Party of 600?
Whether you want to plan it all or collaborate, these restaurants cater to your every need
by Pat McCarrell | Published in February 2008 Focus on Event Sites
Gourmet cuisine in an intimate setting is nice for couples. Theme parks know how to show families a good time. But what about when it’s time to put on a corporate event, and you’re charged with combining good food, setting and entertainment to create an experience that delivers memories for everyone from board-room denizens to front-line workers to discerning clients?
Restaurant owners have recognized this issue, and many are designing their venues with special events and private dining in mind.
One of the key challenges for corporate events lies in the diversity of the groups, which can include varying ages, interests and demographics. To address this, many venues are finding ways to create an experience where the CEO has as much fun as the mail-room staff.
Moreover, while some companies employ a professional event planner, and others hire an outside planner or producer, many restaurants catering to groups offer professional event coordination and planning as part of the overall package of services they provide. These services can be turnkey, in case the HR director has been asked to “plan” the event, or they can augment a company’s event coordinator or contracted planner.
With that in mind, we searched high and low for restaurant settings that did the most to deliver the full experience for corporate planners.
A Cut Above
Any number of upscale steak houses cater to corporate and private dining events, but perhaps none is more famous than The Palm, a 25-location, family-owned chain that began as a single restaurant in 1926 on New York City’s Second Avenue.
It may be argued that the restaurant’s history creates its own entertainment. The walls of the original location still sport decoration from bygone years, and caricatures of the rich and famous adorn the walls of each restaurant.
All Palm locations count on the company’s legendary steaks to keep guests enthralled during business meetings, though not all cater to larger groups.
While the locations are part of the same chain, they each have their own local personality and décor, along with a catering or sales manager who coordinates group events.
In the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, The Palm has three private dining rooms equipped with A/V equipment with space for 80 diners. The whole space can accommodate up to 250 for lunch.
In downtown Los Angeles, the restaurant’s 13,500 square feet accommodates up to 400, and groups from 10 to 200 in its five private dining rooms.
Seafood in its Own Element
Sea-based restaurants have the advantage of moving backgrounds with all of the eye candy nature has to offer.
Hornblower Cruises & Events in California operates a fleet of 32 luxury yachts available for corporate charters as well as private events. Ships sail from six cities in California, including San Diego, San Francisco and Marina Del Ray.
Guests are exposed to natural entertainment from whale watching to sunset sight-seeing cruises to the Golden Gate Bridge, or more traditional entertainment such as a band and dancing can be arranged.
Seafood is on the menu, but isn’t the only fare available. In fact, custom menus are available.
Event capacities vary by ship, though one of the largest is the 1,000-person Inspiration, based in San Diego.
The company operates some of the West Coast’s most recognizable ships, including the San Francisco Belle, a landmark vessel in San Francisco Bay and the largest private charter yacht on the West Coast.
Also available is the Wild Goose, a former minesweeper restored by John Wayne for his personal use and now used for charter events in Newport Beach.
Strikes and Spares
In the 1980s, Kevin Troy and Steven Foster visualized transforming a traditional billiard parlor into an upscale dining establishment catering to corporate functions called Jillian’s. The concept grew to dozens of locations in major cities throughout the country before they sold most of their interest in the company.
Now, the two have teamed up again to provide a makeover to another traditional American pastime: bowling.
They created Lucky Strike Lanes, an upscale, boutique bowling facility that more closely resembles a comfortable and trendy lounge than a traditional bowling alley.
Among the large markets Lucky Strike Lanes presently serves with its 15 locations are Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto and Washington, D.C. Next up is San Francisco.
The Boston location, which is three stories and includes a Jillian’s, can accommodate up to 2,000 guests, but the average capacity for Lucky Strike is about 500.
As they did at Jillian’s, Troy and Foster expect to grow the concept by three or four restaurants annually.
Just for Private Events
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group has several venues in the Atlanta area, but 103 West stands apart in its design as a private events-only facility.
The experienced restaurant operators created a venue similar to a hotel setting, with several dividable banquet rooms that range from casual to elegant, but without the emphasis on filling room nights.
Overall, 103 West accommodates up to 600 guests, with space dividers allowing full flexibility for corporate events.
The venue employs a staff of event planners to help with the details such as floral arrangements, A/V equipment, music, dance floors, custom-printed menus and specialty linens.
Larger groups use the Grand Ballroom, which has its own entrance. The space seats up to 300 or can handle 220 for a dinner and dance affair. www.103west.com
A Boulevard to Rival Sunset
On the Bowery in Manhattan, BLVD offers trendy, high-tech corporate event space fitting for New York City’s renowned nightlife.
The restaurant and nightclub can accommodate large corporate events in several configurations, offering 18,000 square feet and seven rooms on two floors.
With the capacity to handle groups from 50 up to 500, BLVD is noted for its computer-controlled creative lighting and state-of-the-art sound systems.
The Nightclub party room has state-of-the-art sound and exotic lighting, and is equipped with a modern DJ booth and over 1,500 square feet of floor space.
Designed with opulence and soft, glowing circular ceiling treatments, the VIP Room features a dedicated staff and bar, restroom, DJ booth and private entrance. www.blvdnyc.com
About the author: Pat McCarrell
Pat McCarrell was formerly the publisher and editor of Event Solutions magazine.
Contact: editor@event-solutions.com