![A List of the Top Holiday Party Venues in New York](https://greatperformances.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ben_Hider_BJH21430-300x200.jpg)
Top Holiday Party Venues in New York
We’re looking ahead to Holiday Party season and have rounded up our top picks for this year.
By Liz Neumark
We have a passion for serving others. There is nothing predictable (think weather), simple (think complex pre-event emotions) or easy (have you driven a truck in NYC?) for our sales and planning teams. But every day, they get it right!
With thanksgiving in mind, we want to share some of the wonderful notes we receive from our clients. It is a tribute to our GP family but also a reminder of how powerful the written note of thanks can be.
Amanda!!! We can’t thank you enough for everything you and the GP team did to make our wedding so perfect on Saturday.
Like…REALLY can’t thank you enough.
At our brunch yesterday morning, the GP food and service was the talk of the town! Everyone was raving about everything they ate (cookie pizza obviously included!!!) and made special note of how amazing the service was and how wonderful the staff was. One of our friends said it was the safest and most “back to normal” she’s felt in 2 years. She said they’d turned down numerous events over the last few months but felt confident we’d have a plan in place for making everyone feel good. She said your team went above and beyond her expectations.
Did I mention people loved the food???? 😂😍 Literally everyone was raving about everything from the fritters and the taco station to the pretzel bread/baguette (um yes! I love pretzels and didn’t know this was gonna be a thing!) to the steak to the incredible perfectly melted-ness but not too melted of the ice cream. (This is an excellent thing, I say that as an ice cream connoisseur.) People were like, “Wait isn’t wedding food supposed to be like..not good??” At our wedding, it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We really just are amazed at how incredible everything was. The room was electric and people were so happy and we know it’s because they felt SAFE and happy and fittingly full!
We really are just wowed. I want to also give a HUGE shoutout to Tasha who was cool as a cucumber and a wonderful human being. I didn’t realize the GP bridal attendant would be so key to our day (I mean, delivering Diet Cokes is obviously key to the day…but I didn’t realize she would be with me the whole night!!), and I believe it’s a HUGELY marketable part of the GP package. Grateful to Tasha for carrying my chapstick (critical!), helping me with my Saks-disaster of a bustle and sourcing granulated sugar when I got the hiccups! (It DID work, for what it’s worth!)
If I can be a reference for you guys or a website testimony or anything moving forward, I would be ecstatic to be. I’m on a list of 500 women in media/tech/entertainment and plan to send around your email and the GP info when I do a write up of how amazing my wedding vendors were.
You beat me to it!
Our experience with Great Performances under your leadership was impeccably professional and delightful from start to finish.
GP was the shining light among vendors amidst the roller coaster trajectory of the pandemic.
The quality of your food, service and presentation, second to none.
[We] are grateful to you for helping to make our daughter and son-in-law’s celebration at Glenmere so delicious, beautiful and memorable.
You haven’t seen the last of us!
Thank you to you, Forrest, Ken and the rest of the GP staff for all of your help and support leading up to and during the event.
I’m not sure how the event would have turned out if you weren’t one of our partners as we took on the Glasshouse as a venue. You helped us navigate so much from what you shared and who knows how much more was done behind the scenes. It’s so comforting to know that catering is something you never have to worry about when we do our events with you.
The food and service was top notch as always. Gotta love it when your CEO tells you he gets so many compliments on the food and how we always have the best food at our events.
Again, thank you. I absolutely love working with you all and I hope you pass this along to your bosses! Or if I should share it directly, let me know. I know the past 1.75 years haven’t been the easiest in your industry, but I’m so glad you are all still here.
Good luck with your upcoming weddings!
It has been an absolute pleasure to work together on the [event] this week and throughout the planning process. Your immaculate attention to detail, your poise under pressure, and your creative collaboration are qualities we respect and appreciate so much. Thank you for your time, your heart, and for the laughs along the way (we had to laugh sometimes, didn’t we??).
