Out of the Box Mitzvah Party Places
By Gail Siegel
COVID forced us to think outside the box —and the ballroom—when planning our child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah party celebrations. Indoor parties gave way to pool parties, backyard soirees and even public park gatherings complete with basketball court dance floors and makeshift lighting. The trend isn’t showing any signs of letting up as more and more families are enticed by multi-faceted party spaces that offer more than just a place to dine and dance. Here are some of our favorite Mitzvah spots that will take your party to (literally) the next level.
Located just outside of the city in Rutherford, New Jersey, The Meadowlands are an iconic piece of New York history, sporting a great selection of venue spaces, exciting design, and a scenic escape from the bustle of the big city. Professional event staff and world class dining options will have your guests in the lap of luxury, whether out on the VIP terrace or in a private space overlooking the beloved racing track below. Stop at the American Dream mall and check out the other incredible spaces on the Meadowlands complex for a truly unforgettable event. Venue spaces can accommodate parties of any size.
Wow your guests by having your party in one of MetLife Stadium’s incredible event spaces. The stadium is located on the Meadowlands Sports Complex which has been a staple of the New York area sports and culture scene since its inception in the 1970s. Home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets, MetLife has a larger-than-life reputation. Whether indoors at one of the many New York-inspired members clubs or outside on the iconic field itself, a MetLife celebration is sure to please and amaze both sports fans and nonfans alike. With spaces available for both large parties and intimate ones, this venue is perfect for the football fanatic family or teen. Visit metlifestadium.com to learn about all event space options.
THE ADVENTURE PARK AT LONG ISLAND
The Adventure Park in Wheatley Heights, New York is a forested recreation spot that offers activities including zip lining and rope courses on aerial trails. There are fire pits where guests can make s’mores and even a “Glow in the Park’ night time adventure where the trees are lit up with LED and fairy lights to give guests a glowing experience. The park typically hosts smaller mitzvahs with around 50 guests but an entire park rental is available for private events (capacity is 300 guests) which allows you to bring in your own DJ, games and food trucks. Book at least six months in advance to secure your preferred date. Alcohol is not allowed at the park. For more information, visit myadventurepark.com.
The so-called ‘original ping pong social club’, Spin (which has nine locations from New York City to Boston to Toronto) is a one-stop-shop for Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. Packages include everything from in-house catering to DJs, audio/visual equipment and of course ping pong tables which can be moved around to create a customized dance floor. Spin’s staff are pros at hosting mitzvah celebrations (they book at least 15-20 per year in each location). Guests are ‘served’ locally sourced and sustainable cuisine including mushroom and short rib tacos, wagyu brisket burgers and red velvet brownies (menus may vary by location). Customizable paddles and ping pong balls are available with your child’s unique party logo. There is even a bathtub filled with pong pong balls in Spin’s NYC location for a fun photo op. Prices vary by date, location and party package. Contact wearespin.com for more information.
This beloved full-service restaurant and video arcade chain (there are 145 locations in the United States and Canada) has it all. From state-of-the-art games to massive HDTV screens (perfect for viewing photo montages) to tasty bar food like bruschetta and pretzel dogs, children (and adults alike) will have a (skee) ball! Typical mitzvahs here begin with an hour of game time for the kids while adults enjoy cocktail hour. Then guests head over to one of the facilities’ numerous private party rooms to dance, mingle and celebrate. If you host a morning party you can even upgrade to a delayed opening so your family and friends can enjoy the game room to themselves. Location buyouts are also offered. Fun-and delicious-upgrades like candy carts, ice cream bars and even a donut wall are available. The Long Island locations are currently offering an all inclusive package which has everything you need (food, DJ, photographer, balloon centerpieces, private security and much more) for under $20K.
Visit daveandbusters.com for more information.
Wall-to-wall bouncy surfaces at this indoor trampoline park will have your guests literally jumping with joy for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child. Dodgeball, sky slam basketball, open jumping, foam zone will keep guests busy for an hour or two (whatever you choose) before the party goers head to a private party room for montage viewing, food and cake. Alcohol is prohibited in the parks and children under age two require adult supervision. Sky Zone allows party hosts to bring in a catering company of their choice (or you can choose to serve the park’s pizza and soda). DJs are also allowed if you rent the entire facility. Visit skyzone.com for more information and to find one of the hundred Sky Zone locations closet to you.
Guests can zip their way around the race track at one of RPM Raceway’s three Tri-State locations including Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey. Rent one race track for a handful of friends for a smaller celebration or purchase a buyout of the entire facility for a more private affair. Every party is customizable as there is no package pricing. Aside from the race track, RPM is essentially a large open-space warehouse that you can turn into whatever you like and decorate with any theme your child wants. There is however no kitchen on site but RPM allows you to bring in a caterer and DJ. The mitzvah child can participate in a special entrance by driving solo around the track as a party entrance or by waving the starting black and white checkered flag at the beginning of the races. Children and adults from ages 8 to 80 (and up!) can race (adults can’t drink alcohol until after they are done racing). For more information, visit rpmraceway.com/parties-events.
Round up your friends and family for a mitzvah celebration at Topgolf, where guests will enjoy golfing in dozens of high-tech, climate-controlled bays while celebrating the Mitzvah child. Shuffleboard, pool tables and video game consoles are also available as is a surprisingly delicious chef-crafted menu of flat breads, burgers and wings. DJs and karaoke are available upon request. Topgolf’s in house party planners are ‘pros’ at ensuring an amazing par-tee ( their motto after all is ‘no work, no stress, no mess’ ) so party hosts can focus on celebrating while the staff makes sure your party goes off without a hitch. Capacity varies but most of the 70 locations across the country can host up to several hundred guests. Contact topgolf.com for more information. 631-977-7640.
