The best Manhattan venues

The Glasshouse, making its grand entrance in 2021, is like the new kid on the block who's already the class president. With 75,000 square feet of space and room for up to 1,850 guests, it's less of a venue and more of a small village, but with better views and fewer cows. Perched in NYC, it offers 360-degree views of Manhattan, making it the perfect spot to gaze out at the city and ponder life's big questions, like "Where did I park?"

This venue is decked out with outdoor terraces, pre-function spaces, VIP lounges, and enough production infrastructure to make Musk weep with joy. It's the event equivalent of a Swiss army knife – capable of handling just about anything, from an elegant gala to a corporate extravaganza worthy of Kendal Roy.

With its unparalleled setting and expertly delivered services, the Glasshouse stands as a premier choice for those seeking an exceptional event experience in New York City. Its blend of modern elegance and functional design creates a canvas without bounds, where each event is uniquely tailored to exceed expectations.

Hosting an event at the American Museum of Natural History is like throwing a party in a time machine, minus the risk of altering the space-time continuum. Celebrating 150 years as a Manhattan landmark, this venue offers the chance to dine under a 94-foot blue whale or sip cocktails amidst dinosaurs. It's the only place where you can say, "Pass the hors d'oeuvres, and oh, look, a Tyrannosaurus rex."

With settings ranging from the stunning Rose Center for Earth and Space to halls filled with the world's most dynamic dinosaur displays, to the architectural delights of the Glider center, your event will be anything but ordinary. It's perfect for those who want their guests to mingle with ancient fossils and cosmic wonders, making small talk seem significantly more epic.

And it's not just about the grandeur. Hosting your event here supports scientific research and educational programs. So, you can feel good about partying in a museum, knowing that your celebration contributes to something bigger than your event's hashtag. Whether it's a wedding, corporate dinner, or cocktail reception, the Museum transforms your event into a memorable, and educational, extravaganza.

If you’ve ever seen a painting and wished you could step inside it, you’re in luck. The Hall des Lumiéres, a new culture and art center by the creators of the acclaimed “Atelier des Lumiéres” in Paris, marries historic interiors with modern design and technology to create an immersive art experience. 130 projectors are used to display video canvases on the walls and floors, highlighting the work of artists like Gustav Klimt and Wassily Kandinsky and even a recent cosmic presentation by NASA.

Built in 1911 to house the Emigrant Industrial National Savings Bank, the Beaux-Arts style building integrates the original registers, stained glass windows, and sculptures to seamlessly complement the exhibitions. The main level is the former teller hall, and the basement provides access to the historic bank vault, which has been transformed into a mirrored infinity room.

Each floor can accommodate 500 guests, and the projections can be custom-designed to create a multi-sensory experience catered uniquely to your event.

This is your reminder to renew your library card. The New York Public Library is the largest city library in the United States, which means it houses some of the greatest stories ever told – and maybe yours, too.

There are six spaces available to rent in the main building. Astor Hall is the library’s magnificent marble lobby, detailed with intricately carved arches and original candelabra lamps, and can hold 750 standing guests and 250 seated.

The McGraw Rotunda, the gateway to the famed reading rooms, holds 300 standing and 150 seated amongst ornate walnut pilasters and modernist murals depicting the history of the written word. For a more intimate party of up to 100 people, rent out the private Wachenheim Trustees Room and enjoy its warm lighting, mahogany fixtures, and cozy marble fireplace.

All event fees support the Library’s collection, services, and programs.

If you look beyond the influencers and tourists getting photos in the ball pit (a rite of passage for an Instagrammer in the city), the Color Factory is a kaleidoscopic delight. This vibrant Manhattan venue partners with local businesses and artists to celebrate the joy of color and design.

The museum is made up of 11 rooms, each with a theme inspired by the hues of New York City: the blues of the skyline and the Hudson, confetti depicting the changing seasons in Central Park, and the electric neons of street art.

Color Factory is available to rent for up to 200 guests with up to 20,000 square feet of venue space to serve as a canvas for your event. There are flexible catering options and a dedicated event team to help you bring your ideas to life.

If the walls of Webster Hall could talk, they’d tell stories about labor union rallies, cultural anarchists, hedonist soirees, and wild rockstars. Upon construction in 1886, it was advertised as a “hall for hire”, where groups could rent rooms or the entire building for a variety of functions. Despite its more recent fame as an iconic East Village music haven, it has stood the test of time as an ideal venue for large-scale events.

The recently renovated interior has maintained its original dark Renaissance vibe with a wrap-around balcony overlooking the ballroom space and gold details in the woodwork. Still, much of it has been modernized for functionality, like the new Ritz Lounge, which has a bar and vinyl seating for a more intimate, quieter reception space. The ballroom has enhanced acoustics, amplifying what was already some of the best audio/visual in the city.

Webster Hall can host up to 1600 guests standing, 700 theatre-style, and 200 seated – leaving plenty of room to dance.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Manhattan staple – the rooftop. 230 Fifth is New York’s largest all-season rooftop venue, complete with umbrellas, heaters, and enclosed igloos for every weather scenario. With classic and simple decor, the highlight of this space is the view, which features the Empire State and the Crysler buildings among the skyscrapers of the Flatiron District.

There are four different spaces available to rent. 230 Fifth can accompany up to 1200 guests in the outdoor space and 300 in the indoor Penthouse lounge (perfect for those afraid of heights). Both are equipped with two full-service bars, and the smaller Hard Bar is available for more intimate, private gatherings of up to 85 people.