[…]
Again, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! Best of luck with your busy wedding weekend (and to your GP team catering another [one of our events] this evening!). We can’t wait to see more of you and your work very soon.
Thank you so much for following up – I am still pretty comatose right now, but there is pretty much one thing that I’m happy to reflect on, and that is the greatness of Great Performances.
Everything last week was perfect. We got SO many comments from guests about how good the food was, and how much of it there was… we were never ever concerned about the transition from seated dinner to cocktail and whether people would be full… it was obvious that they were! I also must commend you on the incredible work ethic of your team. Your staff is really astonishing, from the top on down. I remarked to Forrest at some point (and then later Susan) that what your staff really embodies is “hustle” – that’s what you want to see of every single person at an event, and there is not one person on your team who is without purpose, focus, and speed. It’s something that other vendors and event managers should envy. And you know, truly, that I adore Mack and was ecstatic to have him there. He is such a special, hard working person, and I feel lucky to get to work with him, Forrest, and you two.
So long short, everyone was very happy. Thank you so much again for everything!!!
By Great Performances
Our wedding event planners had an exceptionally busy summer of weddings this year! From backyard brunches to rooftop romances, and everything in between, we haven’t seen a wedding season like this before! Our wedding event planners worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect for our couples. Check out a small handful of the weddings we planned this summer and you’ll see why made it into The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame!
Seven floors above the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center is a tranquil oasis with incredible rooftop views of New York City. Strategically placed lighting and candles make the event sparkle with magic.
Guests were greeted with a welcoming flute of champagne and Mint Basil Lemonade. We highlighted the best of the growing season with a our ever-popular rainbow of vegetables in our Growing Season Vegetable Crudite served in a cup for easy nibbling and mingling. A special highlight was the couple’s favorite dish, Scarpetta’s Spaghetti Pomodoro.
Think 620 Loft & Garden might be the perfect venue for your wedding? See what all it has to offer at the link here.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
Caramoor’s sprawling gardens with its romantic Sunken Garden make it an idyllic place to tie the knot. The Cedar Walk Path leads guests to the clear sided Reception Tent overlooking the Butterfly Garden.
Masked cater waiters greeted guests with refreshing Berry Basil Lemonades and a variety of hors d’oeuvres including Tuna Poke on a sesame tuile and Potato Cornets filled with Potato Cornet with portobello mousse. A guest favorite was the Raw Bar featuring jumbo shrimp, lobster, crab claws, oysters, and clams.
Think Caramoor might be the perfect venue for your wedding? See what all it has to offer at the link here.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
For the animal lovers out there, Central Park Zoo makes for a unique and playful wedding venue. One couple even brought their dog dressed for the occasion in a tutu! An open-sided tent with a clear roof makes for a light and airy covered space, perfect for a seated dinner. As the sun sets chandeliers and mood lighting create the perfect mood for an evening of celebration.
Our team greeted guests with a variety of speciality cocktails, including a Strawberry Frose. The decadent menu included a Caviar Specialty Station, an Asian Station, and a Mediterranean Station. After an evening of celebrating, guests were refueled with some late night classics including sliders, tater tots, grilled cheese with tomato soup shooters, and soft pretzels.
Think Central Park Zoo might be the perfect venue for your wedding? See what all it has to offer at the link here.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
Private homes in the Hamptons provided an idyllic setting for several of our couples getting married. Our expert event planners will visit your home (or location of choice) and make recommendations about what you’ll need to create the wedding of your dreams!
Planning a wedding at your home? Let us help you turn your dreams into reality! Click the link here to contact us.
One of our favorite weddings included long tables bedecked with a red-checked tablecloth, reminiscent of a picnic. Colorful flowers and sparkling twinkle lights added to the whimsical air. A rainbow emerged, making this an especially memorable wedding.
