City: Boston

Taking inspiration from Venetian baracos, SRV (Serene Republic of Venice), brings a modern interpretation to traditional Italian cuisine.

“SRV would be a top favorite from an event planner’s perspective,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events shares. “They have an amazing dining room that opens up onto a beautiful patio. We have had rehearsal dinners here and everyone loves the space. However, the patio even hosts wedding ceremonies.” 

Allen continues, “SRV is homemade Italian food done right. Think of all homemade pasta, just the way you want it.” 

SRV Boston Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 65 guests; Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 200 guests

“A long-running Back Bay classic, Mistral offers high-end French-Mediterranean cuisine with excellent service,” Ty Kuppig of TYGER | Event Design + Production explains. The in-house team works with each client to create a customized celebration with an extensive wine list and broad menu.

“The private dining space, Le Salon du Mistral, is one of our favorite spots for private events,” Kuppig shares. “Offering plentiful space for up to 50 guests for cocktails and dinner with a private bar, fireplace and tasteful, understated ambiance — it’s ready to be elevated with our signature decor, florals and lighting.”

Mistral Bistro Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 60 guests

Phoebe Allen of AE Events describes Bar Lyon as a “traditional French restaurant with just the perfect vibe.” Bar Lyon models itself on “the bouchon,” a classic Lyonnaise restaurant. The traditional menu features classics such as coq au vin and cervelle de canut.

With a cozy ambiance complete with candlelight, Bar Lyon is perfect for intimate celebrations. An open kitchen allows guests to watch the art of the meal in action — as they mingle and enjoy wines from the Beaujolais region and the Côtes du Rhône region just outside of Lyon.

Bar Lyon Private Dining Capacity: up to 50 guests

Perched atop the luxurious Newbury Boston, Contessa wows with dramatic views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. This “garden in the sky” features retractable glass panels for elegant al fresco dining.

“It’s chic, colorful yet elegant, has the best views in the city, and the food is beyond delicious,” Sara Kovel of Sara Kovel Events shares. 

For intimate celebrations, Phoebe Allen of AE Events recommends the private dining room. “It used to be a room for the general manager before the hotel got redone. The room fits around 25 guests, and the food is outstanding.”

Contessa Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 25 guests

Situated inside a former bank, Mariel brings a pre-revolutionary Havana vibe to this architecturally-grand setting with graffiti-accented walls, unique murals, and a curated rum bottle collection.

“Mariel is lavish, sexy, and lively. A nod to pre-revolutionary Havana, there isn’t another spot like this in Boston,” Sarah Kovel of Sara Kovel Events shares.

Mariel Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 200 guests

Kava Neo-Taverna’s minimalist design serves a purpose. Here, the food speaks for itself. With most ingredients flown in directly from the Mediterranean, guests can enjoy everything from a rotating selection of seafood to rare Greek wines and liquors. 

“My personal favorite would have to be Kava, a Greek restaurant on the corner of Union Park Street in the South End,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events confirms. “It has a prime location and truly the best Greek food you have ever had.”

Kava Neo-Taverna Capacity: call venue for further information

“Located in the Seaport, Boston’s newest neighborhood, Woods Hill Pier 4 offers impeccable farm-to-table cuisine and seafood,” Ty Kuppig of TYGER | Event Design + Production tells us. Their sustainably-sourced ingredients come directly from The Farm at Woods Hill, ensuring the freshest dishes for guests.

“For a unique experience, we love the restaurant’s clear, dome-shaped igloos that are available to rent during colder months. Offering a private experience for small groups, the igloos are perfect for decorating to heighten the sense of celebration and pique the interest of passersby.” 

Woods Hill Pier 4 Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 18 guests; Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 200 guests

This third restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa takes inspiration for its menu from the seafood restaurants of Portugal and Spain. In addition to the coastal-inspired cocktails, guests will love the dining room’s soaring windows that overlook the city.

 “Atlántico is a really cool place right on the water with views of the Big Dig bridge,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events confirms. 

Atlántico Private Dining Room Capacity: call venue for further information

Coquette is a stylish Boston restaurant that puts as much emphasis on ambiance as its menu. “We had our holiday party at Coquette,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events tells us. “They have a beautifully-decorated private dining room. You don’t need to bring in extraneous decorations or rentals.”

