PRIVATE EVENTS BOOKING GUIDE

The Edison Restaurant | Tallahassee, Florida

Thank you for considering The Edison for your special event. We are honored to host celebrations, corporate gatherings, and life’s most meaningful occasions in one of Tallahassee’s most iconic settings. Below you will find an overview of our booking process and event policies.

EVENT POLICIES & INFORMATION

Food & Beverage

As a licensed restaurant, all food and beverage must be provided exclusively by The Edison. Food or beverage from another source may not be brought onto the premises or served at any event hosted at The Edison.

Celebration Cakes & Specialty Desserts

Celebration cakes and cupcakes are permitted. All cakes must be delivered at the scheduled access time directly to the event space.

The Edison team does not transport, reposition, decorate, or provide touch-ups to cakes or specialty desserts brought in from another source. Cake placement and final presentation must be handled by the client or their bakery representative.

Due to the delicate nature of specialty cakes, The Edison assumes no responsibility for damage once delivered to the premises. We are unable to refrigerate, store, or modify cakes prior to or during the event.

Guest Counts

Final guest count is due 14 days prior and becomes the billing guarantee. Guest counts may not be reduced after submission.

We prepare specifically for your confirmed attendance and cannot issue refunds for guests who do not attend.

If attendance exceeds your guarantee, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate additional guests; however, food, beverage, and seating beyond the confirmed count cannot be guaranteed.

Children age 12 and over should be included in the final guest count for seating and meal planning purposes.

Beverage Packages

All guests 21+ must be included in a hosted beverage package.

If you anticipate a significant number of non-drinking adults, we recommend discussing a cash bar or ticketed bar option.

Cash bar service requires a bartender fee and bar setup fee. Guests will purchase drinks individually.

Service Charge

A 20% service charge applies to all event totals. This covers planning, staffing, coordination, and execution. This charge is not a gratuity. Additional tipping is appreciated but not expected.

Décor & Event Setup

The Edison provides tables, chairs, standard white linens, glassware, china, flatware, and napkins.

We do not provide florals, candles, balloons, or decorative elements. All décor must be placed and removed by the client or their vendors.

All décor must be freestanding. Confetti, glitter, adhesives, nails, open flames (without enclosure), fog machines, and pyrotechnics are prohibited.

Audio, Music & Presentation Equipment

Standard background music plays throughout the restaurant. In Innovation Hall, a device may be connected via AUX for private music at moderate volume.

Live musicians must be approved in advance.

Projector connection is HDMI plug-and-play. The Edison does not provide technical support, equipment, or troubleshooting services. Public Wi-Fi is available.

Accessibility

The Edison is fully ADA accessible with elevator access, ramps, and accessible restrooms on each level.

Parking

Ample public parking is available surrounding The Edison and Cascades Park. Parking is public and not reserved or monitored by The Edison. Occasionally, The Edison has complimentary valet available for all guests.

Restaurant Operations

Unless a full restaurant buyout is contracted, The Edison remains open to the public during private events. Public guests will not be seated in your private event space but may utilize shared areas such as entrances, restrooms, and common areas.

Outdoor Events & Weather

In the event of inclement weather, we will make reasonable efforts to relocate indoors if possible. Tent rentals are strongly recommended for parkside events.

Weather-related changes do not qualify for refunds.

Tax Exempt Organizations

A current tax exemption certificate must be submitted prior to invoicing. The contract and payment must be issued directly from the tax-exempt organization.

Cancellations

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. Deposits are non-refundable but may be applied toward a mutually agreed rescheduled date within twelve (12) months, subject to availability and current pricing.

Event cancellations, changes and confirmations must be submitted via email: events@edisontally.com

The restaurant main line is reserved for dine-in reservations only:

(850) 765-9771

The Booking Process

  • ✽

    1. Submit Your Event Details

    To begin, please provide your preferred date, time, guest count, occasion, and any food & beverage preferences.

    Each proposal is custom-designed to your event specifications. Please allow 1–2 business days for a response. Inquiries received Friday–Sunday will be answered the following Monday.

  • ✽

    2. Receive Your Personalized Proposal

    You will receive a detailed event proposal outlining menu selections, space usage, and pricing.

    To secure your event date:
    • A 50% non-refundable deposit is required
    • A credit card must be held on file
    • The signed Catering & Event Agreement must be returned

    Your date is not reserved until both deposit and contract are received.

