Where To Have An Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner In New York City

You’ve been planning for this day since he slipped a ring on your finger. It’s going to be a weekend full of love, excitement, and happy tears with the people you love most. Celebrations start with gathering your close friends and family for a rehearsal dinner where everyone can mingle and relax after hours of travel. When choosing a restaurant, you want a place that is beautiful and inviting, promises fantastic food and drinks, and is big enough to accommodate all of your guests. New York City is home to countless great dining establishments and many can be reserved for private parties. We rounded up five amazing restaurants that will leave people talking about your rehearsal dinner for years to come!

 

 

Maison May Dekalb (246 Dekalb Ave.)
Maison May Dekalb is the perfect spot for the couple that wants an intimate, low-key get together before the big day. Housed in a beautiful brownstone in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, this charming restaurant boasts a lovely back garden shaded by a canopy of trees. Hold your rehearsal dinner in the welcoming second floor parlor room where guests can wine and dine over a farm-to-table, French country style meal. The space accommodates up to 48 guests for a three-hour private seated dinner.

 

 

ABC Kitchen (35 E 18^th St)
Did your relationship bloom over a shared passion for good food? Indulge your inner foodies and host your pre-wedding dinner at ABC Kitchen. Opened by Michelin star chef Jean-George, the restaurant gives the impression of a chic farmhouse thanks to the Scandinavian décor sourced from ABC Carpet & Home located just upstairs. Look forward to enjoying a delicious, American nouveau menu made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. Private dining events seat up to 100 guests.

 

 

The River Café (1 Water St)
As the most romantic spot on our list, the River Café is nestled waterfront on a former coffee barge in Dumbo right under the Brooklyn Bridge. For the past 40 years, the Michelin star restaurant has been alluring New Yorkers with its luminous atmosphere, which only becomes more dreamy at nightfall when stunning views of Manhattan become crystal clear. Invite friends and family for an unforgettable evening in the Terrace Room, the private event space that has a classic French feel. The River Café accommodates 30 to 100 guests.

 

 

Nino’s (1354 1^st Ave)
Combining his humble background and hard work ethic, owner Nino Selimaj has cultivated the art of hospitality at this Upper East Side eatery. In fact, he can often be seen darting around the dining room, refilling glasses and charming his guests. Nino’s warm friendly atmosphere coupled with amazing Italian cuisine make it an ideal place to host a rehearsal dinner. The space accommodates large gatherings of 20 to 140 people with private party menus ranging from $55 to $95 per person.

 

 

21 Club (21 W 52^nd St)
If you’re a couple that gets nostalgic about the magic of Old New York, then 21 Club, with its colorful history and enchanting ambiance, is the place for you! A former prohibition era speakeasy, 21 Club is one of the few venerable New York institutions still left. From the lawn jockeys standing guard on the entrance balcony to the secret wine cellar to the decorative memorabilia donated by patrons such as John F. Kennedy, Willie Mays, and Chris Evert, it dazzles the heart and imagination of all who visit. Ten banquet rooms are available for private dinners, accommodating 10 to 200 hundred guests.

You are about to begin the journey of a lifetime together. Make the most of this exciting time by kick starting celebrations with a wonderful rehearsal dinner at any of these restaurants.