I had my son's wedding in June and was very happy with the whole event. We had looked at a few halls and what made us decide to have the wedding reception there, was Sue Halabi, the coordinator. Her office may be a fairly messy but don't let that fool you, as she is very well organized and knows her stuff. I'm in the hospitality industry and can tell. What sealed the deal for me was how she talked to one of the workers. It was with genuine care for his wellbeing. It doesn't hurt that she has a great sense of humour. The hall itself is nice an airy, with high ceilings and ample parking. However it is in desperate need of renovations. Even replacing the worn out carpets would help. Another tip would be for them to lay out the invoice more transparently. Sue was even there early on the day of the Saturday night reception, in spite of being in obvious pain, as she was scheduled for knee surgery the following Friday. She left only when she was satisfied that everything was in order. I had very good feedback on the food. It was plentiful and full of flavour. However, if I had to do it again, I would not opt for the mediocre late night poutine. Thank you Sue for making this very special night, memorable! read more

ZERO STARS FOR THIS HALL DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM! I have been waiting 3 years to post my review on this hall, and let me tell you, if you want a stress free wedding DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM. This hall has been nothing but problems for me and my husband since day one. I booked this hall in 2019, and chose it for its fair rental cost and nice venue. We were promised that they would work with us to make our dream wedding come to life. We soon realized this wasn't true. Our first issue was a plate fee, used to charge those who decide to go with an outside caterer. If it's not their food, they will charge you for it. $12/head which they said has now been raised to $20, unbelievable. We managed to get a $0.50 discount from them on that fee, as well as on their $4/head bar service fee. Discounts they most DEFINITELY didn't want to give. We had a 200+ person wedding and a plate fee on top of our caterer's costs in absurd. Our decorations experience was a joke. The final decor costs were over double what we were originally quoted. With a pandemic, you'd think original pricing would be honoured, not with these guys. With us needing to postpone our wedding multiple times, we wish we simply cut our losses and chose another hall. All our initial decor choices were GONE when it came to planning our 2022 wedding. We were told pink wasn't a wedding colour anymore and that everything we chose pre-pandemic was "no longer used in weddings". They told us everything they used to have decor wise was purged during the pandemic anyway, so we had no choice, and very little options to choose from. Every meeting with this hall left me crying because of how me and my husband were treated. Chairs were another huge issue. Originally we went with standard circular back chairs, with chair covers and sashes. They persuaded us to go with their fancy silver "chivari" chairs as they wouldn't need covers and sashes, saving us money. At $4/chair, that was a lie. Fast forward to ONE MONTH before our wedding, they told us that they no longer carried the silver fancy chairs, so gold was the only option. Oh and their original normal chairs were gone as well. Gold was NOT in our colour scheme. Dropping this bomb left us devastated. Management needs a change, Sue is the WORST person to deal with. She doesn't listen to you, laughs at you for being on a budget, and verbally mocked my husband. She ignores emails when you have questions, then accuses you of attacking her when a follow up email is sent. She was reluctant to send us package breakdowns, and when she did, the hidden charges came to life. Each breakdown seemed to be incorrect for some decor items, or extras were charged for. When we would question prices she would tell us to stop being so cheap. Our wedding day was interesting. We found out from family that the table cloths were dirty and used from a previous event the night before, some being shaken off and flipped over to hide stains. The hall floor had not been vacuumed well, the entrance looked sub-par and the washrooms were gross, floors not being mopped. The kitchen had also been used for a previous event THAT DAY so was left dirty and unsanitized. We emailed them sending our complaints and to this day have not heard back. My husband will be phoning them to sort this out. When a company emails you often to ask about payment, but ignores you when everything's said and done, you know what they're truly after. I am writing this review so that no other bride has to go through this. My wedding was FAR from stress free, no thanks to this venue and their management staff. Everyone else, from the bar staff, to the caterer, DJ (whom they provided), security, etc. were fantastic. They single handedly saved our wedding. If you are thinking of this hall, DON'T DO IT. Management needs to change or they need to shut this place down. read more

