Advice request: restaurant/venue for a lunch (or dinner) party for 60'ish people

Submitted by marcamos t3_xwl9j1 in WorcesterMA

Hello! So, I'm not from Worcester, but I'm trying to plan a 40th birthday party there for my wife in early 2023. My family is from the Salem/Beverly area, while her family is from the Springfield/Chicopee area, and Worcester is about halfway — a great location to have both families come together.

I personally don't know Worcester at all, so I'm reaching out for advice as far as which restaurants/venues I should reach out to that can accommodate:

  • 60'ish people
  • Around February 2023
  • Lunch or dinner (haven't decided yet)
  • All ages: there'll be babies, grandparents, and everyone in between
  • No real preference on cuisine style

I realize 60'ish people is a lot for a restaurant, so I probably need something more, I don't know, function-hall like?

Either way, what do y'all think? Any recommendations?

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Comments

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kajok t1_ir7c0bg wrote

Volturno (Neapolitan style pizza) has a nice function room

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marcamos OP t1_ir9sctv wrote

Cool idea; thank you!

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ganduvo t1_iraj656 wrote

Highly recommend Volturno; they also have amazing homemade pasta and other entrees. All around a fantastic restaurant. They actually host pasta making classes in their function room--if you wanted to do something a bit more interactive they might be open to doing a class for just your party. When I did one a few years ago it was very low-key and you got to eat what you made (among lots of other foods and lots of wine flowing). Could be a fun idea, I know my wife would love that.

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Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_ir7iu52 wrote

It's a bit further for you and closer to the western Mass family members, but the Public House in Sturbridge might be a good option. They have rooms of various sizes for this type of thing.

Cedar Street Grille is also good and I know they do smaller groups - not sure about this size but you can call and check. Easy access off of the Pike, too.

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Jilltro t1_ir8bnfc wrote

I live near the Publick House and it’s amazing. Their food is great and their bakery is even better. I always take out of town guests there and they always love it.

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marcamos OP t1_ir9styl wrote

Ah! I hadn't thought about the Public House (I've been there before) — thanks for suggesting it!

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lostinborealis t1_ir77mwl wrote

I don't think we had 60 people but I went to a pretty large gathering at O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar so def worth checking out. The website says their entire restaurant capacity is 400 people.

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darksideofthemoon131 t1_ir7ekd7 wrote

I'd nix this one. New owners, place isn't the same anymore. Food was mediocre, service was awful.

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ThrillDr1 t1_ir7f8if wrote

Also heard this.

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darksideofthemoon131 t1_ir7gjn8 wrote

Such a shame but new owners have no connection to worcester and don't seem to run it like Bredan did. He actually cared about his customers. Felt rushed when I went there a few weeks ago. Experience was cold- felt tense in there. Prices went up too.

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bcard050991 t1_ir7i3j2 wrote

Heard some of the kitchen staff left too

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darksideofthemoon131 t1_ir7mp6u wrote

Foods not horrible, but it isn't 15/20 $ a plate good. It's basically become the new Millbrook. A lot of older people (55+) same old bland food with minimal taste.

I gotta add, the cleanliness was a problem. Fruit flies all over the bar. Was actually quite grossed out by it. I've seen flies before- this was on another level. And for an Irish Pub/Restaurant - they had very little whiskey beyond Jameson and some average bourbon.

My expectations were never high for it. It's consistently mediocre- but for those prices- I expect more than that nowadays. Probably won't be going back again, was always a great little spot just not my vibe anymore.

I don't see them lasting beyond a year or two and functions is only thing that'll keep them going for that.

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lostinborealis t1_ir7pczw wrote

Man what a bummer. Thanks for the heads up.

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darksideofthemoon131 t1_ir7pzwe wrote

Tell me about it, I've been going there since I was a little kid in the 80s and they were a lot smaller. Definitely changed over past year. I can't think of one reason to go back anymore. Can go down the road to Quinns and get better food, and an atmosphere that isn't conducive to anyone born after 1975.

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legalpretzel t1_ir7ap5l wrote

We’ve had many events at o’connors. The best part is that it’s incredibly easy on and off 190.

Just make sure they don’t book you in the long narrow room, the larger square room in the back is much better.

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ChanceTheGardenerr t1_ir73nw6 wrote

If you want to spare 60 ppl the headache of driving around Worcester by google-map then I suggest that whatever u choose is easily accessible from I-90.

Maybe a country club off I-90? Plenty of parking, usually space on the calendar for a party that size.

Good luck!

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marcamos OP t1_ir9s7sh wrote

Thank you for the tip; definitely something I'll think about more.

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Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_ir7jbyc wrote

If you're looking within Worcester, the Green Hill Golf Course has a nice event space in their restaurant. I'm not sure if the restaurant stays open year round.

https://grillonthehillworcester.com/book-function/

You should check around other golf courses, too. Cyprian Keyes in Boylston has all sorts of function space. Again, not sure what the deal is in the winter but some of these places might do year-round functions even if the golf course is closed.

https://www.cypriankeyes.com/outings-events/function-rooms

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marcamos OP t1_ir9thnl wrote

Wow, both of those look really nice, thank you!

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nickgodd t1_ir90pz7 wrote

Check out Nuovo on Shrewsbury street, they have a whole room upstairs. Used to work there, food is 10/10 and the owners are awesome!

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marcamos OP t1_ir9vugs wrote

This place looks really nice, too, thank you!

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AnteaterEastern2811 t1_ir8cyuw wrote

nebg.org they do catered events

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marcamos OP t1_ir9ukuk wrote

Huh, neat place, but their hours are a little tough in my case (Mon - Fri, 8a - 4p). Thank you for the suggestion!

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Smooth_Specialist_42 t1_ir8dzwe wrote

Off the Rails in Worcester has a venue space you can rent out and they can do a a Nashville BBQ-Style buffet. There’s a stage and bar in the venue and it’s a really great spot for gatherings, receptions, etc. Also has easy patio access.

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Dk5694 t1_ir8zjjs wrote

Idk how much you’re looking to spend but Leo’s Ristorante doesn’t have a minimum you have to spend and they’re pretty good

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marcamos OP t1_ir9vbjh wrote

I think $2,500 is about my maximum; thanks for the suggestion!

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mpurdey12 t1_ir9ov9i wrote

Not in Worcester, but the Leicester Country Club in Leicester, MA might be able to accommodate you. Leicester is one of the towns that borders Worcester.

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lizzieismydog t1_ir9sk2f wrote

I was just in Leicester yesterday. It's EASILY accessible from Route 20 to 56 or from Route 9.

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great-pair-of-knees t1_ira315q wrote

There's a place, I think it's called Wilma's or something on 702 Southbridge St. Had my wife's 40th there. Service was very fast, food was fresh (never frozen) and the price was right.

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Chickadee486 t1_iravaf6 wrote

O'Connors Pub (I think address is technically west boylston but easy access from the highway 190) could be a good place for a gathering like this - I can't say for sure if they can hold 60, but its worth a call. My office has held holiday gatherings there before in a function room.

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noturaveragecitygirl t1_irdk03e wrote

Post Office Pub in Grafton has a nice function room, I think it can fit 60. It's close to the pike too.

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New-Vegetable-1274 t1_ir8e82l wrote

Lakeside East Brookfield, Salem Cross Inn West Brookfield Theresa's Ware, Val's Holden,

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