Skip to main content
Weddings

About

Our cobble-stone garden patio is surrounded with flowering herbs, years-old native grape vines, and fruit trees. We do large family-style dinners, receptions, wedding ceremonies, birthday celebrations, and other special events. Our gardens are fully functioning kitchen gardens and demonstration gardens, and we use fresh ingredients from local farms and vendors (especially from our very own Bloomingdale Farmers' Market). More descriptions of the space are listed below.

Large Dinners and Receptions

65 STANDING | 55 SEATED

We have a large indoor space with an adjacent private patio used for family-style dinners, cocktail receptions, birthday dinners, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bachelorette parties, and private dinners. This room is the location of our main bar, and is best for larger drinking events, or indoor dining events. We have a beautiful indoor space with an old bar, candle-light, and reclaimed wood tables.

Outdoor Garden Patio

100 STANDING | 65 SEATED

The outdoor garden patio is an old cobblestone patio surrounded by flowering herbs, native grape vines, and a functioning kitchen garden. It is lit with candles, old soft-yellow patio bulb lighting, and two flame-heating towers. It is an intimate outdoor space developed with years of love and attention. We can have large seated dinners of up to 65 guests (the smallest group being 10 guests). We can also have larger cocktail receptions with a more spacious open layout for groups up to 100.

Outdoor Patio

70 STANDING | 35 SEATED

Ideal for cocktail parties with passed appetizers, holiday parties, birthday dinners, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bachelorette parties, and private dinners.

illustration popular

Venues you may like

See other venues that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$5,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$3,500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Chairs
Clean Up
Event Planning
Glassware
Lighting/Sound
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Dessert
Server(s)
Wedding Cake

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$24

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Wine

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Restaurant

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party

What event services do you offer?

Clean Up
Event Planner

What food and beverage items are available?

Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking

Reviews of Big Bear Cafe

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Map

1700 First St. NW Washington, DC, 20001
(202) 643-9222
Monday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Other vendors in Washington DC for your wedding

Wedding Venues