Planning your rehearsal dinner in Philadelphia? You’ll need an amazing location that provides a private dining experience with a menu your guests will not forget! We put together a list of our 10 favorite spots, and it includes everything from swanky dining to tacos and margs! Keep reading for more.
1) Bistro Romano
A piano bar, a wine cellar, and all the amazing ambiance that will sweep you and your guests off your feet the night before your wedding! Bistro Romano is upscale rustic in a way that will make you feel as though you’ve dashed off to Tuscany, for just a night, to host your rehearsal dinner! To hold your rehearsal dinner at Bistro Romano in Philadelphia, they have a private dining option dubbed the “120 Wine Room”. It’s a space that contains crates of wine packed into the walls, barrels of wine, and softly lit candles to enhance the vibe.
This particular space can host 20-25 guests and comes with access to their wi-fi-enabled AV equipment. You know, for all those photo & video montages you have planned. And for the amazing speeches, the members of your wedding party are ready to give in your honor! If you need space to accommodate up to 200 guests, Bistro Romano offers “The Shambles Headhouse Square”. An outdoor setting reminiscent of the historic streets of Philadelphia, lined with cobblestone. It’s an amazing setting for a seated dinner or a cocktail reception. Regardless of the space you choose, Bistro Romano works with couples planning their wedding rehearsal dinner with custom curated menus
Why We Love It: The aforementioned ambiance is all it takes to convince you of Bistro Romano’s charm. But if you need a little in-person convincing, you can check out their “Sunday Gravy”; served only on Sundays as the name implies. Or, their Chef’s 5-course tasting menu! You can inquire with Bistro Romano about your rehearsal dinner, right here.
2) Moshulu
Moshulu is probably the most unique location on this list of rehearsal dinner locations in Philadelphia. It’s actually a ship! In fact, it’s the world’s oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel that is still afloat. It was built in 1904 by William Hamilton & Co., at Port of Glasgow, Scotland. Today, Moshulu is a fabulously amazing dining experience with up-leveled versions of contemporary American classics. Their menu leans heavy on seafood, but you’ll find some tasty burgers, steak, and chicken dishes as well!
Private dining experiences aboard Moshulu, like your rehearsal dinner, are priced per person. Each private room provides extraordinary views of the Philly waterfront and the unforgettable skyline. Additionally, Moshulu offers a tented space aboard their multi-level deck. Getting married in fall or winter? This space is heated year-round so you can still have your rehearsal dinner aboard Moshulu! It doesn’t get much more decadent than that. Your guests will be buzzing about the dinner experience they had aboard a historic ship in the days leading up to your wedding.
Why We Love It: A historical space aboard a ship with amazing views of Philly! It’s truly a unique fine-dining experience. To request more info about booking your rehearsal diner at Moshulu, you can reach out to them at this link.
Want your wedding to be the best party you’ve ever hosted?
Click here for a full list of features & create your account today!
3) Time
This whiskey bar gastropub features live music, dancing, and a unique vibe! Time is open daily from 5 pm to 2 am, so if you’re down for a party-like celebration, this is definitely the spot for your rehearsal dinner. However, you’ll need your beauty sleep before your big day, so try to plan your rehearsal dinner at least a week in advance. The menu at Time leads with wine, cocktails, beer, and whiskey, before following up with their dinner menu. For appetizers, you’ll find fun selections like deviled eggs, bone marrow, butter-poached lobster, and shrimp flatbread. Time also serves up classics like wings and fried calamari. For dinner, you browse their selection of entrees like scallops, steaks, roasted chicken, and braised short ribs.
It’s definitely a spot that will prove to be a major crowd pleasure for your rehearsal dinner, especially if your guest list is deep! Wondering what the private dining options are for hosting your rehearsal dinner with Time? They have a total of three spaces to choose from, as well as a full buyout option. The first option for private dining is their upstairs space, which can serve up to 30 guests sit-down style or up to 70 guests reception style. The second option is the dining room. This space can accommodate up to 20 guests for a sit-down dinner or up to 80 guests, reception style. Lastly, for a private space at Time, you can book their Whiskey Bar. This space can accommodate up to 40 guests, reception style only. If you need space at Time for up to 250 guests, a full restaurant buyout option is available.
