Nightlife

Yule Be There

The Hot List: 2013 Holiday Parties

Your colleagues. Your fencing league. Your family. Your boss. None of them can be trusted. Not when it comes to planning a holiday extravaganza to remember. That’s up to you. But rent one of these five spaces, and you can’t go wrong. Well, punch helps, too...

THE FEAST OF PLENTY

The Family Table at Decanter

You Require: A fall-of-Rome-style feast.
You’ll Receive: The family-style spread at the St. Regis’s private dining room. Just give the nod and let the chef start rolling out whole braised rockfish, Amish lamb and plates of scallops. All that wine in the coolers... yes, that can be yours, too.

THE BOARDWALK EMPIRE ROOM

The Whiskey Cellar at Jack Rose

You Require: Rare whiskey everywhere you look.
You’ll Receive: A rotating selection of exactly that, in kegs and bottles, plus the owner’s stash of pre-Prohibition whiskeys on display. Take your pick of whiskey-tasting parties, whiskey classes with expert speakers or Prohibition-style parties.

THE BEER FACTORY

The Mezzanine at the Arsenal

You Require: Beer.
You’ll Receive: A private barrel room and catwalk overlooking the Arsenal, Bluejacket brewery’s companion restaurant. Start with pickle pots and pork rinds before moving on to four courses with beer pairings. Then head to the beer bar downstairs.

THE SAKE SANCTUARY

The Back Room at Daikaya’s Ramen Shop

You Require: A small, utterly discreet spot for a celebratory lunch.
You’ll Receive: This one-booth room, tucked away behind an unmarked door at the back of the ramen shop. You won’t be bothered—unless you want more sake and dumplings.

THE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE

The Patio at Barcelona Wine Bar

You Require: Somewhere where a few appropriate snowflakes might fall on your group. (You also may require: a hat and gloves.)
You’ll Receive: Barcelona’s outdoor dining room, complete with 10 heaters, blankets on the backs of the chairs and a wood-burning stove. Great for snuggling around.