Private room at restaurant/bar for party

[obie119.livejournal.com]

Hi folks,

I'm looking to host a party for my husband's 40th late next month. I know there's bar/restaurant places in Boston that will let you rent a private room if you make a certain guarantee about the $ spent for the evening. I am looking for a similar deal in Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington in a fun space. Does anyone have any recommendations?

We are not looking for a sit-down meal, but more of a cocktail party vibe. We host at home all the time but want to do something a bit more special. This would be for 25-40 people.

Thanks for your suggestions!
-Karin T

Comments

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend the back room at the Burren. I had my wedding there (it was very casual, but nice). They cut off the time they can leave the room private, but there's a great assortment of food and you can specify what you'd like to do for the bar (paid or not)

[laryu.livejournal.com]

I've done a party of roughly the same size at Area 4, near Kendall Square. Definitely recommend it.

[kelkyag]

It's been rather a while, but I've hosted & attended parties upstairs at Christopher's in Porter Square. Their web page indicates that space is still available for private functions.

[pch1.livejournal.com]

If it's an off night you might want to check out the downstairs lounge at Elephant Walk.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

I was going to say Locke-Ober but they just closed!
In Harvard Square: Upstairs on the Square has separate function rooms - there's a big one for 40-60 and a smaller one for 20-40. (We had our wedding there). Harvest and Henrietta' Table also do private dining rooms.

In Kendall: Evoo, and Catalyst both have private dining rooms too, and are quite good.

Elsewhere: Oleana and Sel de la Terre.

Good luck, have fun!

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the Red House in Harvard Square!

[rmd.livejournal.com]

!! locke-ober closed?

I wasn't impressed with the food, but you have to give them credit for having been around for 130+ years.

[obie119.livejournal.com]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, especially for the mentions of the Burren and Christophers, which are closer into our price range. I'd be thrilled to hear additional suggestions!
Oh, and dang, I always meant to try Locke-Ober...

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, just this past week.

http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/10/22/locke-ober-leaves-legacy/J5uIiknYO4puLNr3giNXEK/story.html

[wonggo.livejournal.com]

In the last few years, I've attended a lot of 40th birthday parties around Somerville, including my own. Here's where they were, in no order:

Cantina La Mexicana: they reserved the main bar room for us
The Independent, pub side: again, reserved the whole room for the whole night
Radio: the whole downstairs, all night
PA's Lounge: I think it was private until the music came on
Sabur: The bar is in it own room and we had it all night

My two favorites were Sabur and The Independent. Sabur was particularly nice but really, they were all really good, depending on what you are looking for.

[tim-sackton.livejournal.com]

Posto has a mostly private back space that, according to their website, can accommodate up to 40 people for a wine and cocktail reception. I've had large family dinners in the space and it works pretty well, even though it is not completely separated from the rest of the restaurant.

[eclectician.livejournal.com]

I don't know your price range, but backbar in Union Square fits the size requirement. They will also let you rent it out for a portion of the evening instead of the whole evening.

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

LOVE the bar at Sabur, I would definitely hold a private party there, now that I know they'll do that :-)

[avacon.livejournal.com]

We had our rehearsal dinner at the Sabur bar since we wanted something cocktail-like that encouraged mingling. They were very friendly, great to work with, had a great vibe, and great food. I'd very much recommend them as well.

[kimberly mead (from livejournal.com)]

East Coast grill may have a private room option, usually used for Hell Night.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I knew of a rehearsal dinner done on the 1st Floor of Russell House Tavern. They will reserve the entire top floor, which includes the bar area.