Say “I Do” to Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners and Wedding Receptions at Atlanta Restaurants

Did ringing in the new year include bubbly and a sparkling engagement ring? Here come the bride and groom, family and friends looking for the perfect setting to celebrate impending nuptials or host a reception. Intimate? Grand? Elegant? Casual? Simply Southern? Start by giving these Atlanta restaurants a ring.

Midtown

Something old for something new? Check out Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern in Virginia-Highland. Lively Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar welcomes guests into an unpretentious environment where an upstairs room accommodates 30 guests for a sit-down dinner or 50 guests for a cocktail reception. Call 404-876-7249 for more information.

Peal into 5Church Atlanta when wedding bells are on the horizon. Sophisticated private and semi-private settings welcome intimate dinners or all-out galas for 250 guests or more. The rooftop patio overlooks Peachtree Street, providing an iconic Atlanta background. Inside, banquette seating hugs walls around The UFO Room. Large-scale artwork lends drama to The Buffalo Room, a generously proportioned space and flow option off The UFO Room. See samples of 5Church hors d’oeuvre and menu packages here, including multi-course menus such as the Saucier ($45 per guest), the Sous Chef ($57 per guest), the Chef de Cuisine ($65 per guest) and the Executive Chef ($75 per guest). Email Miranda Miranda, sales@5churchatlanta.com or give her a (phone) ring at 404-400-3669.

From rehearsal dinners, receptions and more, bank on The Federal, Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere’s newest restaurant that takes its name from the nearby Federal Reserve Bank. The restaurant can accommodate 50 for a seated dinner and 75 guests for a cocktail-style event. For more information, email info@thefederalatl.com.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern walks the aisle to Midtown casual. Large groups can enjoy a mouthwatering menu of appetizers, gourmet pizzas, burgers, craft beers and cocktails in the laid-back dining room or on the heated and covered patio. Have it all with a buyout. To discuss your visions, fees and menus, call 404-968-2288.

An Ormsby’s party focuses on fun, craft beers and a menu of creative and classic gastropub favorites. Groups of all sizes will love socializing while playing a variety of games (shuffleboard, darts, bocce ball, board games and pool) at this Westside hideaway tucked away under the White Provisions building. Contact Leslie Battle, lbattle@ormsbysatlanta.com or 404-968-2033.

Buckhead

Nostalgic glamour and modern glitz marry at American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Three floors of top-notch party options work skyward from a private dining experience in the American Cut Bar & Lounge on street level, to small and large private dining rooms with seating capacities of 14 and 42 guests within the second floor main dining level, and on up to an airy indoor/outdoor rooftop experience overlooking Peachtree Street and the Atlanta skyline at The Regent Cocktail Club. Atlanta executive chef John Adamson’s bold take on American classics guides menus throughout. Handcrafted cocktails and lounge seating encourage conversation in The Regent Cocktail Club’s mid-century modern setting, and there’s space for a jazz trio or the like. Guests at American Cut and The Regent Cocktail Club enjoy three hours of complimentary covered and convenient deck parking. Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com.

A 1920s-inspired speakeasy, The Blind Pig Parlour Bar provides an intimate and sophisticated environment for dining and drinking for up to 80 guests. Think craft cocktails and small plates -- and there’s room for live entertainment in this smoke-free facility. Rent any day of the week. Contact sales and events manager April Pitman, april@sphospitality.com or 404-931-1251.

Setting off into happily ever after land calls for “la dolce vita” of Dolce Italian, where private and semi-private rooms accommodate small and large gatherings. Seat up to 110 guests in the mid-century dining room or opt for al fresco dining on the wrap-around, covered outdoor terrace overlooking The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Savor executive chef Paolo Dorigato’s handcrafted pastas, bold seafood specialties, Neapolitan-style pizzas and more…now that’s “amore!” Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com.

The Southern Gentleman celebrates relaxed, yet polished, Southern hospitality and offers a modern, locally sourced take on Southern cuisine from executive chef Matthew Ridgway along with handcrafted cocktails. Expansive space in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta restaurant accommodates up to 150 guests, and dinner menus begin at $35 per person. Think patio parties or plan a customized bourbon, rye or whiskey with friends or family. Contact events@tsg-atl.com or call the restaurant at 404-939-9845.

Gypsy Kitchen, in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, transports guests to a beautiful, out of the ordinary destination where Spanish cuisine mingles with foods inspired by the spice trade of India, Morocco and other countries. Executive chef Matthew Ridgway and staff can create tasting menus, elaborate spreads or passed appetizers matched by a bar program rich in Old World-style wines, craft cocktails and European beers. Contact events@gk-atl.com or call 404-939-9840.

The perfect couple deserves a perfect party. Enter Himitsu. The luxurious Japanese craft cocktail lounge located a few doors down from Umi masters the art of “omotenashi,” the beautiful Japanese concept of selfless hospitality. Located in the epicenter of Buckhead, Himitsu graciously accommodates buyouts (65 guests seated; 100 standing) and semi-private events (28 seated; 40 standing). Menus are created especially for the occasion, encompassing sake and signature craft cocktails alongside sister restaurant Umi’s trademark sushi rolls and small bites from executive chef Fuyuhiko Ito and pastry chef Lisa Ito. Call Umi at 404-841-0040 to discuss options.

