Wondering where to host your corporate holiday party this year? Here are the top places sure to put your employees in the seasonal spirit.
Saltaire Oyster Bar and Fish House
The centerpiece of this cavernous space—a former grain warehouse overlooking the Byram River—is a marble oyster bar, packed with the day’s freshest picks and staffed with chatty shuckers who know their stuff. The place is new and still getting its feet wet event-wise, but with all the positive buzz, it’s bound to fill up quickly for the holidays.
Perfect for: Staffers who love seafood, and/or enjoy seeing and being seen at the hippest new spot
What to expect: The private dining room and foyer, set to open in early December, features an “upscale nautical” theme. The large rectangular room boasts six chandeliers, carpeted floors, mounted sconces, round or rectangular tables, and nautical wall photos.
Accommodations: Private dining room seats up to 65 people
Book it: Pricing information not available at press time. Contact: (914) 939-2425
Port Chester
(914) 939-2425
www.saltaireoysterbar.com
Winston
“Sophisticated yet approachable” is the vibe here—lots of brick, steel, warm woods, and industrial beams. The menu may offer a bit of sticker shock at first, but the elevation in ingredients and preparation is worth the cost.
Perfect for: A group that appreciates high-end cuisine without the stuffy atmosphere (or would like to catch a glimpse of Governor Cuomo, who is a regular).
What to expect: The ground floor has a gastropub feel—with the bonus of a romantic wine-room nook, while the second floor offers a classic dining room. The most interesting (and private) space is the rooftop bar, recently enclosed in glass for year-round use.
Accommodations: Private dining room, 12 people seated; Rooftop, 25 seated, 50 standing; Mezzanine and rooftop, 75 seated
Book it: Seated dinners are available at $45, $65, and $85 price tiers. Passed hors d’oeuvres receptions start at $25 per person per hour. Private dining room food and beverage minimums run from $1,200 to $1,600; Rooftop food and beverage minimums run from $1,875 to $4,000; Mezzanine and rooftop food and beverage minimums run from $7,000 to $10,000. Contact: alison@winstonrestaurant.com
Mount Kisco
(914) 244-9780
www.winstonrestaurant.com
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
You could of course have a blast just going to Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway as a group—the raceway and casino offer plenty to do. But if you’d prefer a larger and more organized gathering, Empire City has nine event spaces, with a vibe for every group and options for every budget.
Perfect for: Companies from startups to corporate giants can find a place to party here.
What to expect: From the swanky VIP Room (fireplace, club chairs, premium liquor bar) to the Red Room (Empire’s take on a 1950s diner) to Empire Terrace Restaurant (elegant dining overlooking the racetrack), Alley 810 (a small, retro-chic bowling lounge), and several other spaces, Empire’s myriad options make it easy to pick a holiday entertaining destination.
Accommodations: Empire’s wide range of options can accommodate groups from 8 to more than 1,000 people.
Book it: Empire’s events and packages range from $18 to $135 per person. Contact: groupsales@empirecitycasino.com; (914) 457-2461
Yonkers
(914) 968-4200
www.empirecitycasino.com
Modern Restaurant & Lounge
The classiest pizza joint you’ll ever see. The palatial new space opened in 2012, but fine architectural details and a well-trained wait staff make it feel like it’s been there forever. In addition to the iconic brick-oven pizza, Modern offers a full Italian menu and great wine list.
Perfect for: Just about any group. The space is impressive yet comfortable; the food is top-notch yet casual.
What to expect: Each rentable space offers its own unique and inviting atmosphere. The classic Banquet Room features wood floors, vintage lighting, and wall paneling, while the Lounge takes on a trendy vibe with a fireplace, plum walls, and black flooring. The communal area carries the warm feel of the public restaurant while maintaining some privacy with a wall divider.
Accommodations: Banquet Room, 60 to 85 people; Lounge, 25 to 30; Semi-private communal area, 18
Book it: Packages start at $42 per person. Contact: (914) 633-9479
New Rochelle
(914) 633-9479
www.modernrestaurant.com
RiverMarket Bar and Kitchen
As its name suggests, RiverMarket offers sophisticated farm-to-table fare in a rustic-chic space right on the Hudson River. Its wine shop and small green market (both on the premises) sell organic and biodynamic wines, and locally sourced produce, flowers, and other market goods.
