Here Are the Season's Best Holiday Party Places and Private Rooms

Here Are the Season's Best Holiday Party Places and Private Rooms

The Library at La Colombe d'Or

SCRAMBLING FOR A gathering space this holiday season? With so many fantastic restaurants in Houston, there’s a private dining room for every style, culinary preference and occasion. Book one of these spots and let the staff do all the work!


Brennan's of Houston

Brennan's

Whether you want an intimate private gathering or are throwing a big bash, Brennan’s has an event venue for you. Of the nine or so choices, the Wine Room, the Little Room, the Courtyard Balcony and the Courtyard are some favorites.

Eunice

Private room at Eunice (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

At this stylish Upper Kirby Cajun hotspot, the intimate private dining room accommodates up to 24 and showcases specialty wall treatments including lime washing and textured paper in a wildflower pattern.

Katami

Katami (photo by Casey Giltner)

This newcomer from chef Manabu Horiuchi and biz partner Yun Cheng is a sushi-forward restaurant with extensive focus on Wagyu and sake to complement. Like at its sister spot Kata Robata, fish is flown in almost daily from Japan. Enjoy the culinary adventure in its dedicated private dining room or the sunroom, which can be closed off for a larger private space.

La Colombe d'Or

La Colombe d'Or

This exquisite historical mansion gets the prize for unique private event spaces that truly make you feel at home — only better. Eight resplendent areas are on offer ranging from the handsome Library to the light-washed Conservatory, the stunning Music Room, the Sun Room, the main dining room, and more. There are also three outdoor spaces and a bright area filled with art next door in the Tower Gallery. Spaces can be privatized or combined.

La Griglia

La Griglia’s beautiful new casa sports six private spaces, which include the enchanting Tuscan-style courtyard with twinkling lights and its own bar. Most private spaces are upstairs including Cinema with modern crystal chandeliers and a working wine wall, Elegante with double glass doors overlooking the courtyard, and Segreto tucked behind the wine wall. The courtyard is also on offer, which can seat 80 with capacity for 150 standing.

Le Colonial

The exotic Lotus room is an intimate private dining room located at the back of the lounge and visible through wrought-iron French doors. With seating for up to 18 guests, the room pays homage to the official flower of Vietnam and is anchored by a Jonas Wickman mural rendered in gentle tropical tones.

March

March (photo by Julie Soefer)

The gorgeous private room bathed in blush hues with French doors seats 12 guests. Mediterranean-themed tasting menus offer many options as well as drink pairings – the wine list is something to check out. March also accepts restaurant buy-outs for large groups.

Ostia

The Greenhouse at Ostia

Fan-favorite The Greenhouse at chef Travis McShane’s Italian-meets-Cali spot gets lots of buzz for its great natural light and botanical vibes. The casual indoor-outdoor space can seat 40 and overlooks a lively patio. Its semi-private space seats 16. The dining room, the patio, and entire restaurant are also available for private events.

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Pappas Bros.

The downtown Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is party room central. Choose from five luxuriously appointed spaces of different sizes including the Train Car, the intimate Sidecar, the coveted Wine Room, the Dining Car, and the Lounge.

Rumi's Kitchen

Rumi's Garden Room

This new Persian palace is not only a chic place for holiday wining and dining, but it also sports an impressive private garden room that will wow your group. Wrapped in glass with high ceilings, it dazzles with enchanting dangling lights and is ideal for a standing party or dining.

State of Grace

State of Grace

Anticipate three choices at this stately yet comfy River Oaks haunt: the intimate velvet curtained dining room off the entrance, The Oyster Room, and the entire restaurant can be reserved. There’s also a conveniently hidden chef’s counter where a seven-course meal with optional wine pairings (a must!) can be enjoyed. State of Grace’s new seasonal menu by chef John Quinn features delectably presented Colorado lamb with figs and bone marrow bordelaise, ash-roasted pears with Rogue blue cheese, and more.

Food
Leadership in Action: Entrepreneur Saba Syed of Moroccan Bath Determined to Build ‘Lasting Legacy’

Saba Syed, Founder of Oasis Moroccan Bath

How did you get to where you are today? My journey began with a need to be financially independent and an even a deeper drive to create a lasting legacy. The centuries-old Hammam tradition has always fascinated me—not just for its relaxation benefits, but for its holistic approach to cleansing the body, mind, and soul. So, combining my passion with a vision to bring an authentic yet luxurious Hammam spa experience to Houston, I took the leap less than two years ago to open my own spa.

Keep Reading Show less

The Cottages at the Boat Basin

THERE'S A REASON that many Houstonians glorify a quaintly picturesque life on Nantucket. Actually, there are several: a storied history, charming shops, cobblestone streets, impossibly fresh oysters (and need we even mention the weather?).

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places

Jacob Hilton, a.k.a. Travid Halton, at home in his kitchen, where he enjoys cooking as a form of therapy.

PINK FLOYD'S THE Wall. Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours. Beyonce’s Lemonade. Three divergent examples of the album as a cathartic, psychological, conceptual work, meant to be experienced in a single sitting. Houston singer-songwriter Jacob Hilton, 37, who records as Travid Halton, a portmanteau of his mother and father’s names, might balk at being mentioned in such company. (This is a thoroughly unpretentious man, who describes himself as an “archaeologist turned singer-songwriter.”)

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment