What to Look for in a Corporate Party Venue for Your Holiday Party

So you’re in charge of planning the holiday party… Lucky you! If you’re on the hunt for a Christmas party location, well, you found one! Spring Lake Winery is home to a beautiful property for the summer, but you may not think of our place for a cozy indoor winter party. Well, we’ve got a great spot if you need one. Today on the blog, we want to speak a bit about what corporate party planners should look for in a venue when planning a holiday party. 

Location Location Location

Winter weather in Buffalo can be… unpredictable. When you are reviewing locations, you should certainly factor in the ability for guests to get to the venue when the weather is inclement. You should also consider parking as a key factor; don’t force people to park far away, or risk a tow or ticket. You’ll also need to consider accessibility for your guests and make sure that it's simple for guests to get into the event. 

Pace & Space

Depending on how your holiday party is going to go, you’ll want to consider finding a space that fits your event. Some organizations just want more of a sit-down dinner, some have lively games and activities, some just want an open bar, and some cheesy music. No matter what you’re style of party is, aim to visualize your event in the space to make sure all the boxes are checked. Consider cocktail hours and areas that people can move around and get loose, but also consider the balance of being able to also accommodate your group for a dinner service.

All the Food/Drink

If you’ve got your event type and style mapped out, great; if not, choose a venue that has experience with holiday parties and see what they suggest. Be sure to ask a lot of questions when it comes to food cost. Some places may charge per person, some may charge banquet style, and some places may have more à la carte options. If you’re going to consider catering your party, be sure the venue is okay with having outside vendors bring their stuff in. Alcohol is clearly a big part of holiday parties (for better or for worse), so make sure you have a good bar package and good drinks for the event. 

So Much More Room for Activities

If you are planning on having some fun at the party, be sure you pick a venue that will allow it. You don’t want to pull up the day of the event and start busting out some sparklers or a big projector without speaking with the corporate event venue first. There may be some things you can work with them on to work smarter, not harder, and trust and transparency are vital to a successful event booking. You are the customer, of course, but you are also bringing a bunch of people into their business, and knowing all the details of what can or can’t be done will be important when holiday party hijinks inevitably occur.

Read the Fine Print

Be thorough and forthcoming with your questions and concerns. Any venue that does not demonstrate quality customer service and answers to your questions should be crossed out. When you do go over contracts and/or details, make sure you request a very clear outline of everything broken down by cost. That means all service charges, tips, gratuities, setup/cleanup, security, anything that could be included; be sure to factor it into your budget before making a final decision. 

Don’t Wait till the Last Minute!

It’s September now, but we’re seeing requests for some of the most popular holiday party dates for 2026 since the spring. It’s important to remember when planning a holiday party that there are plenty of other companies doing the same thing, and planning around (probably) the same day or weekend. This will make venues fill up on those popular weekends, so the longer you wait, the less likely you will be to capture your desired date for your event. Plan on reserving your spot at least 3 to 6 months ahead of time to avoid missing your prime December or January dates!

Are you looking for a holiday party location?

Our team is seasoned in providing one-of-a-kind events for businesses and organizations right here at Spring Lake Winery! If you or someone you know is snooping around looking for a quality holiday party venue, you should come by for a tasting and tour of our space. We have capacity, amenities, drinks, food, and a unique natural experience that we’ll put up against anyone in WNY. You can get in touch with Tamre, our owner, to learn more about our packages and fill out the form on our corporate party page to get started! 

Come see the difference at Spring Lake!