By Vered Ornstein
The time has finally arrived to start planning your child’s bar or bat mitzvah! With the hours that you and your child have put into preparing for this milestone, it’s only natural to want every part of your big day to be perfect. But where to start?
The ideal venue space will give your bar/bat mitzvah party the right balance of ambience, excitement, and level of accommodation for you and your guests. In recent years, outdoor venues have risen in popularity due to the limitations from COVID-19. But outdoor venues have benefits beyond just practicality!
Offering beautiful views, entertaining features, enticing atmospheres, and so much more, outdoor spaces throughout New York City offer the perfect opportunity to throw a unique and classy bar/bat mitzvah party.
Check out these ideas below to get inspired while searching for your ideal party venue.
*Note: These outdoor venue ideas are all located within New York City. If you live outside of the New York area, use this list as inspiration for your search of venues that are local to you.
Venue type #1: Rooftop or Private Terrace
The simplest way to go with an outdoor venue, a rooftop or private terrace can offer beautiful views, a controlled ambience, and unique decor features that are hard to come by. Whether your party will be intimate or large and bustling, there’s a private outdoor space that is sure to meet your needs:
- The Tribeca Rooftop offers stunning views of the city, day or night. On a warm spring or summer day, the outdoor rooftop feels like the top of the world, while the 360 room indoors will protect from inclement weather without compromising on style.
- For the best of the indoors and outdoors all-in-one, try the many options from Chelsea Piers, such as the Sunset Terrace or The Lighthouse. Sprawling windows with sunset views and riverfront access get you the best of both worlds any time of year.
- For a smaller party, check out the Deity in Downtown Brooklyn, whose laid back rooftop is an atmospheric space for up to 50 people. The three indoor spaces can accommodate a larger seated dinner, dancing, and more.
- Who doesn’t love a pizza party? Roberta’s in Bushwick has a huge outdoor patio that can be dressed up for a formal party, or dressed down to keep things casual. Enjoy a full-service bar, great views, and of course, delicious pizza.
Venue type #2: Gardens, Parks, and Zoos
Enjoy the best that New York has to offer by hosting your upcoming bar/bat mitzvah in one of the many parks and public spaces maintained by the city. Here are just a few of the multitude of options you have when looking to host a party in an NYC park:
- The Brooklyn Botanical gardens are picturesque, accessible, and fun, even in the colder months. The Garden Terrace, located in the heart of the gardens, features both an indoor ballroom as well as an attached, tented outdoor space perfect for dancing and schmoozing.
- The Boathouse and Picnic House in Prospect Park both offer beautiful event spaces for parties of any size. These venues are perfect for a down-to-earth and nature-inspired bar/bat mitzvah with some added flair!
- For the animal-loving teen, what could be better than a bar/bat mitzvah at the New York Aquarium? Not only does this staple of the city have both indoor and outdoor spaces available, but a private sea lion show in the massive Aquatheater can be booked for additional entertainment.
Venue type #3: Boat ride
Get your sea legs ready and book a yacht or boat tour for your child’s bar/bat mitzvah! With full-service catering, exciting sight-seeing, and an adventurous yet stylish atmosphere, a boat tour party will bring out the explorer in you and your guests.
There are many options of boating companies to choose from in New York City, including New York Harbor Tour, Skyline Cruises, and Empire Cruises, just to name a few.
