The perfect location for your next dinner or evening reception with waterfront views of the Portland skyline. Theory offers an open, airy floor plan with sleek, custom furnishing, reclaimed wood accents and a fireplace.
Private Events
Planning something? Look no further.
We've got the space, the tools, and the team to make your event perfect.
What Will You Find?
- Waterfront restaurant
- Four exhibit halls
- Empirical Theater
- Planetarium
- Blueback Submarine
- Free parking
- Theory catering by Bon Appétit
- Meeting space
Perfect for Every Event.
- Corporate or social
- Business meeting or seminar
- Elegant or casual reception
- Staff appreciation
- Holiday celebration
- Company picnic
- Team building
Tools for even the most experienced of planners.
Our venues
From intimate to expansive. Take your pick.
Theory
Size: 9100 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 200, Reception 300
Theory
Square Footage
9100 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 200, Reception 300
Availability
Daily 5-11pm
Assets
6,500 lumens ceiling-mounted LCD projector
built-in sound system
wireless microphone
22' x 12' screen
built-in sound system
wireless microphone
22' x 12' screen
Resources
Featured Exhibit Hall
Size: 8200 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 120, Reception 300
Featured Exhibit Hall
Our featured exhibit hall is home to several rotating exhibits through the year and is adjacent to Theory.
Featured Exhibitions:
Pompeii: The Exhibition
June 24, 2017 - October 22, 2017
Illusion
November 18, 2017 - February 19, 2018
Robot Revolution
March 17, 2018 - September 3, 2018
Square Footage
8200 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 120, Reception 300
Availability
Daily 6-11pm (7-11pm in the summer)
Turbine Hall
Size: 13400 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 250, Reception 350
Turbine Hall
Experiment with technology and physical sciences in this hall named for the large turbine generator that serves as its focal point. Learn how technology affects our daily lives and changes our future. Popular exhibits include the Innovation Station, Autovation Exhibit, Earthquake House, and Nanotechnology exhbit. This highly dynamic space is a popular choice for reception-style events.
Square Footage
13400 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 250, Reception 350
Availability
Daily 6-11pm (7-11pm in the summer)
Courtyard
Size: 4700 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 225, Reception 300, Theater 200
Courtyard
Our seasonal tented courtyard is nestled along the Willamette River with dynamic city views. It’s the perfect spot for company picnics or evening receptions.
Square Footage
4700 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 225, Reception 300, Theater 200
Availability
March – October anytime
Assets
30' x 75' tent
Auditorium
Size: 2970 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 160, Reception 250, Theater 300, Classroom 125
Auditorium
This multi-functional space is the perfect place for presentations, panel discussions, lectures and meetings.
Square Footage
2970 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 160, Reception 250, Theater 300, Classroom 125
Availability
Daily 6am-11pm
Assets
HD LCD projector
screen
computer and podium with touch-panel for lighting, audio, projection and screen controls
wireless internet access
screen
computer and podium with touch-panel for lighting, audio, projection and screen controls
wireless internet access
Parker Room
Size: 650 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 36, Reception 50, Theater 50, Classroom 30
Parker Room
Located on the top floor of the Turbine Exhibit Hall, the Parker Room is ideal for small professional meetings and features river and city views.
Square Footage
650 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 36, Reception 50, Theater 50, Classroom 30
Availability
Daily 6am-11pm
Assets
LCD projector and screen
computer with Microsoft Office
wireless Internet access
computer with Microsoft Office
wireless Internet access
Life Hall
Size: 6000 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 100, Reception 150
Life Hall
Located on the second floor of the museum, the Life Science hall invites visitors to explore the nature of human growth and development, the structure and function of the human body, and the impact of advancing technology on health care and choices.
Square Footage
6000 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 100, Reception 150
Availability
Daily 6-11pm (7-11pm in the summer)
Earth Hall
Size: 8000 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 175, Reception 250
Earth Hall
Located on the second floor of the museum, the Earth Science Hall focuses on geology and techtonics, weather and climate, energy and the environment, and their interrelationship with life, both past and present. Highlights include Clever Together and the recently installed Renewable Energy exhibit, while the popular Science on a Sphere serves as the centerpiece of the room.
Square Footage
8000 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 175, Reception 250
Availability
Daily 6-11pm (7-11pm in the summer)
Entire Museum
Size: 225000 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 1000, Reception 2500
Entire Museum
Interactive and nationally acclaimed exhibits set a stunning backdrop for your private, after-hours event with each hall offering a different theme and a variety of seating and catering service options.
Square Footage
225000 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 1000, Reception 2500
Availability
Daily 6-11pm (7-11pm in the summer)
Main Lobby
Size: 3900 sq ft
Capacity: Banquet 150, Reception 250
Main Lobby
The main lobby is an excellent location for a plated dinner or elegant reception.
Square Footage
3900 sq ft
Capacity
Banquet 150, Reception 250
Availability
6pm-11pm (Summer Months 7pm-11pm)
Empirical Theater
Capacity: 300
Planetarium
Capacity: 190/full dome show, 95/half dome show
Planetarium
The largest and most advanced planetarium in the Pacific Northwest, the Kendall Planetarium is an exhilarating venue for private viewings and functional for mid-sized meeting space.
Capacity
190/full dome show, 95/half dome show
Availability
Private shows scheduled around regular show times
Assets
LCD projector
screen
wireless microphone
wireless internet
choose from over 30 shows in our library
screen
wireless microphone
wireless internet
choose from over 30 shows in our library
Submarine
Capacity: 100 people per hour
Submarine
The USS Blueback is the U.S. Navy’s last non-nuclear, fast-attack submarine and is waiting with hourly rental options.
Capacity
100 people per hour
Availability
Scheduled around regular tours
Have questions? We can help.
Megan Strong, Event Sales
(503) 797-4671
eventsales@omsi.edu