New York City’s Top 10 Event Venues - As Rated by a Professional Event Photographer
The Glasshouse
New York City is home to some of the most iconic and versatile event venues in the world. From historic landmarks to modern rooftop spaces, the options for hosting events are head-spinningly endless. As a professional event photographer who’s captured countless corporate gatherings, weddings, and private parties across the city, I’ve curated a list of NYC’s top 10 event venues and broken them down into private and corporate usage (as I somewhat doubt you’ll be needing 75,000sqft for your engagement party, though if you’re Taylor Swift you may). These are all spaces that not only impress visually but also most importantly (at least in my eyes) photograph beautifully. After all, things like stage lighting are oftentimes catastrophically overlooked by event organizers and I’ve shot in far too many venues to know this. Below is a list of the best venues that are not just the best to inhabit but also get the best pictures from.
The Glasshouse - The Glasshouse is far and away the most impressive and best event venue I’ve been to (and probably the most expensive, though it’s worth it) since getting into the industry 13+ years ago. Called The Glasshouse because, as you may have guessed it, the entire venue is mainly comprised of glass, this 75,000 sqft event monolith is situated on the western side of Hell’s Kitchen and overlooks the Hudson.
The venue itself is a sun-soaked new york city panorama that floods every event with natural light, creating the perfect conditions for stunning photography. Equipped with expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows (that come with mechanized shades, in the event you want a little less light) that offer 360 views of the Manhattan skyline, every corner is effortlessly photogenic. After throwing in some portable lighting that I generally carry around on-hand to offer just a touch of hair and outline lighting on the subjects, the images produced are literally marketing-campaign-level photography.
Having shot for DocuSign there in 2024, the only set of images I’ve produced that’s come even close to matching is from my very next entry.
Category: Corporate
Chelsea Industrial - While The Glasshouse is comprised of floor to ceiling glass at the top of New York City, Chelsea Industrial is on NYC’s ground-level. Tucked in the heart of West Chelsea, Chelsea Industrial is a sprawling, design-forward event venue that blends raw industrial character with modern luxury. Once a manufacturing space, it now features over 20,000 square feet of flexible floor plans, high ceilings, and polished concrete floors—perfect for galas, product launches, and fashion events. The venue’s minimalist architecture and soaring glass facade create a striking backdrop that transforms effortlessly for both corporate and creative occasions.
Coming in at number 2 in my list of NYC’s best event spaces, it commands this spot for two reasons.
It has access to natural lighting and natural lighting is imperative for beautiful, marketable images. Soft, directional daylight enhances skin tones, reveals textures, and gives images a cinematic realism that artificial light can’t replicate and makes for some of the best photography an event photographer in New York City can get. Whether it’s a corporate gala, fashion show, or brand activation, the venue’s open layout and natural illumination make it a photographer’s dream.
The stage lighting is fantastic and stage lighting is the heartbeat of any live event. It shapes mood, directs attention, and gives performances their emotional tone. For photographers, good lighting isn’t just visual—it’s essential. Everyone constantly hears that photography is all lighting and this is true in each and every facet of the occupation. You can have the most expensive and lavish event in the world but if the keynote isn’t properly lit there’s very little the photographer can do about it - other than try to fake physics (which isn’t going to happen).
Dynamic, well-designed lighting can transform an ordinary presentation into something cinematic, creating depth, color contrast, and drama that translate powerfully in photos.
The Glasshouse Chelsea
The Glasshouse Chelsea - I apparently have a love affair with the Glasshouse franchise.
Perched above the High Line with sweeping views of the Hudson, Glasshouse Chelsea is a modern, light-filled venue designed for high-impact events. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek, minimalist interior make it ideal for small keynotes, product launches and brand activations. Its built-in stage lighting system adds a cinematic edge—spotlighting speakers, performers, and brand moments with precision. For photographers, this mix of natural daylight by day and controlled stage lighting by night creates an ever-shifting palette of tones and moods that bring every event narrative vividly to life.
At 3,600sqft, this venue is more versatile in it’s use case and could easily be rented out for both corporate as well as personal events - and I’ve been to just as many of the latter as I have the former.
