Venue Rental Rates & Information San Francisco
Planning an event at the Russian Center of San Francisco? Explore rental rates, booking procedures, amenities, and policies for our historic Grand Ballroom, Banquet Room, Indoor Gymnasium, and Dance Studio. Find everything you need to plan your event and take the next step toward reserving your space.
Booking Information
Please note: A minimum of 6 weeks is required to plan, contract, staff and execute your event at the Russian Center. Shorter booking timeframes may not be possible.
1. Initial Inquiry
Contact our Booking Manager at manager@russiancentersf.org or (415) 921-7631 to check availability for your preferred event date.
Interested in seeing the venue? Tours are available by appointment on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please contact us in advance to schedule your visit.
2. Rental Application
Complete and submit our on-line rental application to begin the booking process.
3. Rental Contract & Deposit
Once your application is reviewed, the Russian Center will issue a rental contract. To secure your event date, sign and return the contract along with a deposit equal to 50% of the base rental fee.
4. Event Planning & Site Visit
At least 30 days before your event, submit your proposed floor plan and event timeline. Confirm any additional services, food and beverage requirements, and special arrangements. Schedule a site visit with your caterer to review event logistics.
5. Final Payment & Insurance
At least four weeks before your event, pay the remaining rental balance and security deposit, and provide proof of insurance. See Fees and Expenses below for additional details.
6. Security Deposit Refund
Within 20 days following your event, the Russian Center will mail a refund check for your security deposit, less any applicable deductions or forfeitures.
Rental Rates
Grand Ballroom & Theater Auditorium
Rental of our historic Grand Ballroom & Theatre includes access to the ballroom, stage, balcony, Banquet Room, Bar & Lounge, and Kitchen Prep Room.
Rental Period: Rates are based on a minimum eight-hour rental period, including event setup, event time, and breakdown/load-out.
Additional Costs: Rental rates do not include staffing, equipment, security, or insurance. See Fees and Expenses below for additional details.
Standard Rental Rates
8 hours (minimum): Standard: $2,500, Nonprofit: $1,500
12 hours: Standard: $3,500, Nonprofit: $2,000
Additional Rental Time
Before midnight: Standard: $200, Nonprofit: $150
After midnight: Standard: $300, Nonprofit: $200
Important: Additional rental time is charged per hour or any portion of an hour.
* Members receive a 15% discount.
Banquet Room
Rental of our Banquet Room provides a versatile setting for private parties, receptions, meetings, and special celebrations. The adjoining Bar & Lounge and Kitchen Prep Room are available for an additional fee.
Rental Period: Rates are based on a minimum three-hour rental period, including event setup, event time, and breakdown/load-out.
Additional Costs: Rental rates do not include staffing, equipment, security, or insurance. See Fees and Expenses below for additional details.
Standard Rental Rates (3-hour package)
Banquet Room only: Standard: $300, Nonprofit: $200
Banquet Room & Bar: Standard: $400, Nonprofit: $300
Banquet Room & Bar & Kitchen: Standard: $500, Nonprofit: $350
Additional Rental Time
Before midnight: Standard: $100, Nonprofit: $75
After midnight: Standard: $150, Nonprofit: $100
Important: Additional rental time is charged per hour or any portion of an hour.
* Members receive a 15% discount.
Indoor Gymnasium
Our spacious indoor gymnasium is available for basketball, volleyball, and other court-based sports. Rental includes access to marked indoor courts, restrooms, lockers, and showers.
Rental Period: Rates are based on a minimum three-hour rental period.
Availability: Weekdays after 6:30 PM, for long-term rental contracts only.
Please Note: Food and beverages are not permitted inside the gymnasium.
Standard Rental Rates
3 hours (minimum): Standard: $450, Nonprofit: $300
Additional Rental Time
For each additional hour: Standard: $100, Nonprofit: $75
Important: Additional rental time is charged per hour or any portion of an hour.
* Members receive a 15% discount.
Dance Studio
Our spacious Dance Studio is ideal for dance classes, rehearsals, fitness instruction, and other movement-based activities. The studio features wall-mounted ballet barres, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a sound system, and a wall-mounted television.
Rental Period: Rates are based on a minimum three-hour rental period.
Discounted Rates: Available for recurring rentals.
Please Note: Food and beverages are not permitted inside the Dance Studio.
Standard Rental Rates
3 hours (minimum): Standard: $300, Nonprofit: $225
Additional Rental Time
For each additional hour: Standard: $75, Nonprofit: $50
Important: Additional rental time is charged per hour or any portion of an hour.
* Members receive a 15% discount.
