You know that moment...
You find a venue you love. Then they hand you the catering menu.
And your grandma's famous lasagna? Not on it.
Neither is the taco truck your whole family swears by. Or the bakery that made your wedding cake. Or the bottle of bourbon your uncle has been saving for exactly this occasion.
That's the moment The Florida Room was built for.
Tucked into a historic building on Main Street in Downtown New Port Richey, The Florida Room is a DIY event space. That means you bring your people, your food, your drinks and your vibe... and the room is all yours.
Here's exactly how it works.
At a Glance: The Florida Room
What it is: A DIY, unstaffed, multi-use event space in Downtown New Port Richey, FL
Who runs it: Twin sisters Kacey and Kira Atkinson
The West Room: Former City Hall building, about 50 guests, has a bar
The East Room: Former Avery Library building, about 50 guests
Private backyard: $100 flat rate add-on to an indoor booking (parties can stretch to about 75 guests with the backyard)
Hourly rates (same for both rooms): Classes $35/hr, meetings $65/hr, weekday events $150/hr, weekend events $200/hr
Hours: Bookable from 6am to 2am, three-hour minimum
Food and drinks: Bring your own. Alcohol is allowed with a certificate of insurance (COI)
Cleanup: The Florida Room handles it, with no cleaning fees
Address: 5742 and 5740 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: (727) 213-8788
What's Included in Each Room
Both rooms come ready to set up, with the basics included.
The West Room
1,450 square feet
Accessible, with backyard access
Kitchen (fridge, sinks)
Coffee station (coffee, sugar, cream, cups)
Bluetooth sound system and an iPad with a music streaming app
2 accessible bathrooms
(3) 31" high-top tables, (5) 60" round tables and (10) 18" x 96" rectangle tables
40 resin chairs
Black or ivory table linens
Projector
Chalkboard signs
The East Room
1,150 square feet
Accessible, with backyard access
Kitchenette (fridge, sink, purified water tap)
Coffee station (coffee, sugar, cream, cups)
Bluetooth sound system and an iPad with a music streaming app
Accessible bathroom
(3) 31" high-top tables, (5) 60" round tables and (10) 18" x 96" rectangle tables
40 resin chairs
Black or ivory table linens
Projector (multiple screen options)
Chalkboard and whiteboard signs
What Does "DIY Event Space" Actually Mean?
A DIY event space is a venue you rent by the hour, then make your own.
No in-house catering. No required vendor list. No staff hovering by the door, checking their watch.
You get a beautiful, private room... and you decide what happens inside it.
That's a big part of why Kacey and Kira set it up this way. These twin sisters come from the hospitality world, so they know what makes guests feel welcome... and what just adds to the bill. At The Florida Room, they kept it simple. You get the space. You make it yours.
And what a space it is.
The building has lived a few lives. Long before anyone threw a baby shower here, New Port Richey neighbors came to this stretch of Main Street to take care of business at City Hall and borrow books from the Avery Library. Today, the West Room still has the bones of that old City Hall building... plus a bar. Next door, the East Room lives in the old Avery Library building.
Timeless, but totally yours for the night.
How Bring Your Own Food Works
This part is easy.
You choose the food. A lot of Florida Room hosts don't hire anyone at all... they cook it themselves. Others bring in a pro. The Florida Room doesn't hand you a short list of "approved" vendors or tack on a fee for using someone else.
That opens up a lot of options:
Cook it yourself and bring it in
Go full potluck and let the family bring the classics
Order party trays from your favorite local spot
Hire a full caterer to drop off, set up and serve
Mix and match... a caterer for the main course, Grandma for dessert
Hungry for Ideas?
If you'd rather not cook, here are a few local favorites worth a call. These aren't official Florida Room partners... just spots worth asking about party trays and event orders:
The Westside Deli for sandwich and party trays
Steamworks, right downtown
The Paulette Project for full catering
Want to see what else is nearby? Browse the Downtown map from New Port Richey Main Street.
How Bring Your Own Drinks Works (Plus the COI Basics)
Yes... you can bring your own alcohol!
Champagne for the toast. A signature cocktail named after the guest of honor. A cooler of local craft beer. It's your party, so it's your bar.
You can serve yourselves, or hire a mobile bartending service. Either way, The Florida Room requires a certificate of insurance (COI).
A COI is a one-page document showing a liability insurance policy is in place for your event. The Florida Room makes this part easy:
Use the link in your booking email. Every booking email includes a link to EventHelper.com, with The Florida Room's information and additional insured requirements already filled in. You just add your details when you purchase.