Fun finger food including our Truffled Mushroom Pizzetta, mini Lobster Rolls, and Popcorn Chicken Cones kicked off the evening. Dinner included decadently delicious comfort favorites like Surf and Turf and Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles, and guests barely had room for our Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies & Milkshake Shot, Lemon Meringue Pie Pops, and Flourless Chocolate Cake.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
An especially vibrant wedding – from the decor to the dresses to the dishes – was an Indian wedding in Amagansett. Gorgeous cups of flower petals waited for guests to toss them over the couple. Hand-written menus graced each place setting, and there was an opportunity for guests to write a postcard about their favorite travel place. The food reflected the culture, with the bold colors playing beautifully off the white plates.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
We held a record number of events at Wave Hill – and looking through our albums, it’s easy to see why! This hidden gem in the Riverdale section of The Bronx has it’s own microclimate, and is lush and green throughout summer. Gorgeous landscaping and stunning views are enhanced by water features, a great lawn, and the greenhouse – all popular spots to take photos.
No two weddings are ever the same, as you’ll see from some of our photo highlights below.
For more information about Wave Hill, see what all it has to offer at the link here.
We love a good escort table – it immediately sets the mood for your wedding! Flowers, cacti, and moss all made their way to the escort cards, some even to be brought home by the guests.
Signature cocktails were a great way for the couples to share some of their favorite memories with the guests. Our teams can help you create a cocktail or we’re happy to use a recipe that has significance for you!
Inside or outside, although there are a some favorite spots in which our couples have chosen to exchange their vows. But there are so many other spaces to explore as well!
Dine al fresco either in a tent or with nothing but the sky above your heads or take your celebration indoors, we’ve got solutions for everything. From formal place settings to more casual ones, we can help make the rental decisions that express your theme. Flowers are always a beautiful pop of color and help bring the outside in.
Event planners: Amanda DiUglio & Emily Schreiber
By Rob Arango, CPS Events at The Plaza
For the past 15 months, we have heard and read the term “social distancing” in an effort to halt the global pandemic. Our forced seclusion and isolation have made us long for the days when we could meet for drinks, share a meal with friends, and socialize with others. Our initial emergence from pandemic have demonstrated that we’ve been craving connection, and I think the new normal will be “social attraction.”
Of course, we must adhere to all the CDC guidelines and continue our efforts to eradicate this virus. I was asked a month ago to write a piece about the Plaza re-opening and the much anticipated Fall Gala season. Within the last few weeks, numerous discussions and concerns have taken place with various planners, development staff, and board members asking what are the safety protocols in place at the Plaza? Should their foundation require proof of vaccination at check in? What should they do if someone isn’t vaccinated? What about our staff? All these concerns are extremely valid and important to continue to address. At the Plaza, we are listening carefully to the CDC and state officials and will be passing along all our information to our guests to ensure a safe environment for their galas once we have a clear understanding of how to implement safety protocols.
With all that said, I also must share the other discussion, which is taking place daily with our clients. Dr. Keltner, co-founder of the Greater Good Science Center has expressed, “we’re hyper social mammals—it is our most signature strength.” For decades, Dr. Keltner has studied human behavior with a focus on “pro-social” states: behavior that strengthened connection between individuals and that are especially good for society.
Our culinary team at Great Performances, who provides all our delicious meals served at the Plaza, has a company saying that “Life happens around food.®” I add that connections with another person provide food for the soul.
In the 114 years that the Plaza has been open, it has endured the worst of historic crises including both World Wars, the first stock market crash, the Great Depression, 9/11, and countless other global calamities. Through it all, the Palm Court, Edwardian Room, Persian Room, Oak Room, and Oyster Bar remained open to soothe the social anxieties of their time. Whether it was enjoying an afternoon tea or a dry martini, Plaza guests yearned for a place to gather, hug, laugh, and enjoy the company of a friend during the worst of times. As we know even in the best of times celebrations of life are never taken for granted.
