Need Recommendations: Princeton area

[Randi]

My company is looking to hold an awards dinner in the Princeton area at a venue which has the following:

- Private room for 25

- a "gentleman's club" atmosphere

- upscale food/atmosphere

- cigar smoking permitted

Anyone have any suggestions?

[jsfein]

Although I don't know whether it meets all of your criteria, Lahiere's has a "gentleman's club" atmosphere and I think they cater to private parties. I only dined there once and was not enamored with the food, but it has a following. Here's a link to their website.

[menton1]

If your gathering is going to be after April 15, you will need a private club, because cigar smoking will be banned in all public restaurants, even in their private rooms.

I do know that the Marriott in Princeton currently advertises a "cigar-friendly" meeting room. YOu might check them out, don't know how the new legislation will affect them.

In the Nassau Inn there is a "masculine" type pub called Yankee Doodle's or the like.. you might check them out as well...

P.S. Where did you find 25 cigar smokers all in one group?

[Kim WB]

by "gentleman's club" randi, do you mean dark wood pannelling, or half naked babes?

[bgut1]

by "gentleman's club" randi, do you mean dark wood pannelling, or half naked babes?

←

Funny - I was thinking the exact same thing

[cdh]

If you want a clubby feel, why don't you see you could get into the Nassau Club up at the corner of Mercer and Nassau? It's private, so you may need a member or somebody with reciprocal privileges to sponsor it... but it does have reciprocity with a number of alumni clubs out there. Never been myself, so can't comment on food, smoking or otherwise, but if you want clubby and in Princeton, try for a club.

[Randi]

jsfein, menton1 and cdh - thanks for the suggestions. I've passed them on to the event planner.

Kim - I'm thinking the paneling - but we didn't actually take a vote

menton - the event is in late February, so yes, before the smoking ban goes into effect. And all 25 won't be smoking, but the ones who count will be, apparently.

Thanks all.

Anyone else have suggestions? We aren't married to Princeton if the feel is right. (we are considering Rats, for example). We need it to be accessible to our Cranford, Mt. Laurel and Ft. Washington PA offices.

Edited January 19, 2006 by Randi (log)

[menton1]

menton - the event is in late February, so yes, before the smoking ban goes into effect. And all 25 won't be smoking, but the ones who count will be, apparently. 

Boy, pity the non-cigar smokers who have to "keep their chin up". I know that I would be devastated if I had to attend an event in a cigar-smoke filled room...

[aaronwcpa]

I think the Nassau Inn would probably fit your needs. I don't know if any of Princeton University dining clubs offer their place to outsiders but you may want to try and get a real private club. I suppose you would have to contact the University.

[LauraSM]

I think the Nassau Inn would probably fit your needs. I don't know if any of Princeton University dining clubs offer their place to outsiders but you may want to try and get a real private club. I suppose you would have to contact the University.

←

Princeton Alum, here. Some of the eating clubs may rent out private rooms, they occasionally did 25 years ago. I am pretty sure none have liquor licenses, though, as most undergrads are not of drinking age.

And they are not affiliated with the University. They are private clubs and you would have to contact them individually, not through the University.

I think the Nassau Inn might be a good idea, too.

[lmkennedy53]

I think the food at the Nassau Inn is terrible!

[Randi]

Thanks again, everyone, for the suggestions and input.

Now it looks like we're moving further north, closer to our Cranford office.

But we haven't pinned down a place, still.