14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events

Convene at 101 Park Avenue originally opened its doors more than a decade ago but debuted a large-scale expansion of its Midtown East meeting space in May. An entire second floor was added to the venue—located just steps from Grand Central—bringing its total space on offer to a staggering 23,800 square feet. The brand-new mezzanine level is notable for its floor-to-ceiling windows, which flood the rooms with light. Connected to the main floor by a grand staircase, there are now eight meeting rooms at Convene’s 101 Park Avenue location—including two 440-square-foot Madison Hubs and two 726-square-foot Park Hubs—and two common areas. Designated gathering areas can accommodate anywhere from eight to 200-plus guests, with pricing starting at $99 per person and increasing depending on catering needs.

Two years after opening its doors in the Financial District, The Wall Street Hotel debuted Bar Tontine. Officially opened on May 11, the 1,150-square-foot rooftop terrace is an alfresco oasis and cocktail bar for thirsty patrons when it’s not being bought out for events. In the warmer months, guests will surely appreciate Bar Tontine’s 180-degree wraparound terrace, which offers views of downtown Manhattan and the East River from its vantage point on the 15th floor of the trendy hotel. Indoors, there’s also a stylish space inspired by the Maison de Verre (House of Glass) in Paris. In all, Bar Tontine can accommodate 75 people for a reception or 30 for a seated affair.

In May, Midtown Manhattan welcomed Park Terrace Hotel, which was designed with the “bleisure” traveler in mind—as seen through the luxury hotel’s selection of designated event spaces, stylish accommodations, and amenities. Meeting spaces include the Fountain 1 and Fountain 2 rooms, which each span 450 square feet and can accommodate up to 14 in a boardroom-style setup; while the 240-square-foot Ivy space provides views of Bryant Park; and the sixth-floor Pergola is a fully covered patio for alfresco receptions of up to 40. Event room reservations at Park Terrace Hotel start at $3,000 and provide access to LED screens and projectors and 1 GB Wi-Fi connectivity.

Nolita welcomed a new event space from Hush Events NYC, the same team behind the recently opened Bathhouse Studios, and it’s called Elizabeth. Debuted in February, Elizabeth offers 2,500 square feet of total venue space, which can accommodate up to 75 guests in a space that’s Gothic in its design, with high, pointed ceilings; warm lighting; decor that includes leather sofas around a fireplace; and wrought-iron, arched doorways. Events here start at $10,000.

Carmine’s debuted a ballroom in January, and it’s akin to having a mini Carmine’s all to yourself. The private space spans a roomy 5,000 square feet—enough to accommodate 230 seated or 275 standing guests for an upscale cocktail reception, corporate reception, and the like. Though not new, other notable on-site event spaces at Carmine’s include the second-floor private Jimmy Durante room; a semiprivate, windowed area dubbed the Perry Como Corner; and the LaGuardia Corner, which is on a platformed space on the restaurant’s main floor. Full restaurant buyouts are also available for large gatherings of up to 700. No matter the space, Carmine’s traditional, Southern Italian fare is on order.

Israeli restaurant 12 Chairs is already beloved for its Tel Aviv-inspired dining experience. Now, there’s more to buzz about after the eatery’s SoHo location debuted a new private event space, dubbed 58, in June. More than a decade after becoming a go-to neighborhood spot for New Yorkers, 12 Chairs has launched three event packages for planners at 58, which features warm wood paneling, lots of natural light, and an abundance of florals. Casual cocktail parties or elevated dinners for anywhere from nine to 50 guests can be accommodated here, with optional add-ons like a DJ and photographer available at request. Pricing can range from $135 to $170 per person, plus a $1,500 venue fee. 12 Chairs requires a 50% down payment upon reserving 58.

Across the Hudson, a corner of the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, N.J., is now Marcus Live Bar & Grille. Opened in December 2023, the 7,368-square-foot restaurant is a hub for dining and entertainment, courtesy of celebrity chef and frequent Chopped judge Marcus Samuelsson. If not looking to buy out the entire restaurant—which can accommodate 180 for a seated meal or 200 for a cocktail-style gathering—a 320-square-foot private dining room is available for 20 seated or 30 standing guests. Event menus are fully customizable, with the option to include family-style plates, and start at $40 per person for lunch or $65 per person for dinner.