Perfect for: Environmentally conscious companies (local, sustainable sourcing is of paramount importance to the kitchen!) and parties that merge both sides of the river, since the restaurant is at the foot of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
What to expect: Sliding antique-door dividers create a “back room” that can remain open or be closed off for greater privacy. Also, RiverMarket manages larger events at The Lodge at Hudson Harbor next door—a large, versatile space with two fireplaces, a 30-foot ceiling, and a river-facing wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Accommodations: Back room at RiverMarket, up to 50 people seated; The Lodge at Hudson Harbor, 125 seated, 200 standing
Book it: Prices range widely, based on location, date and time, and food and beverage selections. Contact: (914) 631-3100
Tarrytown
(914) 631-3100
www.rivermarketbarandkitchen.com
Bar’Lees
A hip wine-and-whiskey lounge with a top-notch menu and regular live entertainment. The space offers a vibrant-yet-comfortable atmosphere, plus cool perks like private educational tasting events with people who really know their stuff.
Perfect for: Anyone who works in the wine, spirits, or food industries.
What to expect: Private events can be held in the bar/lounge, the dining room, or the wine-cellar tasting room. Companies may also rent out the entire place.
Accommodations: Dining room, 20 people; Wine cellar, 12 people
Book it: Events start at $35 per person. Contact: info@barlees.us
Mamaroneck
(914) 630-7512
www.barleesmamaroneck.com
Fortina
Fortina’s three Westchester locations offer the same high-end pizza, Italian food, and cocktails, and the same laid-back vibe. The wood-burning ovens turn out more than just spectacular pizzas, as the menu makes full use of wood firing on a variety of dishes. The friendly staff is bearded, tattooed, plaid-clad — and dead serious about high-quality food (and music).
Perfect for: Foodie hipsters will be in heaven here.
What to expect: Private events can be held in the main dining room, a private dining room (plus patio if desired), or at a special chef’s table area within the bar. Companies can also rent out the entire place.
Accommodations: Armonk: Full buy-out (140 people seated, 200 for a reception); Main dining room, 65 seated, 100 reception; Private dining room, 80 seated, 100 reception; Private dining room plus patio, 125 seated, 150 reception; Chef’s table, 35, reception. Rye Brook: Full buy-out, 120 seated, 130 reception. Yonkers: Full buy-out, 145 reception.
Book it: Prices for events vary depending on the day of the week and time of year. Contact: samantha@fortinapizza.com, 914-510-2033
Armonk, Rye Brook, & Yonkers
(914) 273-0900, (914) 937-0900, (914) 358-3595
www.fortinapizza.com
42 The Restaurant
The panoramic view from the 42nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton is dazzling and is the main draw here. The food holds its own, though: inventive cuisine that is at once modern and traditional (high-end twists on classic Iberian fare).
Perfect for: A sophisticated crowd you want to seriously impress or seriously thank. (42 is the priciest venue on our list.)
What to expect: A choice of rooms, all with stunning views, can accommodate parties of various sizes.
Accommodations: South Room, 30 to 120 people; North Room, 20 to 125; West Room, 2 to 48; Sky Room, 15 to 120; or rent the entire restaurant space to fit up to 400 people
Book it: Packages start at around $150 per person. Contact: Events@42therestaurant.com; (914) 761-4242
White Plains
(914) 761-4242
www.42therestaurant.com
The Tap House
This comfortable, classic gastropub is sure to thrill the beer aficionados on your team (more than 70 craft and premium beers!), while the creative New American fare wins over everyone else.
Perfect for: Colleagues who like to linger and converse until last call.
What to Expect: Two sections of the bar area can be reserved for a group, or companies can utilize one of The Tap House’s private spaces: the fireplace-lit back room, the larger private dining room upstairs, or the intimate wine cellar.
Accommodations: Wine cellar, 30 people seated, 50 standing; Back room, 50 seated, 75 standing; Upstairs dining room, 75 seated, 90 standing; Bar, 30 per section
Book It: Open bars start at $12 per person for an hour of wine and beer and go up to $35 per person for four hours of a full bar. Full multicourse dinners start at $45 per person. Contact: (914) 337-6941
Tuckahoe
(914) 337-6941
www.thetaphouseny.com