I tend to think the human spirit is nourished by social gatherings and the enjoyment of food and beverage. Many clients have expressed a strong desire to get dressed up again and begin to mingle in person as opposed to seeing one another in a Hollywood Squares-like box via video calls.
The collective actions of raising much needed funds for a good cause, the arrival of guests in their newest ballgowns, the first sip of dry champagne and a nibble of a savory canape, is what so many New Yorkers are craving. I believe there can be enormous healing among social gatherings. We aren’t meant to eat alone; we thrive on giving a hug and a smile to our dinner guest. But never forget we still need a little gossip and commentary when we can’t help but to whisper to another friend in person–“look at her dress!” or even, “she looks amazing—who is her doctor?”
We are ready to open the doors to the grand ballroom and welcome all of our friends back to celebrate.
There is a great line in a famous Sondheim lyric, “As if we never said good-bye”. That is what I imagine guests will say when they return the Grand Ballroom.
Until then, stay informed and continue to ask vital questions.
We’re looking ahead to Holiday Party season and have rounded up our top picks for this year.
AND WE’RE LIVE! THE RETURN OF IN-PERSON NONPROFIT EVENTS By Great Performances 40% of nonprofit organizations reported losses in total revenue for 2020. Partly attributed
Get to know Myka Meier, The Plaza Hotel’s Finishing Program Etiquette Trainer.
This Pink Gin & Tonic cocktail recipe from the Spirits team at Great Performances Caterers will be the perfect way to toast to love on Valentine’s Day.
A list of Great Performances Catering team’s favorite spaces for weddings in New York from gardens to lofts.
Founded in 1980 as an event waitress service for women in the arts who wanted a flexible way to supplement their income, GP has grown into one of the country’s leading catering and events companies In addition to working with partners like the Plaza Hotel, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Museum, the Apollo Theater, and Wave Hill, Great Performances promotes sustainable food practices through its organic farm in Upstate New York and offers emerging artist scholarships to service staff.
In 2019, Great Performances moved to The Bronx. Six months later, Covid-19 hit New York and the entire city shut down. GP transformed its kitchens, almost overnight, to begin providing meals for those most in need: senior citizens, the food insecure, and hospital and healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
As New York is reopening, Great Performances opened the doors to its new kitchens in Mott Haven where it creates delicious food for a wide variety of events. Click here to see some sample menus.
GP is actively looking for new people to join their team. If you’re looking or know someone who is, check out our most recent listings or contact HR.
Great Performances partnered with SailGP to cater the festivities for this year’s Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix.
Summer isn’t over yet! And it’s not too late to plan the perfect rooftop event. We’ve gathered our Top Rooftop Venues to help you plan the perfect End of Summer event.
Summertime is one of the rare times of the year when we have a chance to enjoy a little bit of R&R. Some members of
Check out live music, film, art and more at our partner venues this month.
Check out community celebrations, outdoor events, and unique experiences in the Bronx this month.
At Great Performances, we believe that Life Happens Around Food®. We make that happen with delicious food, warm hospitality, and culinary creativity. At the heart
Taste your watermelon. A pinch of salt can help bring out the flavors and, if it’s not sweet enough, feel free to add a pinch of sugar, especially if you’re going to combine it with soda water.
Great Performances has long partnered with BAM and the National Book Foundation on Eat, Drink & Be Literary, a unique series for readers, writers, and diners. Now adapted for the digital space, the series welcomes world-renowned authors Sigrid Nunez, Tayari Jones, and Luis Alberto Urrea for these one-night-only live events. Find out more about the series here.
Great Performances will be crafting a new cocktail each month and we’ll be sharing two versions: a cocktail and a zero-proof cocktail so that everyone can enjoy! Cheers!
