10 New Meeting Venues in Boston

The Hive at Boston’s Westin Hotel Waterfront, adjacent to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, opened in May. It serves as a fully equipped workspace available by the hour where groups of up to four can conduct meetings. Video conferencing is available, as are Samsung televisions, sound systems, printers, and an Xbox 360. The Wi-Fi-equipped space is also stocked with floor-to-ceiling white boards and office supplies.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, a historic waterfront destination that immortalizes Boston’s Revolutionary War history, opened in June. The space, with 360-degree views of Boston Harbor, houses several authentically restored Tall Ships, as well as the Robinson tea crate, one of two surviving tea crates from the original Boston Tea Party. The space is available for buyout, accommodating 120 for meetings and hosting roaming receptions for 300. Abigail’s Tea Room, serving Colonial-era ales, wines, and classic New England fare, seats 120 and holds 140 for cocktails. Additionally, the museum’s theater offers a 15-foot screen with seating for 75.

Park Restaurant & Bar opened in Harvard Square in April. The restaurant, decorated with historic photos of Harvard Square through the years, holds 150 for a seated buyout or 200 for cocktails. Additionally, a series of semiprivate rooms can accommodate 120 for cocktails. A common choice for meetings is a sandwich buffet that includes salads, specialty sandwiches, and cookies. The space is outfitted for audiovisual hook-ups for laptops and DVD players. Daytime buyouts are popular, as the restaurant is typically closed during the day.

Back Deck opened in Downtown Crossing in June. The barbecue restaurant holds 128 for meetings in the dining room and 178 for cocktails. Two of the Back Deck’s signature deck spaces can be rented for private events: the Upper Deck holds 60 for cocktails or 40 for dinner meetings, while the Washington Street Deck holds 35 for cocktails and 30 for seated functions. An event menu offers barbecue favorites with a twist, such as Greek-style lamb kefta skewers and muffaletta sliders.

Empire, a lounge and event space from nightlife company Big Night Entertainment Group, opened in June at Fan Pier on the Boston waterfront. The Asian-inspired, 14,000-square foot space holds 350 and has three dining rooms that seat 40 people each; they can also be booked together to host cocktail receptions for 150 or meetings for 120. Peter Niemitz oversaw the space’s design, which incorporates Imperial Chinese and contemporary Asian elements. Signature dishes underscore the Asian theme with plates such as Hamachi tartare and lobster-scallion pancakes prepared in an open kitchen. There is also a DJ booth.

Sip Wine Bar opened in Downtown Crossing in June. The space holds 50 for meetings or 160 for receptions. A private dining room holds 16. A semi-private lounge holds 25. Signature dishes include small plates with a global influence, including skillet-roasted mussels, ceviche, flatbreads, shrimp tempura, and sushi. The space is outfitted with seven televisions equipped for audiovisual hook-up; staffers can arrange for flowers.

The Emerald Lounge opened within the Theater District’s Revere Hotel in June. The sleek space, inspired by the land of Oz and by Boston’s "Emerald Necklace" string of greenery, is available for buyout and can accommodate 225. Additionally, an upper level hosts functions for 100. The lounge offers a craft cocktail program and utensil-free small plates; signature dishes include rangoons stuffed with lobster and blackened fish tacos. The space also offers customizable lighting design to enhance meeting presentations and has an in-house audiovisual team.

Sweet Cheeks, a Southern-inspired restaurant from chef Tiffani Faison, added a beer garden in June for events adjacent to the main dining room. This space holds 50 standing and 30 for seated meetings. The garden is decorated with Berkshire Mountain Distillery whiskey barrels and has a retractable roof. The restaurant is also available for buyout and holds 130 seated and 200 for cocktails. Signature dishes include short ribs, pork belly, fried okra, and biscuits. The space is outfitted with six flat-screen televisions, which are DVD- and laptop-compatible; flowers and DJs can be arranged for events.

Space 57 and Theatre 1, affiliated with the Revere Hotel, opened in the Theater District in April. With 225 seats, Theatre 1 hosts film screenings and premieres, film festivals, and discussions with actors and directors. The space hosts business presentations and meetings, and each chair has a connected desk and laptop outlet. The adjacent Space 57 offers 6,000 square feet of blank-canvas event space and can hold 800 guests for receptions and 350 seated. The space specializes in musical performances, galas, fashion shows, and sit-down dinners. An audiovisual team can coordinate special requests; there is also a 30-foot drop-down screen. DJs and outside catering can be arranged.

Olives, chef Todd English’s flagship Mediterranean restaurant in Charlestown, reopened in June after a long closure. The space is available for buyout. It holds 125 for meetings or 180 for cocktails. A private dining area holds 50 seated or 60 for receptions. English is known for signature dishes including flatbread tarts, tuna tartare, and double-cut pork cops. Custom-designed pastries are offered to groups, as well as Todd English gift bags. The space has three flat-screen televisions, wireless Internet, and audiovisual equipment.