Planning an event or program
at the Q House?

Find information about our hours, available spaces, policies, and how to request space below.

Please Read Before You Book

Groups are welcome to schedule a time to view available spaces prior to submitting a request.
Small meetings and standard room requests should be submitted at least four (4) weeks in advance.
Requests for the Full Size Gym should be submitted at least six (6) months in advance.
Requests submitted outside of these timeframes may be limited or unable to be accommodated.
You must include set-up and breakdown time within your requested booking window. You will be responsible for setting up the space and returning it to its original layout before leaving.
Access to the building begins at 9:00 AM; early entry is not permitted.
Room assignments are based on availability and event needs; submitting a request does not guarantee a specific space.

Using the Q House at no cost?

Every gift helps keep our space and programming free for the community.

Give to the Dixwell Q House Endowment, the fund that keeps the doors open for the next generation.

Give to the Endowment

Q House Hours

Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM (All activities must conclude by 8:30 PM)
Saturday: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM (All activities must conclude by 5:00 PM)
Sunday: CLOSED

Building Entry

On-site Q House parking lot located in the rear of the building, accessible from Foote Street
Street parking available along Foote Street and Dixwell Avenue
All visitors should enter through the Foote Street entrance

Overflow Parking

If the Q House parking lot is at capacity, visitors may use:
- The overflow lot at Dixwell Congregational UCC, or
- Available on-street parking

Loading Zones

Please do not block the loading area on Foote Street at any time
Event organizers are asked to remind all staff and attendees of this requirement

Insurance

Certificate of Insurance required prior to event:
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- $2,000,000 aggregate
LEAP and City of New Haven named as additional insured

Fees

No usage fee at this time. Every gift helps keep our programming free for the community. Give to the Dixwell Q House Endowment, the fund that keeps the doors open for the next generation.

Commercial kitchen use has an hourly fee, billed by CitySeed through The Food Corridor. See the Commercial Kitchen tab for requirements and how to get started.

Check-In & Sign-In

Upon arrival, all space users and their guests must sign in at the iPad and check in at the front desk
Event organizers are responsible for ensuring that all participants and guests complete the sign-in process

Set-Up, Breakdown & Room Use

Access to the building begins at 9:00 AM; early entry is not permitted
Space users must include set-up and breakdown time within their requested booking window
Groups are responsible for all set-up and breakdown
As a free community space, the Q House does not have the capacity to pre-set room layouts; all set-up should be completed during the scheduled booking time
All rooms must be returned to their original layout
Spaces must be clean and ready for the next user by the end of the scheduled booking time
The Q House is a community space and does not host personal or private gatherings

Audio / Visual (A/V) & Supplies

TVs are available in the conference rooms and Teen Lounge
Groups must bring their own HDMI cords and adapters
Dry erase markers are not provided; groups should bring their own dry erase markers

Security

On-site security conducts internal and external walks.

DJs

DJs are allowed; please keep in mind this is a community center and the music should be appropriate for all ages.

Decorations

Decorations must be removable. To protect the building, taping or tacking items to walls is not permitted. Removable putty may be used and must be removed after use.
No glitter, confetti, or helium balloons.

Food

Allowed in most spaces except for the Museum; groups are responsible for trash disposal and must take their trash to the dumpster located in the parking lot to the rear of the building.

Alcohol

Not permitted

Small Conference Room (Room 103)

Tables & Chairs: 10–15 people

Teen Lounge (Room 104)

Tables & Chairs: 15–30 people

Teen Study (Room 108)

Tables & Chairs: 5–12 people

Recording Studio (Room 112)

Capacity: 1–5 people
Use requires a licensed production manager

Full Size Gym (Room 113)

Tables & Chairs: 100–150 people
Chairs Only: 199 people
Standing Room Only: 200 people
Table Capacity: 30 tables

Large Conference Room (Room 114)

Tables & Chairs: 30 people
Chairs Only: 60 people

Kitchen (Room 115)

Available for food prep and cooking for licensed businesses only
Other groups may use designated areas for food storage and warming
See the Commercial Kitchen tab for access, fees, and requirements.

Art Studio (Room 202)

Tables & Chairs: 45 people

Game Room (Room 204)

Capacity: 10–12 people

Dance Studio (Room 206)

Capacity: 15–40 people

Museum (Room 208)

Tables & Chairs: 25 people
Chairs Only: 50 people

Outdoor & Common Areas

Daniel Steward Plaza (Outdoor Space)
Track (Outdoor Space)
Parking Lot
Lobby

The Q House kitchen is a shared-use licensed commercial kitchen operated in partnership with CitySeed. What you need to do depends on what you want to do in it.

Two levels of access

Licensed food businesses may use the full kitchen for food preparation, cooking, baking, catering, product testing, and storage. This runs through CitySeed, not through the space request form, and requires documented licensing, insurance, and food safety certification before a first booking.

All other groups renting space at the Q House may use designated areas for food storage and warming as part of their regular booking. No separate application, no CitySeed onboarding, and no commercial license required. Note this on your space request form and Q House staff will show you what is available.

Everything below applies to licensed food businesses.

The space includes

8-burner range
Convection and rack ovens
Commercial mixer
Food processor
Steam kettle
Prep tables
Griddle
Commercial dishwasher
Cold and dry storage

How to get access

Complete CitySeed's kitchen inquiry form. Their team reviews whether the Q House kitchen is a fit for your business.
If it is a fit, create a profile on The Food Corridor, the platform that manages kitchen access, scheduling, and documentation for this partnership.
Upload your required documents and complete CitySeed's onboarding and safety training. Training is required before your first use.
Once approved, reserve your own kitchen hours through The Food Corridor.

Documents you will upload

State-issued ID or driver's license
Business license
Food business liability insurance ($1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, naming LEAP and the City of New Haven as additional insured)
Food Safety Manager's Certificate (ServSafe or equivalent)
Connecticut business registration document
Sales and Use Tax Permit

While you are using the kitchen

All kitchen users must be out of the building by 8:30 PM Mon-Fri and 5:00 PM Saturdays
All refrigerated, frozen, and dry storage must be labeled with your business name and an expiration date
Complete the daily cleaning checklist after every use
Report any equipment problem to Q House staff right away

Cost

Unlike the other spaces listed on this page, kitchen use carries a fee. CitySeed bills hourly through The Food Corridor for the hours you reserve, and will provide current rates during onboarding. The Q House does not charge a separate room fee for kitchen use.

Insurance

$1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, naming LEAP and the City of New Haven as additional insured.

Who to contact

Kitchen access, onboarding, scheduling, and billing are handled by CitySeed:

Sasha Fay, Director of Food Business, CitySeed, sasha@cityseed.org, (203) 773-3736
Lizia Booth-Carvalho, Food Business Manager, CitySeed, lizia@cityseed.org, (475) 365-1947

To inquire about other spaces, email qhouse@dixwellqhouse.org or call (475) 306-6936.

Promoting your event? Download our logo.

Any publicly promoted event at the Q House must include our logo. Click the logo to download it.

Dixwell Community House

Commemorative Bricks

Planning an event or program
at the Q House?

Please Read Before You Book

Using the Q House at no cost?

Check-In & Sign-In

Promoting your event? Download our logo.

Hours

Let's stay in touch!

197 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511

(475) 306-6936

Dixwell Community House

Planning an event or program at the Q House?

Please Read Before You Book

Using the Q House at no cost?

Promoting your event? Download our logo.

Hours​

Let's stay in touch!

​197 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511​

(475) 306-6936

Planning an event or program
at the Q House?

Hours

197 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511