To orchestrate a memorable evening of mixing and mingling that your cocktail party guests will rave about, you’ll need to pin down a few key elements: food and drink menu, attendee list, decor, music, schedule of events, and, of course, the ideal venue to host your gathering. To pick a private event space that fits your festivities, consider the scope of your party and the ambiance you’d like to create. For example, how many people will be there, and what’s the venue’s capacity? What are the catering options? Are you looking for rooftop views, lush garden greenery, or a classic cocktail lounge vibe?

Whether you’re hosting an intimate after-work mixer on a rooftop or a big, black-tie bash with room for dancing, you can find just the right place to make it happen at Rockefeller Center. Here, we highlight eight of the best cocktail party venues in New York City.

Explore all of Rockefeller Center’s private event spaces.

For spectacular sunset cocktails: Bar SixtyFive

Raise a glass and take in the postcard-perfect panoramic view, punctuated by iconic architecture, from this terraced bar on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The Rooftop Guide, a publication devoted to the world’s best rooftop bars, reports that this private venue (with room for 190 cocktail reception guests) is the highest rooftop terrace bar in New York City and describes it as “classic and luxurious” with “an exclusive feel and the sense of being on top of the world.” We’ll take it.

For elevated wedding receptions: 610 & 620 Loft & Garden

Located in a prime spot overlooking Fifth Avenue, these adjacent rooftop event venues deliver dazzling city views anchored by St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s sky-grazing spires. With a gemstone-blue reflecting pool and manicured, emerald-green landscaping, this airy pair of venues is a treasured spot for romantic outdoor wedding cocktail receptions, with space for 75 people. Or choose one of the freshly renovated indoor lofts for parties with up to 120 guests.

For plein-air parties: Radio Park

Opened in 2021, this tranquil, 24,000-square-foot greenspace, which extends across Radio City Music Hall’s ninth floor, is Rockefeller Center’s newest rooftop venue. Typically only open to those who work at Rockefeller Center and their guests (now accessible via a new skybridge), Radio Park is also available for private events. This lush venue holds up to 300 people for a cocktail party, set among the urban-woodland beauty of sky-high trees, ferns, and flowers.

For transporting flavors: NARO

From the team behind the Michelin-starred dining room Atomix, this atmospheric Rink Level restaurant serves up delectable and utterly gorgeous Korean dishes, along with inventive cocktails inspired by sool, traditional Korean spirits. For an unforgettable occasion, work with the NARO crew to curate artful, flavorful food-and-drink pairings sure to impress your guests. Host an intimate event (up to 20 people) in NARO’s private dining room, or book the whole restaurant and Terrace for a larger party of up to 100.

For Art Deco glamor: Le Rock

“​​If you’re looking for an impressive Art Deco setting for your next private event, look no further than this stunner from the Frenchette team,” says a write-up in The Resy Guide to Excellent Private Dining Rooms in New York. Celebrated for both its soaring architecture and rave-worthy menu that pays homage to French brasseries, Le Rock makes for a stylish setting for a swanky soirée. Choose the 16-person private dining room, appointed with inviting dark wood and mirrored walls, for a tight-knit group. Or, for a larger cocktail party (up to 175 people), inquire about a full buyout.

For open-air aperitivo: Lodi

An ideal spot to spend leisurely late afternoons lingering over plates of crudo and antipasti while sipping spritzes al fresco, Michelin-starred chef Ignacio Mattos’ Milanese-style cafe champions Italian aperitivo culture. To arrange a private cocktail party that channels this slice of Italian culture in the most delicious way, get in touch with Lodi’s events team. And, when picking your party menu, take this pro tip from Grub Street to heart: “Focus on anything that comes with or on the house-baked bread (an attraction in its own right), including tramezzini and fresh ricotta drizzled with oil.”

For speakeasy charm: Smith & Mills

Smith & Mills’ watering hole in Rockefeller Center exudes an inviting ambiance with its weathered dark-wood walls, candle-lit ambiance, and a drink menu that centers classic cocktails with a fresh twist — including some of the city’s best new martinis. Explains restaurateur Matt Abramcyk, “We created this atmosphere that transports you somewhere else.” The setting feels like a cocktail lounge from a bygone era, in the best way possible, making it a dreamy cocktail party location. To book the private party room, decked in vintage-inspired floral wallpaper, contact Smith & Mills.

For a slice of NYC history: Pebble Bar

Built in the 1870s, this legendary townhouse has been part of the fabric of New York City’s drinking culture for more than 150 years. The four-story holdout in a sea of Midtown skyscrapers now houses Pebble Bar, a restaurant-bar that draws inspiration from the building’s rich history. For a timeless affair with perfect cocktails and a seafood-forward menu, host your celebration at Johnny’s, Pebble Bar’s top-floor private event space, named for television personality and regular at Hurley’s (Pebble Bar’s predecessor) Johnny Carson.

To find the perfect place to host your NYC cocktail party, explore all of Rockefeller Center’s private event venues.