Movers and shakers unite! There’s no other neighborhood in New York City that gets down to business more than Lower Manhattan. From a big client acquisition to a recent merger, to closing a giant sale or finally hitting that deadline, every team deserves to celebrate, and where better than south of 14th Street? With an urban landscape as big and diverse as Downtown, you are bound to find a venue that fits all your needs.
Downtown Manhattan is bursting with restaurants, bars, and cocktail lounges just waiting to host your organization’s post-work get together, no matter the size of your group. Take a look at The Vendry’s carefully curated list of venues likely to fit everything on your event checklist.
Neighborhood: Financial District
Capacity: 250 standing, 65 seated
It’s time to toast the team at Stout NYC, the Stout Hospitality Group’s Financial District offering of their group of gastropubs. The theme here at Stout is experience – this group of pub and restaurant purveyors have been hosting corporate events in Manhattan for decades. A great spot for your group to gather before heading to an event at the Seaport, this space offers up a full buy-out for 250 people, or select their dining room for a smaller group. Want something even more cozy? Opt for the Back Booth, a spot for 50 that is sectioned off just enough to still absorb the energy from the entire bar. And thanks to the great food options at Stout Financial District, your group will not leave hungry…or thirsty.
Neighborhood: Financial District
Capacity: 60 standing
Chic and intimate, Overstory sits up on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street, deep in the heart of the Financial District. This contemporary hotspot is one floor above the popular SAGA Restaurant, and boasts a wraparound terrace with 360-degree views of Manhattan. With its indoor/outdoor functionality and remarkable drink menu featuring inventive cocktails and mocktails, Overstory is a quintessential spot to hold your next after-work celebration.
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Capacity: 150 standing
The Ready Rooftop Bar has somehow captured the feeling of an impromptu backyard party…right in Greenwich Village. Sitting on the roof of the funky Moxy East Village Hotel, this place feels like an escape from the norm. The Ready can accommodate groups as small as 24 or as big as 150, and their seasoned staff will help you put together a package for your party that will match your group’s style. There’s comfortable seating, string lights, climbing vines, and one of the coolest hand painted murals this side of town. Worried about the elements hosting a rooftop event? There’s a retractable glass roof and walls so your relaxed vibe can carry on, no matter the weather.
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Capacity: 500 standing, 100 seated
Found on the 15th floor of the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side is Mr. Purple, a 7200-square foot hotspot that offers up three different private event spaces for your next corporate happy hour. This remarkable cocktail lounge captures the vibrancy of the Lower East Side to perfection. Select the Ludlow Terrace for your small get together of 65, or choose the Orchard Terrace, a 250-person standing outdoor space with swimming pool and private bar. Combine the entire venue to show your colleagues and co-workers a great time, and enjoy how Mr. Purple puts New York in the background of every viewpoint at this swanky spot.
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Capacity: 135 full buy-out, 65 seated
Need a totally private, totally innovative space for around 65 people that will keep them talking well into the next work week? Head on over to Double Chicken Please, a restaurant and cocktail bar on the L.E.S. inspired by the exploration of traditional drinks and dishes in the spirit of food hacking design. Invite your colleagues and co-workers to sip on the chef’s craft cocktails that “deconstruct, redefine, and rebuild into liquid form” food dishes like Cold Pizza, NY Beet Salad, and Mango Sticky Rice. The owners will book you their Back Room, a moody spot perfect for an after-work get together (hot tip: they set aside Wednesday and Thursday nights just for this reason!).
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Capacity: 100 standing, 50 seated
No need to pretend at Make Believe. Sitting atop the luxury suites of SIXTY LES, anything you dream up can become reality at this wild place. Invite your clients to slip right into a hot-pink velvet booth, and enjoy libations and fare inspired by flavors native to Japan. There are several spaces to book for your corporate happy hour, including the 2000-square foot SIXTY Loft with an outdoor terrace, or the more intimate, 1200-square foot Orchard Suites. Make Believe sets the backdrop for your event with sweeping views of New York. And let’s not fail to mention the disco ball…
Neighborhood: SoHo
Capacity: 150 standing, 59 seated
It’s time to invite your colleagues, co-workers, and clients to think outside the box at JIMMY, a cocktail lounge and terrace on the 18th floor of the ModernHaus SoHo Hotel. One of the first of its kind, JIMMY is a rooftop lounge, boasting an indoor/outdoor vibe with a pool deck. Even though the pool is a big draw, JIMMY is genuinely a year-round destination. This venue will tempt your guests to head inside to its cozy interior space, complete with contemporary furniture, conversational firepit, and 14-foot windows offering panoramic views of Wall Street, the Hudson River, and beyond. The experience crew at JIMMY will help you select cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to suit your corporate occasion.
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Capacity: 175 standing
High energy and high level, The Highlight Room, located in the Moxy Lower East Side Hotel, is a spot to host a corporate after-work event that no one will soon forget. The Tao Hospitality Group runs this place so you know your event’s every need will be met. The Highlight Room almost feels like a garden in the sky, as the leaves of a large tree spreads it branches throughout the entire space. If you are looking for a spot with great views year-round, this sultry spot is your answer. Add that together with killer cocktails and shareable plates, and you’ve got a recipe for a memorable night out with your colleagues.
Neighborhood: Nolita
Capacity: 100 standing
Artsy, gritty, and totally flawless is Sweet & Vicious, a spray-painted joint filled with great energy for your next corporate happy hour. A throwback to when Downtown was punk and all the buildings were tagged, this laidback spot features an art-filled covered Back Patio that can seat 100 of your closest co-workers. Sweet & Vicious is simple, offering margs and draft beers. Always filled with great music, your team will appreciate an easy night out at this fixture in the Nolita neighborhood.
Neighborhood: TriBeCa
Capacity: 70 seated
Considered the (brown) spirits lover’s destination, Brandy Library is a great spot to take colleagues and clients if you are looking to impart a little “education” on what makes for a good liquor. The Sommeliers at Brandy Library will take the time with each of your guests to let them know what to look for in a good mixed cocktail. The amber glow of the Lower Level, complete with leather seats and rich wood bar, will attract your guests to engage in deep conversation. All food is made in-house, so choose from passed spicy tuna rolls to short rib bao, all to round out your customized experience at Brandy Library.
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When it comes to putting together a happy hour with your work crew, clients, or customers, there’s lots to think about. You will likely have lots of questions for your venue, so it’s best to come to your initial meeting with a list. Here’s a start:
1. Capacity? Make sure to keep your guest list narrowed down and tight. There aren’t big square footage restaurants and bars in Lower Manhattan, so trimming your list to the essential people will be key.
2. Audio/Visuals? What is your agenda for the night? If you require announcements to be made or a slide show to be played, be certain your event venue has the tech equipment you need.
3. What to serve? Some venues in Downtown are awesome for drinks, but don’t have a kitchen in the back. Make sure to iron out details on food and drink, and be mindful to serve some options without alcohol.
4. Ease of access? Many venues are on the upper floors of hotels or private buildings. Does your venue have a private elevator or separate entrance? Be sure to communicate this to your guests.
The Vendry is here to help you find the perfect spot Downtown for your company’s next after-work happy hour. Search all the neighborhoods within Lower Manhattan to find the right fit to entertain your colleagues, co-workers, or clients. Request a proposal directly from your search!
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