THE SPACE | BYO POLICY

What's Included at Bat Haus — Our BYO Event Space Policy

Every Bat Haus rental includes the full venue for 5 hours, tables and chairs for up to 50, a Bluetooth sound system, string lighting, the private backyard, plus setup, cleanup, and an on-site host. Bat Haus is a bring-your-own (BYO) event space — you bring your own food and alcohol with no corkage fee and no catering markup, which is what keeps a Williamsburg event affordable.

Written by Natalie Chan • Founder of Bat Haus • BYOB & BYO food • Updated June 2026

A BYO drinks table with sodas, sparkling wine on ice, and cherry cups at Bat Haus, a no-corkage event space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Outside-catered hot buffet with chafing dishes at Bat Haus, a BYO food event space in Brooklyn with no catering markup.

Self-serve bar with glassware and an 'Engaged' banner set up for a BYO engagement party at Bat Haus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

What's included when you rent Bat Haus?

Included with your rental

Private venue for 5 hours
Tables & chairs for up to 50
Bluetooth sound system
Warm string lighting & greenery
Private backyard garden
Kitchen access (fridge & microwave)
Setup & teardown of furniture
On-site host + professional cleaning

You bring

Your own food (caterer, restaurant, or homemade)
Your own drinks & alcohol
Décor, flowers, or balloons (or add our styling)
A playlist for the sound system
Any specialty rentals you want beyond our tables/chairs

Can I bring my own food?

Yes — Bat Haus is fully BYO food. You can hire any outside caterer, order restaurant trays, or bring homemade dishes. There is no catering markup and no approved-vendor list to pay into. The kitchenette has a refrigerator and microwave for light prep and plating, and the food/dessert tables are set along the wall for an easy buffet flow.

Can I bring my own alcohol (BYOB)?

Yes — Bat Haus is BYOB with no corkage fee. Bring your own beer, wine, and spirits, or set up a self-serve bar at the wooden bar unit by the entrance. Because there's no per-bottle corkage and no drink markup, your bar costs a fraction of what a full-service venue charges. For larger events we're happy to share tips on quantities and whether to hire a bartender.

Who handles setup and cleanup?

We do. Your tables and chairs are set in your chosen layout before you arrive, and a professional cleaning crew handles the space after your event on both the main floor and the downstairs studio. You're responsible for your own décor, food, and personal items, but you won't be mopping floors at midnight.

How much does BYO actually save you?

A like-for-like comparison against a typical full-service NYC venue:

Full-service venue

Bat Haus (BYO)

$15–$30 per bottle + ~20% service

Corkage / drink markup

$0 corkage, $0 markup

Often 75–150+ guests

Guest minimum

As few as 6

$5,000–$15,000+

Typical all-in cost

From $1,350 flat

Bring your own — caterer, restaurant, or homemade

Food & drink

Required in-house catering, $5,000+ minimums

NYC ranges per Tagvenue, Giggster & Peerspace (2026); Bat Haus is our published flat rate.

Our best BYO tip

In 14 years of BYO events, the hosts who feel most relaxed are the ones who keep food simple and let the space do the work: a generous grazing table, a couple of hot trays from a favorite restaurant, and a self-serve bar. You don't need a full catering team to host beautifully here — the natural light, greenery, and string lights carry the room. Spend on the two or three things your guests will remember, and skip the rest.

FROM 2000+ EVENTS

BYO & what's-included FAQs

Is Bat Haus really BYOB with no corkage fee?

1

Yes. You bring your own beer, wine, and spirits with zero corkage fee and no drink markup. It's one of the few Williamsburg event spaces that lets you fully control your bar and budget.

Can I use any caterer I want?

2

Yes — there's no approved-vendor list and no catering markup. Hire any caterer, order restaurant trays, or bring homemade food. The kitchenette has a fridge and microwave for prep.

What's included in the rental versus what I bring?

3

Included: the venue, tables and chairs for up to 50, sound system, string lighting, backyard, setup, cleanup, and a host. You bring: food, drinks, and any décor (or add our styling package).

Do I have to clean up afterward?

4

No — professional cleaning is included. You just take your own décor and belongings; we handle the rest.

Is there a kitchen for catering?

5

There's a kitchenette on the lower level with a refrigerator and microwave for light prep, plating, and beverage setup — enough for caterers to stage service. No on-site cooking.

Natalie Chan — Founder, Bat Haus

Natalie has hosted 2,000+ BYO events in Williamsburg since 2012 and helps every host plan food, drinks, and layout that fit their budget.