Venue for a Cocktail Party (~30ppl)

HockeyWife2be

I'm looking for a non-traditional venue for a co-ed cocktail and appetizer (wedding) shower.  I'd like some place with character, so no hotels, please.

I'm thinking Schenectady because it's more centralized to this group than, say, Saratoga, but I'd be willing to consider Saratoga/Albany/Etc. if you've had a really good experience.

I've thought about The Van *** (but can't for the life of me remember the setup); and Apertivo.  Other than that, I'm stumped.

Any ideas?

 

Mrs.AngelaA

I had my bridal cocktail shower at Apertivo and I cannot say enough good things about that place!

The back room was the perfect size (I think I had 32 or so), the food was amazing and the staff was very, very nice.

Not sure how pricing goes, as that was thrown by my girls. 

It was also very convenient for Jer to pull the car around the back door to load up our gifts.

jv526

hmmm...maybe the Water's Edge Lighthouse: http://www.thewatersedgelighthouse.com/ which is in Scotia

 Or possible Angelo's Tevolo: http://www.angelostavolo.com/private_parties.php 

 If you're open to Saratoga, Longfellow's is nice and a unique setting... 

good luck!

loreen122

I had mine at Siro's in Toga.  They open up in the winter for holiday parties and other special events, of which I've also attended a bunch.  It's a fun place!

abba916

If you are thinking of schnectady- what about the stockade inn? I know you said no hotels but this inn is redone and it has cute little rooms (like the back bar and the billiard room) and such a cool feel: http://www.stockadeinn.com/

or clinton's ditch: http://www.onefortheditch.com/

They have an upstairs where you can have a party... 

Good Luck! 

Rosiebud13

I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but The Albany Pump Station has a cool upstairs lofted area.  We had a little cocktail party there over Thanksgiving and it was great!

HockeyWife2be

Thanks, Ladies!  All great suggestions!

@Angela - I'm so excited that you had a great experience at Apertivos, I think you bumpped them up to #1 on our list.

@jv - I had no clue about that angelos place.  I like the downstairs room, we'll have to check it out.

@loreen - good call.  I just assumed they were "closed for the season". 

@Abba - I had kind of crossed the stockade off the list, I didn't realize they had that billards room, which may work.  Thanks!

@Rosie - We've had a couple parties in the loft at the Pump station, if we decide to do Albany they are #1 on our list.  I puffy heart their calamari.  YUM!

LadyRed7

DH and i eat at Apertivo all the time. It is owned by Angelo, so you can be certain the good is fantastic! Plus, like Ange, i love the atmosphere there. The only downfall is parking. However there are some large public lots within walking distance.

Honeydew1894

We had our receprtion at the Stockade and used the billiard room for the after party. It was a ton of fun and the room is pretty cool.

My sister had her rehearsal dinner at Apertivo and it was also amazing.

SeptemberBride'08

Mrs.AngelaA:

I had my bridal cocktail shower at Apertivo and I cannot say enough good things about that place!

The back room was the perfect size (I think I had 32 or so), the food was amazing and the staff was very, very nice.

Not sure how pricing goes, as that was thrown by my girls. 

It was also very convenient for Jer to pull the car around the back door to load up our gifts.

I have to second Apertivo. Hands down LOVE it there. We ate recently at bar at Glen Sanders...same food as upstairs and it just wasn't that great. I had my wedding there 2 years ago and the food was amazing but every time we've been back it's just been eeeeeh okay.

I really like the chefs at Apertivo much better. I feel like they have a better flavor profile and the food has a slightly nicer twist to it. I've been going there since it's opened...2 years I think and I've never been disappointed with the food or the service. I think Glen Sanders needs to shake up their chefs so they feel creative again.

If I ever get KU or adopt....my baby shower will be there. I'm a foodie so good food at a party matters to me! )

ArcticFox

There is Malozzi's in Schenectady-

http://www.mallozzis.com/

I don't know too much about it except we went to a Christmas party there probably 5 years ago.