Best chicken noodle soup ever Service was great despite the crowd. Will definitely be going back soon. read more

I'm leaving this here because I wouldn't wish anyone to go through what I did. Tread VERY carefully with management here. I first booked this venue for my organization in October, paying for the deposit to secure my date. The event was to be held late May. The first red flag was that there was NO proper contract given to us despite us requesting for one. Naomi, the manager in charge, told my team that she would provide one but never did. I paid for the deposit, $2,500, the only thing defined as non-refundable, despite the fact there was no contract because she emphasized our date will be taken if we are not quick. We paid and chose to have faith that she will provide one shortly. Several months later, when it was time to complete payment, we were informed for the first time that outside catering was no longer allowed and that we would be required to use the venue's catering services. This added over $3,000+ in unexpected costs that had not been communicated earlier in the planning process. At that point, we were also told full payment had to be made immediately or we lose the venue. Because it was too late to realistically find another location, we were pressured to hurry and proceeded to pay a total of nearly $7,000 that day. To make matters worst, abruptly, a week later our event had to be canceled. I called her, asking if there was any chance I could get a partial refund. She told me it wouldn't be possible, I will be getting nothing back. I reminded her that there was no contract or policies in this regard. She then began bringing up her "legal team." I asked if I could atleast talk to them or see any written evidence. She laughed and told me that it costs over $500 just to speak to them, so no I wouldn't be allowed to talk to them. She told me I would need to get a legal team if I want to take this further, in which I do not hold these luxuries. I thought I could maybe get refunded for atleast the food because the event didn't happen. I texted her if this was posssible, if there's any further information I could provide, and if I could get a proper receipt of all my payments because that was never given either. All I got in response to this was to "email her our texts in regards to the cancellations." I had to text her several times to see if there was any updates after I emailed her. She finally responds and tells me to wait till the end of the week and I will get a response. She did not send me a response. I waited until the following Monday to ask again and she requests to call me. As I enter the call, I hear her laughing to her co-workers and when she sees I've picked up she tells me "Yeah no, we will not be giving you a refund." She then proceeds to remind me that it should've been earlier and that because of us she missed out on a $20,000 opportunity with a hospital and several other opportunities that could've been utilized over us and that's why she can't give us a refund. Because she missed out on more money opportunities. I end the call because I understood I was never going to get anything back. I simply asked for my receipt once more which her co-worker sends the next day. Funnily enough, there's a discloser at the bottom of the receipt talking about their policy on how "all bookings are final and we maintain a strict no-cancellation policy." Yet she couldn't send me this before? They most likely added it after this whole ordeal. We regretfully lost almost $10,000 in the process of working with her. I understand that there are rules and policies. However, I would've been a lot more understanding if this venue at least had a heart and act understanding towards our situation when talking to me. Without a single apology, without any empathy, throughout this whole process I was constantly belittled and reminded that she could've earned more if it weren't for us. If you want a place that will actually care about you and see you as more than just a paycheck, please consider other options as there are plenty of other lovely venues around Riverside. read more

My colleague and I met with Naomi (owner? manager?) of Avila's Historic 1929 about a lunch we wanted to have in their main dining room. She quoted us a price for the space, which she has now said that she won't do because it's "prime time". I am glad that we won't be doing business with her because she does not stand behind what she says. Honestly, I had a feeling about her from the beginning. I'm actually glad that we're not doing anything with them because she seems to be scattered and unorganized, and I would have been worried that our event would be a complete mess. Not good business practice. read more

This is a gorgeous venue that has wonderful food and a masterful chef! We had a breakfast meeting for Riverside East Rotary club. The venue is absolutely breathtaking And the service is fast, prompt, and friendly! I would recommend this venue any time for a great night out or for a special event. read more

Avila's Historic 1929 - Lovely breakfast buffet with many delicious offerings! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Riverside, California

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We are a floral design studio in Downtown Riverside, The Nature of Things, and have worked at this venue many, many times. The space is beautiful, the staff efficient and accommodating, and the owner is very involved and approachable. The weddings and other events we have been a part of here are absolutely beautiful and well staffed every single time. We highly recommend this venue to our clients and brides who are looking for a gorgeous, historic venue in the heart of beautiful Downtown Riverside. read more

