Frequently Asked Questions

Can I come see the hall in person?

Absolutely! Please email, call, or use the contact form below to request an appointment.  We encourage renters to visit once before their events.  We recommend that you bring a list of all the questions and details you need to work out beforehand.

What kinds of uses are permitted?

Our policy is to prioritize social welfare uses. This means we give preference to events that are educational, charitable, cultural, and/or otherwise promoting the good of our community. Private events are also allowed, however. Please read on for details, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

What happens if I have to cancel my reservation?

If you cancel a special event, your security deposit is forfeited.  For large events or events scheduled far in advance, we may also require a non-refundable down payment. 
For regularly scheduled events going on hiatus, we require two weeks notice.

Can I arrive early to set things up?

We ask that all renters set up and break down within the hours they have rented, to avoid double booking. Any special exception is at the managers' discretion. Rental times may begin or end on the hour or half hour only. People who arrive early for their events may use the lobbies to wait, provided the previous event does not need privacy in these spaces.

Can we have food and drink in the hall?

Yes.  However, the Hall has a strict no alcohol policy. Also note that special events serving food will be charged a $50 - $100 mopping fee per space. Because of our residential location, we are not a good fit for late night, loud/rowdy parties, or parties for teenagers.

Will there be enough tables and chairs?

Check the page of the space you are renting to see the table and chair count. Feel free to contact us with any concerns or requests.

Do you offer catering?

No. Your welcome to bring in your own catering. Check out the Café page for more information about our kitchen.

Is there AV equipment in the hall?

The Auditorium and Meeting Rooms have great portable PA systems included in the rentals.  The Café and Ski club have portable stereos. The Ski Club room comes with an 100" pull-down projection screen.  The Café has a new 70" Samsung LCD television with various computer hook-ups available for a small fee. 

Do you have a video projector?

Yes.  A Vivitek D91x/D86x series projector is available as well as an 8ft portable screen for an extra rental fee.  Please contact us for more details.

How late can we play music?

The City of Berkeley noise ordinance requires quiet starting at 10pm. Some sound is ok even after that, as long as windows and doors are closed. We ask that you be mindful of the ordinance, especially in the parking lot at night, and require compliance with any request from the managers to turn it down. Again, note that we are not a good fit for late night, loud/rowdy parties, or parties for teenagers.

Do you offer discounts?

Discounts are at the managers' discretion, and are offered in accordance with our policy of prioritizing social welfare uses. The first step to getting a discount is to tell us about your event.

How do I pay?

Please work out the details of your reservation with the managers before sending any money. We will accept checks, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal.  Checks should be made out to "Berkeley Finnish Hall", and either dropped in the mail slot by the side door, or mailed to:

Berkeley Finnish Hall
1970 Chestnut St.
Berkeley, CA 94702

Is there parking?

Yes.  There is a 11 car lot adjacent to the building.  

Are you accessible by public transportation?

Buses run along University Ave., and North Berkeley BART is just a short walk or bike ride away. Bike racks are available. Thank you for sparing the air!

Can I make a tax deductible donation to help keep this community resource up and running?

Yes! Please see our Accessibility Project to find out how you can help us reach our goal of accessibility for all!

More questions?

Check out our Policies page, and don't hesitate to email finnish.hall@gmail.com, call us at 510-845-5352, or use the form below. If you do use the form below, please know that some users have had our response email end up in their spam folder.