Another year, another company holiday party…. or at least we hope. Between the election, stock market and Bernie Madoff, the 2008 corporate holiday seasons was a bit lackluster…. for obvious reasons. And although we hope most all Atlanta corporations are rebounding, the past does have most event pros nervous about what 2009 is to bring. So we’re spreading some optimistic love in hopes you’re planning a reasonable company holiday party to re-energize the troops, thank them for a job well done and gear up for a successful 2010. Whatcha think?
If that’s the case, dump the fruit cake and streamers in the office and get your gams moving. Atlanta is host to a thousand and one venues, all types and sizes, where you can treat the people who make punching the clock, well, worth it. Here’s my top 5 trends for venues of choice that set the stage for your inner partier.
Country Club Chic
If you’re into golfing by day and dinner parties by night, you’re so Country Club Chic. Being a member may not always necessary but this time around, let your guests think you’re part of the club… for a day at least. ;-) Between Club Corp, Canongate and various ones in between you can find a country club in your neighborhood, we guarantee it. Here’s our top three:
Eagles Landing
100 Eagles Landing
Stockbridge, GA 30281
(770) 389-2000
Berkeley Hills Country Club
2300 Pond Rd
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 248-2048
Hamilton Mill Country Club
1995 Hamilton Mill Parkway
Dacula, GA 30019
(678) 242-1931
Happening Historic Homes
Calgon take me a way….. To the glitz of glamour of the roaring twenties or the sweet simple life of the good ole south. Just whatever you do, take me away! Atlanta may be a big city, but underneath the lights and shadows of those few skyscrapers is where we’re all really from: the good ole’ antebellum south. If you have story that relates to Sherman’s March to the Sea, then getting back to your roots might be just the thing for the holiday party in your future. The good news is.. most of these places are one-stop-shops. Which makes planning these event, while you’re supposed to be working… easier to achieve. My favorites are…
Carl House
1176 Atlanta Highway
Auburn, GA 30011
(770) 586-0095
Primrose Cottage
674 Mimosa Boulevard
Roswell, GA 30075
(770) 594-2299
Victoria Belle Mansion
602 East Main Street
Hogansville, GA 30230
(706) 637-4933
Amenities Abound
Sometimes work and play must intermix but if you cross the lines at the right venue, you just might trick your guests into thinking there’s actually no work involved. Maybe it’s time to launch a new product, have a lesson or two over martini’s, or present next year’s budget. Whatever it may be, you’ll need a venue with the goods. So if you need in house A/V, Powerpoint, or just a convenience location, here’s my two favorites hot spots. One on the north side and one on the south side… just a hop, skip and a jump OTP:
1420 Room
1420 Dunwoody Village Parkway
Dunwoody, GA 30338
(770) 587-9117
Merle Manders Conference Center
111 Davis Road
Stockbridge, GA 30281
(770) 389-5982
Privacy has it’s Perks
As hoity-toity as it may seem, private clubs just might have the ability to take your awesomeness up a notch. You did just book the staff holiday party at a “private club.” Hello! You must a be a member, right? Not exactly. Depending on the club, you just might be able to slip in under the radar. Leave behind your jeans and boots because these venues require your sunday best. Don’t book without checking into these two hotspots:
191 Club
191 Peachtree Street, Ste. 400
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 222-0191
103 West
103 West Paces Ferry Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 233-5993
Restaurant Rendezvous
Sometimes, it’s just best to not reinvent the wheel. Since the first pick for a night on the town usually finds us at one of Atlanta’s top restaurants, why not host an actual party there? Don’t worry, you won’t be sitting with all the other restaurants goers, because most places have private dining rooms that give you the privacy you need, but the low cost perks of any restaurant rendezvous. My favorite restaurants that have menus with the mostest:
Chops/Lobster Bar
70 West Paces Ferry Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 262-2675
Atlanta Fish Market
265 Pharr Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 262-3165
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce de Leon Ave
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 387-4099
Click here to find more venues all across Metro Atlanta
Heather | October 18th, 2009 | See all posts by Heather
