An Interview with Associate Director of Sales, Velvet Conley
INQUIRE AT LA MAR SAN FRANCISCO
In the heart of San Francisco’s Embarcadero Waterfront, La Mar San Francisco offers a holiday celebration unlike any other. Set inside a historic building with sweeping views of the Bay, La Mar blends vibrant Peruvian flavors with an array of event spaces perfect for gatherings both intimate and grand. From cozy executive dinners to large-scale company celebrations, La Mar has become one of the city’s most iconic holiday destinations.
We sat down with Velvet Conley, Associate Director of Sales, to explore what makes La Mar such a unique choice for holiday parties in San Francisco.
Q: Velvet, what makes hosting a holiday event at La Mar so special?
A: It’s really the combination of our historic location, the incredible cuisine, and the flexibility of our spaces. You can host an intimate executive dinner in our Mesón del Chef’s Table overlooking the water, or a festive luncheon in the Main Dining Room. For cocktail-style celebrations, we have two distinct bar areas, the lively La Mar Bar and the stylish Cebiche Lounge. And of course, the City Room offers a private, elegant space for up to 80 guests.
Q: What about larger celebrations?
A: That’s one of my favorite things about La Mar SF, can scale an event to fit almost any size. Our Waterfront Patio is one of the most sought-after spaces, with heaters, bay views, and a festive atmosphere that’s perfect for medium-sized parties. And when you combine all of our spaces, The Patio, Main Dining Room, and Lounges, we can host up to 600 guests for a truly unforgettable holiday celebration. I don’t know if I can think of any other space like it in San Francisco.
Q: How does La Mar stand out from other holiday venues in the city?
A: We offer a beautiful setting, as well as the energy and flavors of Peru. Executive Chef Victoriano Lopez really has such a passion great food and gets really involved in making the holiday menus with clients. He gets really excited over some amazing holiday menus we have seen in the past. Paired with our cocktail program, such as our Pisco Sour, guests are always wowed. It’s festive, flavorful, and completely unique to La Mar.
Q: What do you personally love most about planning holiday events here?
A: For me, it’s seeing all the elements come together: the food, the service, the atmosphere, and of course the décor. We partner with Ideas Events, a local rental company, to transform La Mar into a holiday showcase with frosted garlands, birchwood trees, traditional Christmas trees, and glowing starlight chandeliers. The effect is festive yet elegant. Its holiday charm with a La Mar twist. Guests immediately feel the spirit of the season as soon as they walk in. And the fact that so many of our clients return year after year speaks to the warmth and family-like atmosphere we create for every celebration.
From intimate team dinners to full restaurant buyouts, La Mar San Francsico blends festive spirit, flavorful Peruvian cuisine, and genuine hospitality. Dates are filling up quickly, inquire now to view our packages and menus!
