Top East Brunswick Venues

• Spaces for 180-300 Guests
• 1 Ballroom

In the 1920s, Sam and Anna Asarnow acquired a huge and lovely property in Somerset County, New Jersey, with the intention of using it as a summer vacation home for their family. Yes, you guessed it: this is the parcel of property that would subsequently be transformed into The Forest Lodge. Those who have visited in the past, and who still do so on occasion, are enthusiastic about the place's history. In addition to entertaining, the Asarnows liked inviting guests to come here for a day of leisure and entertainment. When friends had such a good time at the Lodge, they spread the word, and friends who came to visit quickly became friends of friends, and ultimately strangers began turning up to enjoy the grounds. By 1933, the grounds had grown in popularity to the point that the Asarnows felt it was only natural to begin collecting a $.25/person entry fee to the general public. This was the impetus for the establishment of a family-owned business that is still in operation today under the Forest Lodge brand name. It was the Esso Corporation (now Exxon Mobil) that hosted the first company picnic, which took place in the mid-1930s. The Asarnow family sold the property to Robert Evans in 1968, and Evans continued to operate the company until 1980, keeping the picnic grounds available to the public for a fee and diversifying services by converting the venue into a Country Rock Bar at night. Robert Evans died in 1980. The Forest Lodge property was bought by Charlie Alberto in 1980, and he has since worked to preserve the original concept of the Asarnow family by providing a location for guests to unwind and enjoy the fresh rural air. In addition, he revived the venue by modernizing the menus, amenities, and entertainment to meet the demands of the present and future generations of guests. The Alberto family took the choice to lock their doors to the public shortly after acquiring the firm from the previous owners. Guests arriving without a reservation were being turned away from their business functions, which were becoming increasingly popular. Aside from that, the Alberto family shuttered the Country Rock Bar in 1981 to build the Sherwood Chalet, which today serves as a venue for events ranging from weddings and bar mitzvahs to business meetings and seminars. Forest Lodge has grown from a picnic site to a Full Service Event Coordination company, specializing in all types of corporate events, including seminars, meetings, company picnics, team building events, morale boosters, and elegant outdoor events, in addition to the social events held in The Sherwood Chalet. Forest Lodge is owned and operated by the Alberto family. Aside from that, Forest Lodge acts as a first employment for many young individuals in the local region, with up to 150 part-time staff members working there. The management team consists of Charlie Alberto III, President, Vice President Linda A. Taylor, CMP, General Manager Brian Howard, and Sharon Pier, Assistant Events Manager. Other members of the management team include: As a team, we have decades of combined expertise that can help you make your event absolutely exceptional!

• Spaces for 200 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 1 Historic Space

Colts Neck Inn Steakhouse carries a rare distinction: established in 1717, it is recognized as the oldest inn in New Jersey and the sixth oldest in the United States. Located in Colts Neck Township, Monmouth County, the steakhouse underwent its first comprehensive renovation in over two decades in 2024, reopening with a refreshed interior while retaining its deep roots in hospitality. The kitchen focuses on hand-cut steaks prepared fresh daily from scratch, with custom menu planning available for private events. The venue hosts private gatherings from 25 to 200 guests. The banquet space can be divided into two rooms for intimate occasions or opened fully for larger celebrations. Complimentary Wi-Fi and live music every weekend are available to enhance private events, and the culinary team works directly with clients to design a menu suited to the occasion.

• Spaces for 16-500 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 1 Bar
• 3 Total Spaces

We will ensure that one of the most significant days of your life is a stress-free and wonderful event for you. Our talented event planners will collaborate with you to create a celebration that is tailored to your specific needs and reflects your own flair. Ceremonies, cocktail hours, and wedding receptions may all be held in our stunning Glass House, which boasts 20-foot-high magnificent ceilings. Enter our exquisite 5,300-square-foot ballroom, which has stunning crystal chandeliers and towering 18-foot-high ceilings, and make a big entry to begin your celebration. Our ballroom, which can accommodate up to 400 people and may be divided into numerous parts, is available for rental. Our newest event space, The Crescent, is a spectacular glass-enclosed Solarium with crystal chandeliers, 20-foot ceilings, and is encircled by a stunning outdoor terrace, making it the perfect setting for any occasion. With glass panels that are individually regulated and can be tinted darker on demand, the Solarium's glass panels block out sunlight while allowing for daytime meetings and activities to take place without glare. The Solarium is constructed with cutting-edge dynamic glass by SageGlass®. Suitable for receptions, weddings, cocktail parties, lunches, dinners, and meetings for up to 150 standing guests and 96 seated people, this multipurpose venue provides a beautiful backdrop for any occasion. This urban sanctuary is located about 15 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport, near Interstate 78 between exits 41 and 43, and is easily accessible by car or public transportation. Enjoy convenient access to The Summit train station, which provides transit to and from New York.

