What is a venue's 'capacity'?

What is a venue's 'capacity'?

Charlie Scola (Event Planner, Charlie Scola Catering) gives expert video advice on: What is a party's 'venue'?; What should I consider when choosing the venue for my party?; What is a party's 'layout'? and more...

When the venue has a capacity that tells you the maximum number of guests that a fire department will allow into the building. Now this ranges whether you're setting up tables or chairs, or you're free standing, or you're in an auditorium style. Auditorium style is meaning just what it is, setting up the tables across in the room if you're doing maybe a speech. The capacity will tell you by law how many guests you're permitted to have at that venue.