  • ✽

    3. Two-Week Finalization

    Fourteen (14) days prior to your event:

    • Final guest count is due

    • Menu revisions and entrée counts (for plated events) must be submitted

    • Vendor details and event timeline must be confirmed

    • Remaining balance is due

    All events must be paid in full prior to event day.

  • ✽

    4. Event Day

    Please arrive at your designated access time for décor placement. Our team will manage food, beverage, service, and execution so you may enjoy your event.

RULES & RESTRICTIONS

No outside food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) Wedding cakes and cupcakes are an exception.
No nails or thumb tacks in walls or columns
No items to be permanently or temporarily attached to walls, ceiling, windows, door frames, railings; including exterior and interior surfaces of the building.
No tape on windows, mirrors, or doors.
No tossing confetti, glitter, seeds, rice, grains, faux petals, petals, or other loose materials that may litter the park or venue.
No wet paint, powdered pigments, loose glitter, or confetti pieces inside
Candles must be dripless or in votives

SPARKLERS

Sparklers are permitted on a case by case basis at the sole discretion of The Edison’s event team.

Sparklers must be distributed and lit outside only.
Sparkler send off must be organized by the client or agent of the client. The Edison will not assist in lighting or clean up. Clients must provide matches or lighter.
Clients must provide a bucket or bin to properly extinguish sparklers and collect them for disposal.
Sparkler rods may not be discarded in the grass or in public trash receptacles in the park. Clean up fees and damage fees may apply if sparklers are not handled appropriately.

CEREMONIES

A licensed and insured wedding coordinator required for all onsite ceremonies at The Edison. The Edison does not provide ceremony services without the purchase of reception food & beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • -Yes! There is a large elevator with access to each level of the Edison. There are ramps throughout the venue space. All stairs have handrails. We can accommodate wheelchairs at any of our standard-height dining tables. Handicap accessible restrooms are located on each level of the Edison. Handicap accessible parking spaces are available surrounding the Cascades Park area. Parking is public, The Edison does not reserve or monitor parking spaces.

  • -Absolutely! Tours can be arranged by email: christina@edisontally.com. Please note the restaurant is operational 7 days a week. Tours on weekends, holidays, or dates surrounding holidays may be limited due to volume of dine-in guests. Tours may not be possible on days we have other private events booked. Thank you for your understanding.

  • -Yes! Once a contract has been received and your event is booked, we can move forward with arranging walkthroughs for your vendors. Walkthroughs can be arranged with Kate or Christina via email. Please see the details above.

  • Private events must be paid by the signee on the contract in advance. We are unable to charge the food or rental to your guests on event day. We prepare large party event food in advance.

  • Ample public parking is available surrounding The Edison and Cascades Park. The Edison does not reserve parking spots for private or non-private parties. Parking lots are not exclusive to The Edison, or monitored by The Edison in any way. Occasionally, The Edison will provide complimentary valet to all guests.

  • -Children 12 years old and over should be included in the guest count for food and seating. It is important to inform us of any high chairs you will need, and it is important to inform us of children who will need a seat so that we may have the correct amount of tables & chairs to accommodate all children and adults in the event space.

  • Children and young adults under 21 years old do not need to be included in the beverage package.

  • -We are unable to discern guests who drink and guests who do not drink at the time of your event. All 21+ adults present at the party must be included in your beverage package. Beverage packages are priced and designed to simplify the service of alcohol to events with a majority of guests drinking alcohol. If you expect to have a moderate to high number of guests ​not i​ nterested in drinking alcohol, we suggest looking into our ticketed or cash bar bar option.

  • The event host will pay a bartender fee and bar set up fee to have a private bar set up within the private event space. The bartender will bill each guest for each drink they order. Cash or card is accepted via our Toast POS system. We are unable to create an open tab for the entire party to be placed on the event host’s tab. Drinks must be pay-as-you-go; that way there are no conflicts with the bill at the end of the evening.

  • We are unable to create an open tab for the entire party to be placed on the event host’s tab. Our drink packages are designed to be a seamless continuous service to your guests.

    Cash bar must be pay-as-you-go; that way there are no conflicts with the bill at the end of the evening.

  • Standard restaurant music plays throughout every event space of The Edison. This music can be turned on or off, however the channel cannot be changed and we do not take requests. This is a family friendly mix of all genres.

