Top Upstate New York Cocktail Party Venues

• Spaces for 250-500 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Farm
• 1 Garden

Natural Gardens spreads across 107 acres in the Western Catskill foothills near East Meredith, New York. The property has been cultivated over decades into a landscape of twelve koi ponds with stone waterfalls, native orchid beds, woodland garden paths, and hundreds of perennial varieties — a setting the owners describe as grown rather than built. The centerpiece for events is the Catskill Barn, a reception space finished with cedar floors, vaulted ceilings, and exposed hand-hewn beams. Screened windows frame views of the ponds and surrounding forest, and the barn accommodates up to 250 guests with tables, chairs, a dance floor, and bathrooms included. Ceremony locations across the grounds include a pondside platform with a wooden gazebo and stone waterfall, wooded clearings, and curated garden paths. A dedicated bridal barn with staging rooms, a makeup room, and a mirror room serves the wedding party throughout the day. The venue allows outside catering and can coordinate shuttle service for guests. A bonfire area is available for evening gatherings, and the property's 25 landscaped acres provide generous space for portraits and lawn games.

• Spaces for 50-5,000 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 3 Meeting Spaces
• 4 Convention Centers

The Albany Capital Center is a modern glass convention and event facility in downtown Albany, New York, offering more than 53,000 square feet of flexible space for groups of 10 to 5,000. The building spans two event levels: Level 2 centers on the Multi-Purpose Room, a 22,500-square-foot ballroom and tradeshow floor with 26-foot ceilings, accommodating up to 1,500 guests banquet-style or 3,100 for receptions; Level 1 houses six configurable meeting rooms and a 10,500-square-foot pre-function area suited for networking receptions, breakout sessions, and exhibit setups. On-site catering is provided by Mazzone Hospitality, operating from a 3,000-square-foot kitchen capable of serving events of up to 5,000 guests. The center connects via enclosed, climate-controlled walkway to MVP Arena, The Egg Performing Arts Center, and the Empire State Plaza Convention Center — together forming the Capital Complex, the largest meeting and event footprint in Upstate New York at more than 159,000 square feet.

• Spaces for 8-100 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 7 Hotels
• 7 Total Spaces

The Red Lion Inn has stood at the corner of Main Street in Stockbridge, Massachusetts since 1773, making it one of New England's longest-continuously operating inns. The property occupies the heart of the village immortalized in Norman Rockwell's painting "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas" and is managed by Mainstream Hospitality Group. For private events, the inn offers a range of dedicated gathering spaces suited to meetings, dinners, and celebrations of varying scale. The Hitchcock Room, the largest of the private meeting spaces, accommodates up to 96 seated dinner guests and includes an entrance foyer for registration. Smaller rooms — including the Townsend Room, the intimate Plumb Room overlooking the Courtyard, the historically appointed Treadway Room, and the Side Parlor just off the lobby — serve groups from 8 to 48 guests. The flower-filled Courtyard opens seasonally from June through October for outdoor receptions and dining, and the Side Piazza provides a charming porch setting for cocktail receptions. All on-site events are served by the inn's in-house culinary team, whose farm-to-table menus emphasize local Berkshires ingredients. A dedicated Director of Sales guides event planning from first inquiry through the day itself.

• Spaces for 250 Guests

• Spaces for 300 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Barrington Hall is a 4,500-square-foot event venue in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, situated in the heart of the Berkshires. The space accommodates 10 to 300 guests across a flexible combination of an indoor banquet hall, a 30-by-60-foot outdoor lawn, a covered patio, and an A-frame ceremony area suitable for year-round use. Founded by two longtime friends and neighbors with a shared passion for live music and community gathering, the venue hosts weddings, private celebrations, corporate retreats, and live performances. Each booking receives exclusive use of the full grounds, along with tables, chairs, glassware, linens, professional setup and breakdown, and in-house bartending staff. An on-site commercial kitchen is available for outside caterers.