Why We Love It: Their whiskey bar is extensive to say the least! How fun would it be to experience live jazz music while sampling a whiskey selection at your rehearsal dinner? You can check out their calendar of live music at this link. Or, if you’re ready to inquire about your rehearsal dinner, you can reach out to Time, here.
4) Chart House Philadelphia
One thing is for sure, we had to include a fab steak house option on our list of the most gorgeous rehearsal dinner locations in Philadelphia. And this one delivers big! Chart House Philadelphia has views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Philadelphia’s glittering skyline! Their menu is full of delectable cuts of steak, fresh salmon, and all the sides! Is it even a steakhouse if you don’t get the sharing size of fries? Chart House has a few options for private dining if you’d like to host your rehearsal dinner at their Philadelphia location.
The first is a full restaurant buyout, which can accommodate up to 450 guests! For smaller guest lists, the Delaware River Deck can accommodate up to 140 guests and provides riverside views. The restaurant’s Waterfall Room is the largest private space indoors, which can accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated dinner, or 150 guests, reception style. Lastly, Chart House offers their Ben Franklin room for up to 40 guests. This cozy space is semi-private and perfect for hosting the two of you, your wedding party, and your immediate family on the night of your wedding rehearsal.
Why We Love It: The views alone make it one of our top picks! But the decadent food paired with their up-scale dining room decor is an amazing way to enjoy those final hours before the day of your wedding.
5) Royal Boucherie
This exposed brick bistro serves up French-American cuisine that includes a raw bar and charcuterie. Their extensive menu covers, brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour! So if a rehearsal brunch is on the horizon for your Philadelphia wedding, Royal Bourcherie is an amazing choice that can accommodate you and your guests at any hour of the day. Private events at Royal Boucherie can be held in their Parlour Room and the Garden Patio.
The Parlour Room includes a full-service mahogany bar and a view of Old City. This second-floor dining room has the capacity to accommodate up to 40 seated guests or 60 standing. The Garden Patio is lush and needs zero help in the decor department! The exposed brick, greenery, and cafe lighting bring all the ambiance. This space, also located on the second floor is fully covered from the elements. It has the capacity to accommodate 25 seated guests or 35 guests for a cocktail reception. Fun fact about Royal Boucheire, they love helping their guests craft their own Negroni using the bar’s vast selection of gin!
Why We Love It: Love charcuterie boards as much as we do? The executive chef at Royal Boucherie cures all of their meats, in-house. All in all, it’s an eclectic space that melds genres to create a fun meets funky vibe!
Want your wedding to be the best party you’ve ever hosted?
Click here for a full list of features & create your account today!
6) Rittenhouse Grill
Traditional Steakhouse eats in the form of a modern eatery, Rittenhouse Grill welcomes guests by first name, and new guests alike. A little something to note before we get into private dining options for your rehearsal dinner here! Rittenhouse follows a smart casual dress code. Tank tops and sleeveless shirts are not permitted. This swanky supper club-esque eatery has been voted Zagat’s “Best Steakhouse in Philadelphia” continuously since opening its doors in 1998. Crazy, right?
You’ll find their waitstaff dressed in tuxedos and their service to be top-notch. Wondering what the private dining options are at this raw bar meets steakhouse? All in all, there are 5 options! Private dining room one is for intimate gatherings of 10-15 people. The second option is private dining room two, accommodating 20-25 people. Next is private dining room three, for 10-16 guests. The large private dining room can comfortably accommodate 45-60 guests. Lastly, a full restaurant buyout option is available and can accommodate over 100 guests. Each of these options comes with a fully customizable menu and white linen-covered tables, truly fabulous!
Why We Love It: Aside from the seal of approval from Zagat, we love the selection of classic drinks and the list of house-made specialty sauces to top off your NY strip!
