“We had our wedding at the Pleasantdale Chateau this past Saturday, and calling it extraordinary somehow still feels like an understatement. Multiple guests have already told us this was the best wedding they’ve ever been to—and we completely agree.
When planning, we seriously debated between the Pleasantdale and several famous New York City venues. Choosing the Pleasantdale was the best decision we’ve ever made—and that is truly not an exaggeration.
What sets the Pleasantdale apart is the combination of outstanding service and extraordinary food. The staff is attentive, warm, and seamlessly professional in a way that makes you feel completely taken care of from start to finish. Every detail was handled with precision and genuine care, allowing us to actually relax and enjoy our day. And the food—absolutely unreal. Guests are still talking about how incredible every course was, from cocktail hour through dessert.
The property itself is stunning, but it’s the experience the Pleasantdale team creates that makes it unforgettable. Our wedding felt elegant, joyful, and effortless—all because of them.
We cannot recommend the Pleasantdale Chateau highly enough. If you are considering it for your wedding or special event, stop looking. This venue is truly in a league of its own.”
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
One SOPAC Way, South Orange
Venues And Event Spaces
“Great venue. Easy access to tickets for a variety of events available online. Staff are all personable and accommodating. Parking can be challenging, but not impossible. Lots of dining options in town and nearby Maplewood.”
“I recently celebrated my 50th birthday at the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The venue is beautiful and created the perfect atmosphere for such a special day.
Elizabeth was extremely helpful during the planning process—from helping with floorplans and securing event licenses to coordinating with vendors. Her attention to detail made everything seamless and stress-free.
Luis was also fantastic on the weekend of the event—professional, attentive, and supportive throughout. Thanks to their team, the event was a great success. I highly recommend the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge for any special occasion!”
“Kind, professional, competent, staff and servers. The quality of the food was excellent at a reasonable price point. The facility was clean and well kept. Excellent choice for small to midsize xe gathering because they really give a personal touch to the preparations and the actual day”
“What an amazing venue, La Masion did not disappoint me or my guests, 5 years ago I celebrated my 45th birthday, it was so amazing then that I returned to celebrate my 50th. I recommend this venue to everyone celebrating. Yamel was so patient and the most helpful person I’ve ever worked with when it comes to the organization of a party. Thank you La Masion Venue, thank you for the great memories you’ve helped me create!”
“John, the manager, made my experience phenomenal. I'm an avid bowler who brought some out of town friends, he made our experience the best !! I recommend this place 100 percent. Ask for JOHN!”
“We had our first and second baby shower here and I will keep recommending everyone to book this place for an event! Lina is such an amazing host, I couldn’t put in words how helpful and kind she was the whole time. Since we were returning customers, she helped us so much more than we could have ever asked for! She goes above and beyond and really made my experience feel like a breeze. You will not go wrong booking with them.”
“I had my daughter’s 1st birthday here and everything was great! Trish and John are so nice and accommodating and were very responsive through email answering any questions. Very easy to work with. The staff was nice and willing to help in anyway, the food and drinks were good and all our guests were happy! We received a lot of compliment on what a nice party it was!”
“My wife and I love Sticks. You love everything about Sticks; The service, the vibe, the music and the patrons. Everyone is very friendly. We always feel welcome.”
“I hosted my husband’s surprise 40th birthday party at Halo Lounge, and I can't say enough about how incredible the entire experience was! From start to finish, everything was seamless, stress-free, and exceeded all expectations.
Sal, the owner, was an absolute pleasure to work with—very responsive, friendly, truly accommodating, and so easy to work with. From our first meeting, he walked me through every detail, making the planning process effortless. He stayed in touch throughout, answered all my questions, and ensured everything was set up exactly as I envisioned.
The venue itself is next-level! It has a cool nightclub vibe (can easily transform the space to fit your event type), with a state-of-the-art sound system, an incredible light show, and a massive 32-foot bar that was a huge hit with our guests. The flexible seating and table setups let us customize the space exactly how we desired. Super easy parking.