The more intimate layout of The Glasshouse Chelsea allows sunlight to have an easier time reaching through to the center of the venue for more intimate gatherings. Its scaled-down footprint and generous glass walls mean natural light saturates the entire expanse — filling the space evenly and creating bright, balanced conditions ideal for photography throughout the day.
Google Employee on stage at The Goblin King Room
The Goblin King Room - Google HQ (meatpacking) - Hidden deep within Google’s New York headquarters, the Goblin King Room is a space most people will never see — and that’s part of its appeal. It isn’t open to the public, and events held there feel more like private performances than corporate functions. Designed with stage lighting at its core, the room features high ceilings, modular rigs, and blackout capability that gives productions total visual control. The result is an atmosphere that feels almost theatrical — a rare intersection of technology, precision, and art that only Google could dream up inside its own walls.
The stage itself is built from state-of-the-art LED panels, capable of displaying dynamic graphics, immersive visuals, and live presentation content with striking clarity. Whether used for keynotes, product demos, or internal showcases, the panels transform the room into an adaptable digital canvas — one that responds as fluidly to storytelling as it does to light.
Just outside the Goblin King Room, a massive hallway opens up to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson. Bathed in natural light, it serves as the perfect prelude to the main event — a bright, expansive space often used for receptions, catering, and casual gatherings between sessions. The contrast between the sunlit hallway and the immersive, light-controlled theater inside gives the entire venue a rare balance of warmth and spectacle.
MIT at Apella
Apella feels like what would happen if a think tank decided to build a venue. Tucked inside the Alexandria Center overlooking the East River, it’s sleek, minimalist, and engineered for clarity — every inch designed with presentations, panels, and precision in mind. The space is private yet luminous, with glass walls that pull in natural light from the waterfront and reflect it softly across the interiors.
For photographers, Apella is a dream of balance — daylight floods the rooms without overpowering them, and the built-in shades make it easy to dial in exposure during daytime events. The lighting design carries through seamlessly after dark, with recessed LEDs and accent lighting that give evening receptions a quiet polish.
The venue’s main conference suites are perfect for corporate photography and events, and wired for modern production — integrated A/V, projection screens, and crisp stage lighting that make both speakers and visuals look intentional. Between sessions, guests can step out into the terraces and take in sweeping views of Midtown and the East River, a rare breath of openness in the middle of Manhattan’s density.
The Beekman - Nestled in the heart of Lower Manhattan, The Beekman offers a blend of historic charm and modern elegance, making it a standout choice for private events. The hotel's centerpiece is its nine-story atrium, crowned by a stunning pyramidal skylight, creating a dramatic backdrop for any occasion.
For intimate gatherings, the Kelly Room provides a cozy yet sophisticated setting. With vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a custom chandelier, it accommodates up to 80 guests, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere. Adjacent to the Kelly Room, the Farnsworth Room features similar architectural elements and can host up to 135 guests, making it ideal for larger events.
For those seeking an alfresco experience, the Turret Penthouse Terraces offer private outdoor spaces with sweeping views of the city skyline, perfect for cocktail receptions or small dinners.
Culinary offerings at The Beekman are curated by renowned chefs, ensuring a memorable dining experience that complements the venue's ambiance. Whether it's a corporate gathering, wedding, or special celebration, The Beekman provides a versatile and stylish setting to host your event.
Boom Boom Room, The Standard, High Line - Perched atop The Standard in the Meatpacking District, the Boom Boom Room is a quintessential NYC event space, combining glamour, luxury, and panoramic city views. Located on the 18th floor, this iconic lounge offers sweeping vistas of the Manhattan skyline, the Hudson River, and the High Line—making it a show-stopping backdrop for any event; particularly parties and life events.
Designed by Roman and Williams, the interior exudes elegance with warm honey tones, plush leather seating, and a dramatic central chandelier. Its versatile ambiance can shift from a sophisticated daytime lounge to a lively nighttime hotspot with live jazz or DJ sets, giving your event both intimacy and energy.
Ideal for upscale private parties, weddings, and corporate gatherings, the Boom Boom Room delivers exclusivity and wow-factor in equal measure. Guests will remember the elevated views, the stylish décor, and the unmistakable NYC glamour that defines the space.
For event planners seeking a venue that balances sophistication with spectacle, the Boom Boom Room remains an unbeatable choice.
