The 13 Best Rehearsal Dinner Venues in New York City

While planning your wedding might feel like the most important task, there's another event that's equally as important to figure out: the rehearsal dinner. There's no rulebook when it comes to this pre-wedding festivity, which can make it hard to make a decision. Before you do any venue hunting, it's important to figure out who you'll be inviting to the dinner. This will guide the kinds of event spaces you'll look at. Are you keeping the guest list to just the wedding party or will you be inviting extended family along? Will you be hosting a welcome reception following the dinner or just keep things intimate? Once you figure out the answers to those questions you'll be able to move ahead with the venue search.

Whether you're looking for a swanky restaurant, a luxury hotel or an industrial event space in Soho, if you want it, it's available in NYC. Head to The Knot Marketplace for a full list of venues. In the meantime, we rounded up some fabulous New York City rehearsal dinner venues.

Essex Restaurant NYC

Essex Restaurant

This New American restaurant is the perfect location for a rehearsal dinner. Its exposed brick walls and stone flooring lend an industrial vibe to the event space, and the space is flexible, so you have a banquet-style dinner party, or create a space for dancing. If you're hosting the event in the warmer months, there's additional outdoor seating. Whether you want to host a rehearsal brunch (a growing trend!) or dinner, this Lower East Side spot is just the ticket.

The Moore

The Moore

This stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Chelsea in Manhattan has several event spaces available for private parties. The rooftop wine bar offers breathtaking city skyline views whereas the cozy cafe provides a more intimate setting. You're also walking distance to many bars and nightspots if you want to continue the party once your rehearsal dinner comes to an end.

The Times Square EDITION Hotel

The Times Square EDITION Hotel

This luxury hotel in Manhattan has several options for private events. Garden West is enclosed, temperature controlled, and features lush greenery. The space has a custom communal table, making it a great space for a seated dinner. After dinner you can move into 701West, a sophisticated saloon, for drinks and even more celebrating.

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Bo Peep Cocktail Bar

Bo Peep Cocktail Bar

This 1930s-inspired cocktail bar is a hidden gem located in Herald Square. From their extensive craft cocktail menu to their live music, this speakeasy is the perfect venue for couples looking to do something a little off the beaten path.

The Parlour Room

The Parlour Room

Dripping in Old World glam, The Parlour Room sits right in Midtown Manhattan and is a versatile venue with a bustling ambiance. The space is adorned with old works of art, plush seating and warm furnishings. Enjoy an intimate gathering in their private dining room or a celebration of up to 40 people in their gallery. You can even buy out the whole place if you want to invite your wedding guests for drinks following dinner.

The Penrose

The Penrose

This Upper East Side gastropub is a great spot for a more laid back and casual affair. A cross between vintage and contemporary, this event space offers three separate private rooms or a full buyout accommodating up to 250 guests. Their on-site team can work with you to create a custom food and drink menu.

Forty Eight Lounge

Forty Eight Lounge

A sophisticated lounge with Swarovski crystal details and plush furniture makes for a glam yet intimate rehearsal dinner in Midtown Manhattan. Forty Eight Lounge's private dining room can seat up to 25 guests for an intimate, upscale event. Their staff can work with you to curate an innovative food menu and cocktail list.

Bowery Meat Company

Bowery Meat Company

This retro-style steakhouse in Noho is a perfect venue for the food-loving couple. They can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated dinner and up to 50 for standing cocktails, so feel free to invite your other guests for drinks following dinner. Their chef and sommelier work together to create a delicious private event menu your guests will rave about.

Sassy

Sassy

This versatile, architectural event space in Greenwich Village used to be a 1930s truck parts shop. It features eclectic menus, unique woodwork, chandeliers and a skylight, plus it offers low pricing for couples looking to keep their rehearsal dinner budget-friendly. The space can host up to 75 guests.

City Cruises

City Cruises

Set sail for your rehearsal dinner. City Cruises' exclusive fleet of yachts offer breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, the Brooklyn Bridge and more. There are custom food and beverage packages to suit all tastes and their distinctive hospitality and ambiance is unrivaled.

Houston Hall

Houston Hall

This restored FBI garage maintains its historic and industrial feel with high ceilings, skylights and natural charm. The venue has an on-site coordinator and caterer to make sure your event goes off without a hitch. Furniture and equipment rentals are also available through the venue so you can transform the space however you see fit.

Housing Works Bookstore

Housing Works Bookstore

A Soho bookstore that doubles as an event space and does good for the community. 100% of your proceeds benefit the homeless living with HIV/AIDS. Inside their mahogany-paneled bookcases and spiral staircase look like something out of a movie. They can accommodate everything from exclusive cocktail parties to elegant dinners for 200. You dream it and they'll do it.

Bryant Park Grill

Bryant Park Grill

Situated behind a landmark building, the New York Public Library, the Bryant Park Grill is a quintessential New York venue. The London planetrees that adorn the space are modeled after the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. You can host your event in three areas: the rooftop terrace, the south garden and the interior grill dining room. Both plated and buffet serving styles are available.