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If I could give 0 stars, trust me, I would! They must have gone super downhill or something because I honestly have no idea how Avila's Historic 1929 has 4.5 stars. Unless, the 5 star reviews are from people they know or something. I feel like the only honest review is their first reviewer--Kiana H.--I agree and believe everything she said about this venue because my family and mine's experience was very similar. I highly advise people to avoid this venue for any events! These people will rip you off and NOT deliver even a little bit of your expectations. Food is horrible and give extremely tiny portions. They skimp so much and the food is extremely bland that you and your guests will still be hungry. Many family members went to eat afterwards and some even suggested ordering pizza to get delivered to this venue. What's the point of making a protein selection prior to event if they serve everything in a line anyway? These people are lazzyyyyyy to serve your dishes to your seats! You have to form a line for them to serve you and they don't even remember or know what you "selected". The portion they serve leaves soooo much open space on your plate hence, how hungry you will be afterwards. Horribly disorganized AND unorganized! For how much they charge, they are criminals!! Beware!! Stay Away!! I do not wish for anyone to get ripped off the way my whole family did for an 18th Birthday Event. read more

I love the venue, the owner was very accommodating to our plans and wishes and made our event the even more memorable and beautiful. Thank you to Naomi! read more

I attended a co-ed baby shower here earlier this year. It was beautiful, you walk in, the ceilings are high, the windows and lighting are beautiful, it's spacious and the bathrooms are clean. There was another upstairs area for overflow and an outdoor game area. If I lived closer I would definitely recommend this to my local family and friends as a place to book special events at. It is perfect for anything from a family party, wedding, showers, and special occasions. The food that was catered was also delicious. I wish I had more photos of the venue itself to share. read more

Very disappointed. The setting is cheap looking and the food was just OK. The quality of the location and food are poor. Never returning. . . read more

This venue is absolutely spectacular!! High ceilings, wood floors, floor to ceiling windows, and the food is out of this world. Naomi, the owner, is incredibly nice and so knowledgeable about the nature of the business. Her staff is highly effective and did I mention the food?? Attention to detail is obviously very important to them and it shows in their dedication to their work. I would highly recommend Avila's for wedding ceremonies or receptions, celebrations of life, you name it! read more

This place is horrific charged me $8 for a water cup and when I asked why... told me me to calm down and chill out. Will NEVER come back. Tried to pay me out with his tips to cover his ass. read more

This is an event location. These folks are so organized and efficient. The staff is a well oiled machine. I DJ'd a wedding there and ibwas so impressed. Thanks for the experience. The food is amazing! read more

I do not recommend to book Avila's Historic 1929 AT ALL. First of all, trying to get in contact with someone to answer questions is near impossible. I received a message about my first inquiry a full month after I had initially reached out. Not to mention their website doesn't have any information pertaining pricing, services, etc. By that time I had already done detective work to get in touch with Naomi who is in charge of events at this venue. We had set up a showing for mid May of 2021 to see the venue. My parents went to see the venue on our planned viewing day (I live out of state) to find the venue was locked and no one was on site to meet with them. I frantically call Naomi who was supposed to be showing the venue and she said that we hadn't confirmed our viewing prior to showing up. I thought this was odd as she had never reached out to confirm our scheduled viewing and never mentioned that we had to reach out to reconfirm the scheduled viewing time. This was the first red flag. Naomi ran over from setting up an event elsewhere to let my parents in to take photos. Naomi told us that we would be able to have our wedding ceremony here (as described on the Knot) and that it would be no issue, but couldn't give us a set price. She said she would send us over a contract. A week later and still no word from her. I had reached out a week after the showing and she reassured me that she would put one together and send it over. I think I sent her my email address 3 times because she kept losing it. Week goes by and still nothing, so I call again. She said she was busy, but that she was thinking about it and could do the ceremony for $4,000 (basic chair and 3 hour space rental with a valet for parking). I said that sounded fair and requested this in writing (as we had never received anything in writing). She said she would send it over that night. Another week goes by and here we are today, a full month later and still no contract. I called again today to follow up on sending the contract over. She said she wouldn't be able to rent us the space for a wedding as it was "too much facilitating" despite us having hired a wedding planner to run the event. I asked her what part seemed daunting and she said, "the chairs and the water." I reiterated that we would only really need the space and the chairs that she had on hand, but she insisted it would be a lot of facilitating on her end so she wouldn't do it for less than $7,000. I had expressed that I was confused because we had been in contacts for a month now and every time we talked I, as the client, had to reach out for more information. Sadly, she didn't seem very empathetic to my situation and by the end of the conversation she flat out said she wouldn't be able to do a wedding. Very confusing considering her website advertises weddings and she is listed on The Knot as a wedding venue. I lost a full month of wedding planning betting on being able to rent this venue and in the end wasn't even able to get anything written down on paper. She changes her story every time you talk to her and never follows through on what she says she will (ie sending over documents, letting you know information about pricing, etc.) I hope this is a insightful for other brides and wedding planners who are considering this venue. I wish I hadn't put so much energy into a dead end! read more