What really sets Halo apart is how much they offer to simplify event planning. We booked their Starlite DJ, and he was phenomenal—playing all our favorite songs while seamlessly mixing in his own picks to match the crowd’s energy. He kept the vibe high all night and was amazing on the mic! They also offer catering services, backdrops, photo booths, décor add-ons, and much more, making the entire process so much easier!
And let’s talk about the Halo team—absolutely amazing! Our two bartenders were pros, serving up fantastic drinks and handling our crowd of 60 effortlessly. Huge shoutout to Julio—the true MVP of the night! From setup to the very end, he made sure everything ran smoothly, handled any requests with patience and a positive attitude, and went above and beyond to help. Julio, you are the best!
My husband had an unforgettable night, and our guests haven’t stopped raving about how fun the party was and how unique the venue is. If you’re looking for the perfect place to host an incredible event, Halo Lounge is the place! We will definitely be hosting future events at Halo and recommending it to our friends and family. Highly, highly recommend! Thank you, Sal! ?”
“Indigo art studio was great for our son’s 6th birthday! They took care of everything and were so kind and accommodating. The party was a lot of fun for the kids and the adults. The party space is large and really cool, with a stage and graphics projected on the wall. Highly recommend!”
“We got married at Glen Ridge Country Club in June, and I couldn't recommend it more! The entire team was amazing- they were so easy to work with and made the whole process enjoyable and fun! They listened closely to our vision and ensured every detail was exactly what we wanted. On the day of, Paige and her team handled everything flawlessly, allowing us to fully enjoy each moment without stress. We’re so happy we chose GRCC for our wedding—it was truly perfect!”
“I recently had my baby shower in this venue.
I honestly had a great time and a great experience. Ellis and his team were so helpful and made my event go by super smooth. Everybody was really helpful and nice. The food was excellent, service was great. 10/10 loved the team that was helping me.”
“Really enjoyable little nature spot. We tried to go to the New York Chinese Scholar Garden, but I don't think it was open on the day we went. So that was slightly disappointing but it's still a really cool place to walk around and be in nature. Went this past summer and I forgot how cool and vibrant green the grass was! It was a hot July day, but the trees and greenery adds a bit of a cooling sensation. I would recommend (or just giving myself advice) visiting in the spring or fall, for sure.”
“The food and service has always been "TOP NOTCH". I have come with multi family members on different occasions. The owner always greet me with a smile and return to table to make sure everything is up to par.
I only regret is that they are only open Thursday to Sunday.”
11:30AM - 2AM
346 North Ave, Garwood
Venues And Event Spaces
“The place was great for spending time with friends and family. It was small compared to other bowling places I have been to but it doesn’t take away the fun I have had. The food was decent, not great but not the worst but the fried broccoli was a bit mushy. Other items were great, so were the sauces. Overall, this place can be visited for a good time.”
“I've been to a few different shows here over the years, and it's a beautiful space that is laid out thoughtfully with really great staff, but the performance space could really benefit from some additional sound absorption.”
“I had my wedding at the Richfield Regency and it was such a dream! Trish and the team made our wedding planning so smooth and it all came out so beautiful! THE FOOD... wow, it was delicious! My guest are still talking about my wedding and how good the food was and let's not forget about the dessert presentation, that was one of my favorite parts! Thank you Trish & team once again for making my special day so perfect!”
“All of the staff and programs at East Jersey Elite Allstars are incredible. I enrolled my 5-year-old niece in their tumbling program in January, and she has seen significant improvements in her tumbling progress ever since. Coach Michaeleddie, specifically, is amazing at giving instructions and constructive feedback, making the experience fun and challenging for kids. I'm looking forward to continuing our partnership with this gem/gym in Bayonne!”
“Thank you so much everything came out beautiful thank you teresa for you decoration people couldnt stop talking and the owner is the best, i recommend the place.”
“Fantastic place. This is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday party. They will enjoy getting pampered with extra fun singing & dancing with friends. Fun place.”
