Searching for a banquet hall in Miramar for a heritage dinner, church gala or family reception? The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale rents an event venue at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, about 29 minutes from Miramar via Pembroke Road and I-95. Its Main Auditorium seats 275, or 110 for a seated dinner, with on-site parking for 150 vehicles.
At a glance
- From Miramar: about 19.3 miles, roughly 29 minutes in typical traffic, almost all of it on Pembroke Road and I-95.
- Banquet seating: Main Auditorium, 2,944 sq ft, 110 for a seated dinner or 275 auditorium-style.
- Reception space: Welcome Lobby, 1,418 sq ft, up to 200 cocktail-style.
- Smaller room: Multipurpose Room, up to 70 cocktail-style or 40 conference-style.
- Kitchen for caterers: refrigeration with 26 tray holders, coffee maker and microwaves; no additional charge with the auditorium or Multipurpose Room.
- Parking: on-site lot for up to 150 vehicles.
- To book: call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868.
Why Miramar organizers look north to Oakland Park
Miramar is one of the largest cities in Broward, and its event calendar reflects a community with deep Caribbean and Latin American roots. Cultural associations, churches and families hold dinners, galas and receptions year-round, and many of those events draw guests from across the county.
Here’s the honest version: our venue is about 29 minutes from Miramar, so it isn’t the closest hall for a family that lives off Miramar Parkway. It makes sense when your guest list stretches into North and Central Broward, when you want a program space with real sound and video, or when you’d like a quieter setting away from your usual spots.
What you get for the drive is a room that seats 110 for dinner and 275 for a program, a lobby that holds 200 for mingling, a kitchen your caterer can use, and parking for 150 cars.
How far is it from Miramar?
From the center of Miramar, the venue is about 19.3 miles and roughly 29 minutes away. The route is about as simple as a Broward drive gets: Bahama Drive to Pembroke Road (SR 824) east for about four miles, then I-95 north for almost 13 miles, and off at East Commercial Boulevard (SR 870) for the last stretch to N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park.
Times are typical estimates measured from the middle of the city, not a traffic forecast. Guests from western neighborhoods will start farther out, and I-95 at rush hour is its own story. For a Saturday evening gala, suggest that guests leave 45 minutes before the program begins.
Because most of the trip is interstate, guests coming from elsewhere in Broward can often join along the same I-95 corridor, which helps when your community is spread across the county.
Caribbean heritage dinners, church galas and family receptions
Cultural association and heritage dinners
In recent census estimates, 7.9% of Miramar residents were born in Jamaica and 6.5% in Haiti, and nearly one in ten residents speaks French or Haitian Creole at home. Heritage associations, alumni groups and island-pride committees often mark independence anniversaries, scholarships and milestones with a formal dinner and a program.
A typical format here: a reception in the Welcome Lobby as guests arrive, a seated dinner for up to 110 in the Main Auditorium, then cultural performances or a keynote on the stage with full sound support. If the program draws more people than the dinner, auditorium seating expands to 275.
Church and nonprofit galas
Our rental page lists religious and spiritual events, fundraisers and non-profit organization events among the gatherings the venue welcomes. For a church anniversary banquet or a nonprofit gala, the professional sound and video booth supports choirs, speakers and sponsor videos, and streaming lets members who can’t attend watch from home.
Family receptions
Wedding receptions, anniversaries and milestone birthdays fit the same rooms. Miramar households average just over three people, and family events here tend to pull in a wide circle. With tables, linens and place settings for 200 included, you can focus on the food and the music. Quinceañeras are a natural secondary fit for Miramar’s Hispanic families as well.
See the banquet and reception spaces
Which room fits your guest count?
All capacities come from our Oakland Park venue rental page. A gala that seats everyone for dinner plans around 110; a reception or program can go much larger.
| Room | Size | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Auditorium | 2,944 sq ft | 275 auditorium-style; 110 seated dinner | Heritage dinners, church banquets, galas with a stage program |
| Multipurpose Room | 1,026 sq ft | 70 cocktail; 50 auditorium; 40 conference | Board meetings, committee planning, performer prep |
| Welcome Lobby | 1,418 sq ft | 200 cocktail-style | Arrival receptions, silent auctions, after-dinner mingling |
What’s included: tables, linens, place settings and the kitchen
For a banquet, the included inventory covers most of the setup. The Main Auditorium rental includes thirteen 60-inch rounds seating 8 each with basic linens, rectangular buffet tables in three sizes, six square card tables, six high-top cocktail tables with black linens or spandex, 275 tan banquet chairs and a lounge set of two blue linen couches and two club chairs.
Place settings for 200 are included as well: salad and dinner plates, full dinnerware, basic linen napkins and water glasses. Password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi is part of the rental.
