9118 to check your date.
Related: Event Spaces | Private Restaurant | Jazz Ballroom | Pontchartrain Ballroom | Plan an Event
About the Author: Taylor Thomas