Because of the unfortunate catering experience we had before, the catering company offered us a meal to make up for up for it. I have to say, this time around they did wonderful. We had Indian butter chicken and some other curries, salad, naan and rice and it was very delish!!! So thumbs up and Thanks! I'm glad to say that if something wrong happens that there are companies out there that will try to make it better instead of taking the other way out and blame. read more

Came here for a friend's wedding. Arrived early to help set up. This place seriously needs some renovation. After setting up the place didn't look have bad. The caterers served a buffet style dinner here with a south Asian taste. Had the butter chicken which was good but the roast beef was to well done and dry. The rice was okay and the salad didn't look to appetizing so never tried it. Disappointed that dinner service didn't last long. Dessert and coffee came next. Nothing special there but found the coffee to be extremely strong. Had fun at the wedding. Especially with the photo booth. Would be a better place for a wedding if they did some renovations here. Not much parking at the hall. But plenty on the near by street. But there are two other halls close by so parking could get tight here. read more

Riverside Banquet Halls - Banquet hall front - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Richmond, British Columbia

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This banquet area was very spacious with very high ceilings. It's nice that there was a stage for the little ones to run around and dance. The food that was catered very nice too. Really enjoyed the service from the servers. The drink fountain that had the punch was very cool and the other guests had a good laugh thinking that it was alcoholic! read more

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Recently, I had the opportunity to be the MC for some very good friends of mine. Being the MC, I had quite a bit of time prior to the guests arriving to see how things were really done around Riverside Banquet Hall, since I've only arrived when the mood-lighting was set as a guest in the past. I'm not sure how you can mix this up, since these two colours are on the opposite side of the spectrum, but the seat covers were supposed to be black and to our surprise were all white upon our arrival. Far too late to change them all, it was definitely disappointing. To be honest, I was shocked at how dirty some of the linens were and the drapes... The drapes behind the head table had flies trapped in them, perhaps still searching for food from the last event. As well, the drapes had what looked to be bug splats from when people killed those trapped flies between the wall and the drapes and smashed them. Gross, right? Also, while assisting the Wedding Co-ordinator, we encountered several other issues including dirty glass vases that we had to clean ourselves. As for the food... It was pretty good. I have no negative words to share surrounding the food. Overall, I understand that the halls are used frequently and they are great venues to hold large parties, wedding receptions, et al. I would just recommend having someone observe their set-up and ensure that all things are satisfactory before showtime. It shouldn't be so difficult to ask for vases that are clean. read more

stage was bumpy, two guests tripped and fall. dinner was delayed till 10 pm but still rice was uncooked and dessert was raw. very very disappointed. we will never ever come back here . read more

Just attended a friend's wedding there and I've been to many wedding banquets all over, but this is by far the worst venue I've ever been to. First, I'll list the good things because it's a short list. The hall is big enough to hold 400 ppl. It's probably cheap. Now here's the bad stuff... No parking. They only have about 20 spots in their lot. All other guests must fend for themselves and find street parking. Decorations are crap. Fake flowers and chipped vases. Overall cheap feeling. They use plastic cups to serve drinks. Their waiters use plastic cafeteria trays covered with a cloth napkin to serve and clear tables with. They use those single serving creamer cups for their tea and coffee. Our table had a bunch of soured creamers too. One of them had MOLD and when we told the waiter, all he said was he'll take it away. No apologies offered. Their sound system constantly had feedback and sounded horrible. We couldn't understand half of what the people were saying. The washrooms were dirty. My wife tells me the ladies bathroom had a stall missing a door. And now the most important part.. The FOOD. It was buffet style and the food tasted okay, but not great. However, they are NOT equipped to handle 400 people. They only had one line for the food, and it took two hours to get through all the tables. By the time the last tables got up, they RAN OUT OF FOOD!!! The worst thing you can do is run out of food at a wedding banquet. That is their main responsibility.. If you don't do anything else right, at least do the food right. Not a great experience. read more