• Spaces for 40-500 Guests
• 8 Hotels
• 3 Ballrooms
• 8 Total Spaces

The 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond hotel set along the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, New York, offering 6,000 square feet of event space across eight distinct venues. From the intimate Picton Boardroom to the riverfront Tent Space, the property accommodates gatherings ranging from small executive meetings to outdoor celebrations of up to 500 guests. The Harbor Ballroom is the hotel's flagship space for large-scale weddings and conferences, welcoming up to 300 guests. Adjacent meeting rooms — including the Calumet and Grindstone Ballrooms and the Murray and Round Rooms — serve conferences, banquets, and private dinners for groups of 50 to 130. Outdoor events benefit from the hotel's landscaped waterfront grounds and a tented riverside setting with the St. Lawrence River as backdrop. Creative catering options, high-speed Wi-Fi, and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology are available across all event spaces. A professional wedding consultant supports ceremony and reception planning throughout the process.

• Spaces for 120-480 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Historic Space
• 2 Total Spaces

Emerson Park Pavilion is a historic lakefront event venue in Auburn, New York, situated on the shores of Owasco Lake and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pavilion blends well-preserved architecture with updated event amenities, offering a distinctive backdrop for weddings, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, and private celebrations. The venue's two primary indoor spaces handle a wide range of group sizes. The Owasco Ballroom accommodates up to 320 guests for seated dinners and 480 for receptions, and comes equipped with a 16-by-22-foot stage and built-in projection screen — well suited for presentations, awards evenings, and large-scale receptions alike. The Lakeside Dining Room provides roughly 2,400 square feet of flexible space for groups up to 120. Outdoor ceremony areas line the waterfront, with a flower fountain setting and a lakeside path; a covered porch serves as a weather contingency. All events are supported by A&M Catering, which provides full-service bar packages, in-house catering, and dedicated coordination from planning through event day. Complimentary WiFi and parking are available on site.

• Spaces for 150 Guests

The Chateau On The Lake is a late-19th-century lakefront estate in Bolton Landing, New York, set on 1.5 acres along the shores of Lake George. Restored to its original 1890 architectural splendor, the property pairs historic architecture with a sweeping great lawn framed by manicured gardens and the clear blue waters of the lake. The venue accommodates up to 200 guests across indoor dining rooms, a waterfront porch, and a lakeside lawn, hosting weddings, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, milestone birthdays, and anniversary celebrations. Award-winning culinary offerings and on-site event planning support are available for all occasions, including an option for a classic wooden boat arrival for the wedding party and champagne boat cruises on the lake. The Chateau has earned multiple OpenTable Diner's Choice awards, was named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America, and has received the Wine Spectator Award. The property has also been featured in Better Homes and Gardens.

• Spaces for 75-679 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 2 Event Spaces
• 3 Historic Spaces

Universal Preservation Hall is a historic performing arts and event venue occupying a restored 1871 Methodist church in downtown Saratoga Springs, New York. The building's original High Victorian Gothic architecture — including cathedral ceilings and two-story stained glass windows — was carefully preserved through a renovation completed in 2019, while the interior was modernized with a custom sound system, movable platforms, and an elevator for full accessibility. The 7,000-square-foot venue operates across three floors. The centerpiece is the Great Hall, a second-floor theater-in-the-round with 679 seats suited for concerts, lectures, performances, and large-scale private events. The ground floor houses the Community Room, a 2,600-square-foot space with 15-foot ceilings and ornate columns for gatherings of up to 150 guests, alongside The Chapel, an intimate room for events of up to 75. Together, the spaces accommodate everything from weddings and corporate receptions to ticketed performances and community celebrations. Universal Preservation Hall is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and part of the Proctors Collaborative. Its rental program supports the venue's broader mission of activating downtown Saratoga Springs through the arts.

• Spaces for 175 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

A hidden gem nestled between the towns of Lee and Lenox, Massachusetts, in the Berkshire Mountains. This tiny four-season boutique hotel is noted for its warm, friendly hospitality as well as its great position in the heart of downtown. Tanglewood, Kripalu, Jacobs Pillow, Barrington Stage, The Mount, and Monument Mountain Reservation are all excellent places to spend your time during your visit. The LakeHouse is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Berkshires, as well as a popular corporate retreat and relaxation destination. Pull into our driveway, take a look around, and you'll quickly realize that you've discovered a hidden gem in the Berkshire Mountains. Take advantage of the LakeHouse sunset views across Laurel Lake by sitting on the back cliff with a glass of wine at the start of your stay. Save some time to explore the lake, whether it's with a kayak or a paddle board, which are both available to our guests at no extra price. Our goal is for you to feel completely at ease while on your Berkshire getaway with us. The Lakehouse Inn, which is centrally placed, offers a variety of lake activities as well as a tranquil atmosphere that is known to relax the mind. Away from the site, the Berkshires are home to some of the best food and culture in the region. “There aren’t enough superlatives to describe this gorgeous Inn! Fully renovated to such elegant beauty. The rooms are beautiful, comfortable with the best views of Laurel lake… Every detail of this Inn is so well and lovingly thought out.” - Yuki C.

