Here’s a closer look at Boston’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Boston venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
The Lantern Lounge
The 356-key Revere Hotel Boston Common is set to debut a rooftop event space in April 2023. Dubbed The Lantern Lounge, the 2,354-square-foot space is located 24 stories above Beantown, complete with comfy seating, free-standing tables, and a rustic but trendy feel achieved by floor-to-ceiling windows that bask the space in natural light. The Lantern Lounge can accommodate as many as 100 guests for a reception-style event.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lantern Lounge
Rainmaker Expo Center at Foxwoods
Two hours outside of Boston, Foxwoods Resort Casino unveiled its newly renovated Rainmaker Expo Center in late November 2022. The 47,075-square-foot venue can accommodate 5,000 guests for a variety of events, ranging from corporate meetings and functions to trade shows, thanks to features like 43, 65-inch, customizable monitors; as well as a 2,100-square-foot breakout room and an extensive prefunction area with six registration counters. There will also be an outdoor patio in the near future.
Photo: Courtesy of Foxwoods Resort Casino
Bar Vlaha
Honoring the nomadic dishes and hospitality that originated in the Vlachs in central Greece is Bar Vlaha, which will open about 20 minutes outside of Boston—in Brookline—this winter. The concept is helmed by Xenia Greek Hospitality, a Boston-based group specialized in tapping into the roots of ancient Greek philosophy. Upon opening, Bar Vlaha customers can expect home-style dishes off menu featuring fresh pies, spreads, and baked breads, as well as a heavy concentration on grilling—or better known in Greek cooking as "spit-roasted"—meats. A full buyout of the 2,200-square-foot restaurant can accommodate up to 72 seated guests or 100 for a cocktail-style event. Private dinners are also on offer for as many as 12 seated or 24 standing guests. Bar Vlaha will also have full AV capabilities at the time of its debut.
Photo: Courtesy of Bar Vlaha
Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar
The Back Bay mainstay Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar returned in January with an expanded 8,740-square-foot space. Even after the $2.75 million revamp, Lolita boasts the same Mexican gothic aesthetic the nightlife destination is known for—as well as its expansive list of more than 120 tequilas broken down by age, flavor profile, and region. However, the 2,200-square-foot dining room and lounge are new, designed to accommodate seated dinners of 65-80. This space can also be arranged for reception-style private events of up to 120. For more intimate affairs, a secluded, 152-square-foot private dining room just off the new dining and lounge area can accommodate 10 seated guests. And a third, even more intimate on-site bar offers an opportunity for Mezcal-driven cocktail experiences. Lolita can accommodate a total of 350 guests for a full buyout.
Photo: Josh Jamison
Parm
Tucked inside luxury shopping and dining destination Copley Place is Parm—courtesy of Major Food Group, the powerhouse team that's also behind Boston’s Contessa. Since its opening in March 2022, the 2,850-square-foot eatery—which can accommodate 53 seated guests or 100 for a cocktail-style event—has been serving up delectable Italian classics, like garlic butter pizza knots, rigatoni carbonara, chicken parm, and more. For full or partial buyouts alike, Parm comes equipped with AV capabilities. And for off-site events, Parm offers catered versions of its Italian fare.
Photo: Michael Blanchard
Blue Ribbon Sushi
In June 2022, Blue Ribbon Sushi arrived in Kenmore Square, bringing with it the swanky vibe and menu of high-end sushi, sashimi, and elevated Japanese dishes it's known for. Planners, rejoice: There's a variety of potential configurations for private events. For a group of up to 20 seated guests, the Mezzanine offers a 380-square-foot semi-private space starting at $6,500. There’s also a 575-square-foot private dining room to play host to up to 35 seated guests—starting at $8,500—and a full restaurant buyout to accommodate up to 120 for seated dinners and cocktail receptions alike. The main dining area, which includes sushi and cocktail bars as well as a mural that nods to Japan's oceanside, measures 1,055 square feet.
Photo: Steve Hill
Yellow Door Taqueria Mission Hill
The latest branch of popular Mexican hotspot Yellow Door Taqueria opened in Mission Hill in September 2022. Measuring 2,500 square feet, the taqueria features a 17-seat bar and 28-seat dining room, where guests can enjoy tropical wall art and corn tortillas that are made fresh every morning. There’s also a private dining room, which also boasts a coastal-inspired, photo-worthy wall mural, that can accommodate 12 seated guests or 20 for a cocktail-style event. Also notable: Yellow Door Taqueria has full AV capabilities.
Photo: Courtesy of Yellow Door Taqueria
Faraway Martha’s Vineyard
Expected to open in May 2023 in the former Kelley House, Faraway is a 58-room hotel just steps from the Edgartown harbor on the picturesque Martha’s Vineyard. Inside, The Pelican Club, which was formerly a pop-up, will make its return as a permanent, on-site, outdoor sushi bar and restaurant that can accommodate 70-80 seated guests. The 2,426-square-foot space is a stylish setting surrounded by greenery, flowers, and lanterns. Also on offer upon opening: The Newes from America, a 1,046-square-foot classic Edgartown pub, with room for up to 65 seated guests, plus an additional 10 seated at the bar and 36 on an outdoor patio. To accommodate high-tech functions, The Newes will be equipped with full AV capabilities—including two TVs and a projector—upon request. The hotel’s pool area, which measures 5,261 square feet, will also be available for full buyouts.
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Flag Partners
Pescador
A coastal-inspired grill featuring local seafood called Pescador opened in Boston's luxury, 245-room Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square in November 2022. Aside from 70-plus mezcals and tequilas and a diverse menu, the restaurant offers several options for events, including the 18-seat Ceviche Bar or the 195-seat main dining room. Pescador’s semi-private event area can accommodate as many as 50 seated guests or 40 for a cocktail hour and seated dinner. For full restaurant buyouts, seated celebrations, networking events, or team-building dinners with as many as 200 guests are welcome.
Photo: Steve Hill
Puritan Oyster Bar
Seafood is the name of the game at chef Will Gilson’s latest spot, Puritan Oyster Bar, which opened in February 2023. Located in Cambridge’s Inman Square—and directly next to its sister restaurant, Puritan & Company—the 1,000-square-foot restaurant seats 20 guests, plus an additional 12 seats at the bar, in a space that nods to New England with a coastal vibe and blue hues. The oyster bar also boasts a 600-square-foot private dining room, which is no longer exclusive to Puritan & Company diners and private events. The intimate venue space can fit up to 40 guests. It's perfect for a dining affair (with food off the seafood-focused menu) or additional space during a Puritan Oyster Bar buyout.
Photo: Courtesy of Puritan Oyster Bar