Venue in question - Riverside Palace KNOX Way Pros Nice venue Food good Cons washrooms need real updating DJ is the worst you can ever have - didn't play any request had a bad attitude - just loved playing his Bhangra Music - at one point we had to tell him to stop playing music This really spoiled a lot of people's evening read more

Was a guest for a 1 year old's birthday party and I thought it was well organized. Simple decor, clean, lots of space, area for open bar, and food was delicious. I tried some pakoras, butter chicken, palaak paneer, cauliflower and okra, rice and naan. Everything was hot and well presented. It was served buffet style so service was pretty much clearing plates and cups away which I thought was done in a timely manner. As a guest, it seemed like a decent venue. read more

Our event was for my daughter's 18th birthday. In our culture, 18th birthday celebration is a big thing for us (like the Mexico's Quinceañera and USA's Sweet 16) which is why I was willing to spend to make the experience a memorable one. Overall, I would say it was a good experience (some guests told me the food was good and the venue was beautiful). But it was not great as I hoped it to be. Some of the reasons are: 1. You have no choice but to avail of their decoration services. But as I found out there is not much selection for backdrop, runners (runners only, you have to pay extra if you want to use table cloth), sashes. For table napkins, only white was available. Our motif was baby blue but none was available. I had to make do with what is closest which is royal blue. Maybe it was partly my fault, I should have asked before signing the contract if the color motif is available. So if color motif is something important for you be aware of this and ask beforehand. 2. There seems to be no choice also for the backdrop. I was shown 3 sample backdrops, which were really simple (curtains, panel) and not appealing but I was thinking I could improve it. But it turned out there was really no choice. The first one that I chose (curtain that would drape from the center to the side) was not possible anymore because of different reasons given to me (one reason was that the curtains are too short) Unfortunately I only found out on the day they set up the venue. The second one was just plain white curtain. In the picture shown to me, it had some lighting in the background but I was told those were not available anymore. So it would really be just white curtain. The third and only choice was plain panel on white background which unfortunately my daughter did not like. So if you have ideas for your backdrop, chances are you probably would have to improvise on what they have and you would need to spend more. They would show you several pictures of previous event and how the decoration looked like. But note that those actually not the basic decoration package you paid for. But most are what the client added on. Better ask what they can setup as a basic, which is included in what you paid for; and if you have already an idea, ask if that can be done or not done even before signing the contract. These are the 2 most important things for me because I wanted the place to look beautiful and elegant. So you can just imagine how disappointed I was and still am. 3. The centerpiece I chose was supposed to be a vase with 3 silver swirly branches. On the day of the event, there were few tables with no silver swirly branches but just the vase. And some of the swirly branches were not silver but gold. 4. Earlier in the morning, before the start of the event we checked on the venue. The staff were still doing the setup and by the time we left, some things were still not done. But I already saw some things that were not quite right. And before leaving to prepare for the event in the afternoon, I already asked them to correct those. Example, to remove the rectangular glass table on the stage (which I did not ask, I asked for 2 round tables on the side of love seat) but it was still there when we arrived so we had to remove it ourselves, at the time when guests were already arriving. 5. I also asked to move the microphone stand because it was blocking the way up the stage but it was not done. Also, only 1 microphone was provided, which was disappointing, considering there was a part of the program where 2 as well as 4 people had to sing together. They had to pass around the microphone to each other. 6. The table number holder was not on the table. I was thinking that by the time the event will start, it would be ready. But unfortunately it was not. I called their office at that time but no one was answering. I asked my son to talk to someone about it. As I was putting the number on top of the table (since there was no holder), a guy approached and gave me the holder. I complained to him why they were not put beforehand. But it turned out he was just the DJ, and does not work for Riverside. Note that you have to use and pay for their DJ, you cannot hire your own. But kudos to him, he kindly offered to help and place the holder on each of the table. 7. We asked beforehand (before signing of the contract) if there is a room where my daughter could change and stay before the event and we were told that there is. But when I asked the staff about it when we arrived, she showed us the storage room, which is so small, not fitting for changing nor for people to stay in. 8. It was buffet style so guests got our own food. Beverages (soda, coffee, tea) were served in plastic/paper cup and not served to table. Guests have to get them themselves from a table/counter at the back. There was charge for "waiter" so I do not know what was included in that fee. I guess just for clearing plates and cups away. read more

Recently had a formal event hosted here and was very disappointed. Location: - Outside of the banquet hall seems like a sketchy place - The inside is decent looking Food: - The penne was VERY undercooked with a poor sauce. - The fried rice was bland with NO flavour at all. - Chicken was decent - Salad seemed salty Dance Floor: - I was quite surprised to see the dancefloor RIGHT beside the tables. It may be a problem for people who want a quiet meal. I expected the dancefloor to be in another room. - I was also surprised how small the dancefloor is. It could fit probably 100 people at most. Overall, I did not have a pleasant experience. If you plan on having an event hosted here, choose elsewhere. You have been warned. read more

Had our wedding reception at Riverside on 31 August 2013 and everything was great! Leading up to the event the staff was always helpful, friendly and willing to spend time discussing anything! Everything was set up just as we wanted, the food was awesomeand the DJ was amazing!! The price was reasonable too. Thank you reveryone at Riverside! read more

Worked here for several years, have seen the absolute worst at every one of these halls. Every hall needs renovations, Palace has been stuck in a state of part-renovation for god knows how long. Food is disgusting and inedible, with everything from spiders to rats in the kitchen. The bars at every single hall are infested with fruit flies, with some laying their eggs in the pop fountains at the bars. As for the management, I have never met and worked with such pathetic people in my life. The owners of the hall, the Ghirra brothers, used to run a fraud lottery operation. These are people that will do anything for a quick buck, and have no idea how to run a business whatsoever. They constantly speak of how "professional" their company is, repeatedly. If one is, they do not have to state it... That itself is hilarious. The managers have no idea how to interact with guests and how to provide a service, and everything is half-assed. The place is not fit to serve food. Absolutely disgusting kitchen that is never maintained, that has had trouble with food inspections in the past with infractions all over the place. The hall gives an overall cheap feeling, with the disposable cups and cheap trays and decorations. Employees are hired on the spot, given 0 training, and are then put to work. More than 80% of the people hired simply can't take how pathetic the place is and leave. They are desperate for workers, and will simply hire anyone, but expect the employees to treat them with respect that they do not deserve. Would you respect someone who owned a place that served food like that? With food rotting in the cooler that's been in there for months, neglected, and mold growing in boxes with bread left over from god knows where? The food is all pre-made and left in the cooler for god knows how long until it is heated up and served. The frying oil is pretty much never changed, and is blacker than the blackest black. Food is taken from tables and re-served when supplies are low. Fish is re-fried again to be served for another night. Do not go to this venue, unless you want to suffer food poisoning and die. You have been warned. read more

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER.... was thinking of having my wedding reception here so went and looked at the hall decided to book 1 year and half prior to the event gave a $2000 dollar deposit... and after realized i didnt want a reception so called them one year prior to cancel and the refuse to refund the money that was given as a DEPOSIT.. i didnt sign anything saying they could take my deposit.. long story short these people are running a business and they are stealing money from there clients which they have not provided any sort of service to . I dont recommend booking with them if they stole our money and provided no service what so ever.. they will do the same to you . They dont even deserve one star read more

Brides BEWARE, un-organized, un-professional service. They are not reliable and you can't count on their word. They make up rules and prices as they see fit. They try to manipulate you into thinking that you are getting a great deal but you will know that you are not. We had a death in the family a few days before the wedding and wanted to reschedule, however they were not accommodating. Every other vendor was understandable of our situation except Riverside Banquet Halls. Their customer service is non existent. I suggest pay the extra money to save yourself a lot of headache and stress. I wish I would have done my research and never booked with them. I hope that this helps other brides make a wiser decision. If you want a venue that is stress free, reliable, professional, responsive to your inquiries, I would suggest a different place. read more