Host a corporate event
We offer an immersive after-hours event venue where guests can dine surrounded by swimming sharks, sea turtles, and swirling sardines.
As the lights dim and the crowds drift away, our exhibits come alive in an entirely new way—leopard sharks glide stealthily as they hunt, jellies pulse with the soft light, and the cathedral-like canopy of the Kelp Forest creates layered silhouettes that set the perfect ambiance for your night event.
When you book your event with us, our expert events and culinary team partner with you to design a fully customized menu that reflects your vision, your guests, and the season—bringing a true sense of creativity, care, and intention to every detail.
Our incomparable venue
Wow your guests with exclusive after-hours access to Monterey Bay Aquarium, where they’ll dine and drink alongside world-class ocean exhibits, an atmosphere no other traditional venue can offer. Our ocean exhibits dazzle and come to life after dark while our sustainable culinary offerings and expert-led educational programming creates a multi-sensory corporate event that guests will remember for years.
Venue options
The Open Sea
The Open Sea
Dine alongside our mysterious and mesmerizing Open Sea exhibit, where powerful tuna speed by, sardines swirl in silvery schools, and sea turtles glide lazily through an endless sea of blue.
The Ocean's Edge
The Ocean's Edge
Sit beneath the swaying fronds of our unique Kelp Forest exhibit for a diver 's-eye-view of leopard sharks, wolf eels, and swirling sardines.
The entire Aquarium
The entire Aquarium
Explore all the stunning exhibits and engaging animals active after dark, creating an unforgettable underwater experience.
The Bechtel Forum
The Bechtel Forum
A rooftop meeting space, offering setting for meetings, receptions, and private gatherings, highlighted by an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of Monterey Bay. Available for daytime and evening, features catering services and audiovisual capabilities.
Get in touch to start planning your event. We’d love to help give your guests a night they’ll remember long after the toast.
or call us at 831.648.4928
Our culinary philosophy
Sustainability is at the heart of every dining experience here at Monterey Bay Aquarium. We believe the choices we make—from sourcing to service—have the power to impact our health, our communities, and the ocean that connects us all.
This commitment comes to life with:
- Sustainably sourced seafood, green or yellow rated by our Seafood Watch program, ensuring every selection is sustainably caught or farmed.
- Seasonal, local, and thoughtful sourcing practices featuring sustainable and organic producers and trusted vendors located within 30 miles of California’s central coast to reduce environmental impact.
- Low-waste culinary execution with careful planning, purchasing, preparation, and portioning to minimize food waste at every stage.
- Plastic-free service standards that eliminate single-use plastic items, such as bottles, straws, and utensils, creating a more sustainable dining experience.
Our sustainability commitment
Environmental responsibility guides every step of our planning process. After your event, you’ll receive a Sustainability Matrix Report designed to show you exactly how your event made a positive impact.
From sustainable culinary options to refined décor, our event planners will design an event that feels polished, cohesive, and impactful. We’ll make sure your event leaves a lasting impression while also protecting the magnificent ocean that sustains us all.
Experience the secrets of the ocean after hours
Get in touch to start planning your event. We’d love to help give your guests a night they’ll remember long after the toast.
or call us at 831.648.4928