photo by
Jacob Yackley
Gatherings
Plan Your Corporate Holiday Party at These Brooklyn Venues ASAP
As the leaves start to change (in our minds at least), we look forward to cozy nights in, holiday parties and ending the year on a strong note with our teams. You’re (hopefully) planning your company’s holiday party in...
As the leaves start to change (in our minds at least), we look forward to cozy nights in, holiday parties and ending the year on a strong note with our teams. You’re (hopefully) planning your company’s holiday party in Brooklyn for that unmistakable cool factor of exposed brick, industrial flair and that old-meets-new je ne sais quoi that can only be found in this distinct borough of NYC. Come along as we explore industrial warehouses from a bygone era, the hippest hotels with the coolest spaces, intimate and glowing restaurants, and everything in between – all party perfect for your company this holiday season. A word of caution: these venues will go fast, so keep this list locked away in a private Slack channel and book yours ASAP.
Reporter: Heather Ash
Photo by Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
Set your next event apart with a wide range of venues available at Moxy Williamsburg, including: Mesiba, which means party in Hebrew, a festive Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant serving Levantine cuisine. Jolene Sound Room, a high-energy space with state-of-the-art audio and light system. LilliStar, an indoor/outdoor rooftop bar with breathtaking views of the Williamsburg bridge and Manhattan Skyline. Bar Bedford a destination cocktail bar and all-day café, or the Bar Bedford Garden, a large lounge great to unwind or for flexible coworking. Finally, The Studios, perfect for all needs from meetings to intimate cocktail parties or let loose holiday parties!
Beloved is an understatement when talking about Brooklyn Winery: the neighborhood’s premiere local wine producer, wine bar, retailer – oh, and venue. Reclaimed wood walls, an atrium ceiling (perfect for snowy night viewing), and warm lighting are just a few of the touches that make this place stand out as soon as you walk in the doors. Just outside the city with ample room for 250, Brooklyn Winery is the perfect place for colleagues to escape the daily grind and relax with some vino in Williamsburg. Plus as a full-service venue, planning your entire corporate event or holiday party is simple and completely seamless.
A hotspot for events of all kinds, Wythe Hotel is located on the waterfront overlooking the Manhattan Skyline. This former cooperage has been meticulously preserved and the impressive original details like pine ceilings, brick walls, arched windows and cast-iron columns are still found throughout. Teams anywhere from 40-250 will find plenty to take-in across the six venues found onsite. Inside tip: on clear days, the sunset situation on the terrace is a thing of dreams.
Named for its inaugural year, The 1896 is about as “Brooklyn” as it gets: think brick-walled buildings, A-frame ceilings, exposed beams and an overall industrial feel. With over a dozen venues within the complex, choose from two brick warehouses – each with several spaces of their own, the courtyard, or the rooftop for your merriment possibilities. Your team, big or small, will feel the history and appreciate the craft as soon as they step onsite, cocktail in hand.
From the same group as Marlow & Sons, The Castle by Marlow Events in Red Hook feels more like your coolest friend’s house rather than a venue. Able to host up to 125 people, The Castle also handles all food and drinks in-house: the menu and offerings change with the seasons but ingredients are consistently sourced from small, local farms. The intimate space lets its historic roots do the talking with its beamed ceiling, exposed brick walls, and plenty of large, paned windows.
This former classic car restoration facility now lives as one of Brooklyn’s most exclusive and sought after venues. Situated in Gowanus, 501 Union is dedicated to upholding its historic roots and staying true to Brooklyn culture, as shown in their design accents sourced from local makers. With room for up to 250, the team at 501 Union makes sure that every detail is tended to while the glam decor sets the holiday party scene with a touch of Gatsby luxury.
This beloved Gowanus warehouse is aptly named The Green Building for, you guessed it, its green exterior. Inside, the original brick-walled building floods with natural light and boasts exposed beams and several sparkling chandeliers. Coming in at around 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the 1889 brass foundry can accommodate 250 holiday partiers – perfect for teams that experienced massive growth throughout the year.
Open as of 2018, The Hoxton, Williamsburg is sure to be high up on your team’s holiday party wishlist. Modern yet collected interiors, several venue options and iconic views all make-up the perfect evening to celebrate everyone’s hard work. The Hoxton is dedicated to creating an authentically Brooklyn experience for all events hosted here, so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. Inside tip: book a room block so party goers can crash onsite and in-style.
Co-working space by day, dream venue by night, The New Work Project has elevated the shared workspace to a design destination. The high-contrast, thoughtfully-detailed venue is perfect for groups of 100 or less who value minimalism and intention for their holiday party. We’re envisioning a sleek celebration filled with bubbly, caviar and even a live jazz band for that big city feel right in Williamsburg.