Hiring a bartender? Your mobile bartending service will need to provide a COI too.
Send it in at least one day before your event.
Quick note: this is a general overview, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm any questions about your coverage with The Florida Room and your insurance provider.
And if you're thinking about selling drinks (like a cash bar or drink tickets), that's a different situation with its own state rules. Talk with The Florida Room before you plan it.
What You Handle vs. What The Florida Room Handles
You handle:
Your food and drinks
Your COI if alcohol is served
Decor, music and the guest list
Setting up your event
The Florida Room handles:
A clean, private, historic space that's yours for your booked hours
A coordinator who gives you a tour and answers your questions before you book
A lockbox code texted to you the day of your event, plus an on-call contact if anything comes up
All the cleanup after your event, with no cleaning fees
A Few House Rules
No real candles, confetti or glitter
Decorations must be freestanding. Nothing can be attached to the walls.
Vendors arrive and leave during your booked time
Events end by 2am
How Booking Works
No guesswork. Just four steps.
Call or submit an inquiry through The Florida Room's website.
Meet with a coordinator, walk both rooms and picture your event in the space.
Sign your contract. It's emailed to you for e-signature, and you'll have one week to sign.
Pay your invoice and get your Guide. A 50% deposit reserves your date. Once you're booked, The Florida Room emails your Florida Room Guide with everything you need to know before the big day.
That's it.
Where to Park
Downtown New Port Richey makes this part easy. There are several parking lots within a short walk of 5742 and 5740 Main St:
Nebraska Parking Lot
Missouri Parking Lot
Public Parking Lot
Thomas Meighan Parking Lot
Gloria Swanson Parking Lot
Golf cart parking
Your Florida Room Guide includes the full parking map, so you can send it to your guests ahead of time.
Why a DIY Event Space Saves You Money
Full-service venues are convenient. But that convenience is usually baked into the price, through things like catering packages, per-person minimums, bar packages and service charges.
At The Florida Room, you pay for the room. You're billed for every hour you're in the space, from the moment you walk in to the moment you're out the door. Then you spend the rest of your budget where you want it.
Let's say you're planning a Saturday birthday party. At the weekend event rate of $200 an hour, four hours in the space (setup included) comes to $800. From there, the food could be a pro caterer, a stack of deli trays or a family potluck. The drinks could be top shelf or a cooler of local beer. You decide.
Same goes for a weekday meeting at $65 an hour, or a class at $35 an hour. You're not paying for staff you don't need. And when the party's over, cleanup is on The Florida Room.
Simple. Flexible. And honestly... more fun.
Make a Night of It Downtown
Hosting at The Florida Room puts your guests right in the heart of Downtown New Port Richey. Check the Downtown events calendar before you pick a date. Your out-of-town guests might want to catch a concert or a festival while they're here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own food to The Florida Room?
Yes. The Florida Room has no restrictive vendor list. You can cook it yourself, order trays from a local restaurant or hire any caterer you like.
Can I bring my own alcohol to a DIY event space in New Port Richey?
At The Florida Room, yes. Guests can serve themselves or hire a mobile bartending service. Either way, a certificate of insurance (COI) is required at least one day before the event.
How do I get a COI for my event?
Your booking email includes a link to EventHelper.com with The Florida Room's information and additional insured requirements already filled in. You add your details when you purchase.
Is The Florida Room staffed during my event?
No. The Florida Room is a DIY, unstaffed space, so the room is private to you and your guests. A lockbox code is texted to you the day of your event, and there's an on-call contact if anything comes up.
Do I have to clean up after my event?
No. You set up your event, and The Florida Room handles the cleanup. There are no cleaning fees.
How much does it cost to rent The Florida Room?
Classes are $35 an hour, meetings are $65 an hour, weekday events are $150 an hour and weekend events are $200 an hour, with a three-hour minimum. Pricing is the same for both rooms. The private backyard is a $100 flat-rate add-on to an indoor booking. A 50% deposit reserves your date.
How many guests can The Florida Room hold?
The West Room and the East Room each hold about 50 guests. Parties can stretch to about 75 guests when they include the backyard.
How do I book The Florida Room?
Call or submit an inquiry through the website, schedule a tour, e-sign your contract within one week, then pay your 50% deposit. Once you're booked, you'll get the Florida Room Guide by email.
Ready to See It in Person?
Your food. Your drinks. Your people.
All under one historic roof on Main Street.
Schedule a tour of The Florida Room, or call (727) 213-8788 to talk with a coordinator.
The Florida Room
5742 and 5740 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652