Although this Watermelon Cucumber Tonic is a bit more complicated than some other cocktails, we think it’s worth it to prepare the juice from scratch. As a shortcut, you can purchase watermelon juice and use Hendricks Gin to get some of the cucumber flavors. Adding a garnish of a slice of cucumber and a sprig of mint will bring the cocktail together nicely.
6 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
1 English cucumber, peeled, sliced, and divided (about 3 cups)
2 1/2 cups tonic water, chilled
1 1/4 cups of gin
Garnish
If you’ve already prepared the watermelon cucumber juice for the above version, you can use any remaining here. Alternatively, you could purchase watermelon juice from the grocery store. Adding a garnish of a slice of cucumber and a sprig of mint will bring the drink together nicely.
6 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
1/4 cup mint leaves, divided
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, divided
1 English cucumber, peeled, sliced, and divided (about 3 cups)
2 1/2 cups tonic water or soda water, chilled
Garnish
Rosemary can be a potent herb and we enjoy it’s distinctive woodsy/piney scent which compliments the grapefruit in this cocktail. We don’t want to overpower the cocktail, which is why we’re not muddling it as we typically do with other herbs in cocktails.
Great Performances has long partnered with BAM and the National Book Foundation on Eat, Drink & Be Literary, a unique series for readers, writers, and diners. Now adapted for the digital space, the series welcomes world-renowned authors Sigrid Nunez, Tayari Jones, and Luis Alberto Urrea for these one-night-only live events. Find out more about the series here.
Great Performances will be crafting a new cocktail each month and we’ll be sharing two versions: a cocktail and a zero-proof cocktail so that everyone can enjoy! Cheers!
1 ½ oz gin
½ oz simple syrup
2 oz red grapefruit juice
Garnish
Rim a martini glass with salt. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and rosemary sprig. Shake well. Strain into prepared highball glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary
½ inch sprig rosemary
½ oz simple syrup
2 oz red grapefruit juice
Garnish
Rim a highball glass with salt and fill with ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine rosemary, simple syrup, and grapefruit juice and shake well. Strain into prepared highball glass, top with club soda, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
When you’re muddling ingredients, make sure you press down and twist to extract maximum essential oils and juices. Adding granulated sugar can also help break down the ingredients.
Great Performances has long partnered with BAM and the National Book Foundation on Eat, Drink & Be Literary, a unique series for readers, writers, and diners. Now adapted for the digital space, the series welcomes world-renowned authors Sigrid Nunez, Tayari Jones, and Luis Alberto Urrea for these one-night-only live events. Find out more about the series here.
Great Performances will be crafting a new cocktail each month and we’ll be sharing two versions: a cocktail and a zero-proof cocktail so that everyone can enjoy! Cheers!
Garnish
Place the strawberries and mint leaves in a shaker and muddle well. Add Leblon Cachaça, simple syrup and fill with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a highball glass.
Garnish
Place the strawberries, mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of a high ball glass and muddle well. Top with Strawberry Perrier, stir gently to combine, and garnis with a sprig of mint.
Before you add your sprig of mint as a garnish, place it in one hand, cup both hands, and clap your hands together to gently bruise the mint to release some of the essential oils. This will give you a whiff of mint each time you take a sip.
Great Performances has long partnered with BAM and the National Book Foundation on Eat, Drink & Be Literary, a unique series for readers, writers, and diners. Now adapted for the digital space, the series welcomes world-renowned authors Sigrid Nunez, Tayari Jones, and Luis Alberto Urrea for these one-night-only live events. Find out more about the series here.
Great Performances will be crafting a new cocktail each month and we’ll be sharing two versions: a cocktail and a zero-proof cocktail so that everyone can enjoy! Cheers!
1 Tablespoon of lime juice
4 large mint leaves
2 teaspoons of sugar
1/3 cup of brewed organic green tea
2 Tablespoons of White Rum
Garnish
Lime wheel
Sprig of mint
Pour lime juice, mint leaves, and sugar into a glass. Muddle mixture. Fill glass with ice and add organic green tea and white rum. Stir well and serve.
