What If Michelin Rated Event Venues?

In April 2024, Michelin quietly expanded its influence from the dining world into hospitality by awarding its first-ever Michelin Keys to outstanding hotels. It was a subtle but significant shift: Michelin, best known for its Stars, was now shaping where we sleep, not just where we eat.

It got us thinking.

We Celebrate in Restaurants and Sleep in Hotels...

But we fall in love, launch ideas, and mark life’s biggest milestones in event venues.

The rooftop where a founder gives their first investor pitch.

The private garden where a couple says I do.

The industrial-chic hall where an artist hosts their first solo show

…and yes, the private dining room at your favorite restaurant absolutely counts as an event venue too—some of the best events happen around a shared table.

These are the spaces that hold our most meaningful moments—yet there’s no Michelin equivalent for them. No Stars. No Keys. No respected benchmark for excellence.

Why not?

Events Are the Last Unranked Luxury

In today’s experience-driven culture, people are spending more on gatherings than ever. Weddings, brand activations, influencer dinners, offsites, and celebrations are cultural currency—and venue selection defines the tone, feel, and success of these events.

And yet:

• There is no standard of excellence for event venues.

• No universal quality markers.

• No trusted guide.

We rely on Instagram, hearsay, and vague Yelp reviews to choose spaces that shape once-in-a-lifetime memories.

What Would It Look Like If Michelin Got Involved?

What would a Michelin Guide for event venues look like?

• Would it recognize ambiance, layout flexibility, guest experience, and vendor coordination?

• Would it account for service culture, back-of-house excellence, or sustainability practices?

• Could it guide planners as reliably as it guides diners and travelers?

  
  

More importantly, who has the data to make it possible?

Stars. Keys. What’s next?

Enter RestauRent

At RestauRent, we’ve helped thousands of people plan private events by surfacing unique venues that match their vibe, goals, and guest list. Along the way, we’ve been quietly collecting data:

• What bookers actually value in a venue (hint: it’s not just the view)

• Which spaces deliver consistently great experiences across event types

• What friction points matter most (setup, staffing, acoustics, timing)

  
  

It’s not hard to imagine how a system of recognition—whether from Michelin or another authority—could be built on top of this foundation.

A Call to the Industry

If Michelin is listening: The next evolution of cultural prestige isn’t just in tasting menus or designer suites. It’s in the spaces that host our most personal, ambitious, and communal experiences.

If you want to define what excellence means in this world—we’d be thrilled to help.

And if you’re an event venue already delivering unforgettable moments:

Keep going. The world is catching up to your impact.