Guests can look forward to pastel murals, Instagram-worthy floral arrangements, and custom-made Murano glass chandeliers. Renaissance-style artwork mixes with Pop-art details for a one-of-a-kind aesthetic for your private dining celebration. 

Coquette Private Dining Room Capacity: call venue for further information

Located in South End’s Ink Block Neighborhood, Bar Mezzana wows with seasonal offerings, warm hospitality, and a sleek ambiance.

“Bar Mezzana is a full buyout,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events tells us.” They have wonderful Italian and American cuisine and do an incredible job with the wine menu.” 

Bar Mezzana Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 120 guests

“Yvonne’s has an awesome downstairs separate private room that you can rent out,” Phoebe Allen of AE Events tells us. “You walk in through a bookshelf so it’s very secretive and unique.” This private space, known as The Gallery, pairs playful décor with an award-winning menu.

Yvonne’s also features another private dining space with vintage appeal. Expect hand-clipped Calacatta marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and an original Santo Domingo mahogany bar with intricately hand-carved wood.

Yvonne’s Private Dining Room Capacity: call venue for further information

This globally-inspired tapas restaurant and raw bar features an innovative menu as well as outdoor seating for a summer bash.

“Little Donkey is a restaurant in Cambridge that we did a half-buy out of over the pandemic, Phoebe Allen of AE Events tells us.” “They were extremely accommodating. Their food is also very interesting.” She especially recommends the cookie dough dessert dish. 

Little Donkey Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 25 guests

Hojoko specializes in everything from robata grilling to craft sake; private event hosts can choose from seated family-style dinners, sushi stations, or passed hor d’oeuvres — with ample room to host everything from a karaoke night to a full-on rock show

See how PartySlate’s Boston Launch Party utilized marquee signage to welcome guests before embarking on a lively event with street-style inspired design, custom cocktails, and a PartySlate branded conveyer belt

Hojoko Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 237 guests

Guests will love the reclaimed barn board walls and tables as well as hand-blown glass light fixtures; we also appreciate how a two-way fireplace adds warmth and intimacy to the spacious venue

Catalyst Restaurant Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 200 guests; Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: up to 500 guests

Publico Street Bistro & Garden takes its inspiration from local public markets. With globally-inspired fare sourced from local farms and small production wines, guests will savor their dining experience

Publico Street Bistro & Garden Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 16 guests; Full-Restaurant Buyout Capacity: call venue for further information

Grill 23 & Bar is proud to be one of Boston’s first classic steakhouses; guests can look forward to enjoying Grill 23’s collection of fine cigars and a tableside humidor presentation for an after-dinner indulgence

Grill 23 & Bar Private Dining Room Capacity: 8 private rooms for up to 140 guests

Located along a cobblestone pathway, Harvest boasts a private garden café with fireside dining and lush florals; while The Brattle Room combines dark woods, deep blues, and amber lighting for a dreamy seaside setting

Harvest Private Dining Room Capacity: 3 private rooms for up to 100 guests

Porto Boston’s spacious patio is perfect for a cocktail reception with open-sky views and abundant greenery; the private dining room is visually stunning with its glittering light installation and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the patio

Porto Boston Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 60 guests

Menton’s Chef Barbara Lynch, the only female in the United States to hold the title of Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux, offers a modern interpretation of fine dining with an approachable menu and rare vintages with small-grower Champagnes

• Menton Private Dining Room Capacity: up to 65 guests; Main Dining Room Capacity: up to 100 guests
  

We love how AE Events, a full-service event-planning company, makes party planning look easy. Clients appreciate their ability to manage the minute details — all while keeping an eye on the big picture. 

We love how this team manages every aspect of perfecting your event. Sara Kovel Events can create unique and beautiful celebrations — all while taking the stress out of the planning process.

We love how this Boston and New York-based event company pairs seamless planning services with innovative and experiential design. Serving private, non-profit, and corporate clients, TYGER | Event Design + Production uses a turnkey approach to facilitate everything from planning and design to florals and in-house décor.

We love how 42 North creates dazzling events in imaginative and non-traditional settings. Their breathtaking backdrops incorporate the surrounding natural beauty of each location for an unrivaled visual effect.

Share something unique about your company.

