Orange County has its share of very special event venues, from a world-class conven­tion center to ocean view ballrooms to private din­ing rooms in swanky restaurants. Three of OC’s more unique public places double as memorable venues for private or corpor­ate events.

The OC Pavilion

When mega entrepreneur Mike Harrah opened The OC Pavilion (ocpavilion.com) last year in downtown Santa Ana, the region’s event spaces became even more interesting. This high-tech theater is used mostly for live concerts and big-name com­edy acts, but there’s also posh places for private affairs.

The theater itself, which is lavishly decorated and technically superior to almost any other similar venue in OC, can hold 528 people for full-scale productions to simple presentations. Recently, the theater held a birthday party for one very lucky girl, where her favorite movie played on three video projection screens as well as a 20-foot drop-down screen.

The OC Pavilion’s giant screen also features a rear projector, so a presenter can stand in front of the screen without affec­ting the picture. The theatre’s technical wizardry also includes ISDN capabilities for broad­casting, video-conferencing equip­ment, a fiber optic star curtain, a Global Fiber Digital Network connection and Sony IMAG.

In addition, The OC Pavilion has its own fine dining restaurant upstairs. Called Ambrosia after the historic romantic Balboa Island restaurant of yesteryear, this Old World-meets-modern restaurant has five private dining areas, including the exclusive humidor room, which seats 20 and encour­ages the dipping of cigars into cognac warmed tableside by well-trained waiters.

The Vault VIP Lounge was truly once a billion-dollar bank vault. Today, guests at The OC Pavilion’s many concerts can hang out here before and after each perfor­mance. Only accessible by elevator, the lounge can hold parties up to 180 people for cock­tails and appetizers and also has a small stage for jazz acts.

Astor Classics Event Center

Looking for something more than the standard hotel or banquet facility? Some event planners are giving serious thought to Anaheim’s newly opened Astor Classics Event Center (astorclassics.com). The center is a world-class private automotive and communications museum with 270 classic automobiles and 300 restored radios, as well as antique telephones, model trains, gasoline pumps, slot machines, pedal cars and movie memorabilia.

So far, the center is booked to hold such events as corporate meetings, award cere­monies, school dances, wedding recep­tions, bar and bat mitzvahs, conventions, trade­shows, class reunions, product intro­duc­tions, holiday parties, fundraisers and birthdays.

This 100,000-square-foot facility is divided into six large halls. Sit-down din­ners can be accommodated for 50 guests with a 1,500-person capacity for cock­tails and passed appetizers. There’s also many multi-use meeting areas and offices in addition to the banquet/exhibit hall area.

Astor Classics Events Center also boasts a professional on-site event coordinator who can assist with everything from cater­ers and photographers to music and décor rental.

The center is located in Anaheim just minutes from the Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyland Resort, Arrowhead Pond and Edison Field.

Joe’s Garage

Much like the above facility, Joe’s Garage (www.joesgarage.com) is a private auto­motive collection and banquet facility, featuring 64 historic race cars, hot rods, classic cars and early motorcycles. The walls in this garage, however, are not just drywall. Floor-to-ceiling, hand-painted murals depict California’s fascination with automobiles.

Joe’s Garage covers 28,000 square feet with a sit-down dinner capacity for 750 guests. For cocktail receptions, 1,000 people can be accommodated. The “garage” can provide tables and chairs, podiums, A/V equipment, a sound system and a 10-by-10-foot screen.

Located in the Tustin Auto Center, Joe’s Garage also works closely with Southern California’s best caterers to create top-notch special occasions.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa. She is a regular contributor.