Elks Club is a event venue in Waterloo, IA. Open: Mon 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Tue–Wed 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Thu, Sat, Sun Closed; Fri 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Phone: (319) 234-7568. Average rating is 4.6 stars from 128 reviews. Website: http://www.waterlooelks.com/.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks emblemWaterloo, IA Elks Lodge #290
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The exterior of the Elks Club building with lush greenery.
4.6 128 reviews Today 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Waterloo's Gathering Place Since Day One

A historic lodge on East Park Avenue where reunions, receptions, and fundraisers come together beautifully.

Charity

Giving without expectation

Justice

Fairness for every person

Brotherly Love

Fellowship above all

Fidelity

Faithful to our word

About Us

The exterior of the Elks Club building surrounded by greenery.
The exterior of the Elks Club building surrounded by greenery.

The Waterloo Elks Lodge on East Park Ave has earned a 4.6-star reputation by doing something simple: treating every event like it matters, because it does. Ask Sherri, the lodge's manager, and she'll tell you the same thing she tells every couple booking a reception or committee chair planning a gala: the details are handled, so you don't have to worry.

That reputation shows up in the reviews. The Columbus High School Class of '75 marked their 50th reunion here, and the staff delivered a dinner event that felt personal, not institutional. A couple married in September walked away calling it the absolute best experience of their wedding day. A nonprofit team hosted a fundraiser and marveled at how every last-minute request got a yes.

This is a BPOE lodge with real roots in the Waterloo community, not a banquet factory. The space is beautiful, the food is genuinely good, and the team around Sherri treats your event as their own. That combination is rarer than it sounds.

What We Offer

The lodge hosts the full range of life's big moments. Wedding receptions are a specialty, with flexible room configurations, in-house catering, and a staff that coordinates the timeline so the couple can actually enjoy the night. Class reunions, milestone birthday parties, and anniversary dinners fill the calendar year-round.

Fundraisers and nonprofit events get the same attentive treatment. The team understands that a charity dinner has a budget ceiling and a mission behind it, and they work within both. Corporate meetings, award banquets, and association gatherings round out the venue calendar.

Food is handled in-house and draws consistent praise in reviews. Guests comment on the quality, not just the quantity, which matters when your organization's name is attached to the meal. Reach the lodge through waterlooelks.com to check availability and start planning.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

What Our Guests Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear it from our members & guests

Click to Rate & Review This Business ✍️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6 months ago
"Recently the Columbus High School Class of '75 held their major dinner event at the Elks to celebrate 50 years since graduation. Sherri, the Manager, and her staff were tremendous to work with related to the set up and the food (the prime rib is to die for!), service and ambiance all combined to make a fantastic and memorable event for all attendees. There are so many different choices for venues at the Elks. You owe it yourself and your family/group to set up a time to meet with Sherri and take a tour to get a sense for all that is there."
— Corrine True
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6 months ago
"The Elks Club was the perfect place to host our fundraiser. The team made planning so easy, the food was fantastic, and the space itself was absolutely beautiful. They accommodated every last-minute request with a kindness and a smile, which made the whole experience stress-free. We aren't currently members of the Elks Club, but after such a wonderful experience, we're seriously considering it. Highly Recommend."
— Jessica Rucker
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
a year ago
"My husband and I had our wedding reception here in September and had the absolute best experience! Sherri was so helpful throughout the whole process and made sure that our day was exactly what we envisioned. We were able to set up the day before which was amazing and took off some stress from me day of! Everything ran so smoothly from the dinner service to the clean up. The Waterloo Elks has it down and does it so well!!"
— Courtney Harms
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 years ago
"I'm so glad we chose the Elks Club to host our organization's fundraiser dinner. First, the food was very, very good. The chicken was moist and the green beans were tender, not mushy. The rolls were warm and the mashed potatoes were delicious. The carrot cake was perfect. Second, the staff were so attentive and friendly. They did a wonderful job! Third, the bathrooms were clean and modern. Highly recommend!!"
— Kelly Parker
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 years ago
"My husband and I recently held our wedding reception at the Elks and everything turned out so beautiful with zero issues. Sherri was pleasant to work with and very detail oriented! Very glad there was an event coordinator on site. Having the linens available without having to buy them separately elsewhere was a huge bonus and one less thing to worry about when planning. Tables were already set up when we arrived to decorate, and dinnerware was set out before our guests arrived for the reception, including water pitchers. We loved the setup and we received many compliments on how beautiful the space was with all the decorations. Would definitely recommend the Elks for any occassion."
— Becky Wirtz

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of events does the Waterloo Elks Club host?

The lodge hosts wedding receptions, class reunions, fundraisers, nonprofit dinners, corporate meetings, award banquets, and private milestone celebrations. If you have a specific event type in mind, reach out through waterlooelks.com to discuss options.

Does the Elks Club provide catering, or do we bring our own food?

In-house catering is available and consistently praised in guest reviews. The food quality is a genuine highlight, not just the venue space. Ask about menu options when you inquire about availability.

How do I contact Sherri or the events team to book a date?

The best starting point is waterlooelks.com. You can also visit the lodge at 407 E Park Ave in Waterloo. Sherri and her staff are known for being responsive and easy to work with from the first conversation.

Can the lodge accommodate last-minute changes to my event plans?

Yes, and this comes up repeatedly in guest reviews. The team has a strong track record of handling last-minute requests without stress. It is worth discussing your timeline and any flexibility concerns upfront when booking.

Is the Elks Club open to non-members for private events?

The lodge does host events for non-members, including wedding receptions, fundraisers, and reunion dinners. Contact the lodge directly to confirm current policies and availability for your specific event.

How far in advance should I book for a wedding reception or large event?

Popular dates, especially fall weekends, fill up quickly. Reviewers who had September weddings and milestone reunion dinners booked well in advance. Reaching out six to twelve months ahead gives you the best selection of dates.

Where exactly is the Waterloo Elks Lodge located?

The lodge is at 407 E Park Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703. It sits in an accessible part of the city with parking available for guests arriving from across the Cedar Valley region.

Hours of Operation

Closed · Opens Wednesday at 10:00 AM
Monday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday Today 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday Closed
Friday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
69° Partly cloudy Waterloo
Tue 76° 65°
Wed 72° 58°
Thu 73° 54°
Fri 73° 60°
Sat 86° 64°
Sun 90° 76°
Mon 92° 76°
The Order · Since 1868

Community. Friendship. Charity.

Every Elks lodge belongs to one of America's oldest and largest fraternal orders. Through the Elks National Foundation, the Order has given more than $481 million to college scholarships, veterans, and neighbors in need.

Join the Elks
A Proud Heritage

The Elks gave America
Flag Day.

Long before it was a national observance, the Order set aside June 14th to honor the flag. Patriotism has always been one of our cardinal principles, and every lodge meeting still closes the same way it has for over a century.

“To our absent members.” — the Eleven O’Clock Toast

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Community · Friendship · Charity

Who are the Elks?

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is one of America's oldest and largest fraternal orders, founded in 1868. Every lodge is a home for fellowship, service, and patriotism in its own hometown.

$481M+given through the Elks National Foundation for scholarships, veterans, and community programs.

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