Multiple Locations

Ray’s Restaurants corners the “best man” category, offering three settings synonymous with Atlanta hospitality, impeccable service and fine dining -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek. Dedicated events managers at each Ray’s Restaurants location handle details so party planning when tying the knot needn’t tie nerves in knots. In the heart of downtown Atlanta, Ray's in the City courts wedding parties with private and semi-private rooms and areas glowing with rich woods and ambient lighting. Toast a full range of bar ideas and consider hosting breakfast or brunch buffets, lunch, pre-selected dinner menus or exciting dinner buffets with stations for stir-fry, pasta, salad, carving or made-to-order sushi. The flexible, semi-private Chef’s Area dining room seats up to 30 guests for an engagement or rehearsal dinner, and the Wine Cellar accommodates up to 10 guests for dinner. The Peachtree Room seats 75 guests and presents panoramic views of Peachtree Street. Contact sales and events manager Mandy Hall, mandy@raysrestaurants.com or 404-524-9224.

Ray's on the River exudes waterside wow alongside the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs. Host events “outside” at river’s edge in the Grand Pavilion, a covered, temperature-controlled environment accommodating up to 120 guests seated or 150 guests for cocktails, as well as a band or DJ and a dance floor for that special first dance and those to follow. Inside the restaurant, the Private Dining Room pleases up to 70 guests for a formal dinner or a cocktail/buffet reception, and the River Room seats up to 30 guests in a semi-private dining space. Opt for pre-selected lunch and dinner menus and consider appetizers, platters, hors d’oeuvre, full buffets and impressive chef-attended carving stations. Contact sales and events manager Nisha Khana and associate Corinne Zucallo at nisha@raysrestaurants.com or 770-952-4209.

Embrace Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta where space options accommodate up to 70 guests. Seat up to 26 guests for dinner in the private Cellar with its warm woods, stone hearth and fireplace. The dividable Wine-Jordan room seats 60 amid towers of fine wines as well as opening into the private outdoor courtyard. For an outdoorsy feel, celebrate in the Creek Room, a covered and heated outdoor patio overlooking Foe’s Killer Creek and the Upper Chattahoochee Natural Forest Preserve, that easily serves up to 70 guests seated family style, formally at long tables or in smaller groupings. Contact Jessica Savant at 770-649-0064 or jessicasavant@raysrestaurants.com.

When terms of endearment lean toward casual fiestas and the sparkling salt rims of margarita glasses, lock into Ray’s Rio Bravo in Sandy Springs for a “Rio Fresh Rio Fun” Tex-Mex gathering place or catering. Call 770-612-2829.

Red Beard Restaurants -- Gunshow in Glenwood Park and Revival in Decatur – offer private and semi-private rooms to accommodate small and large groups. Consider buying out one of the restaurants for a sweetheart of a shindig. The expert staff fashions details to suit from customizable menus and bar packages to wines, beer, specialty cocktails and more. Both restaurants happily accommodate special requests including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and food sensitivity needs. Gunshow‘s open kitchen, shared dining room and family style menu flex for groups of 13-70 guests. The menu changes daily, and Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward will select eight savory and two dessert items from that night’s menu for guests to enjoy family style as chefs visit the tables with serving platters bearing their creations. Revival’s versatile floor plan morphs from seating lunch for 10, dinner for 25 or a cocktail party for 50. Family style menus for groups of 20-50 guests give a choice of soup or salad, entrée, chef-selected trimmings and a dessert. Laid back and loving it? Communion is for you. The backyard beer-garden-gone-Southern area at Revival has communal picnic tables, food truck snacks, games and session beers, wine and cocktails. Communion is closed during winter months. Red Beard Restaurants events manager JR Zincone comes through for you at both locations, JR@redbeardrestaurants.com.

Sublime Doughnuts, with locations in Midtown and North Druid Hills, answers when whispers of “sweet nothings” enter the picture. Chef Kamal Grant’s distinctive creations are absolutely at home on the menu any time of day or night (and both locations are open 24/7). Delight guests with platters of A-Town Cream, white chocolate peach fritters or ring-shaped deep dark chocolate doughnuts. Spread the love by handing out raspberry-filled heart doughnuts. For information, call the 10th Street store at 404-897-1801 or the North Druid Hills shop at 404-315-6899.

Outside the Perimeter

Beyond the Perimeter, fall in love with Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in East Cobb for bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner and engagement cocktail party options – and oodles of free parking. At Seed, select from prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menu options or mix and match from the menus to suit groups of 15 guests or more. Invite up to 25 guests to gather in the private dining room or 10-25 guests in a semi-private room. Bow to the patio to accommodate 50 guests for a seated meal, more for a cocktail reception. Download Seed’s Event Planning Guide for more space details and a sample menu. Stem Wine Bar is a mighty vine option, whether for a private lunch event Monday through Saturday or a restaurant buyout reserving the entire space for groups of up to 40 seated or 60 for cocktails. Vow to read more in Stem’s Event Planning Guide. For events at Seed Kitchen & Bar or Stem Wine Bar, contact Chris McNeill, general manager, at cmcneill@eatatseed.com or 678-214-6888.

While only two share the honeymoon cruise, up to 50 guests – seafarers and landlubbers alike – can cruise to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar at The Avenue in East Cobb to celebrate the big event. Seat up to eight guests in the Wine Room, Oyster Bar or at a Chef’s Table (hint, hint: a parent, bridesmaid or groomsman get-together). Groups of up to 20 guests can be seated at one table or 28 at multiple tables in the Shiplap Room. Outside, commandeer the covered patio area for up to 25 guests or up to 50 on the full patio. Sail this link to more information or call 770-635-7641.

Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple emits charm galore. Gatherings for parties of eight to 200 guests can be specially tailored by request. Download the Events and Catering Menu for a taste of what’s in store when hosting an event in the restored areas of the farmhouse including the Breezeway (16 guests), the Milton Room (40 guests), the Mayfield Room (24 guests), the Broadwell Room (12 guests), the Banquet Porch (40 seated) or the Bar (32-50 guests). Contact sales and events manager Jill Hayes, Jill@miltonscuisine.com or 678-431-8753.