• Spaces for 85-450 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 1 Outdoor
• 2 Total Spaces

Morven Museum & Garden is a National Historic Landmark in Princeton, New Jersey, built around 1757 by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The estate served as New Jersey's official Governor's Mansion from 1945 to 1981, housing five governors, before reopening as a museum and public garden in 2004 following a multi-phase restoration. More than 260 years of history are woven into the grounds, from the Colonial Revival gardens to the period architecture of the mansion itself. Three event spaces accommodate weddings, receptions, and private gatherings of varying sizes. The Stockton Education Center is a modern indoor venue with views of the pocket gardens, welcoming up to 115 guests for cocktail receptions or 85 for seated dinners, with WiFi, accessible restrooms, and 60 on-site parking spaces. The Great Lawn is a sweeping outdoor space framed by mature trees, accommodating up to 400 guests for cocktail receptions, buffet dinners, or seated dinners, with the option to add a tent for larger events or weather coverage. The Colonial Revival Garden offers a historically designed open-air setting for ceremonies and tented gatherings. Planning resources include an approved caterer list and a preferred vendor list.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

Above is a classy rooftop wedding location connected to the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island, New York. Newlyweds can take a breath of fresh air while enjoying sumptuous amenities and breathtaking views of the New York City cityscape from the wraparound open-air patio. The combination of fire pits, an open kitchen, beautiful marble furnishings, and dramatic lighting creates a wonderful evening full of joyful memories. Professional personnel is on hand to provide top-notch services and event management, ensuring that couples enjoy the best wedding experience possible. The elegant Rooftop space and open air patio are reached through private elevators. Handcrafted cocktails go well with the selection of small meals. The stylish metropolitan décor, which includes both classic and soft seating, is complemented by twenty-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows that provide amazing panoramic views. With an à la carte dining experience, enjoy seasonal, modern American cuisine. Panoramic views of NYC, heated cabanas, fire pits, open kitchen with small meals, and handcrafted cocktails are all features of this modern rooftop indoor/outdoor private event venue. The only rooftop ballroom on Staten Island.

• Spaces for 300-600 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

Nestled in 415 acres of protected woodlands, The Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island is a grand hotel offering 198 rooms and suites, the world-class Lorenzo’s Restaurant Bar and Cabaret, and the elegant Nicotra’s Ballroom. The Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island, located on 415 acres of protected forests, is a beautiful hotel with 198 rooms and suites, a world-class restaurant and bar called Lorenzo's Restaurant Bar and Cabaret, and an elegant ballroom called Nicotra's Ballroom. Nicotra's Ballroom, located minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and Manhattan, is a spectacular venue for your wedding or special occasion. BALLROOMS The freshly renovated Nicotra's Ballroom, which features lavish wall coverings and stunning gilded chairs, will provide guests with the high service and elegance of a Manhattan event. Floor to ceiling windows let you to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding wooded surroundings from every angle. In each individual banquet hall, the warm, vibrant color palettes create a cozy, private atmosphere. Nicotra's Ballroom is an elegant and beautiful setting in which to celebrate your special day. TREVI GARDEN is a garden in Trevi, Italy. Our silk-tented, Italian piazza-inspired Trevi Garden, complete with cobblestone flooring and lampposts from Venice, will transport you to another time and place. Italy's old-world charm, as well as its inherent romance and grandeur, should be experienced.

