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Whether it’s an engagement party, a Christmas soiree or even a special working lunch with coworkers, there are certain occasions that call for private dining spaces. And rather than rent an entire event venue, perhaps you just need a wonderful restaurant that also happens to have a private room. Luckily for us, Nashville is home to some incredible options with just the right size and ambiance to make your private dining experience one to remember.
3 Unexpected Private Dining Spaces in Nashville
Hathorne
4708 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209 • (629) 888-4917
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hathorne, for example, isn’t only a gorgeous restaurant with one of the most beloved happy hours and menus in town, it’s also perfect for private dining thanks to its layout and ambiance. “We have multiple areas with capacity from 20-100 using our private dining room or other areas in our main dining room,” says John Stephenson, Chef/Owner of Hathorne. The private dining room is a beautifully appointed room that can hold up to 24 guests at a time. “We have hosted wedding anniversaries, medical dinners, birthday parties and reunion dinners, among many others,” John says. “With a 75-inch screen and the option to play your own music, the room can host a variety of meetings or events.”
When it comes to the main event, Hathorne boasts a fantastic menu that is designed to share and is served fellowship-style, enabling guests to indulge in an assortment of foods. There’s even an option to work with the chefs to create a custom menu to satisfy almost any palate.
If you’re in the market for a happy hour gathering, Hathorne’s “Joyful Hour” is not to be missed. John gives us the rundown on the amazing deals they offer to suit almost any drinker: $9 Top Shelf Classic, $10 signature cocktails and $10 off any bottle of wine, just to name a few. “Our Joyful Hour also features an array of bar bites priced at only $5,” John adds. “Some favorites are the fried vegetables, house-made ricotta toast, and charred sourdough bread.”
Hathorne is a top local destination for a cocktail and a meal. But did you know they have a private dining space and can accommodate a custom menu request? Image: Hathorne
The private dining space Hathorne has beautiful hardwoods, lighting fixtures, and beautiful natural light. A sound system and screen are also available for private parties. Image: Hathorne
The Joyful Hour at Hathorne features seasonal flavors and tasty beverages.
Hathorne also has a beautiful patio space for al fresco dining and gathering.
Etch
303 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201 • (615) 522-0685
Hours: Lunch — Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner — Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Making our way downtown, Etch is another incredible option in the realm of group dining accommodations. The refined yet accessible space strikes the perfect balance between upscale and casual in the heart of downtown Nashville, and its proximity to so many downtown attractions draws a diverse crowd looking for delicious food and drinks before hitting the town.
“Whether you’re looking for a pre-symphony dinner with colleagues or a cocktail reception with friends before heading to a Predators game, you’ll find dining options for any and all occasions,” says Ali Gensert, Marketing Director at 4Top Hospitality. “We work with each group to create an extraordinary experience paired with the culinary talents of Chef/Owner Deb Paquette and her team. Together, they create customized menus highlighting Deb’s love of global flavors and innovative cuisine. The dishes are unique and flavor-packed, leaving a lasting impression, or etch, on every guest.”
When planning your private dining experience at Etch, you’ll find two wonderful options. For smaller, more intimate occasions, like lunch meetings or bridal showers, the Intermezzo Room can seat up to 12 guests around its oversized custom wooden table. The floor-to-ceiling frosted glass windows and sliding doors separate the room from the bustling main dining room, and guests can order from the full menu or customize a limited menu.
The second option, the Encore Room, accommodates a larger crew with room for 36 seated guests or 50 standing guests. This particular room is equipped with a bar, making it the perfect space for hosting cocktail receptions and wine dinners. “Deb and the culinary team can create a beautiful spread of hors d’oeuvres if you’re looking for a more casual vibe,” Ali explains, “or we can offer a prix fixe menu for seated functions.”
Etch offers group dining accommodations that strike the perfect balance between upscale and casual.
The menu at Etch shines a light on owner Deb Paquette’s love of global flavors and innovative cuisine.
Miel
343 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 219-5799
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Rounding out our private dining favorites is Miel, the French-inspired staple in Sylvan Park. Not only is Miel known for its locally sourced, seasonally driven fare, owner Seema Prasad says the beloved restaurant provides an exceptional group dining experience. “Miel offers The Barn, a free-standing, completely private building for its guests to host an event that opens up to a private patio,” Seema says. “A fire pit can burn just outside, and guests can enjoy the restaurant’s surrounding herb garden.”
Seema describes The Barn as rustic yet chic, and it can be dressed up or down. “Think elegant floral and candles, or hay bales and bonfires,” she says. The long table seats up to 20 or it can separate and seat 26. A standing, cocktail-style reception can seat up to 50. Featuring barn wood, planked walnut tables and burlap accents, The Barn offers a fabulous location for business dinners, wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, anniversaries and so much more. As an added bonus, Miel offers outstanding speakers, allowing for guests to choose the soundtrack for their event, whether that’s pre-recorded or live music.
While the ambiance is gorgeous, Seema insists that the food is what truly makes the event special. “From an hors d’oeuvres buffet to a family-style service to a more formal coursed menu, each style suits a different type of event,” she says. “The menu is a representation of what is available now from Nashville’s surrounding farms; super seasonal and local made into a culinary adventure. Guests can even order special items like a fully roasted pig’s head, whole ducks, etc.,” she adds.
The Nashville gem has been around for more than 11 years, and Seema herself is almost always there to greet her guests and make your experience remarkable. “We really get to know you and take care of you ourselves,” she adds, which is the icing on the cake when it comes to making a private dining experience remarkable and memorable.
Enjoy an event at Miel in The Barn or on the intimate patio.
“From an hors d’oeuvres buffet to a family-style service to a more formal coursed menu, each style suits a different type of event,” says Miel owner Seema Prasad.
When you’re ready to book your gathering for the holidays or any time of year, consider these three fantastic local options for an intimate and memorable private dining experience.
This article is sponsored by Hathorne.