Private Dining & Intimate Events in Harlem
Celebrate life's meaningful moments in Harlem's most distinctive private dining setting. Panda Harlem offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for birthday dinners, anniversary celebrations, engagement parties, and small group gatherings of 8 to 50 guests. Our chef-driven Chinese-fusion menu, craft cocktail program, and attentive service ensure your special occasion feels personal—never overwhelming. With a private dining room seating up to 18 and semi-private spaces for slightly larger groups, we specialize in celebrations where every guest matters.
Our Private Dining Spaces
Private Dining Room: Our intimate private room seats up to 18 guests—ideal for birthday dinners, anniversary celebrations, and close family gatherings.
Semi-Private Dining: For groups of 20-50 guests, our front dining area offers a dedicated space with your own service team while maintaining the energy of a restaurant setting.
Small Buyouts: For truly exclusive celebrations, inquire about partial or full restaurant buyouts for groups under 72 guests. We’re not a ballroom—we’re an intimate neighborhood gem that feels like your own.
Perfect For Your Celebration
Birthday Dinners: From milestone birthdays to casual celebrations, our private room creates the perfect backdrop for making memories.
Anniversary Celebrations: Toast to another year with an intimate dinner featuring personalized touches.
Engagement Dinners: Introduce your families or celebrate with close friends in a private, upscale setting.
Graduation Dinners: Mark academic achievements with a special meal for family and close friends.
Small Family Gatherings: Reunions, holiday dinners, and “just because” get-togethers.
Micro-Weddings & Elopement Dinners: Celebrate your “I dos” with your closest loved ones in an unforgettable setting.
Rehearsal Dinners: Gather your wedding party for a relaxed yet elegant pre-wedding celebration.
Book Your Private Event
Ready to make it official? Fill out the form below and we’ll start planning the party everyone will be talking about.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Dining
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A private event or private party is any gathering where the host reserves a venue (or a defined area) for an invited guest list instead of the general public. Typical examples include milestone birthdays, wedding receptions, corporate off-sites, holiday parties, product launches, alumni reunions, and VIP dinners. Hosts control the guest list, schedule, menu, and décor, creating an experience that feels tailor-made for their attendees.
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Private events offer several advantages: exclusivity and privacy for sensitive conversations or celebrations; branding and personalization through custom cocktails, signage, and décor; consistent service quality because staff focus solely on the group; full control of lighting, music, and layout to fit the mood; and predictable, often lower, costs when space, food, drinks, and equipment are bundled in one contract.
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Panda Harlem, at 2331 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10027, is only a short walk from the 125th St. and 137th St. stations on the 1-train and several bus lines, making arrival easy from Midtown or the outer boroughs. The venue offers intimate spaces perfect for smaller celebrations: a Private Room that seats up to 18 guests for birthday dinners and anniversary celebrations; and semi-private areas for groups of 20-50 guests who want a dedicated space with attentive service.
The atmosphere blends Harlem’s hip hop-club energy with an upscale lounge design—plush banquettes, dramatic lighting, and a DJ-ready sound system eliminate the need for outside equipment. Panda Harlem’s Chinese-inspired comfort-food menu balances familiar classics with creative twists, and the bar team can craft signature drinks that match a company’s brand or a wedding palette. Vegan, gluten-free, and halal menus are available on request.
Events benefit from a dedicated coordinator who handles timelines, floor plans, vendors, and built-in technology. Late-night operating hours—until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays—accommodate extended celebrations. Pricing is transparent with all-inclusive food-and-beverage packages that keep budgets predictable.
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It’s easy—submit the inquiry form on our Private Parties page or call our Private Event Coordinator at (347) 905‑4192 to reserve your private event venue in Harlem. A Panda Harlem specialist will send a customized quote and lock in your date once a deposit is received.
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We regularly host birthday dinners, corporate mixers, micro‑weddings, rehearsal‑dinner buy‑outs, holiday parties, product launches, after‑work happy‑hours, and late‑night VIP bottle‑service celebrations. If you need to book a private dining room in NYC for any milestone, Panda Harlem can tailor the experience.
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Minimum‑spend commitments vary by room, date, and guest count—your event specialist will send exact figures with your quote. There is no separate room‑rental fee when the minimum is met, making Panda Harlem a cost‑effective NYC private party venue.
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Yes. Choose from chef‑driven prix‑fixe banquets, passed hors d’oeuvres, brunch stations, or create a bespoke menu. Full open‑bar, premium bottle service, and specialty cocktail packages are available to boost per‑person spend for private events.
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20 % gratuity is added to all private‑event checks
5 % admin fee applies to groups of eight or more
A 3.99 % card‑processing fee applies to credit/debit payments
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A signed agreement plus a deposit (typically 25 % of the estimated spend) secures your date. Deposits are refundable up to 14 days prior; within 14 days they are applied as a credit toward a future private event reservation.
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Yes—gluten‑free, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and allergy‑conscious options can be integrated into any private dining menu with advance notice.
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Panda Harlem (2331 12th Ave, New York NY 10027) is wheelchair accessible and near the 1 train (125 St or 137 St stops) and M4 bus. Street parking is available.
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Prime Friday and Saturday slots often book 2–3 months out; weekday corporate events can usually be secured 4–6 weeks in advance. Submit your inquiry early to guarantee your preferred date.
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Email info@pandaharlem.com or call (347) 905‑4192 and mention you’re looking to book a private party at Panda Harlem; a coordinator will reply within 24 hours.