Valuable Tips for Planning a Thriving Private Dining Event

On the surface, private dining events appear dreamy and indulgent. To sit at a table surrounded by your friends and family, all of you enjoying a festive meal of your choice, is an incredible moment meant to be celebrated. But at the heart of these events comes meticulous planning. From searching for a private event restaurant in NYC, to servicing the very last plate, private dining requires much more effort than what is often seen.

If you are planning to hold a private dining party with your family and friends, Union Square Events shares with you some important tips to ensure its success.

Dealing with demography

Determining the type of your private event helps you nail down the rest of the details. And to do that, you need to know who your attendees are. Is this a family affair, or a business event? Are children included? These factors are important, for some environments aren't suited to certain ages, relations, and religious beliefs.

Before you even search for a private event restaurant in NYC, you want to understand your crowd. Younger groups can opt for flexible, laidback spaces, like clubs or pubs. However, corporate guests will require something formal, if you want to make a good impression. If you are only dining out with a smaller crowd, a semi-private dining option may work. But if you aim to please a guest of fifty and more for a grand birthday celebration, you may want to find a private space to hold the event in.

The best way to get around this: find a space that suits every age and demographic. Perched in the heart of Manhattan, Union Square Events, the flagship brand of the Union Square Hospitality Group, opens its doors for private dining events in NYC, with an exclusive room, Park & Irving, slated adjacent to a bar, and full restaurant buyouts for bigger spaces.

Bring in the budget

Now that you understand whom you’ll invite, it’s time to head on to the financial side of the party. The two items at the top of your to-do list include the number of your invitees, your potential venue, and an overview of how much a meal for each person costs.

Make sure to list a few venues and narrow down the ones that offer closer to your budget. Some venues have their food and beverage prices listed on their website, and this can give you a quick idea of how much you might spend on the event. At some point, you would want to visit the location yourself and check the space. Prices will differ depending on the menu. There’s a big difference between a multi-awarded fine-dining restaurant and a congenial pub. However, knowing your crowd will help you lean toward the venue that will suit the event.

Manage the menu

The best thing about hiring a private event restaurant in NYC is that it usually involves a professional dining team to help you set up the menu. Most consultations will include a glimpse of the current offerings, or even an opportunity to taste them. This gives you the chance to select the food to be served.

Understanding the guests' demographic gives you a better perspective when it comes to choosing the food. The older, corporate-inclined crowd will lean toward classic dishes. Younger parties may be geared toward modern, more flavorful twists. You may want to go with the friendlier buffet option, or choose a classier, set menu service.

To ensure that everyone will enjoy the food, it is important to consider your guest’s dietary requirements. At best, ask them beforehand if they have religious restrictions, are vegan, or have allergies to certain types of food, so you can avoid any mishaps. Try to present a menu that caters to all. One thing you can do: tell your professional dining team to have non-meat options.

Assessing the amenities

Private dining events in NYC aren't just about dining. Some of them also involve entertainment. Corporate meetings and awarding ceremonies require presentations. Receptions and birthdays will be in need of music. It’s important to take note if the venue has these technologies in place, and if the installed equipment is compatible with your devices.

Personalization is also important. Will you be allowed to decorate the place? There are venues that allow basic table setups for their event—flowers and color motifs that match the celebration’s palette. Some event spaces are also open to switching their current seating configuration to allow more guests. Union Square Events, which caters to 90 seated guests on a full-restaurant buyout, can accommodate 150 guests for a cocktail-style reception.

Is there mood lighting available? A nearby bar? Does the venue offer NYC restaurant gift cards? These small details make the experience whole. Other amenities, such as a parking space, are also helpful. At best, the venue should be close to the city’s transport system to make commuting easy.

The Bottom Line

We don’t often see the planning process that goes through planning a private dining event, but the result is always worth it. Crafting memorable celebrations paired with sumptuous meals is a great way to honor the people of the hour. Don’t be intimidated by the work that goes through all of it. By considering the right details, and finding the right venue, your private dining event is bound to be a success.

Originally published at - https://union-square-hospitality-group.mystrikingly.com/blog/valuable-tips-for-planning-a-thriving-private-dining-event