• Spaces for 190-200 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Event Space

In the heart of Skillman, New Jersey, Cherry Valley Country Club offers a balance of classic beauty and refined comfort. The expansive clubhouse overlooks rolling greens, providing a graceful backdrop for weddings, galas, and private gatherings. With gourmet cuisine and attentive service, each celebration reflects the sophistication and warmth of this beloved country club.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

The Updike Farmstead is a six-acre historic property operated by the Historical Society of Princeton, situated within the Princeton Battlefield/Stony Brook Settlement Historic District and listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Set amid preserved farmland minutes from downtown Princeton, the property features a late 18th/early 19th-century farmhouse, a 1892 barn renovated as a premier event space, a windmill, and surrounding gardens. The barn serves as the primary event space, hosting weddings, holiday parties, corporate gatherings, nonprofit meetings, and other private occasions. The farmhouse offers a bridal suite on the second floor, while the front lawn provides an outdoor setting for ceremonies. Amenities include a small kitchen in the barn, ample parking, indoor restrooms, Wi-Fi, and accessibility accommodations for guests with disabilities. The venue is available for private rentals from late April through early November.

• Spaces for 90-250 Guests
• 2 Hotels
• 1 Ballroom
• 2 Total Spaces

If you're planning a wedding by the sea, the Oyster Point Hotel is the perfect spot. Whatever the occasion, whether it's your wedding day or a renewal of your vows, our luxury boutique hotel provides the ideal backdrop for your celebration. Consider holding your cocktail reception on the banks of the Navesink River, followed by a night of dancing in our newly refurbished waterfront ballroom on the second floor. Incredible river views, amazing service, and delectable cuisine are just a few of the elements that contribute to a really unforgettable wedding. The ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, and departure breakfast may all be customized to meet your specific needs and desires. Our skilled catering crew will be there to assist you with every element of your wedding reception. The ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, and departure breakfast may all be customized to meet your specific needs and desires.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

Large and comfortable, our rooms are decorated in a modern style with rich chocolate and cream textiles, black patterned carpeting, and sleek espresso-colored furnishings. Flat-screen televisions and high-speed Internet access provide up-to-date convenience for your work or pleasure trip. The Molly Pitcher Inn is the ideal place for your wedding ceremony with a view of the river. Your wedding, anniversary, or vow renewal will be a memorable occasion at our historic Inn. Consider holding your cocktail reception on our promenade along the banks of the Navesink River, followed by a night of dancing in our Ballroom with a view of the river. All of the elements that go into creating an outstanding wedding include a luxurious location, great service, and delectable cuisine. The ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, and departure breakfast may all be customized to meet your specific needs and desires. Our skilled catering crew will be there to assist you with every element of your wedding reception.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

• Spaces for 125-314 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Rooftop
• 3 Total Spaces

The STEM Building at Kean University brings together two signature event spaces — a glass-walled atrium and a sixth-floor rooftop terrace — on a 180-acre campus in Union, New Jersey, less than 30 minutes from New York City. The Glass Atrium & Rooftop accommodates up to 175 seated guests in a space defined by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a natural pond and outdoor porticos suited to photography. One floor up, the STEM Rooftop opens to sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and seats up to 125 guests — a setting well suited to wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and birthday celebrations. The STEM Auditorium, seating up to 314, rounds out the building's event offerings for presentations, conferences, and larger gatherings. Kean Conference & Event Services manages the building's event program and includes a personal event manager, A/V equipment, tables and chairs, high-speed WiFi, and self-parking with every rental. The standard eight-hour rental provides two hours for setup, five hours of event time, and one hour for cleanup.

• Spaces for 24-300 Guests
• 2 Event Spaces

Liberty Hall Museum occupies 23 acres in Union, New Jersey, on the grounds of a Georgian-style residence built in 1772 by William Livingston — New Jersey's first elected governor and a signer of the United States Constitution. Over seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families, the original 14-room home grew into a 50-room Victorian mansion that now houses collections of antique furniture, decorative arts, and clothing spanning more than 250 years of American history. The estate hosts private events from May through October, welcoming up to 150 guests for weddings, conferences, workshops, and celebrations. Its formal English parterre garden and maze, fragrant rose garden, historic herb garden, apple orchard, and 12-acre ArbNet-recognized arboretum provide a setting shaped by centuries of garden design. An 1882 Carriage House and a tented reception area alongside the gardens offer distinct settings for ceremonies and receptions. Wedding guests are invited to explore the mansion's historic rooms through guided tours while festivities are underway.

