8 Best BYOB & Low-Cost Party Venues in NYC Under $500

Finding a cheap BYOB event space in NYC that doesn't feel like a storage closet is harder than it should be. This list covers affordable private event spaces with no food and beverage minimums, low or no venue fees, and enough personality that your guests won't think you cut corners.

Bring your own vibe, keep the whole space to yourself

Whiskey Cellar is the most genuinely flexible private space on this list. Outside food is allowed without extra fees, which is rare. You get a private bartender, a Bluetooth sound system you control from your phone, and the whole venue to yourself for up to 50 people.

The space is decoration-friendly, so you can actually theme it out without fighting the venue's existing aesthetic. The cocktails are good, and the East Village location on East 7th between 1st and 2nd Avenue puts your guests a short walk from the F train at 2nd Ave or the 6 at Astor Place.

Good for intimate birthday parties, engagement celebrations, spirit tastings, or any group that wants a private room without paying hotel prices for one.

A BYOB-friendly loft with high ceilings and natural light on Broadway

This is the one you want if photos matter. The Farm SoHo is a 1,000 square foot loft on Broadway in SoHo, second floor, 15-foot ceilings, huge windows with real natural light. It looks expensive. It isn't.

Outside catering is allowed, which is what makes this a true BYOB situation. You bring the food, you bring the drinks, you use their projector, sound system, and bar tables. There's a cleaning fee of $200 and potential bartender or security fees depending on your event, but the base cost is accessible.

The main event space holds up to 50, with a separate lounge section for 16. Canal Street station is half a block away, with the N, Q, R, W, J, Z, and 6 all within easy reach. Works well for baby showers, birthday parties, product launches, off-site meetings, and anything where the room has to look good on camera.

The most affordable private rental in DUMBO, and it's actually cute

For something small on a tight budget, BeatBrush Studios in DUMBO is worth a serious look. It's a 12x30 studio in a basement unit steps from the Manhattan Bridge. Capacity tops out at 22 seated, 25 for screenings or performances. That's the point.

Outside catering is allowed, so you bring your own food and drinks. WiFi, a fridge, microwave, and table surfaces are included. Add-ons like a sound bath, DJ decks, or an event assistant are available at reasonable hourly rates. It's ADA accessible with an elevator, which a lot of small venues in this price range are not.

The F train at York Street is a five-minute walk, and the A/C at High Street-Brooklyn Bridge is close too. Good for book clubs, private dinner parties, workshops, company off-sites, or any gathering that needs a clean, quiet, private room without a bar minimum.

No minimum, 400-person capacity, 40 projectors, and pool tables

Sugar Mouse is one of the more genuinely wild spaces in NYC and has no minimum spend. The entire venue runs a 360-degree immersive environment powered by 40-plus projectors and AI that syncs visuals to music. Walk in and the room moves.

There's a live music stage, a dance floor, ping pong, pool, and foosball. The bar does cocktails, beer, and wine. Book a section for 60 to 100 people or the whole venue for up to 400. The Astor Place 6 train is right there, and the L at 3rd Avenue is close too.

A strong pick for birthday parties that want something to do besides stand around, tech or creative company events, or any group that would be genuinely bored at a standard bar rental. No minimum means you can keep costs low and let your guests spend what they want.

Bushwick's best no-minimum dance bar for group takeovers

Jupiter Disco on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick has a sound system that audiophiles actually talk about, and the cocktails, including zero-proof options, are genuinely good. No minimum spend. The whole venue holds 125 and you can book it out.

The vibe is intergalactic, inclusive, and built around the music. Local DJs anchor the programming here, and the lighting does real work on the dance floor. The Jefferson Street L train is a short walk, which makes it easy for groups coming from Manhattan or the rest of Brooklyn.

This works best for birthday takeovers, group nights out, or any event where the dance floor is the main event. If your crew cares about sound quality and doesn't want to end up in a loud bar with bad speakers, this is the answer.

A no-frills Greenwich Village pub with actual capacity and zero attitude

Josie Woods is a classic Greenwich Village pub on Waverly Place, right near Washington Square Park and the West 4th Street A/B/C/D/E/F/M station. The main dining room fits 70 for a private event, and the full venue holds 135. Pool tables, darts, and 14 HD TVs make it a solid option for groups that want a casual, low-pressure night.

Martin and Andy have been running events here for years, and it shows. Customizable food and drink packages mean you're not locked into an overpriced set menu. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, which is harder to find than it sounds.

Good for alumni reunions, office happy hours, birthday dinners, or sports watch parties where you need room to actually move around.

Williamsburg brick-and-chandelier venue with a disco ball and a DJ controller

Velvet Brooklyn sits on Broadway in Williamsburg, between Driggs and Bedford, near the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge. Exposed brick, vintage chandeliers, warm lighting, and a 20-inch disco ball. It looks like it took real thought, and it did.

The full venue holds 110. There's a separate Velvet Room for up to 60 and a main bar section for 50. The space comes with a Pioneer DDJ-SZ2 DJ controller, projector, and AV equipment. Customizable catering is available, and the handcrafted cocktails made with premium spirits are a genuine highlight.

Works well for birthday parties, engagement celebrations, cocktail receptions, or any event that needs to feel special without costing a fortune. The J, M, Z at Marcy Ave and the L at Bedford Ave both put you close.

40,000 square feet in FiDi, no drink minimum, and it supports a real mission

Complete Playground is a non-profit indoor playground at 30 Broad Street in FiDi and it is genuinely massive. 40,000 square feet across multiple levels, with private party rooms, full floor rentals, a screening room with red velvet seating, and a full venue buyout option.

No bar minimum. The on-site café handles food and drinks. Party packages for smaller groups include open-play access followed by time in a private room. For bigger events, you can rent an entire floor or the whole place. All proceeds support neuro-inclusive programming for kids, so your event budget goes somewhere real.

The J and Z trains at Broad Street are steps away, and the 4 and 5 at Wall Street are close. Good for kids' birthday parties, corporate family days, baby showers, school fundraisers, or any group event that needs flexible space without a bar tab attached.

To compare prices, check availability, or figure out which of these actually fits your headcount and budget, Litty's concierge team can sort it out in one conversation at getlitty.com.