We are passionate about mentoring the new generation of women in the events industry, guiding new planners and other creatives to a more transparent and business-like environment. Earlier this year, we launched our sister brand Mavinhouse Events. Mavinhouse Events is bringing a unique approach to wedding planning with an efficient and prescriptive model that complements the lives of busy millennial couples. We assembled and continue to mentor a team of expert planners, each with a diverse background in the industry and a shared commitment to excellence. Couples are offered transparent pricing through three partnership levels, accessibility and authenticity from the start — giving them control (and peace of mind) in a way they’ve never had before. Mavinhouse Events plans and designs weddings and celebrations throughout New England, Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and the New York region.

We adore the lush, ethereal aesthetic of Always Yours Events. Their romantic, one-of-a-kind designs are inspired by each individual couple.

We appreciate Brilliant Event Planning’s flexible aesthetic. Whether they are planning a romantic seaside wedding or a vibrant Manhattan birthday party, their imaginative designs never fail to impress.

Share something unique about your company 

We have offices in both Boston and NYC, which means we often have clients who live in NYC and get married in Boston (or vice versa). It allows us to do meetings in person in one city while having a team on the ground to work with the venue and vendors in the other. We also frequently plan destination weddings and are available for travel worldwide. 

Chancey Charm’s domain extends far across the country with a strong presence in Boston. Sarah Chancey’s commitment to community service shines through in Chancey Charm’s warm and engaging planning process. We love how her enthusiasm and fine attention to detail creates a stress-free and exciting journey that couples will cherish along with the celebration.

Janie Haas Events specializes in planning and designing all kinds of celebrations. We love her ability to create flawless events that range from the intimate dinner party to the lavish corporate soirée.

Share something unique about your company?

We excel in personalizing and branding every event to the specific client — whether a corporation or a couple. For example, there was a set of three sisters for whom we had the pleasure of planning all of their weddings — each about two years apart from one another. We’ve never done that before! Each sister has such a different personality. We created three weekends for this family that were completely unique experiences, branded to suit each couple. The most recent bride was married at the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. This wedding was very rich, velvety, and calm —with fireplaces, yoga in the morning, and snow capped mountains in the distance. The middle bride married at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. This wedding was a PARTY with crystals, sparkle, and tons of dancing. The first bride married at the family’s private home on Attitash Mountain in Bartlett, New Hampshire. This wedding had a completely boho-chic vibe: organic, tented, teepees and dream catchers. 

We appreciate Lindsey M. Events’ practical and collaborative approach to event planning. Her bespoke service includes unlimited meetings and personally-curated vendor lists.

Nicole Simeral & Company specializes in creating weekend-long celebrations at home and abroad. We are wowed by their ability to create simple, yet luxurious settings that transcend the every day.

We adore Rafanelli Events’ dramatic designs and elaborate installations. Their love for the beautiful shines through in every one of their breathtaking celebrations.

Two Eight Four focuses on the journey as much as the destination. Their commitment to collaboration and authenticity creates a joyful planning process that’s “just as enjoyable as the celebration.”

Whim Events pairs seamless event planning with artistic floral design. We love their devotion to florals and the small elegant details that make every celebration a success.

Share something unique about your company.

Throughout the planning process, it is our job to help our clients celebrate each moment of the journey — not simply the wedding day! One of the most unique things that we offer is a guided tour of the New England Flower Exchange, so each couple can curate their wedding floral design and color scheme. We call this our “Market Visit.” We do not believe in making you select your wedding flowers from a book. After 10 years in the floral industry, our co-founder Moira Thomspon came up with a unique philosophy to get to know each couple personally: take couples to the Market and show them the beautiful variety Mother Nature has to offer. She takes each of our couples to the market to curate their wedding day florals — noting which blossoms they gravitate towards, favorite shades and textures, and which blooms make them the happiest! Our couples continuously tell us that market visit stands out as one of the most fun experiences in the entire planning process. 

We also love creating at least one magical, unexpected moment at every event! Some examples from past events include: A rose bar before the ceremony, a flower crown bar for guests during the reception, pedicab rides around the venue, stunning floral installations vs. traditional centerpieces, surprise dancers to get the crowds going, even a parade led by a New Orleans style 2nd line band bringing guests around the block!