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Photo by Gary Landsman
No matter what day of the week you decide to host your holiday party on, Sunday in Brooklyn is up for the job. The corner building is home to three stories that include a private dining room for the most intimate of teams, the covered rooftop garden for greenery-forward dinners, the generously sized sun-room, and the ground floor kitchen and bar (included in full buyouts). Each space is unique yet they all possess that signature Brooklyn cool factor you want for your final fête of the year.
Views, views and more views are what you’re getting at Celestine, situated under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the glittering skyline across the waterway complemented by the fresh and modern interior. Holiday parties here are a dream to coordinate as the stunning views are all the decor you need and Celestine has the evening’s menu sorted – think chermoula rubbed branzino, pistachio feta spread and grilled broccoli rabe to start.
Since coming on the scene in 2017, The Williamsburg Hotel has been Brooklyn’s go-to for chic stays, rooftop hangs and drinks at that famous rainbow bar. For company holiday parties, the options here are equally impressive: there are five event spaces, including a 6,500 square foot main ballroom, able to accommodate anywhere from 50-1,500 holiday revelers.
The self-proclaimed unassuming facade of this 4th Avenue bar and restaurant gives way to a cozy interior which, in turn, gives way to the garden in back filled with candle-lit tables and lush plants. Able to accommodate up to 120 guests, The Armory is perfect for smaller companies and teams who appreciate crafted cocktails and curated beer and wine collections in a warm and inviting setting.
Looking for an experiential alternative to the regular drinks-and-dinner holiday party formula? Cook Space in Prospect Heights is a cooking school that focuses on shifting perspectives around food and preparing it. The cozy space is set in an 800 square foot industrial loft with room for 80 guests that will learn new skills while being guided through a chef-crafted, multi-course evening.
Even on the darkest, chilliest winter day in Brooklyn, Loosies Kitchen & Cafe is sure to make your team’s holiday gathering merry and bright. The greenery covered facade leads into a white-washed, window-filled dining room as well as the covered patio with its all-skylight ceiling. Embodying the laid-back vibe of California while serving up southern-inspired food and drinks, Loosies is your party pad for up to 75 people. Inside tip: put the decorative bathtub to good use, perhaps for bottles of bubbly.
The holidays are all about glitz and glam, and Kings Theatre rises to the occasion. The newly restored Flatbush venue was originally built to feel like the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House, so you know it brings the gilded holiday party feels. Size is but a (very large) number here with over 3,000 seats ideal for annual corporate award ceremonies and speeches.
Calling all creative agencies and startups: this Williamsburg gem is your antidote to the boring corporate holiday party venue. With space for just 40 people, Urban Cowboy Brooklyn is bringing a touch of the wild west (in an extremely elevated way, of course) to your company shindig. Start with a champagne toast in the kitchen, then spread to the living rooms and patio for a relaxed night of revelry in a homey surround.
Silver Light Tavern in the heart of Williamsburg is the kind of place for close-knit teams who are looking to celebrate their year of hard work in a casual setting. Glowing lights, rich banquettes and a tin ceiling set the scene while the bar menu is filled with unpretentious yet carefully concocted cocktails. With room for up to 180 people, Silver Light Tavern is your go-to for all things joyous and comforting.
What has the vibe of a bustling boutique hotel – think an onsite coffee shop, restaurant, cozy corners and more – with not one hotel room? FREEHOLD Brooklyn was created by Soho House veterans who know a thing or two about designing rad spaces for gathering. This Williamsburg find has over 10,000 square feet of party potential across several venues, able to accommodate over 500 people total.
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For those with flexibility on the date of your holiday party, be sure to check out the Music Hall of Williamsburg. They host shows most nights per week, but a private buyout ensures usage of the entire venue from the balconies to the bar to, of course, the music hall. Inside tip: book your team’s favorite music artist (you know, the one everyone always agrees to listen to) for the surprise performance of a lifetime.
Looking for a blank canvas to let your artistic holiday party shine? Look no further than Lytehouse Studio. The main room, used for photoshoots by day, transforms into your creation with the click of a button and the string-light adorned private patio transforms into an outdoor room even during winter (with the help of a few heaters). With more than enough space for 150, Lytehouse is the destination for design firms, creative agencies and forward-thinking companies with imagination to spare.
Organizing a larger-than-life holiday party for well over 1,000? Brooklyn Steel, a massive former steel manufacturing plant, has you covered. An old-school Brooklyn warehouse, the venue kept the industrial look and feel throughout the space that now includes the main floor, a balcony and three bars. The possibilities are endless here, so consider designing an experiential event to make use of the entire warehouse.