Christian Navarro, famed as being the “wine therapist to the stars,” is behind the new multiconcept mastercard midnight by navarro’s. The venue is part wine bar, part restaurant, part theater, all of which opened throughout June in Midtown Manhattan—and are each available for events. The wine bar, for example, can accommodate as many as 50 guests who can swirl their glasses with 75 different temperature-controlled wines. The space oozes old New York with black-and-white checkered flooring and marquee-style signage. The French-inspired restaurant, meanwhile, can host as many as 120 seated in its main dining room. The restaurant also boasts its own bar, a semiprivate area that can be reserved for gatherings of up to 60, as well as a 1,000-square-foot private dining room for intimate affairs of 25. The theater—known as the mastercard midnight theater—fits 150 seated patrons and is also available to planners looking for a particularly glamorous setting. Pricing for events in the theater is dependent on the show of the night.

Long Island got a new, upscale American restaurant in May—Oak & Vine—and the concept is a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the appetites. The eatery’s 5,000 square feet of space was designed to be timeless, hence its incorporation of natural woods, red velvet curtains, and modern light fixtures. For events, planners can choose between the Communal space, perfect for intimate affairs and notable for its muraled wall; as well as the curtained-off Cocktail space, which can accommodate 26 seated or 40 standing. Larger gatherings that wish to incorporate live music can find a home in The Symphony, where as many as 75 guests can gather around a baby grand piano. Oak & Vine offers food and beverage event packages, which include passed and prix fixe offerings as well as open-bar access. The restaurant is also available for full buyouts, with pricing varying per guest depending on the day of the week.

The timeless elegance and allure of old New York came back to the scene with the March opening of Chelsea Living Room. The 2,600-square-foot supper club and restaurant has two main spaces for events, including a 2,000-square-foot front room with a fireplace and cozy, leather booth seating designed to foster intimate connections for up to 135 guests. Meanwhile, a cheetah-print back lounge can host as many as 45 in a 600-square-foot space. Various food and beverage packages are available for guests to dine on playful appetizers like the Dirty Martini Dip and Crispy Cheese & Caviar—Chelsea Living Room’s take on the beloved mozzarella stick—while sipping on craft cocktails.

The essence of coastal India made its way to Manhattan with the January opening of Kanyakumari. This upscale, South Indian spot offers buyouts for private events, where planners can take over 1,800 square feet of minimalist-yet-elegant venue space. For seated dinner events at Kanyakumari, there’s enough space for 54 guests—46 in the main dining room and eight at the bar. Food, naturally, comes from different regions of India, such as a deep-fried potato patty sandwich called vada pav, from Mumbai, and a slow-cooked beef native to Malabar. A full bar similarly highlights spirits from around India and makes for perfect food pairings—and conversation starters—during events.

BLACKBARN Restaurant welcomed an even newer event space, The Den, in February. Located in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, The Den is situated on the farm-to-table eatery’s mezzanine level and features floor-to-ceiling glass doors that look out into the restaurant, a satellite bar, and enough space for 24 seated or 30 standing guests. Elsewhere within BLACKBARN, there’s a larger designated venue space, The Loft, which can hold as many as 90 and is equipped with a full bar, kitchen access, and a bird’s-eye view into the main dining room—as well as The Cellar, which, as its name suggests, is BLACKBARN’s working wine cellar with enough room to host up to 40. Food and beverage minimums for events start at $1,400 or $3,200 for lunch or dinner, respectively.

RAS, a plant-based Ethiopian concept with a popular location in Brooklyn, opened a West Village outpost in June. The entire restaurant is available to reserve for up to 80 guests to enjoy innovative dishes in a space notable for its vibrant, Ethiopian-inspired murals and textiles. An indoor private dining room can accommodate 20 seated or 30 standing guests. RAS also offers an outdoor space for up to 35 hungry eventgoers to gather in a serene hideaway that’s hard to believe is among the hustle and bustle of New York City. Inquire within for pricing.

Renowned chef Suzanne Cupps opened a new Filipino American restaurant in April, just blocks from Madison Square Park. Lola’s spans 2,400 square feet—featuring an open kitchen and a cozy-yet-sleek dining room design—and is available for full buyouts to accommodate events for up to 70. Food and beverage minimums start at $10,000 for buyouts, dependent on the day of the week. Groups of up to 12 can also host affairs at Lola’s without reserving the entire restaurant, with family-style or prix fixe menus available upon request.