1 Tablespoon of lime juice
4 large mint leaves
1 tsp sugar
1/3 cup of brewed organic green tea
2 Tablespoons of white grape juice
Garnish
Lime wheel
Sprig of mint
Pour lime juice, mint leaves, and sugar into a glass. Muddle mixture. Fill glass with ice and add organic green tea and white grape juice. Stir well and serve.
We love this mocktail because it is the perfect way to make everyone (those who are pregnant, avoiding alcohol, on medication, or just don’t feel like having a drink) feel welcome at your special event.
With dramatic views of the majestic Catskill mountains to the West, flanked by a row of sky high evergreens and framed by a glistening pond, the fields at Katchkie are the perfect spot to grow vegetables, gather children to learn about healthy eating or just watch the sunset at the end of long hot summer day.
We founded Katchkie Farm, located in the town of Kinderhook, NY, in the spring of 2007. Its fields had been overgrown and neglected for years. We built roads and greenhouses, a barn, an outdoor pavilion with a pizza oven, put up fencing and established an organic vibrant farm. We welcomed the Sylvia Center to create a 2-acre learning garden in the center of the farm, where children would come to learn about where their food comes from and how to cook it.
We hosted an annual fundraiser which grew over the years from 80 guests under the stars to 300 guests under a tent. We welcomed visitors to Spring Planting Day and families to a celebratory Fall Harvest Day. But when asked if we would rent our farm to a wedding party, we consistently declined.
But love conquers all, and after the bruising year of 2020, we have decided it’s time to say YES, We Do! We want to welcome celebrations to our farm and fields. We want to open our gates to couples who want to start their lives together at our beloved Katchkie Farm.
We are not a ‘catering hall’, there is limited infrastructure (bring your own bathrooms), and we are a working farm – but it is been a magical place for us to put down roots. Now, we are ready to share the love!
Learn more about Katchkie Farm Wedding and Events Venue.
Make a historical moment by getting married in one of the multiple landmarks in New York. We have put together a list of the top landmark wedding venues in New York to make it easier for your dreams to become a reality. Check out what we consider to be the top landmark wedding venues in New York.
Make your wedding memorable as Ellis Island offers your guests a once in lifetime experience with exclusive use of Statue of Liberty and Manhattan Skyline as your backdrop.
The magnificent space NYPL can cater to both intimate gatherings as well as large size weddings. This landmark building offers four classically elegant rooms for events.
This four-acre park like no other: an urban oasis with a world-class design and unparalleled skyline views, perfect for outdoor weddings and receptions.
Adjacent to both Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, Governors Island offers several rental spaces with spectacular views throughout the season. You can celebrate your dream wedding outdoor or use the historic Pershing Hall building.
LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island offers over 11,000 square foot of event space with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor.
This converted synagogue on the Lower East Side of Manhattan features Gothic arches, an ornate gold-leaf altar and vaulted ceiling. This magnificent structure dates back to 1849 and is a favorite venue for weddings.
This New York City landmark is a century-old historic venue to host your wedding. Since its construction in 1907, this fabled national landmark has hosted some of the most extraordinary New York City galas and events.
Famed as the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine’s powerful architecture and historical importance make it an impressive historic venue for your wedding.
Harlem’s renowned Apollo Theater has been delighting music lovers since 1934. The Apollo can host 350 members of your friends and family as you celebrate your union in this unique and soulful space that has been graced by music’s greatest including Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and the legendary Aretha Franklin.
Wave Hill’s 28-acre property is renowned for its award-winning botanical gardens, breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades and its historic mansions, at one time the home of Theodore Roosevelt, Arturo Toscanini and Mark Twain. It’s the perfect backdrop to your dream garden wedding.
If you want to learn more about having your wedding at one of these spectacular landmark New York wedding venues, fill out the form below and a planner will reach out to you shortly: