Space12

University High School just hosted the inaugural fundraising breakfast at this totally AUSTIN, funky community center and it was perfect! We had over 160 people and it transformed into an upscale, inviting venue. So many compliments from our donors, board members, and attendees!!We pick this venue because of their mission and their AUSTIN vibe. Katie and Harmon were amazing to work with! So accommodating, professional and responsive. They are truly a blessing to this venue. Thank you so much for allowing us to use this space and create an amazing atmosphere!!!I HIGHLY recommend it!

I stumbled upon this joint during an aimless drive on the East Side. Tired of those closer to 35 establishments, i decided to just kick around and see what I could turn up. On my drive east on 12th, I saw this gem... an artistically graffiti-ed wall, an empty parking lot and a strange allure.So i parked it and walked in the coolest new space I've been in for a while. Not only is it colorful and funky, it's got foosball, ping pong, drinks/snacks by donation, a library of donated books (that they bundle and send to prisoners), mismatched furniture and a hell of a lot of potential.The guys who found the building gutted it, painted it, and have turned it into a community coworking space of sorts. An investment in the area and a neat place to boot. I spent some hours working there today and enjoyed the no pressure, low key atmosphere of a place you can actually get work done in. Unless, of course, you get lured away by the ping pong. Then it's procrastination heaven :)

Community Center at it's finest!You remember those old school community centers we grew up with as a kid? The ones that we packed into after school to do homework or play basketball at? Well, the ones that were in small town Texas anyway.Space 12 is just that. The main room has low ceilings and smells like an old book store (explanation coming) and string lights everywhere...every.where.While it is dimly lit, it more than makes up for it by all of the services this space provides. Half the walls are covered in artwork and the other half the walls are covered in floor to ceiling shelves of donated books. The artwork is usually local and the books are donated to a project called Inside Books (you should volunteer for it - super cool). There's even a coffee bar in the back that isn't always open, but I believe is open by request for certain functions.Behind the main building you will find a play ground and a few portable buildings.From what I understand there are classes held daily and after school programs that use the facilities. Other non-profits or local groups also check out the space for meetings, church, worship, or educational events. There's a little stage inside along with fold out tables and chairs. You may arrange as your organization sees fit.To top it off there are murals inside the building and out. When you drive up you will notice it has been painted white with gold details. You're in the right spot. Enjoy!

This is a fantastic space (no pun intended) for all your meeting and gathering needs.Our organization (the Austin Coed Soccer Association) was looking for a place to hold their thrice a year, all-hands meeting. Someone in the organization suggested I look into Space12 (I was tasked with booking our meeting space). Used the website to contact them and Paul got back to me very promptly. We discussed what our organization needed, and what kind of accommodations they had. Paul was very helpful and patient through the whole process.Showed up this past Wednesday, not knowing what to expect. I was instantly blown away. As someone mentioned previously, it had a very clubhouse feel to it. There was a ping pong table set up, a coffee/snack bar setup in the back, a library, and plenty of seating. In addition to their lounge style couch seating, there was also more than a plentiful amount of folding chairs, and tables were also available to us; they really can handle groups of all shapes and sizes.Our members have been raving about Space12 ever since; I never thought we would get that kind of response from a meeting venue, but when you look at all the positives, it is not hard to see why. It is easy to find, easy to park at, very comfortable interior, and they were a pleasure to work with. If you are looking for a place to hold any kind of meeting or event, I strongly urge you to get in touch with the staff at Space12 and talk to them about hosting it there. It will be an experience you won't soon forget.

Really wonderful community space in East Austin. The paint job is funky and bold, and there is always some sort of artwork on display inside. They did a superb job transforming a rundown bar into a modern venue for community events and gatherings. People can even come here to work if they usually work from home. You can truly feel the love, effort, and "local flavor" put into here.Props for coming up with the name, brook s.!

Nothing like a sweet ass yelp event to introduce me to a new venue. It is such a great space, lots of room but also easily sectioned off. Colorful and funky yet clean and modern. Driving through the East side is always an interesting experience but I certainly didn't feel unsafe once I arrived. Ping pong, foosball, a built in bar, and audio/visual capabilities, this place is one of the best new venues I've come across in a long time. By the end of the night I had decided that it is the PERFECT place for one of our kickball parties. So hard to find venues that have bars, games, and technology already in place for you. Thanks to Kelly S for finding this sassy spot that I'll hopefully be able to use in the future!

I hosted a surprise 40th b-day event for my husband here last weekend. All different kinds of people were there: families with small children, older folks, and young hard-to-impress artist types. It's hard to find a venue other than a restaurant (yawn) for a group like that. This space was not only appropriate, it had the whole room raving out loud all night and asking me over and over "How did you FIND this place?"To call Space 12 a hidden gem is an understatement.It's an art gallery *and* a cool lounge, and it pulls of that combo somehow with zero pretense. It's a community center by day so it's comfortable, homey, and joyfully colorful (without looking like a daycare center). It's like being in a really cool loft apartment in lower Manhattan, but there's a surprising amount of space. And since it's a community center you know that renting this venue is actually a good karma move on your part, too!Also, the guys there were great to work with, which was a refreshing surprise ~ Thank you Paul & Sam!Five stars is not enough! 12 stars for Space 12!!!

I recently hosted an event at Space 12 and they were a pleasure to work with. Very nice and reasonable rates. We had both a screening and a party there.Space 12 is a fantastic party venue with plenty of seating. At first it appears to have a club house feel, but after dark and with the right furniture arrangement it can be lounge-like. You should have your event here, but if you're doing it in the summer, make sure you cool down the building well in advance of your event.

My wife and I chose Space12 as the spot for our wedding ceremony and reception. there was ample space for 120 people to sit for our ceremony, and eat and dance during the reception. We were given essentially carte blanche to decorate as we pleased, though honestly it didn't take much, given how wonderful and unique the space is already. The bathrooms were fine, and there's even a well-stocked playroom in the back that we staffed with a babysitter for the kids. There was plenty of parking, and Harmon, the staff member who took care of everything for us, was generous, unobtrusive, and incredibly helpful. We got great reviews from all the guests who were blown away by the uniqueness, warmth, and coziness of the space. The rate was WELL below what you'd pay elsewhere in Austin (for 7 hours of setup and 4 hours for the event, plus two hours the day before for rehearsal), and all the money goes towards their community programs. An amazing place like no other in Austin with a great conscience, helpful staff, and a killer price, Space12 was the perfect venue for our wedding.(PS: Written by Beth's Husband)

this place has come a long way since its days as Chester's.i'm slightly biased since i put blood and sweat into the walls and floors while remodeling, but this place is fantastic.tutoring, meeting space, parties, concerts, art shows, it's a jack-of-all-trades venue.hell, i even had my wedding here.if you're in east austin, or anywhere near austin, stop by some time and check it out.everyone here is amazingly friendly and helpful, and they even have snacks, drinks, and computers to use.additionally, they have a sweet name (shameless self-plug) and an amazing logo (via greg formager).here's to many more years of awesome on 12th street.