7) Osteria
Bistro chairs lined up in a glass greenhouse setting make for a chic & unique dining experience for your rehearsal dinner at Osteria! We have to admit, dining at Osteria is definitely more for the Epicurious crowd. Their menu includes items like chicken liver rigatoni with cipollini onions and sage, and mozzarella and cotechino sausage. There are four unique settings at Osteria that will set the stage for your rehearsal dinner in Philadelphia if you choose to cozy up in their rattan bistro seats under their hanging plants.
The kitchen table which accommodates up to 14 guests. Additionally, you can book your rehearsal dinner at Osteria’s wine room, located in their wine cellar, which can host up to 35 seated guests. The gorgeous glass greenhouse of theirs is available for private parties and can comfortably seat up to 65 guests, family style. The last option for booking your rehearsal dinner at Osteria is a full restaurant buyout, which can accommodate 120 seated guests or 150 for a standing cocktail reception. Dinner at Osteria’s private events is served family style to enhance the overall guest experience, which we can’t help but love! After all, this may be the first time your guests are meeting IRL after their Guestie introductions.
Why We Love It: It’s award-winning food served family style in a unique setting! The restaurant’s vibe is all about interaction and we love how much that will boost the overall experience of the night!
8) Bistro Perrier
Located at Walnut Hill College, Bistro Perrier has been voted “best ambiance” by OpenTable diners for the past five years! Bistro Perrier combines delicious cuisine with unexpected ambiance to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Their mouth-watering menu is classic and uncomplicated. Additionally, they have a sommelier on staff to suggest wine pairings for your rehearsal dinner. Bistro Perrier has five different spaces to accommodate a private dining experience for your rehearsal dinner. Each space holds a different capacity and comes uniquely themed. The staff at Bistro Perrier works closely with their couples to create custom menus for their rehearsal dinner in a way that stays true to the restaurant’s mission of fine dining. The quaint setting against the scenic backdrops provides a transportive experience for everyone who walks through their doors!
Why We Love It: The atmosphere draws you in, only to deliver big in a unique themed dining experience. The contemporary French food is fine dining that doesn’t feel stuffy or overly complicated. For more on booking Bistro Perrier for your rehearsal dinner in Philadelphia, you can find their private dining info, here!
9) Mission Taqueria
If margs and tacos are the vibe you’re looking for at your rehearsal dinner, you’ll love Mission Taqueria! Mission is a vibrant scene in a bright and airy setting. Each month this taco hot spot features a guest chef with a new dinner series designed to surprise and delight your taste buds. You know, in case you need an excuse to check it out before booking Mission Taqueria for your rehearsal dinner! Their menu is pretty straightforward but where they shine is definitely in their selection of unique tacos. Don’t forget to top it off with one of their flavored margaritas, on the rocks or frozen! Private dining events at Mission Taqueria are by inquiry only, so you’ll have to reach out to them here. Be sure to include all the specifics about your rehearsal dinner so they can best serve your needs!
Why We Love It: Who can resist a well-made taco? This amazing Taqueria is located just above Oyster House and provides a fabulous location for a mini-crawl after your rehearsal dinner!
10) Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse
Looking for a good old-fashioned plate of stick-to-your-ribs, slow-roasted BBQ? Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse serves up low and slow hickory smoked goodness, which can take all night to roast! Drooling yet? However, if you’re eying the baby back ribs or the brisket, you need to be quick about it because they have been known to run out! The selection of side “pickins” at Sweet Lucys is just as delectable as their roast chicken, pulled pork, and hickory smoked hot wings.
You’ll find classic BBQ sides like cornbread, coleslaw, and potato salad. Sweet Lucy’s provides private dining in the form of in-house catering. Their private space can host up to 55 guests comfortably. The restaurant is also in the process of constructing a new space that will be able to accommodate up to 250 guests, in case you have something more grand in mind! Private dining at Sweet Lucy’s is buffet style, and yes, they will come and replenish the buffet along with your drinks. For more information on booking their private space for your rehearsal dinner in Philadelphia, you can find them online here.
Why We Love It: The interior of Sweet Lucy’s is industrial, rustic, and retro-chic. Who said rehearsal dinners had to be white linen only? If slow-roasted BBQ is your thing, we love that for you. It’s an unexpectedly fun choice for dinner that your guests will love!