    Innovation Hall has an AUX connection, you are able to bring in a device which has capabilities to be connected to an AUX cord, and play music throughout the speakers in Innovation Hall. We do require this be kept at a moderate volume as not to disturb other guests dining at the restaurant.

    Musicians and bands must be approved prior to the event. There are many specificities required in bringing live music to our venue, this is best discussed on a case by case basis once you have begun the event planning process.

  • No. Guest count guarantee is due 14 days prior to your event date at which time you are billed for your estimated amount of guests. Food items ordered specifically for your party, labor, and hours of planning are put into your event prior to the event time, creating non-refundable expenses. We do not allow left over food to leave the premesis.

  • If you have an unpredictable guest count, it is best to estimate high on food and beverage so you have enough coverage for all potential guests. If you have extra guests show up unexpectedly on the day of your event, we will do our best to accommodate on the fly; however, we can not guarantee food/beverage/seating outside of the guest count paid and specified on your event order.

  • -The Edison does not decorate your event space or provide florals/candles/centerpieces/balloons. The Edison does not place escort cards or place cards. All decorations and personal materials must be placed by the client or by the agent of the client. All event decor items must be removed immediately after the party’s end time.

    The Edison will set your space with table linen, glassware, plates, cutlery, napkins, and all food/bar service items (such as buffet chafing dishes etc). The Edison team will arrange tables and chairs custom to your event needs.

  • The connection to the projector is HDMI. A laptop or device is not provided by The Edison. This service is plug-n-play only, we do not offer technical AV support or assistance in your presentation. Clients are expected to bring their own adapters and slide advancers if needed. Public shared Wifi is available. Wireless microphones are not available at this time. If there is a problem connecting to the projector or wifi, we do not offer a refund or discount to the rental fee.

  • Yes! Our spaces are priced to be combined.

  • Yes! The Edison provides all food service items (glassware, plates, cutlery, napkins). Events over 100 guests may incur rental fees for additional items needed. This will be made aware at time of booking.

  • Guests will be greeted at the front entrance by a hostess and directed to the event area. Guests will be expected to know the party name of which they are attending. The Edison can host multiple events at once.

  • Yes, The Edison will be open and functioning as a bar & restaurant and accommodating reservations as well as walk-in guests before/during/after your event time. These guests will not be seated in your private event space. These guests will be permitted to utilize shared facilities such as restrooms, entrance/lobby, main bar, and parking lot.

  • We will do our best to move guests inside. It is recommended to rent a tent in our parkside space due to weather, more details about tents are in our event packet. Refunds are not available due to inclimate weather.

  • 20% service charge will be included in your event total. Your event will be executed by management team members and our catering staff. All staff and team members are paid a full hourly wage. Tips are accepted, certainly not expected.

    Catering staff members wear all black, unmarked uniforms. The event manager will be introduced to you upon arrival. Please address orders or concerns directly to the event manager.

  • 20% service charge is applied to all event totals. Each event requires hours of planning and careful consideration by both the front of house management team as well as the kitchen team.

    Multiple team members handle each event; from event manager, bartender, catering servers, all the way to the dishwasher. This service charge covers the labor associated with your event. This fee for service is not built into our food costs. All staff and team members are paid a full hourly wage and are not paid by tips.

  • No problem! Please send your certificate of tax exemption to have the tax exempted from your event order. This must be a current certificate of tax exemption. The event contract must be named and signed by the tax exempt organization, and the payment received must be directly from the tax exempt organization’s account. We do not offer discounts to non-profit organizations at this time.

  • The room rental fee is separate from food and beverage and is not applied toward your menu selections.

    The rental fee secures exclusive use of the private event space for your contracted time and supports the operational costs associated with closing and preparing the space specifically for your event. This includes room setup and breakdown, staffing coordination, pre-event planning, and access time for décor and vendors.

    Food and beverage charges are calculated separately based on your menu selections and guest count.

    This structure allows us to provide a dedicated private dining experience while maintaining the level of service and hospitality The Edison is known for.

  • Yes. Food and beverage minimums apply to private events and vary based on the date, time, space reserved, and seasonal demand.

    We are happy to provide a customized proposal outlining the minimum applicable to your preferred date and event details.

SCHEDULE A TOUR

Seeing the space makes all the difference. Schedule a 15-minute tour to explore our historic venue, discuss availability, and begin shaping your event with our team.