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PARTY SPACES
Alger House
Off Sixth Ave., nr. Bleecker St.
212-627-8838
algerhouse.com
This former carriage house retains most of its old-fashioned charm in the Garden Room and the sweeping 2,500-square-foot ballroom. The house accommodates up to 125 guests and serves an eclectic menu of French, Mediterranean, and fusion specialties ($50–$125 per person).
Angel Orensanz Foundation
172 Norfolk St., nr. E. Houston St.
212-529-7194
orensanz.org
Once a synagogue, this dramatic 1849 building is now open to anyone who wants to throw a party. Ironically, it looks a lot like an old church: thick Gothic-style windows, a deep-blue, incredibly dramatic rib-vaulted ceiling, and even an elaborate Gothic arch. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick said "I do" here. Prices vary depending on number of guests and day of the week (seats 260). Bring your own caterer.
Astra
979 Third Ave., nr. 58th St.
212-644-9394
charliepalmer.com
By day, Astra is a bustling café, but at night it’s the perfect space to hold an intimate wedding while enjoying the celebrated cuisine of chef Charlie Palmer. Windows running along the north and east walls offer clear views over the lights of Manhattan to the Queensboro Bridge. Cherrywood tables, white curtains, and a subtle white-and-beige color scheme define the recently redesigned space. Located on the fourteenth floor of midtown’s Decoration & Design Building, Astra can host 140 guests without dancing (120 with), and 300 for cocktails. Prices range from $75 for cocktails to $200 for dinner per person.
Bateaux
New York
866-399-8439
bateauxnewyork.com
If hotels and restaurants seem too dry (literally), why not have your reception at sea? Bateaux New York can take you and about 300 guests on a three-hour cruise around the southern tip of Manhattan. Enjoy dishes like miso-glazed Chilean sea bass or loin of lamb as part of a three-course dinner. Prices are about $100 per person for dining, cruise, and entertainment. No outside catering.
Bridgewaters
11 Fulton St., nr. Front St.
212-608-7400
theglaziergroup.com
This dramatic events space at South Street Seaport offers two lofty rooms that each seat 75 to 400 guests. Best feature: gorgeous views of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York Harbor, plus wraparound terraces. Chef Christopher Siversen, veteran of the ‘21’ Club, specializes in eclectic fare such as spicy crab summer rolls with Vietnamese herbs and Moroccan-style chicken. Buffet and seated-wedding menus, including alcohol, start at $185 per guest. No outside catering except kosher.
The
Campbell Apartment
15 Vanderbilt Ave. entrance,
Grand Central Terminal
212-980-9476
hospitalityholdings.com
Couples who book this swank party space, an eccentric business tycoon’s private office and salon back in the twenties, get plush couches, clubby paneling, and a massive stone fireplace, plus gourmet cuisine courtesy of the well-regarded Abigail Kirsch. The space comfortably accommodates up to 75 seated guests and 125 for cocktails. Costs range from $75 to $250 per person.
Capitale
130 Bowery, at Grand St.
212-334-5500
capitaleny.com
The Stanford White–designed Bowery Savings Bank, complete with Corinthian columns and Venetian glass under 75-foot ceilings, is now the luxurious Capitale. Four private rooms are available for 75 to 1,500 guests. Prices vary depending on season and number of guests.
The
Central Park Boathouse
Fifth Ave. at 72nd St.
212-517-2233
This charming pavilion is set by the lake in the heart of the park
and features wrapping French doors that open to an English garden
and wooden patios that face the water's edge. Book the Boathouse's
event space, which hosts up to 240 seated guests; from $145 per
person. No outside catering except kosher.
Cielo
18 Little W. 12th St., nr. Ninth Ave.
212-242-8539
cieloclub.com
This suede-bedecked hot spot in the meatpacking district is known for booking some of the best D.J. talent in New York and provides ample space for dancing. The venue is available for private parties of up to 350 people and offers a variety of options for music, catering, floral arrangements, and equipment rental. Hors d�oeuvre from $22 to $38 per person; buffet dining from $55 to $80.
Cipriani at 23rd St.
200 Fifth Avenue, at 23rd St.
212-755-0900
cipriani.com
In terms of iconic Manhattan backdrops, this place is hard to beat: Cipriani took over the lease of the old 200 Fifth Club in April 2004. Much has remained the same, including the ornate 22-foot ceilings, the ballroom (accommodates 300 with dancing), and the Oak Room (400 for cocktails)—not to mention the Art Deco style. Rates vary depending on season.
The Delegates Dining Room
United Nations Building, First Ave. at 45th St.
212-963-7099
The U.N. Building doesn’t allow religious ceremonies but will host your reception. Start with cocktails on the West Terrace, followed by dinner in the Delegates Dining Room, a modernist restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the East River. (Note: Guests will be checked by security upon entry, and should arrive with photo I.D.) From $5,000 for security and $150 to $185 per person for catering by Aramark.
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