Whether planning an engagement dinner or lavish birthday celebrations, the venue is key, especially in New York City. Here is a roundup of NYC venues for private parties offering top-of-the-line hospitality; delicious menu and creative drinks; and inviting ambiances.
Market Table
Market Table, founded by Chefs Mike Price and Joey Campanaro in 2007, has been a Greenwich Village go-to for more than a decade.
Their seasonal farm-to-table menus celebrate the best of market’s bounty.
Formerly a wine cellar, the intimate private dining room is warmly lit by candlelight to seat 20 under the room’s vaulted ceilings.
The space features a custom seasonal menu for a seated brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktail party, or any special event, especially around the holidays.
In-house artist Steven Fragale is available to help guests curate their vision for the signature chalkboard wall with hand drawn logos or messaging.
The room is fully equipped with a dedicated bar, separate sound system, and private washrooms.
The Mary Lane
The Mary Lane is a charming farm-to-table restaurant with Chef Andrew Sutin’s innovative twist and beautifully plated food set in the heart of the West Village, brought to you by Blackfoot Hospitality (known for the Little Owl, The Clam, and Market Table.)
The 20-seat private dining room on the lower level is the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners, graduation celebrations, company parties, or an intimate dinner or brunch.
Art lovers take note, the group’s resident artist, Steven Fragale will custom design an interactive mural to add a personalized celebratory moment.
Little Owl the Townhouse
Next on this roundup of NYC venues for private parties is Little Owl the Townhouse is a hidden gem located around the corner from Chef Joey Campanaro’s beloved restaurant.
For the past seven years, Townhouse has been creating lasting memories for clients everywhere.
A stunning multi-level event space, this spot offers full-scale event production, design, and catering, bringing Chef Campanaro’s critically acclaimed cuisine to any private event with full-service catering, planning, event production, design and decor including custom floral arrangements for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, holiday celebrations, board dinners, launches, and branded activations.
From the most intimate gatherings and private dinners to larger parties, the space maxes out around 40 for dinner and 80 for a standing cocktail hour.
City Cruises
City Cruises is perhaps best known as a venue option for large events like reunions or weddings (eagle-eyed New Yorkers will recognize its Hornblower Infinity as the yacht hosting Connor Roy’s over-the-top wedding on HBO’s Succession series), but with private spaces on public dining cruises, guests also have swanky options for more intimate celebrations, too.
Aboard the glass-enclosed, European-style Bateaux, which hosts public brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises, guests can book a private, climate-controlled dining room for up to 150 people with closeup views of the New York City skyline, a three-course meal served by hospitable waitstaff, and access to open-air decks. Live jazz entertainment adds an Old New York ambience. For a more casual atmosphere with a live DJ, City Cruises also offers space for private parties aboard its Signature dining cruises on the Spirt of New York.
Carmine’s Times Square
Offering family-style Southern Italian cuisine, Carmine’s has been serving exceptional value to its guests for over 30 years.
They’ve recently launched their first-ever ballroom in New York City for private events.
The 5,000 sq ft space is located in the heart of Times Square with a capacity of 200 seated and 250 standing.
The windowed space is graced with natural light; has a full-service bar and customized menus making it the ideal spot for rehearsal dinners, bar or bat mitzvahs, galas etc.
The Lambs Club
Housed in a historic landmark The Lambs Club evokes timelessness.
Chef Jack Logue personally oversees all private event menus making each one personal and distinct.
There are two private event spaces: The Club Room, a 1500 square foot facility that can accommodate up to 90 guests seated, and 150 for a standing reception, which can also be divided into two independent rooms via a movable soundproof wall; and The Stanford White Studio, named for the buildings architect, a 600 square foot wood-paneled space with an open fireplace and private outdoor terrace, accommodating up to 36 guests seated, and 50 standing.
Heritage Grand Bakery
Designed with the intention of creating a Mediterranean oasis in one of the busiest areas of Manhattan, Heritage is a haven for high-quality cuisine.
Hidden above the dining room is a private room for events of all types.
The room transports guests into a grotto like space that is perfect for parties and corporate events of up to 60 people.
Monterey
Monterey, the new retro-chic American restaurant, is one of Midtown Manhattan’s most style-forward NYC venues for private parties.
There are two options for private events, the largest, called ‘Big Sur’ is located on the third floor and is accessible via private elevator or staircase.
The room has a fully stocked bar, state-of-the-art audio visual capabilities, private bathrooms and a dedicated kitchen.
It can accommodate 120 seated guests, and up to 160 guests for a cocktail style event. The large open space is quite versatile and can be decorated to the hosts specifications.
Another option is located on the restaurant’s mezzanine level, and is a sultry room called The Lounge, which is decorated in deep purple tones.
It has a capacity of 30 guests seated, 40 standing, and offers a private bar. It’s the perfect setting for small group dinners, meetings, wine tastings and more.
Dagon
Last but not least on this list of NYC venues for private parties is Chef Ari Bokovza’s buzzy Upper West Side’s restaurant Dagon features cuisine from “somewhere in the Mediterranean.”
The restaurant has a homey feel with 70’s vintage wallpapers, light wood tables,chairs and banquettes with ivory and chocolate-colored cushions.
With shades of greens and blues throughout, the feel is of a Mediterranean seaside home with its glazed Moroccan tiled floor and its wood-slatted ceiling resembling shutters.
Up a few stairs from the main dining room are two rooms, one semi-private for 20, and a private room for 10.