Small Company Holiday Party Ideas in Brooklyn (That Don't Need a Big Budget)

The best small company holiday party ideas share one trait: they're built around people actually talking to each other. For a team of 10 to 50, a rented ballroom feels empty and a restaurant back room feels cramped — the sweet spot is a warm, private space with food you chose, an activity that breaks the ice, and no per-head minimums quietly tripling the budget.

Bat Haus is an event venue at 459 Grand Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and we've hosted company holiday parties here since 2012 — over 2,000 events in all. Here's what works for small teams, what it costs, and why the smartest planners lock their December date in August.

Where should a small company host a holiday party in Brooklyn?

A private, flexible venue beats both extremes — the too-big ballroom and the too-loud bar. For groups up to 50, look for full private use of the space (no sharing with strangers), a BYO food and drink policy so you're not locked into a caterer, and included extras like tables, lighting, and an on-site host. At Bat Haus you get our full two-floor space with string lights, greenery, a private backyard, and setup and cleanup included — it already feels like a party before you decorate a thing.

How much does a small company holiday party cost in Brooklyn?

At Bat Haus, weekend holiday parties start at $1,350 flat for a 5-hour rental for up to 50 guests, and weekday corporate parties run $275/hour with a 4-hour minimum. Compare that with Manhattan holiday venues, which commonly run $150–$500 per guest once food-and-beverage minimums land — for a 30-person team, a flat-rate BYO venue is often a five-figure difference. Because we're fully BYO with no corkage and no catering markup, your budget goes to the food and drinks your team actually likes.

What's a holiday party activity that doesn't feel forced?

A hands-on workshop — and lamp-making is the one our December groups love most, because everyone leaves with a finished lamp. It's the party activity and the company holiday gift in one: about two hours of building and painting, no art experience needed, $105 per person including all materials and a host. Quieter teammates get something to do with their hands, and the group reveal at the end is reliably the best photo moment of the night. (See how it works on our lamp-making workshop page.)

When should you book a December holiday party venue?

By the end of August if you want first pick of dates. December Fridays and the two weeks before the winter break go first, and NYC venues are largely committed for December by early fall — holiday party searches start in September, which means the planners searching then are already choosing from leftovers. We wrote a full breakdown of the timing in when to book a holiday party venue in NYC, but the short version: an August inquiry costs you nothing and gets you everything.

How do you keep a small holiday party simple to run?

Choose a venue where setup, cleanup, and hosting are included, then make only three decisions: food, one activity, one toast. At Bat Haus an on-site host handles the room, the layout, and the AV, so whoever organized the party isn't working it. Order from the team's favorite local spot (Williamsburg's best are steps away), open the lamp workshop mid-party, and let the backyard and string lights do the rest.

FAQs

Can we bring our own food and alcohol to a holiday party at Bat Haus?
Yes — Bat Haus is fully BYO with no corkage fee and no catering markup. Bring a caterer, takeout, or homemade dishes, and serve exactly the drinks you want.

How many people fit for a holiday party?
Up to 50 guests, with tables, chairs, and a sound system included across our two floors.

Do weekday holiday parties cost less?
Often, yes — weekday corporate holiday parties run $275/hour with a 4-hour minimum (from $1,100), which suits daytime or early-evening team celebrations.

Is there space for both dinner and mingling?
Yes — the layout is flexible, so one floor can hold a long dinner table while the other stays open for mingling, plus the private backyard for fresh air between courses.

Planning your team's December party? Check your date → — August inquiries get first pick.