• Spaces for 180 Guests

Established in 1807 when Isaac Sherwood built a tavern on the edge of Skaneateles Lake to serve as headquarters for his stagecoach business, the Sherwood Inn has been a fixture of the historic Village of Skaneateles for more than two centuries. The beautifully restored colonial inn sits on West Genesee Street, offering scenic views of one of the Finger Lakes' clearest waters and a timeless setting for weddings, private gatherings, and celebrations of all kinds. Ceremonies take place on the West Lawn, which overlooks Skaneateles Lake and sits adjacent to the historic Hannum House — a backdrop couples have chosen for generations. The inn's in-house catering team handles everything from hors d'oeuvres to plated dinners and buffets, and The Patisserie, the property's onsite bakery, crafts custom cakes and desserts. Room blocks are available for overnight guests, keeping wedding parties and family close to the celebration.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

The Chateau is a family-owned and operated event and catering venue in Kingston, NY, set between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains midway between New York City and Albany. The ballrooms blend Old World décor with modern technology and updated lighting, offering a versatile backdrop for weddings, galas, corporate events, bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, and milestone celebrations of all kinds. Full-service catering is included with every event, from personalized menu planning and tableside entrée selection to professional bartenders and waitstaff. On-site amenities include a private wedding suite with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, valet parking, coat check, and a dedicated event manager, along with access to a private outdoor ceremony space.

• Spaces for 15-200 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 4 Resorts
• 4 Total Spaces

The Inns of Aurora is a collection of eight historically restored properties set along the shores of Cayuga Lake in Aurora, New York, a village designated a National Historic District in 1795. The flagship Aurora Inn was built in 1833 by Colonel E.B. Morgan, a New York Times co-founder, and stands as one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the region. Spanning 350 acres, the resort ranges from lakefront mansions to a working farmhouse, uniting distinct properties under a single destination in the Finger Lakes. For private events and weddings, the property accommodates groups from intimate gatherings to celebrations of up to 200 guests. The seasonal Lakeside Tent sits directly on Cayuga Lake; The Loft offers a more intimate setting with exposed brick and hand-hewn beams for up to 50 guests; and the 1838 Taylor House — a meticulously restored lakeside estate — serves as a dedicated event and meeting center. In-house dining is available across three on-site restaurants, and a full-service spa with hydrotherapy facilities rounds out the guest experience for overnight retreats and corporate programs.

2018 saw the June debut of Arbor at the Port. The Fast Ferry's arrival and departure points may be what most people remember it for, but now so many people are using it as their wedding site! The Arbor at the Port has undergone magnificent new improvements (that we keep adding every year), transforming it into a light, spacious, contemporary location that offers a blank canvas for your design ideas to show. A lovely view of the river was being Our Port location is the ideal setting for gatherings of any size because of its outside space. We have seating for 300 people and room for 500 people (standing). We also have a sizable patio area that is surrounded by lovely planters filled with seasonal greenery and flowers so that your guests may mingle while taking in the breathtaking river views. Because of how the room is organized, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception may all take place in discrete areas, giving each portion of your wedding its own emphasis. This is made possible by the bright white floor-to-ceiling curtains that we use, but they can also be used to divide the room into a smaller venue to accommodate less guests. Come see it for yourself to decide if it will be the location of your wedding!

• Spaces for 100-450 Guests
• 3 Historic Spaces
• 3 Lofts

SKY Armory occupies a restored former department store building in Armory Square, the historic heart of downtown Syracuse, NY. Opened in October 2014 by founder Nicole Samolis — a Central New York event planner with more than 20 years in the industry — the venue was built around the gaps she observed working with other spaces: in-house catering prepared from scratch, in-house floral and décor, and a dedicated wedding planner guiding each event from booking through the reception. Four flexible event spaces span the building's floors and accommodate celebrations from intimate gatherings to events of 400 or more guests. The aesthetic throughout is industrial and urban: exposed steel beams, brick accent walls, large windows with city views, and vaulted ceilings that preserve the character of the original structure. Planning, catering, floral, and service coordination are all managed on-site by a single team, eliminating the coordination burden of working with multiple vendors. SKY Armory holds the Couples' Choice Award annually since 2017 and is a certified NYS Women-Owned Business (WBE).