“Foi fundado em 1880 . Em 1887 foi realizado o primeiro evento de duplas masculinas do US Open , na época era chamado de Campeonato Nacional dos USA. Localizado em South Orange NJ e’ o segundo mais antigo de New Jersey. Atualmente é super frequentado pelos tenistas associados, possui um amplo espaço para eventos, um ótimo lugar para família.”
“Amazing event space that is both cozy and open. It can be transformed into whatever your heart desires. The rental process is easy, Amanda is communicative and helpful throughout. Courtney, our event host/bartender was the BEST! Hospitable, helpful, attentive and made the best drinks. Would recommend and will definitely be using the venue again”
“In just a few days, the upcoming Lunar New Year brings the Year of the Dragon on February 10th among East and Southeast Asian cultures. It’s fifth in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle and the only animal that’s a mythical creature. This afternoon, my partner and I arrived at the Woodland, located off of Woodland Road in Maplewood, to celebrate Lunar Fest NJ 2024—Maplewood Arts & Culture. Completed in 1930, the Georgian Revival-style mansion and adjoining auditorium have been a hub for Maplewood’s vibrant cultural and civic life for over eight decades. The unique event features lion dance, performances representing Chinese, Mongolian, Thali, and Korean cultures, children's activities, and delicious food trucks, which brought out the crowd.”
“AMAZING venue!! We rented the entire facility for a sports-themed Bar Mitzvah with a couple hundred people. Kids AND adults all had a blast as there was something for everyone. Amy is the BEST to work with - helped to make our vision come alive and kept everything running smoothly all night. Very flexible space - highly recommend!”
“A Perfect Experience at The Vine Room
I recently hosted my daughter’s bridal shower at The Vine Room, and it truly went above and beyond my expectations of perfection. From start to finish, Christine and her incredible staff made the entire experience seamless, special, and completely stress-free.
The communication and expectation setting were clear, consistent, and professional—something that made all the difference during the planning process. On the day of the event, the space was beautifully decorated and radiated charm and elegance. The service was impeccable—warm, attentive, and thoughtful throughout.
My guests couldn’t stop raving about this hidden gem of an event space! It was intimate, stunning, and perfectly suited for such a meaningful occasion.
Thank you, Christine, and your amazing team for making Jenna’s bridal shower so memorable. You created a day we will never forget.”
“Christina knocked it out of the park with the flowers for my daughter’s bridal shower held at the Vine room. After only a few phone calls, she was able to figure out exactly the vibe we were going for! Sweetest person & so easy to work with. Thank you again Christina!”
11AM - 5:45PM
2 Eton Pl, Staten Island
Venues And Event Spaces
“What a treasure to have this carousel right here on Staten Island. The staff was so excited to see my 20 year old Multiple Ride Voucher (and yes, still good!). It was a $20 value for 20 rides back then, the current price is $50, it's a good deal if you have a few kids or visit the park frequently.
On that note...sad to say the adjoining playground is awefully rundown (maybe I'll do a separate review). Willowbrook Park is still nice for a stroll around the pond (or is it a lake..no swimming! And fishing requires a permit).
Back to the carousel....the ride is beautifully decorated with Staten Island landmarks and ride-on animals (both static and moving animals are available). The "ride-ons" include the traditional horses, wild animals, and a few fantasy creatures. If climbing is an issue there's an accommodating sit down feature with benches (not saddles).
Fair warning; there is a souvenir stand and ice cream treats freezer on the site. So if you have a child who "has to have or else" bring some extra cash (and napkins or wipes). Free baby tip: we brought a baby spoon from home (for the ice cream, and they don't have cups! On a stick variety or the sandwich kind) because I didn't wan't to use a plastic spoon (if they had?), sometimes those have sharp edges.
Parking near the carousel is limited. If the lot is full, drive past the carousel to the picnic side parking.
Anyway...go and enjoy!
(Look for the old ticket vouchers on display inside the ticket booth)”
“The event space is a good size and you have the option of booking one or two rooms. The space does get hot so dressed comfortably. Hall is a decent size for attendees to set up and have even a dance floor packages are reasonable.”