Private Events Frequently Asked Questions
Private Events at Kimpton Era Midtown
Location & Arrival
Q: Where is Bar Rocco located, and is there parking nearby?
A: Bar Rocco is inside Kimpton Era Midtown at 32 West 48th Street, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan — steps from Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, with Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, and the Theater District all within a short walk. The hotel doesn't operate its own lot, but several attended garages sit within a block or two, and most guests find the subway the quickest way in.
Q: Do you have free or paid parking?
A: Parking in this stretch of Midtown is garage-based rather than on-street, and rates are set by the garages themselves. We're glad to share the closest options when you book.
Q: What are the nearby public transit options?
A: We're exceptionally well connected. The 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center station (B, D, F, M) is around the corner; 49th Street (N, R, W) and Fifth Ave–53rd St (E, M) are both a few minutes away. Grand Central and Penn Station are a short ride for guests arriving by Metro-North, LIRR, or Amtrak, and both major airports connect in easily.
Q: How close are you to the convention center for corporate breakout dining?
A: central Midtown address makes Bar Rocco a natural breakout option for groups meeting nearby — ideal for offsite dinners, client entertaining, and team gatherings that want a step away from the show floor without a long transfer.
Q: Do you offer room blocks or partner with nearby hotels?
A: Better still — Bar Rocco sits inside the 529-room Kimpton Era Midtown, so group room blocks are arranged in-house alongside your event. One address for the dinner, the celebration, and the night's rest.
Private Dining
Q: What are your private and semi-private dining capacities?
A: Bar Rocco offers both private and semi-private options, from intimate boardroom-style dinners to a full buyout of the brasserie. Share your headcount and the feel you're after, and we'll match you to the right setting.
Q: Do you host wedding-related events like rehearsal dinners and post-wedding brunches?
A: We do, and the brasserie was made for them. Rehearsal dinners, welcome receptions, and unhurried post-wedding brunches all settle right into Bar Rocco's banquettes and scarlet-lit bar — with guest rooms upstairs at Kimpton Era for the wedding party and out-of-town guests.
Food & Beverage
Q: What type of cuisine is served for private events?
A: Refined Italian-American brasserie fare from James Beard Award–winning chef Rocco DiSpirito, shaped by his visits to regional greenmarkets and long-standing relationships with local farmers. Private menus draw on the same market-driven kitchen as the dining room — signatures like Mama's Meatballs, house pastas, and Oysters "Rocco-Feller" — served family-style or plated across multiple courses.
Q: Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies for large groups?
A: Always. Our culinary teams handle vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-conscious needs as a matter of course — we simply ask for the details in advance so every guest is looked after without a second thought.
Q: Is there a food and beverage minimum to book a private space?
A: Yes. Most private spaces carry a food and beverage minimum that goes toward your food and drink rather than a separate room-rental fee. Minimums vary by room, day of the week, and season — we'll share the figure for your preferred space when you inquire.
Q: Do you allow outside catering?
A: All food and beverage is prepared in-house by our culinary teams, so outside catering isn't permitted — with one exception: outside kosher catering is welcome for events that require it. For all other requests, our chefs are glad to build custom menus.
Q: Do you offer custom menus?
A: Absolutely. Our chefs tailor menus to your group, occasion, and budget — from family-style feasts to plated multi-course dinners and passed-canapé receptions.
Q: Do you offer tastings?
A: Yes — tastings can be arranged for qualifying events so you can finalize your menu with confidence. Your events manager will let you know when a tasting makes sense for your booking.
Planning & Logistics
Q: Do you have AV?
A: Yes. Our private spaces come equipped with microphones, speakers, and 70-inch smart TVs — ready for presentations, slideshows, and playlists alike. Share your run of show and we'll make sure the room is set.
Q: Do you have preferred vendors?
A: Yes. We keep a roster of trusted partners for florals, entertainment, photography, and production, and you're welcome to bring your own.
Q: Is there a venue manager to help with onsite logistics?
A: Yes. A dedicated events manager guides you from first inquiry through the night itself — menu, floor plan, timeline, and day-of coordination — so you can host the room rather than run it.
Q: Do you allow decorations? Are there any restrictions?
A: Yes — decorations are welcome. We ask that you skip confetti, and your events manager will walk you through a few standard guidelines for protecting the space as you plan.
Q: How can I schedule a tour?
A: We'd love to show you around. Inquire Now to set up a walkthrough of Bar Rocco and the spaces that best fit your event, and we'll find a time that works.