• Spaces for 12-200 Guests
• 1 Bar
• 5 Hotels
• 5 Total Spaces

Built in 1929 as the University Club of Rochester, the Inn on Broadway is a boutique hotel and full-service event venue in Rochester, NY. Architect Leon Stern designed the building in Georgian Revival style, and its original character endures throughout the property in wood-paneled walls, carved woodwork, fireplaces, and leaded-glass accents. The venue hosts weddings, private dinners, and corporate gatherings across five distinct event spaces, from the chandelier-lit Ballroom — which seats up to 125 guests — to intimate rooms like The Library and The Parlor suited for smaller private gatherings. All catering is handled in-house through Gio's Prime 26, the on-site steakhouse. Wedding packages include in-house coordination, hotel room blocks at discounted group rates, gold Chiavari chairs, ivory linens, and late-night access to Vanni's Jazz Lounge for post-reception celebrations.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Snow Farm Inn is a bed and breakfast on a working family farm along Lake Champlain in South Hero, Vermont, historically known as Crescent Bay Farm Bed and Breakfast. Housed in a renovated 1820s farmhouse, the inn is run by owners Dave and Julie Lane and their two sons, alongside the family's grass-fed pork and chicken farm and its own maple sugar house. The grounds include restored gardens with a miniature stone castle built in the 1930s, a screened porch, private beach access on the lake, and views of Mount Mansfield. Guests gather each morning for a continental breakfast in a dining room anchored by a brick beehive oven and fireplace. Four guest rooms are available: the Vermont Room, Garden Room, Mountain Lake Room, and Winery Room, each with a queen bed and views of the castle gardens, lake, or vineyard. The inn sits a short walk from Snow Farm Vineyard, also owned by the Lane family, making it a natural place to stay for weddings and other events held at the vineyard.

• Spaces for 120 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Farm

Weddings In The Catskills Welcome to the Claryville Event Center's Weddings page. Seasonal radiant gardens, an old barn that has been transformed into a new Art Center, perfect for your ceremony or cocktail space, a unique Brewery ideal for your rehearsal dinner the night before or your cocktail hour the day of, and of course a beautifully designed and constructed building with glass are all part of our eight acre stunning property on the bank of the Neversink River. We are about 15 minutes from the highway in the Western Catskills. We have lots of parking, as well as nearby lodging, skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, rock climbing, farmer markets, boutique and antique shopping, and the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, which hosted the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. Manhattan is only two hours away, and Bethel Woods is only thirty minutes away. Events Our event venue was created with your vision in mind. We recognize that no two events are comparable, so we can tailor your menu and assist you in finding the best providers. We can organize as much or as little as you want for your wedding or event. Social Events No matter the celebration; birthday, anniversary, or family reunion, our event planning team will bring your vision to life. We offer a variety of packages from a cocktail style event to a sit down dinner. We offer something for everybody’s taste and budget. We can help you plan your special occasion as much or as little as you would like. The space will be yours for the entire day and night. Let’s plan your special occasion together! Events Of All Sizes Whether it is for a weekend event for 40, or a day event for 100, here are some of the events Claryville Event Center can host for you: - Weddings - Social Events - Corporate Events - Sweet 16’s - Anniversaries

• Spaces for 250 Guests

The Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum sits on Point Gratiot along the shore of Lake Erie in Dunkirk, New York, offering a distinctive outdoor setting for wedding ceremonies. The current 61-foot stone tower and adjoining Victorian keeper's residence were constructed in 1875–1876, and the surrounding park-like grounds combine 19th-century maritime history with sweeping lakefront views. Ceremonies take place on the open grounds with the lighthouse as a backdrop and panoramic views of Lake Erie. A lakefront pavilion is available on-site for receptions, and tent rental options through a partner vendor can expand covered outdoor capacity as needed. Bookings require a $100 deposit to reserve a date, with availability confirmed by phone or email through the venue.