• Spaces for 150 Guests
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Estate
• 1 Mansion

In Clove Lakes Park, you will find the ideal getaway. Escape the daily grind and enjoy our gourmet dining in this beautiful lakeside location. Brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails are all available. Our skilled staff will design your wedding, anniversary, shower, or business event to perfection. We will respond to your every need and ensure that your eating experience on our terrace or waterfront patio is one to remember. See what is all the commotion about! The Stone House Restaurant is located in the middle of Clove Lakes Park on its own own island. The Stone House is the ideal location for your next event, surrounded by the natural splendor of Staten Island's lakes, ponds, paths, and animals. Enjoy the ambiance of our magnificent slate-roofed house, which is wonderfully located on the water. Our lakeside terrace, with its gazebo and fountains, offers stunning vistas and spectacular surroundings that can be the highlight of your next catered event or dinner. We provide a choice of party packages to suit your preferences and budget. Our facility can accommodate everything from small, personal gatherings to major weddings and business events. We have room for up to 150 persons. To organize a personal tour with one of our event planners, please contact us directly. Please see our Chef's Loft page for smaller, more intimate gatherings of 16–20 people for sit-down dinner or up to 25 people for a cocktail-style setting. Weddings The Stone House at Clove Lakes is a huge Staten Island haven and a premier island wedding location with award-winning dining and lodging. Our professional wedding planners assist couples in making their fantasies a reality. Allow our team to assist you in having a stress-free, yet top-notch experience on your wedding day.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

Sterling Ballroom is a modern wedding and banquet venue at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, drawing clients from across Monmouth County and nearby communities like Asbury Park and Red Bank. Its three banquet rooms — the Sterling Ballroom, Sapphire Ballroom, and Salons — share a private entrance and a recently redesigned foyer, keeping events separate from the hotel's main public areas. The venue features crystal chandeliers, ice blue fixtures, and LED wall wash lighting that shifts through a spectrum of colors. Both indoor and outdoor ceremony options are available, including a pergola arch on the outdoor patio. Sterling Ballroom hosts only one event at a time, and its packages bring together ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, hotel accommodations, and a bridal suite under one roof — with after-party and brunch options available as well.

• Spaces for 200-500 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom

Wedding receptions at Vanderbilt at South Beach are unlike any other events you'll attend. There are few places where you can have a destination wedding that is close to home. For your celebration or reception, our event specialists will design an environment that is both memorable and welcoming. Here is where your happily ever after begins. Every attention to detail has been meticulously planned and refined. Every aspect of your wedding day will be a dream come true, from getting ready with your bridesmaids in our private bridal suite to making a grand entrance as you are introduced to your guests as a married couple, to the moment of your first dance, to dancing the night away until dawn. As experienced wedding planners, we understand that it is our meticulous attention to detail, combined with our artistry and elegance, that allows us to create your perfect day. Our oceanfront location not only provides the perfect backdrop for your reception, but it also allows us to provide you with beachside wedding ceremony options as well as magnificent photo opportunities under the most beautiful sunsets in Southern California. It is our pleasure to take your ideas and assist you in creating a personally spectacular event that both you and your guests will remember and enjoy for a lifetime! Whenever it's time to truly commemorate a momentous occasion and create lasting memories that are commensurate with the significance of the event, the Vanderbilt at South Beach is the ideal destination that can transform your moments into something magical. Whether you're celebrating a bar/bat mitzvah, a sweet 16, an anniversary, or any other social occasion deserving of recognition, our event planners can transform your gathering into something truly extraordinary. Besides the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings, the level of service, the quality of the food, as well as the creativity and connections of our event specialists, provide all of the elements necessary to make your event a rousing success.

