Calling all Jersey Girls !

Hi everyone! Its been a really realllllly long while since I have been on this site so my apologies if I missed any FMs etc.

My best friend is getting married and I am helping her with the shower planning etc. She wants to have it in Jersey and although I live there (ugh - still getting used to it), I do not know BOO about places that are good for this sort of thing. She does not want your traditional shower but more of a coed type of setting where the women can do some traditional stuff (open presents, games etc.) but then have the men join afterward - so maybe a restaurant that turns into a cool lounge, hangout, swanky type setting in the evening? Maybe the party could start at like 5PM on a Saturday? Is that an annoying time? This way the older folk are not so disturbed and the younger people can hang afterward? Just want to accomodate everyone of course but in the brides words 'I don't want it to be annoying'. Hahhahaha! I am rambling on - whoops.

Anyway, any thoughts on somewhere at least close to the the city as we have some people traveling from NYC and LI as well?

Would love to hear any ideas! Thanks in advance.

I live in Little Ferry and the bride lives in Edison. Anywhere inbetween or closer to the city would be preferrable..... I have NO idea where to start looking..

I was originally looking in Jersey for a reception hall since I live there now, so I did a TON of research. Not sure how many of these would be good for a shower, but I can let you know what I looked at.

For views of Manhattan there's the Hyatt in Jersey City, the Newark Club in Newark, The Chart House in Weehawken and Arthur's Landing in Weehawken. The last two might be better for a shower than the first.

I live in Hoboken, and there's a ton of great Bar & Grills here. I'm not sure what they do for private parties, but it wouldn't hurt to look. A few places off the top of my head - Lua (food and swanky lounge at night - I went once and a few NY Giants were there), City Bistro (has a rooftop bar in addition to 2 other floors), Madisons, and The Jefferson. On the water there are The Quays, Trinity, and 3 Forty Grill. These can be pricier for food, but all have Manhattan views. There's also the Sinatra Park Cafe - I don't know if they actually rent this out or not, but it looks like it could be a nice place for an event.

Hoboken is just a 15 minute PATH ride from Manhattan, and the PATH is 1 block from Penn Station so it's pretty convenient for a lot of people. You may want to look at Jersey City too. There's a ton of places there, but I'm not as familiar with them.

The one suggestion I can make is South City Grill. There are 3 locations, but the one I am most familiar with is in Jersey City.

They have a small private room that might work perfectly for a shower. They also have a large bar/lounge area. Though they have a DJ come in on Fridays I don't think they have anything on Saturdays.

OH MY GOD!!!! These responses are sooooo hekpful! I actually think I have been to some of these places now that you mention the names - Chart House, South City, and City Bistro. I love, love, love the idea of the private room, loungy environment. Sounds exactly like what my BF would want! Now I can only hope they do parties and that the prices are not ridiculous. And I guess I have to consider parking too as people will be toting gifts etc.

Also, my BF has no sisters and her mother is TOTALLY off-the-boat Korean and knows nothing about this stuff. My BF has not selected a MOH yet so do I assume that the bridal party is paying for this or at least pitching in to pay? I figured after I do the research, get some options, I will approach her mother with our ideas with something like 'we know that you are not familiar with Jersey so the bridal party pitched in to help plan this event for Sue. Can you help us out with some of the cost?' - well, something more tactful but to that point.... what do you think? Is that the right way to go?

I know the South City in JC had an arrangement for discounted parking for anyone who dines there, so that is one option.

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Posted by LauraPete

OH MY GOD!!!! These responses are sooooo hekpful! I actually think I have been to some of these places now that you mention the names - Chart House, South City, and City Bistro. I love, love, love the idea of the private room, loungy environment. Sounds exactly like what my BF would want! Now I can only hope they do parties and that the prices are not ridiculous. And I guess I have to consider parking too as people will be toting gifts etc.

