Tips for Holding a Special Event at a Restaurant

If you want the perfect place to hold your next special event, consider hosting at your favorite local restaurant. Restaurants make a convenient place to celebrate any occasion with your friends, loved ones, co-workers, or business associates.

You can hold almost any type of event at a restaurant. Different restaurants offer a variety of event spaces sizes, so consider how big or small or group is prior to booking a spot. Some eateries feature expansive banquet rooms, while others are known for their cozy, intimate spaces.

When narrowing down a long list of preferred restaurants, first consider what type of cuisine you'd like to serve your guests. For instance, you can never go wrong with an Italian restaurant, as the menus are typically large and varied, ensuring that party-goers of all ages will be satisfied.

Find out if any of your guests have a dietary restrictions or concerns prior to choosing the menu so you can accommodate them with gluten-, dairy-, or meat-free dishes as needed.

Discover some additional tips for holding a special event at a restaurant.

If you plan to hold the event in a busy time of the year, such as the summer months or during the winter holiday season, book your event space as far in advance as possible. This is especially important if the restaurant is well-known or if you have a large group and require a larger space.

In some cases, you can reserve one or two event rooms, depending on what the eatery offers or even the entire restaurant if required. Consider whether you'll need either a private or semi-private venue and if you'd like any outdoor space as well. Some restaurants offer patios or decks if you want to bring the party outside.

After you've decided on the restaurant, work with the event manager or chef to design your perfect menu. Some eateries offer a pre-fixed event menu, which can help save your money if you're on a tight budget. You'll have a few different meal options from which to choose, including appetizers, the main courses, and in some cases, dessert.

Another option is allowing guests to order their own individual meals from the restaurant's regular menu, but this may cost a bit more. You'll also need to decide if you want to serve alcohol, such as wine or champagne.

With the dessert, the eatery may be able to provide what you need, but in the case of special requests, such as a birthday or wedding cake, you might have to work with an outside caterer or bakery. Arrange to have the sweet treats delivered to the restaurant on the big day.

One way to personalize a restaurant event space for a celebration is with your own decorations. Confirm with the business ahead of time that you can bring your own decor pieces or if they'll provide specific elements, such as cloth tablecloths or napkins.

Balloons are an easy way to give any restaurant banquet room a festive flair, and they're convenient to transport and clean up. Consider welcoming guests into the party space with a colorful balloon arch or suspending balloons from the ceiling. If you plan to hold a kids' birthday party, hire someone to make balloon animals throughout the event as well.

Table centerpieces, such as vases of fresh flowers, are another simple way to transform a restaurant event space. Place small bouquets by each guests' place setting, and use them as party favors as well.

When you plan your next special event, check out Picano's Italian Grille. Let our restaurant host you on your special day, and treat your guests to a wide range of traditional Italian dishes.