Holiday Party Venues in NYC: Why So & So’s Is the Intimate, Very-NYC Pick
The holiday party venues in NYC that people remember feel like a night out. If you want a room with a stage, a piano, a cocktail list worth talking about and a crowd that actually stays until the end, So & So’s at Romer Hell’s Kitchen was made for it.
Tucked behind a blue door on West 52nd Street, just off Eighth Avenue and just west of Broadway, So & So’s is the hotel’s piano bar and restaurant. For holiday parties, it hosts up to 150 guests with full catering, AV and live entertainment, from an intimate team dinner to a full buyout with the neighboring Study and Neighborhood Café.
What to Look for in an NYC Holiday Party Venue
Before you start comparing private event spaces in NYC, it helps to know what makes a holiday party work.
- Size that fits your group: A room that is too big feels empty, and one that is too small feels like a commute. Choose a space that suits your headcount, with a little room to move.
- Atmosphere: Holiday parties are about mood. Low lighting, live music and a room with its own personality do more than any centerpiece.
- Location: Pick somewhere easy for everyone to reach after work, and easy to get home from afterward.
- Entertainment: A piano, a performer or a DJ gives the night shape and keeps guests in the room.
- Food and drink: Shareable plates and a strong cocktail list beat a long, seated menu for most office holiday parties.
Why So & So’s Works for Holiday Parties
A Stage Built In
So & So’s comes with a fully lit stage and AV capabilities. Keep it classic on the piano, bring a whole band, plug in a DJ or let the events team help book entertainment. On regular nights, the lineup runs from up-and-comers to Broadway names and genre-crossing local talent, so performance is part of the room’s DNA.
The Right Size for Real Parties
The space covers 1,600 square feet and accommodates 80 guests seated or up to 150 for a standing reception. That makes it a natural fit for team celebrations, client holiday parties and private gatherings that want the room to feel full and lively.
Food and Drink With a Twist
Event menus riff on continental comfort food with a high-low twist, designed by Chef Tiago Loredo and tailored to your event. Most plates are made to share and easy to eat without cutlery, so guests can mingle and keep their eyes on the show. A creative cocktail menu sets the tone from the first round.
A Discreet Entrance and a Neighborhood Setting
Guests arrive through a discreet entrance on West 52nd Street, which keeps the party feeling private. Hell’s Kitchen’s restaurants and bars are right outside if the night carries on.
Bigger Group? Book the Full Buyout
For larger celebrations, partial and full buyouts of So & So’s are available along with the adjoining Study and Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Café. Together, Romer Hell’s Kitchen offers three event spaces across 2,800 square feet, with a total capacity of 150 guests.
- So & So’s Piano Bar: 1,600 square feet for parties, receptions and staged entertainment
- The Study: 800 square feet, hosting up to 50, ideal for a pre-party meeting or a quieter lounge space
- Neighborhood Café: 400 square feet in the main lobby, hosting up to 20
The hotel’s event services include catering, AV equipment, video conferencing and fiber internet, with a dedicated event sales manager and an on-site team on the night.
Out-of-Town Guests? Stay Upstairs
If your team or guests are traveling in for the party, Romer Hell’s Kitchen offers preferred rates and dedicated support for group stays of 10 or more rooms. It means everyone can celebrate without worrying about the trip home, then meet for coffee at the Neighborhood Café the next morning.
Explore rooms at Romer Hell’s Kitchen.
Plan Your Holiday Party at So & So’s
Ready to start planning? Send an event inquiry and the Romer Hell’s Kitchen events team will be in touch to talk through dates, menus and entertainment.
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Holiday Party Venues in NYC: Quick Answers
How many guests can So & So’s host for a holiday party?
So & So’s accommodates 80 guests seated or up to 150 standing. Buyouts that include the Study and Neighborhood Café can host up to 150 guests in total.
Does So & So’s offer catering for private events?
Yes. Catering is provided by Romer Hell’s Kitchen’s culinary and beverage team, with menus that can be tailored to your event.
Can we bring our own entertainment?
Yes. You can keep it to the piano, bring a band, book a DJ or ask the events team to arrange entertainment. The space has a fully lit stage and AV.
Where is So & So’s?
So & So’s is inside Romer Hell’s Kitchen at 851 Eighth Avenue, with its entrance on West 52nd Street.