Also, my BF has no sisters and her mother is TOTALLY off-the-boat Korean and knows nothing about this stuff. My BF has not selected a MOH yet so do I assume that the bridal party is paying for this or at least pitching in to pay? I figured after I do the research, get some options, I will approach her mother with our ideas with something like 'we know that you are not familiar with Jersey so the bridal party pitched in to help plan this event for Sue. Can you help us out with some of the cost?' - well, something more tactful but to that point.... what do you think? Is that the right way to go?

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Okay, so I am just about to book the upstairs room at Arthur's Landing for a shower of 40-50 people. Has anyone had their shower there? Any last minute worries I need to think about? There is no elevator and there is a possibility of another party being nearby in the room (as it is one dining room separated by 2 sunken steps). But the view is spectacular with all glass walls to the front and to the right.

The other option is the Empire room at the Chart House - advantages here is that is a private room and there is an elevator. Negatives are more money ($5 bucks a head more) and only one wall of windows......

Has anyone eaten or been to parties at either of these places to make a comparison? The shower date is fast approaching and I have to make a decision like yesterday...EEEEKS!!!! They are both great I am sure - just wanted to see if you girls had any experiences at either place to lead me in one direction or another.

Thoughts?

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Posted by LauraPete

Okay, so I am just about to book the upstairs room at Arthur's Landing for a shower of 40-50 people. Has anyone had their shower there? Any last minute worries I need to think about? There is no elevator and there is a possibility of another party being nearby in the room (as it is one dining room separated by 2 sunken steps). But the view is spectacular with all glass walls to the front and to the right.

The other option is the Empire room at the Chart House - advantages here is that is a private room and there is an elevator. Negatives are more money ($5 bucks a head more) and only one wall of windows......

Has anyone eaten or been to parties at either of these places to make a comparison? The shower date is fast approaching and I have to make a decision like yesterday...EEEEKS!!!! They are both great I am sure - just wanted to see if you girls had any experiences at either place to lead me in one direction or another.

Thoughts?

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I haven't been to either, but my friend's parents rave about the Chart House.

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Posted by EGreene79

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Posted by LauraPete

Okay, so I am just about to book the upstairs room at Arthur's Landing for a shower of 40-50 people. Has anyone had their shower there? Any last minute worries I need to think about? There is no elevator and there is a possibility of another party being nearby in the room (as it is one dining room separated by 2 sunken steps). But the view is spectacular with all glass walls to the front and to the right.

The other option is the Empire room at the Chart House - advantages here is that is a private room and there is an elevator. Negatives are more money ($5 bucks a head more) and only one wall of windows......

Has anyone eaten or been to parties at either of these places to make a comparison? The shower date is fast approaching and I have to make a decision like yesterday...EEEEKS!!!! They are both great I am sure - just wanted to see if you girls had any experiences at either place to lead me in one direction or another.

Thoughts?

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I haven't been to either, but my friend's parents rave about the Chart House.

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From what I hear the Chart House is fabulous!!!

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Posted by Katie&Chris2006

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Posted by EGreene79

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Posted by LauraPete

Okay, so I am just about to book the upstairs room at Arthur's Landing for a shower of 40-50 people. Has anyone had their shower there? Any last minute worries I need to think about? There is no elevator and there is a possibility of another party being nearby in the room (as it is one dining room separated by 2 sunken steps). But the view is spectacular with all glass walls to the front and to the right.

The other option is the Empire room at the Chart House - advantages here is that is a private room and there is an elevator. Negatives are more money ($5 bucks a head more) and only one wall of windows......

Has anyone eaten or been to parties at either of these places to make a comparison? The shower date is fast approaching and I have to make a decision like yesterday...EEEEKS!!!! They are both great I am sure - just wanted to see if you girls had any experiences at either place to lead me in one direction or another.

Thoughts?

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I haven't been to either, but my friend's parents rave about the Chart House.

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From what I hear the Chart House is fabulous!!!

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yeah the chart house is amazing. no worries there!

thanks girls for the advice : ) much appreciated!

so you really think its worth an extra $250 to go with the chart house?

My girlfriend just told me that the chart house food blows arthur's landing away .... : (