Working with your caterer
The kitchen is ready to support your caterer or your own team. It has two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders. There’s no additional charge for kitchen use when you rent the Main Auditorium or Multipurpose Room. Bring your caterer to the walkthrough so they can plan staging and service flow.
Sound, video, streaming and teleprompter
Programs are where this venue earns the drive. The Main Auditorium has a fully equipped professional sound and video booth with projection, streaming capabilities and a presidential teleprompter, staffed by the Center’s team. Equipment and operator fees are quoted on inquiry.
That setup handles a choir, a drum group, a honoree video and a keynote in one evening. Streaming is especially useful for diaspora communities, since relatives abroad can watch the program live. You can see how the Center streams its own gatherings on our livestream page.
Miramar’s story and calendar
Miramar was incorporated on May 26, 1955 and named for the Miramar area of Havana, Cuba. Founder A.L. Mailman built it as a bedroom community for Miami and Fort Lauderdale, starting with 56 homes. By the 2020 census it had 134,721 residents, the fourth-largest city in Broward.
The city’s own events show its character. The Jamaica Emancipendence “Ole Time Fair” celebrates Jamaican heritage with cultural performances and traditional food at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater. As of 2000, Miramar had the fifth-highest percentage of Jamaican residents of any US city. The city is also home to campuses of Broward College, FIU and Nova Southeastern University, which bring alumni and professional groups into the mix.
Summer heritage season and the holiday gala months keep local calendars full. An indoor venue up the interstate gives committees another option when their first-choice date is taken.
Planning tip: If your program includes live music or a cultural performance, schedule a walkthrough with your performers and the booth team. Knowing where performers enter, warm up and plug in prevents the most common gala delays.
Planning checklist for your Miramar event
- Decide your format: seated dinner (up to 110), program (up to 275) or reception (up to 200).
- Pick two or three dates around heritage celebrations and holidays your guests observe.
- Call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote.
- Tour the venue with your committee chair, caterer and lead performer.
- Confirm booth needs: microphones, playback, projection and streaming.
- Plan the run of show, including prayers, anthems, toasts and performances.
- Share directions via Pembroke Road and I-95 with a suggested departure time.
- Send programs, slides and music to the booth team a week ahead.
Parking and arrival for guests coming from Miramar
The on-site lot holds up to 150 vehicles, which suits a gala where many guests come as couples or families. Everyone arrives through the Welcome Lobby, where the Guest Services desk works as a check-in and ticket table.
The Center also works with community organizations; see our community partners. For nearby options, read our guides to a banquet hall alternative for Pembroke Pines, an event venue near Hallandale Beach and event space for Davie groups, or the Broward County venue guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the venue from Miramar?
The Center for Spiritual Living’s venue at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park is about 19.3 miles from central Miramar. The drive typically takes about 29 minutes via Pembroke Road, I-95 and Commercial Boulevard. Traffic varies, so allow extra time for evening events.
Can the Main Auditorium work as a banquet hall?
Yes. The Main Auditorium seats up to 110 for a seated dinner at thirteen 60-inch round tables with basic linens, and place settings for 200 are included. The stage and professional sound and video booth support speeches, performances and awards.
How many guests can the Center for Spiritual Living hold?
The Main Auditorium holds up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner. The Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style, and the Multipurpose Room holds up to 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style or 40 conference-style.
Can our caterer use the kitchen?
Yes. Kitchen access comes with no additional charge when you rent the Main Auditorium or Multipurpose Room. It has two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders.
Do we have to be members or share CSL’s beliefs to rent the space?
The venue welcomes events of every kind and every background. Its rental page lists weddings, banquets, fundraisers and non-profit events as well as religious and spiritual gatherings. Jim Wood, Director of Operations, will walk you through rental policies.
How do I get a rental quote and check dates?
Pricing is by inquiry only. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 or use the contact page with your date, expected guest count and event type.
What are some good event venues in Broward County, Florida?
Strong Broward venues match your guest count and format, offer parking for your crowd and have the tech your program needs. In Oakland Park, the Center for Spiritual Living offers a 275-seat auditorium, a 200-person lobby, a kitchen for caterers and parking for 150 vehicles.
How to get a free venue for an event?
Free space usually comes from public facilities such as libraries or park pavilions, or from a partner organization that hosts you, and it often comes with limits on dates, hours, setup or catering. For a dinner or gala, a rental that includes tables, linens, place settings and kitchen access can be simpler to manage. Call 954-566-2868 to discuss availability and a quote.
The best way to plan a banquet is to walk the room. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 to arrange a visit, or send your event details. You’ll find photos of every space on the rent our space page.
