10 New Venues in Boston for Spring 2021 Meetings and Events

Inside the famed Colonnade Hotel, LUCIE is offering globally influenced food and drink in an atmosphere punctuated by bright and bold art pieces set against exposed concrete columns and industrial-inspired wrought iron architectural details. While the restaurant first opened last March, an outdoor patio and lounge debuts this spring. The entire space spans 3,920 square feet, accommodates as many as 214 seated guests and is available for full buyouts. The outdoor patio can host as many as 40 for standing soirees, while an indoor, 850-square-foot private event space can host up to 60 for seated celebrations.

In December, Caldwell began hosting meetings and private events inside a 10-story, mixed-use community building located 30 minutes outside of Boston in Lynn, Mass. Guests can gather in smaller groups in the 850-square-foot lobby or attend a 50-person meeting overlooking the city from the sixth floor's 1,600-square-foot Club Room. There’s also a rooftop pool and lounge area spanning 6,000 square feet that can accommodate as many as 50 guests for a cocktail-style event.

City Bar reopened inside the historic Lenox Hotel with an updated look in March. The 900-square-foot venue can host 38 seated guests or 65 for a reception-style event; it is available for full buyouts. Guests can enjoy the bar's modern American menu consisting of elevated steak, seafood and pasta dishes. While the renovation unveiled a new surround-sound system to play personal Spotify playlists, one detail remains unchanged: the bar's iconic “Promenaders Strolling Along the Charles River” photo from 1912 that still hangs proudly behind the bar.

French restaurant Bistro du Midi reopened in mid-March with a renovated first floor, showcasing stylish updates such as new flooring, updated decor and a custom bar. The 2,000-square-foot space—which accommodates 42 for a seated affair and 60 for a cocktail-style event—boasts rich leather banquettes, bold black and white tiling, plus pops of yellow and blue throughout. The bistro takes advantage of its prime location opposite the Boston Public Garden with accordion-style doors that open onto a patio. Upstairs, a 5,000-square-foot dining room accommodates 90 seated guests in a classic, elegant space. There is also a 650-square-foot private dining room equipped with full audiovisual capabilities for more intimate gatherings of up to 15 seated guests or 30 reception style.

Located 15 miles outside of Boston in historic Lexington, the Inn at Hastings Park hotel welcomed the Whispering Angel Culinary Garden this year. Starting May 1, the intimate venue will be hosting interactive cooking events with owner Trisha Pérez Kennealy for as many as 12 guests. This winter, the Garden will transform into an igloo wonderland.

Geppetto opened in January and is chef Will Gilson’s latest eatery, located at Cambridge Crossing (CX) in East Cambridge. The Italian restaurant is serving up party favorites—pizzas, pastas, soups and salads—in 1,500 square feet of space for up to 55 seated guests and 85 standing. Full buyouts are available.

Husband-and-wife chef duo Trevor and Kate Smith opened Thistle & Leek in Newton Centre in September. Filled with natural light, artwork and plenty of personal touches, the 1,500-square-foot restaurant offers both full and partial buyouts. Private event spaces include a 450-square-foot dining room, 120-square-foot bar and 1,200-square-foot patio which hosts up to 43, eight and 56 seated guests, respectively.

For an event that's sure to get everyone's blood pumping, Higher Ground Fitness is giving guests a 45-minute, intense total-body workout set to upbeat music. Each indoor class welcomes up to nine participants and puts a spin on traditional Pilates by using a Megaformer machine that allows for a challenging yet fun workout experience. During the warmer months, a 1,000-square-foot outdoor patio accommodates as many as 350 guests.

Instead of bringing guests to an espresso bar, bring the espresso bar to them with Caffé Ducali’s new mobile coffee truck, Monte. The vintage Piaggio Ape is a three-wheeled Italian truck serving up everything from espresso and cappuccinos to breakfast sandwiches and beer. Starting at $300 per hour, Monte is available to drive to any event location and provide unlimited drinks to guests. Caffé Ducali opened its brick-and-mortar space in October in Boston’s North End.

Gather and get glam at Rise & Glow, located in South Boston. The full-service beauty salon opened in February and offers lash, brow and tanning services in an 1,800-square-foot studio equipped with three tanning beds (two UV, one airbrush), a room reserved for custom spray tanning and five lash beds. Rise & Glow is available for full buyouts on Sundays.