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Le Bateau Ivre Restaurant

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Berkeley Wedding Venue
2629 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
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Contact: Arlene
Phone: 510/849-1100
www.lebateauivre.net
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Le Bateau Ivre Restaurant

Why We Like This Place

This is a restaurant that inspires poetry. Romantic, cozy—it’s even named after a famous poem, “Le Bateau Ivre” (The Drunken Boat) by French writer Arthur Rimbaud. Set in an elegant residence built by French architect Bell-Oudrey in 1898, Le Bateau Ivre was converted into a restaurant in 1972 and has been lovingly cared for by the current owners for 36 years. It has an adoring clientele. Many have been coming to this quiet, residential part of Telegraph Avenue to dine and celebrate here for generations.

Ancient liquid amber trees shade the walkway near the entrance where a few brick steps take you up to the welcoming interior. As you step inside, the Café and Bar to the left make a pleasant first stop. This room has hardwood floors, large windows and a full bar with espresso machine for cocktails and specialty coffees. An excellent prefunction setting, it opens onto a beautiful brick patio with an ivy-covered wall and wrought-iron balustrade. An enormous cotoneaster tree presides over the space creating partial shade for the patio area and the adjacent lawn where ceremonies sometimes take place.

From the patio you can proceed to the Brick Room via a pass-through or head indoors and step up to it through a petite foyer with a display vitrine and wall niche ideal for flowers or other tributes. Obviously named for the rich red brick in the walls and fireplace, the Brick Room, with its antique hardwood floors (they were rescued from the old City of Paris building in San Francisco) and picturesque patio view, resonates with a rustic intimacy that adds a fine patina to all festivities. It even has a little balcony from which you can address the assembled multitudes or toss that pretty bouquet.

Guests can remain here or progress to the south side of the building where the Pink Room sets a lighter, airier tone. Three large windows wash the room’s two salons in light that casts a pearly glow on artwork (watercolors by local artists) and little heirloom touches like antique end tables, light fixtures and mirrors collected by the proprietors. The easy grace here is so seductive it creates an instant nostalgia, a feeling reminiscent of the longing you might have for a favorite haunt in Paris. And, yes, at Le Bateau Ivre you can savor classics like French Onion Soup, Fromage en Croute, or Steak au Poivre flambéed in Cognac and cooked with crushed black peppercorns, mushrooms and cream, but the banquet staff is also expert in customizing menus, drawing on a broad repertoire of tempting favorites.

In fact you’ll be hard pressed to find a more courteous team of professionals. Many have worked here for decades and all share the same passion for the care and feeding of their happy clientele who, by the way, return for anniversaries. No doubt you, too, will find the atmosphere at Le Bateau Ivre enchanting and you’ll be back often after the party’s over to toast your marvelous memories.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 100
Max. Seated Outdoors: 40 		Max. Seated Indoors: 100
Max. Seated Outdoors: 40
Max. Standing Indoors: 150
Max. Standing Outdoors: 40 		Max. Seated: 100

Fees & Deposits

15% of the estimated event total is required to reserve your date. The balance is due on the day of the event. Rental fees range $75–975 depending on day and time of the event, the space rented and your guest count. Meals range $15–50/person. 9.25% sales tax, alcohol and an 18% service charge are additional.

Availability

Available anytime except Sunday mornings. Sunday events are possible after 3pm.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

Provided
BYO w/ Corkage Fee

Location Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners

Amplified Music

Indoors
Outdoors
w/ Restrictions

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair Accessible

Site Views

Cityscape
Garden Patio/Courtyard

Venue Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Restaurant



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