Five Intimate Locations to Host a Celebration in NYC

Got an engagement party, romantic proposal, intimate wedding, or little birthday shindig you're wanting to book a private space for? I've put together my favorite top five Intimate Locations to Host a Celebration in NYC.

And maybe you need something extra cool and vibey? Whether you're visiting New York City or you live here and need a space bigger than your 485 square foot apartment, I've got a few suggestions for you based on my time attending parties here and being a professional photographer in these sexy little spaces.

1. Palma NYC: Palma has a second floor room, The Carriage House Library, you can rent out that is giving intimate tenement home vibes. This small room could fit up to 22 people. Or, there's always the iconic Courtyard Garden downstairs-- I absolutely love this room. I think it could be a great fit for parties that need natural light and can slowly bleed into evening twinkle lighting. Everytime I've photographed an event at Palma I love how romantic and aesthetically vibey it feels. Especially in the spring, summer, and fall. Fun fact: Lady Gaga once worked there and she said she was always sad when customers didn't order the dessert because it was so good. Hot tip-- Lady Gaga says to get the dessert!

   
   
   

   Courtyard Garden at Palma is the perfect venue for intimate parties

   

   

   

   Secret Carriage House Library at Palma, the perfect space for an intimate wedding or party
   
   

2. Baccarat Hotel: has a room right off their Grand Salon dining area that is perfect for small parties. I just went to a baby shower there the other day and had the best time eating some of the best appetizers and having afternoon tea. While you can rent a room at the Bergdorf Goodman tea room for parties (which does have a nice view of Central Park), I would recommend the Baccarat. The room was more private, much more spacious and relaxing. IF you need to seat more than 30 people, I would recommend the private room at the Bergdorf for more restaurant-style seating. Baccarat definitely gives fancy vibes and is a pretty penny, but if you really want something fancy and cozy, this is a great party room. Their bar is also very cool looking! **I haven't photographed this venue in an official capacity, I've only attended as a guest-- I happened to have my camera out for a handful of venue and family photos.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Madame Mikettes: In Midtown east, Madame Mikettes is one of my favorite spaces in town, and I think it's flying under the radar of my event planners! Their upstairs bar and venue space is incredibly versatile and perfect for any type of event, especially a 1920's party. This can hold a small or large group of people and it feels like a pretty fun blank slate. If you like vintage Old Hollywood (without the toxicity) vibes, this upstairs is perfect for a vintage-feeling NYC party. Get to this space before everyone in New York is clammering for it, okay?

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Strand's Rare Book Room: Not only is this space perfect for book lovers, authors, academics, and writers... it's at one of the best most famous bookstores in New York City. When I moved to NYC, I didn't know what Strand was. But wow--- once you experience it, you start seeing it in every movie, tv show, and book you experience. It's truely iconic. And the rare book room is moldable and romantic in all the best ways. If you need a photographer, I'm one of their preferred vendors and absolutely loved gettin to figure out how to make lighting work in their space.

   
   
   

   Strand Book Store Rare Book Room intimate party venue

   
   
   

5. The Lotus Club: Library. When you've found a building that absolutely embodies that Old New York essence, you gotta throw a party there. This is a Vanderbilt restored residence. . I love The Lotus Club aesthetic. It's perfect for small galas, small corporate events, weddings, fancy club meetings. It's definitely one of those spaces you feel you should be dressed formally in. It's a total dream of a space and I can't recommend it enough. Here's a good way to describe this room, if Clue came to life and there was a murder in the library--- this would be that library. **While I did photograph a gala here, I do not have the ability to share those photos. Go check it out on their website!

Bonus Spot: If getting 2-3 hours out of the city to stay at a cute BnB for an intimate, affordable, and downright amazing venue sounds like fun elopement idea to you-- I can't suggest the Hartford City Hall enough. I photographed a couple eloping there and they rented out the entire hall for 3 hours for just $500. We had the entire hall to ourselves to really slow down and take some fun wedding photos. I could have stayed there taking photso all day, it was so pretty.

What do you think? Is it time to splurge for your intimate gathering?! Tell me what your favorite intimate party room in NYC are!