• Spaces for 150 Guests

Years before our doors opened in July 1996, Tim McCune and his first business partner, Pete Truxaw, had a vision of opening a local restaurant that would be catered to the needs of their neighborhood. It was their aim to create a sophisticated yet informal American-themed grille where friends and family could gather to relax and have a memorable eating experience. They were successful. This fantasy was the inspiration for the establishment of Salt Creek Grille. Our culinary approach is based on the time-honored art of grilling meats over hot mesquite embers, which has been around for centuries. Our food is prepared with only the freshest meats, poultry, fish, and produce available, thanks to our commitment to ethical sourcing practices. We provide a selection of wines from boutique vineyards and well-known cellars that may be coupled with our meal to please both the expert and the novice taster. Our amazing panoramic view of the Navesink River serves as the perfect backdrop for the most spectacular private dinner occasion you could imagine. Your visitors will be able to take advantage of broad, crystal clear waterfront views thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The expansive grass by the river is the ideal site to greet guests as they arrive for a casual outdoor cocktail reception or wedding. Our waterfront position is surrounded by lush flora and leads to a private dock that we have built for ourselves. Weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and other special events have all taken place on this pier, which has served as a gorgeous background for countless of excellent photo opportunities.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Outdoor

The Garden Ballroom at Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton is a dedicated wedding and events venue on the grounds of the Hilton Garden Inn in Hamilton, New Jersey. The property offers three distinct spaces — the Garden Ballroom, the Garden Patio, and the Pond Gazebo — allowing celebrations to flow from an outdoor ceremony to cocktail hour to a seated reception under one address. The Garden Ballroom accommodates up to 180 guests in a classic indoor setting furnished with champagne chiavari chairs with pearl cushions, wall-mounted sconces, and matching mini chandeliers. The covered Garden Patio extends events outdoors, featuring warm brick flooring, a custom canopy with hanging chandeliers, a brick fire pit, overhead string lights, and manicured flower beds for up to 100 guests. Ceremonies are held at the private Pond Gazebo, set beside a trumpet-shaped fountain and framed by the property's gardens. In-house catering, a dedicated event coordination team, and 105 on-site hotel guest rooms make the venue a practical choice for wedding weekends, social celebrations, corporate banquets, and private dinners.

• Spaces for 50 Guests
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Estate
• 1 Mansion

Kelli Connell's twenty-year study with one model is an introspective examination of sexuality and gender roles in intimate relationships that form self-identity. The project investigates identity polarities such as the masculine and feminine psyche, the irrational and rational self, the outward and interior self, and the motivated and resigned self. Body language and clothes define the dualities of the person by mixing several photographic negatives of the same model in each image. The significance of these photos rests in their portrayal of internal conflicts as an outward object: a photograph. The spectator is presented with "constructed realities" through these pictures. Rentals and Photoshoots Holding your event at the Alice Austen House gardens is an opportunity to participate in New York City history. With magnificent views of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, the historic venue offers outdoor leases for wedding ceremonies and shooting opportunities. The Alice Austen House offers a unique background for your wedding ceremony or photo/film shoot, with lovely period gardens, a landmarked Victorian Cottage, and a wide waterfront vista of the New York harbor. Only wedding ceremonies, business retreats, and film and photoshoots are now available for rent, and this historic New York location is the ideal setting for these events. Wedding ceremony rental fees are $750, which includes a site visit and consultation with our rentals experts, as well as administrative costs. Space limitations and gathering size guidelines limit the capacity of outdoor ceremonies and interior business retreats. Photo permits are required for any video or photoshoots on the ground, and cost $75 for up to two hours.

• Spaces for 30-165 Guests
• 4 Restaurants
• 1 Bar
• 4 Total Spaces

The Bernards Inn is a boutique hotel and event destination in Bernardsville, New Jersey, recognized as New Jersey's only AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel and restaurant. The property's historic building has been given a refreshed interior that pays homage to its original character through bright colors, large windows, stone fireplaces, and equine-themed artwork — brought to life through its partnership with Red Horse by David Burke, named New Jersey's Best New Restaurant by NJ Monthly. The culinary program centers on premium steaks and seafood under Chef David Burke's direction. For private events, the Inn brings together multiple configurable spaces capable of hosting everything from intimate rehearsal dinners to full wedding receptions with dancing. The Fenwick Ballroom accommodates up to 155 seated guests or 200 for cocktail receptions. The Bernie — an underground speakeasy-style supper club with live entertainment, hidden projectors, and a fully stocked bar — provides a distinctive backdrop for celebrations of up to 155 guests. Overnight accommodations are available on-site, making the Bernards Inn a self-contained venue for multi-day celebrations.