10 Places to Hold Your Holiday Party in Metro Phoenix

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and the planning of a holiday party begins with one reservation. So if you're aiming to be this year's host(ess) with the most unforgettable event, then you're going to want to act fast. 

Lucky for you party planning fiends, we've gone ahead and done some preliminary work. Here are ten restaurants around metro Phoenix with the right stuff to help pull off the perfect holiday soiree. 

Southern Rail 

Located at The Newton in Phoenix, Southern Rail will make your guests feel like they've been transported to a ritzy Southern plantation for your holiday affair. Helmed by chef Justin Beckett, the restaurant serves “flavors from the American south” as well as offering cocktails and a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list for your party menu. As for private dining space, Southern Rail's room comes fully decked out with a 62” flat panel TV, privacy shutters and curtains, and a dedicated service staff . For inquires, call 602-200-0085 and ask to speak with a manager or email [email protected].

DeSoto Central Market

There's hardly a place in town that's better equipped for holiday partying (or any kind of partying, really) than DeSoto Central Market in downtown Phoenix. With  two full bars and six kitchens this hipster hot spot can handle pretty much any kind of catering situation, plus there's plenty of indoor space and a dog-friendly outdoor patio. By day, the space is always flooded with picture-worthy natural light and evening puts DeSoto in the heart of the downtown nightlife scene. If you have an idea for an event, just email [email protected].

  Citizen Public House

Whether you're entertaining 12 people or a few dozen, Citizen Public House has the space you need. The sleek but comfortable restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale offers everything from an 18-seat semi-private alcove to a 12-seat "Family Room" table — as well as a 36-seat private speakeasy found above the restaurant. No matter what room fits just right, chef Bernie Kantak's restaurant is ready to help create a custom menu for you and your guests. To book the restaurant for your holiday shindig contact Stacie Ten Eyck, event director, at [email protected] or 480-398-4208.

Sassi

This north Scottsdale restaurant and event venue can handle parties as intimate as eight and as large as 170. Room options range from the "relaxed but elegant" Garden Terrace to the "intimate, cozy and elegrant" Library and Wine Cellar that features a vaulted brick ceiling and views of the restaurant's impressive wine selection. Sassi doesn't charge for room rental, opting instead to have a minimum requirement for food and beverage purchases. Call 480-502-9095 for more information. 

Lustre Bar

Here's the thing: There are a lot of places where having a holiday party outdoors on a rooftop just isn't really feasible. Phoenix is not one of them. Count your blessings that we live in a place where you can toast the season in open-toed shoes on a poolside patio with stunning views of downtown Phoenix at Lustre Bar at the Hotel Palomar. This urban chic party venue is both romantic and unique and happy to help coordinate both small and large scale events. To start planning an event visit the Hotel Palomar website or email [email protected]. 

The Duce

Between the boxing ring, dance floor, full bar, and Foosball table, The Duce in downtown Phoenix has pretty much everything your guests could want and more in a holiday party venue. The Prohibition-themed venue has space for both indoor and outdoor eating and drinking making it a natural choice for your holiday event. To start planning call 602-866-3823 or email [email protected].

Bink's Midtown

Centrally located and designed to look and feel like a nicer, brighter, cleaner version of a typical Central Phoenix home, Bink's Midtown offers a private dining room that's guaranteed to impress your holiday guests. Of course, the bigger draw is probably going to be the food and James Beard award-nominated chef Kevin Binkley and his team will help you create a custom menu for your private event. For more information call 602-388-4874 or visit the Bink's Midtown website. 

Cowboy Ciao

Give your guests a real Southwest experience this holiday season by hosting your event at Cowboy Ciao, one of Scottsdale most classic dining destinations. For more than a decade Cowboy Ciao has been known for its quirky, Western decor; impressive wine list; and Southwestern fare. The restaurant has private dining space for large or mid-size parties but will accommodate groups as small as six. For sample group menus or a customized proposal contact event planner Nancy Watson at [email protected] or call 480-946-3111.


Dominick's Steakhouse

If you want your holiday party to be ultra glam, then you're probably looking for a place like Dominick's Steakhouse in Scottsdale. The steakhouse has a handsome but modern interior that's decorated in rich browns and offers a rooftop patio and several cozy dining spaces. For private parties you can choose from options including the restaurant's wine room, executive room, and library — all of which come with art audio and visual capabilities. The restaurant will create custom menus and can accommodate parties ranging from eight to 350 people. To start planning an event email [email protected]. 

Olive and Ivy

This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant not only has two private dining rooms and a large outdoor patio with views of the Scottsdale waterfront, but also an impressive wine selection and food that's both approachable and exciting. For smaller private events, Olive and Ivy offers The Gold Room, which comes with a round table for 12, a Murano glass light fixture, and patio access, while larger events can look to The Stamp Room or the patio, which features multiple fireplaces and water features. To book and event, email [email protected] or call 480-905-3273.