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The Hot List: 2013 Holiday Parties

The thing about the holidays: it’s not whether you give or receive. It’s about the kind of party you throw for friends, family and coworkers. Here are five good spots to hold yours.

THE SMALL ROOM

The Room Under Aviary

You Require: The Aviary team at your disposal.
You’ll Receive: Access to this subterranean lair, a menu by Andrew Brochu (think: antelope tartare) and the soft glow of its LED light wall. So leave your string of lights at home.

THE WHISKEY DEN

The Whiskey Vault at the Berkshire Room

You Require: Something... rare and whiskey-ish.
You’ll Receive: A semiprivate room with housemade cracker jacks, fresh oysters and banquette seating, amid whiskey cabinets that showcase rare vintages. Tip: ask for the reserve-whiskey list for the best stuff.

THE PIZZA PLACE

The Private Dining Room at the Grid

You Require: The warmth of 1,000 pizzas.
You’ll Receive: Well, not quite that many. But you’ll be right behind that new wood-fired oven—so why not see what that puppy is made of. Plus, a sound system can play music from the downstairs lounge.

THE SWEET SPOT

The Entire Bang Bang Pie Shop

You Require: Pie. Lots of pie.
You’ll Receive: An entire pie shop. Full of savory items and key lime, chocolate-pecan and pumpkin pies. It’s BYO, but they offer “pie shots”: pie and booze together in a shot glass. Another miracle of the season.

THE BUBBLY ROOM

The Skyroom at Parliament

You Require: Vast champagne reserves.
You’ll Receive: The run of this backroom playground hidden behind two enormous mahogany doors. Featuring: 15-foot chandeliers, your own DJ... and as many magnums as it takes to get your CEO to up your holiday bonus.