New York City has a number of extraordinary event spaces. Here are a few that are great for summer.
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
Located on the Upper East Side on 91st Street and 5th Ave., the Cooper-Hewitt boasts the largest private garden in Manhattan. The space can hold up to 90 guests for an indoor seated event and up to 500 in the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden. Renters get access to the entire space including the Great Hall and Galleries.
I’ve attended and thrown events at this space. It is gorgeous and lends well to product launches and weddings. The garden can be tented. The close proximity to Central Park is also a plus.
The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers
At Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River, this space is remarkable especially when events are timed for sunset. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the harbor. There is an enclosed terrace which seats 180 – the entire space with terrace seats 300. No outside catering is allowed, except kosher. Caterer for the space is Abigail Kirsch.
I attended a wedding timed so the ceremony took place during sunset. After which, large curtains were pulled to block the ceremony space for the turnover to the reception while we all had cocktails on the terrace. The turnover was quick and food was remarkable. This place has it all!
The Central Park Boathouse
On the lake in the heart of Central Park at the 72nd Street Transverse, you have the distinction of being in New York City, but with a country feel. The space holds up to 230 seated guests from $145/person. No outside catering, except kosher, is allowed.
Summer events are gorgeous here. The space is well laid out to host a multitude of events from fundraisers to corporate dinner, as well as weddings – which they are primarily known for.
Morgan Library
While you need to be a corporate member to hold an event here it’s well worth it. The space began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan and is now open to the public. It includes several renovated rooms for event rental including, Gilbert Court: 260 seated and 447 reception; Gilder Lehrman Hall: 264 and 200 lobby reception; Mr. Morgan’s Library: 60 seated and 150 reception.
I held a corporate event here and used all three spaces. It’s perfectly suited for check-in, receptions, speeches, etc. I am always taken back by the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. Gorgeous when the trees are lit up! This space combines history and a modern feel well suited for New York events.
