Be it a birthday or New Year’s Eve, it seems at some point there is always someone planning a party in Manhattan. Most of the time, you want to host a gathering, but just don’t have the space (i.e. your 500-square-foot apartment won’t quite accommodate your guest list). So, you take recommendations from friends by the dozen, and exhaust every restaurant/club/bar listing your city-guide-of-choice has to offer. Then of course there’s the predicament of finding an intimate, cozy space that's as inviting as it is crowd-friendly.

As the endeavor can be daunting psychoPEDIA has taken it upon itself to narrow down the seemingly endless options. From the East Village to the Upper East Side, these six spots should fit the bill for any kind of festivity:

Tia Pol ($250 + $45-$90 Prix Fixe Per Person)
Where: Chelsea
What: In case you haven’t heard, tapas are all the rage. And this diminutive, authentically Spanish eatery was one of the first (recent scions include neighboring El Quinto Pino). The food here is Basque and includes crunchy, creamy croquettes (which change daily), lamb skewers, pyramids of batter-fried shark and endless varieties of cod. Everything is modestly priced and modestly sized – making them perfect for a party (no exorbitant bill, and no unforeseen food comas).
Why: Rent the private back room, which can accommodate up to 25 people ($250/2.5 hours) for an intimate office party, birthday or celebration of any kind. For $45-$65, 10-15 of your guests can enjoy a comfortable, seated dinner. Expecting a few more? Opt for the standing cocktail service ($45-$90), which can accommodate up to 25 guests, and includes a selection of Tia Pol’s tapas plates, as well as beer, wine or sangria.

New York City Fire Museum ($3,300/8 hours or $412.50 per hour)
Where: Soho
What: If you’re looking for a venue that is especially unique, be sure to check out the NYC Fire Museum. This renovated, turn-of-the-century firehouse is located on the West side – Spring Street and Hudson to be exact. The third-floor rental loft is over 3,000 square feet and boasts hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and soaring 13-foot-high ceilings.
Why: Unlike most venues, you are permitted to bring your own catering and beverages (one great way to save money). The rental fee includes basic tables and chairs, as well as a security officer. After 5:00pm the entire museum is available to you and your guests. And, the icing on the cake: all proceeds from your party will go to the NY Fire Department.

Winnie’s ($35/person/hour for open bar, including karaoke)
Where: Chinatown
What: This dive of a Karaoke joint is a favorite of artists and fashion alum alike. Rock music (at a recent after-party for artist Gardar Eide Einarsson there was plenty of Rolling Stones) and booze abound. It’s the perfect makings for a late, intimate night with your closest friends – that is, up to 70 of them. The staff will also make you feel at home, offering you the house’s famous “Hawaiian Punch” – a lethal concoction served in shot form. Just beware of the locals who may Bogart the microphone with ballads and Mandarin pop songs; thus, the more partygoers, the better.
Why: Karaoke proves the perfect party accoutrement. Either your guests love to sing, or they’ll love to watch others make spectacles of themselves. Besides, nothing mixes as well as an open bar and a karaoke machine (complete with a golden microphone to boot).
104 Bayard Street, NYC, (212) 732-2384

Soho House ($150+)
Where: Meatpacking District
What: Established across the pond, the Soho House was imported to NYC in 2003. Tasteful, but not as snobbish as one might think, don’t assume the private club is pretentious just because it’s exclusive. The décor is eclectic, yet refined – a smart mix of raw architectural elements and Eames-era furnishings.
Why: A great choice for an impressive client soiree, wedding reception or blowout birthday party. The club offers four rooms for private hire, which include the Library, White Room, Screening Room and Private Dining Room. The Library is the most impressive room available at the Soho House – it’s a cozy faux study that is suitable for cocktails, business presentations, exhibitions or sit-down dinners. Rent it for $500/half-day, $1,000/day and $1,500/evening. The White Room is a small modern cocktail room suitable for intimate gatherings for up to 45 guests. Rent it for $350/half-day, $700/day and $1,000/evening. The Screening Room would be ideal for a directorial debut, or a high-end kid’s birthday. Rent it for $200/hr. The Private Dining Room is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a maximum of 12 people. Rent it for $500/day or $150 a person for dinner. The Soho House may be costly, but they are straightforward about all expenses. They also provide several menus and drink packages.
**The catch: it’s a members-only club, so you’ll either need to be a member (Annual Fee: $1,400, Registration Fee: $200), or just book the event under the name of a Soho House-card-carrying friend who’ll be attending.

Eat Drink & Be Merry ($1,000-$3,500, open bar $35-$40 per person)
Where: Uptown
What: Sick of having all the party planning responsibilities fall on your shoulders? Eat Drink & Be Merry is a party planning service that’ll take the load off. They can help you organize anything from a Bat Mitzvah to a New Year’s Celebration.
Why: They offer super cozy locations like Jake’s Dilemma, The Gin Mill and Off the Wagon, as well as theme rooms like the Havana Room and the Speakeasy Room that are ideal for any winter affair. Most of their locations have two rental time slots (7:00pm-10:00pm and 10:30-1:30am). There is no fee for their services or a room charge for the location, you’re just required to spend a minimum on food and beverages (subject to change depending on venue, time and date).

Office Party ($400 per party)
Where: East Village
What: From the guys at Grand Opening, who brought you PONG and Manhattan’s first and only Drive In movie theatre, DRV-IN, comes Office Party, open December 3rd through December 21st. Housed in a former East Village social club, the space boasts all the office aspects one might formerly have chosen to avoid after-hours – namely boxy beige computers, cubicles, a PowerPoint projection system, and plenty of cut-rate decorations.
Why: A quirky, incredibly charming alternative to traditional restaurant or bar du jour office parties, this venue will fuel water cooler gossip for weeks. Looking for offbeat party favors? Office Party has you covered with motivational speakers, a tuba quartet and mystery gifts for rent (or, in the case of the latter, for purchase). Don’t have a big enough office? Pool your friends together and throw a themed party or an unforgettably bizarre birthday party. It’s guaranteed to be a night you won’t forget.
**Reserve now as space is limited (max capacity is 30 people).

~Joanna Kunze

First photo by Jae Jong Kwok via Flickr
Fourth photo by Quoo via Flickr