Rental Fees & Expenses
Personnel
All events require the presence of a Russian Center Manager (hourly fee will depend on event time). One or two security guards are also required to monitor the entrance during event hours, and can be contracted through the Russian Center. To create a personnel estimate, we will need your complete timeline and expected attendance.
Insurance
A Certificate of Insurance, naming the Russian Center of San Francisco as additional insured, is required for all events and performances. The $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability private event policy must include: damage to rented premises, personal injury, general aggregate, and if alcohol is served, a host Liquor Liability.
For events for which there is a charge, admission fee or fundraising, the renters must obtain the necessary license from the State Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC.)
Equipment
Tables and chairs are available for a flat rental fee.
Sound and stage equipment are not included in this fee and are charged separately based on the equipment requested.
See Rental Equipment for an inventory.
Expense Deposit
An expense deposit is required to cover estimated personnel, equipment, and other costs not included in the base rental rate.
Actual expenses will be deducted from the deposit, and any unused balance will be refunded following the event during final settlement.
Catering & Bar Service
You are welcome to hire a licensed and insured caterer of your choice. All caterers must comply with the Russian Center's Rules & Regulations and complete a site visit before the event.
If you plan to sell alcoholic beverages or include alcohol in the ticket price, please contact us in advance to discuss additional requirements and any necessary permits.
Rental Equipment
Flat Fee Rental Equipment
Grand Ballroom
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Standard Flat Fee: $750
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Nonprofit Flat Fee: $500
Banquet Room
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Standard Flat Fee: $150
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Nonprofit Flat Fee: $100
Rental Flat Fee includes use and set-up/take-down of the following:
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350 stackable chairs with red padded backs and seats
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14 6’ rectangular tables
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14 8’ rectangular tables
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20 60” round tables
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6 30” cocktail tables
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9 36”cocktail tables
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Coat room
Rules & Regulations
Access
Hours specified in the Rental Agreement are the only hours Renters and their staff, vendors, performers, volunteers and guests may access The Russian Center or its support spaces. Russian Center staff must be present at all times. Events must end at 12:00 am, unless prior approval is granted by the Russian Center.
Set-up & Breakdown
Renter is responsible for all set-up and break down of all non-Russian Center equipment and items. The rented venue must be left clean and clear of any non-Russian Center equipment and items; otherwise, an additional cleaning fee will apply. No overnight storage is available.
Food & Beverage
Only licensed and insured caterers may provide food and beverage service in the Russian Center. Caterers must have a manager on site at all times.
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Consumption of food and beverage is permitted only in the Ballroom, the Banquet Room and the Bar.
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Sale of food or beverages is permitted only with prior Russian Center approval and requires appropriate licenses.
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Only ice and liquids may be disposed of in sinks (no coffee grounds or foodstuffs.) Do not dispose of ice in restroom sinks or toilets.
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Should leaking or spills occur, clean them immediately.
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Renters and their caterers are responsible for removal of all food, beverages, ice and garbage from the Russian Center following the event. Failure to comply will incur additional fees.
Capacity
There is no admission of persons in excess of the capacity approved at time of booking.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited by law inside all spaces inside the Russian Center.
Care & Protection
Special care should be taken to preserve and protect floors, walls, elevators and equipment. Use carts and dollies with rubber wheels to prevent scratching floors. Avoid dragging or rolling metal items, and items with metal edges, bases or glides. There is no use of tape, staples, tacks or nails to affix materials.
Noise Levels
Doors must remain closed whenever music or entertainment is occurring in the Auditorium. Entertainment must stop by 12:00 am.
Items Not Permitted
Bottled gas in any form, “fog” or “smoke” producing equipment, flame candles, birdseed or rice for throwing, glitter or loose flower petals.
Kitchen Prep Room
Use of a modern catering kitchen is included in the rental. The kitchen must be left clean and clear of equipment or additional fees will apply. Provision of cleaning supplies is the responsibility of the caterer or renter. Renters and their caterers are responsible for removal of all garbage from the Kitchen Prep Room.
Security Guards
At least one security guard is required to monitor the entrance during event hours and additional guards are required for any event in which alcohol is served. Security guards can be supplied by the Russian Center. If private security is hired, the security firm must be insured and bonded.
Restoration
When load out is complete, Renter or their designated representative will accompany the Russian Center Manager on an inspection of all areas used for the event. Portions of the Security Deposit may be withheld if:
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Renter does not break-down and clean-up all non-Russian Center equipment.
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Caterer or renter does not remove all recyclables, bottles and garbage.
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Event access hours exceed those specified in the Rental Agreement.
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There has been damage to the facility or its equipment.
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Additional funds are required for rent, personnel fees or equipment rentals.