Asia
Society and Museum
725 Park Ave., at 70th St.
212-327-9322 asiasociety.org
Membership (up to $1,000) is required to rent a space in this red
granite building that houses paintings, ceramics, and bronzes dating
from 2000 B.C. The eighth floor has sky-blue, silk-covered walls
and a 42-foot arched window, and can accommodate 150 dinner guests
with dancing. The glass-enclosed Garden Court, with teak beams and
blue marble floors, holds 120 for dinner or 200 to 300 for cocktails
(rent both spaces for $7,500-which includes membership fee). Rental
fees include six hours of setup and party time. Great Performances
is the exclusive caterer.
The Explorers Club
46 E. 70th St., nr. Madison Ave.
212-628-8383 explorers.org
This elegant, Gothic-style 1910 townhouse has a lobby filled with
exhibitions of Arctic Circle expeditions and the like. The wood-paneled
Clark Room is available for private events and can hold up to 250
guests for cocktails or 120 for a seated dinner. For nonmembers,
prices start at $4,000 on weekends, $3,000 on weekdays. Catering
by New York Catering.
Glen
Island Harbour Club
Glen Island Park, Weyman Ave.,
New Rochelle, N.Y.
914-636-6500 gi-hc.com
This space on lush Glen Island, located right off the Westchester
coast, features outdoor terraces and accommodates up to 700 guests.
The club has its own sunny chapel with views of the water; Waldorf-trained
executive chef Albert Duga plans seasonal menus. Pricing is $100
to $200 per person. (No outside catering unless ethnic.)
The
Midtown Executive and Chemists' Club
40 W. 45th St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-626-9300 thechemistsclub.com
The Chemists' Club hosts weddings for members and nonmembers alike
in its century-old quarters, which were recently restored to the
way they looked in 1903. After cocktails in the Rumford Hall, you
and up to 80 guests can sit down to a four-course meal-and wedding
cake-in the dining room ($130 a head; no outside catering).
The
Princeton Club of New York
15 W. 43rd St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-596-1210 princetonclub.com
The three party rooms (which hold 220 guests each) in this 130-year-old
club are available to members and to individuals sponsored by a
member. As you'd expect, all have a cozy atmosphere. The James Madison
Room has large brass chandeliers; the Presidents Room is outfitted
with traditional furnishings, sconces, columns, and Audubon wildlife
prints. Catering is provided by the in-house chef for $145 per person,
including cocktails.
The Society of Illustrators
128 E. 63rd St., nr. Lexington Ave.
212-838-2560 societyillustrators.org
Works by N. C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, and Norman Rockwell grace
the dining-room walls in this 1875 carriage house, complete with
leather chairs and wood-burning fireplaces. For $2,400 to $3,500,
nonmembers can celebrate with 65 to 75 guests. The club encourages
you to use in-house catering, but you can bring another if you prefer.
Not available in August. 3
West
Club 3 W. 51st St., nr. Fifth Ave.
212-582-5454 3westclub.com
Also known as the Women's National Republican Club, 3 West opens
its doors to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Built
in 1933, the building has several party spaces: the Grand Salon,
outfitted with fireplaces and brass chandeliers; the cocktail-ready
Pratt Lounge, with baby grand piano, oil paintings, and antique
couches; and the Grand Ballroom, accessed by a dramatic marble staircase.
Prices are $95 to $115 per person and include five hours of open
bar, cocktail hour, and four-course dinner.
The
University Club
1 W. 54th St., at Fifth Ave.
212-247-2100
This club's landmark building dates from 1899. Receptions are held
in the Main Dining Room, with oak-paneled walls, a gold ceiling,
and marble floors. Cocktails can be hosted in either of two smaller
rooms; ceremonies are generally held in the white-painted, light-filled
first-floor ballroom. There is a $3,000 space fee, plus a starting
price of $210 per person for catering for 175 to 350 guests. Open
year-round, evenings after 5 p.m., any time on weekends.
