Dolly Varden

What groups say

Groups of 9 to 40 book the upstairs Peacock Room or private corners for birthdays, brunches and corporate happy hours.

• The upstairs Peacock Room and second floor alcoves are used for private parties; one group of 24 reported space to move around and 2 nearby restrooms.
• Reported group sizes range from 8 to 40 plus, including a family of 6 at a private Thanksgiving meal.
• Formats include platters for events, a Brunch and Bubbles option with entree plus 60 minutes of unlimited mimosas, and a la carte small plates.
• One group of 8 spent about $50 per person before tip; planners describe email contracts and managers handling details.

Drawn from 70 Google reviews of Dolly Varden that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

• birthday brunch, party of 24

  First I want to thank everyone that worked on June 8th 2024. Your professionalism, upbeat personalities, consideration and constant attendance went above and beyond our expectations. We chose Dolly Varden in NYC to have a family brunch for my sisters 16th birthday. Online we loved the location and design of the space. The menu looked delicious and reaching out to the hosting and reservation staff was seamless. The email communication and contract was forthright and no hidden fees. The brunch selection was delicious and satisfied everyone I really could eat the DV burger or waffles or the berries and cream that came with dessert everyday! So good. All the teens loved the chocolate mouse with berries and cream. My family had a unexpected loss not even a full 24 hours before we had to make it to brunch and we were in shock but wanted to remain rallied around my sister for her birthday. I will forever sang praises for the staff and experience at Dolly Varden who unknowingly uplifted our spirits by being so generous in their hospitality. The private room was gorgeous and the peacock wallpaper everyone loved. For a group of 24 we weren’t crammed in. We had space to move around and mingle and eat comfortably. Two restrooms nearby one directly in the room was a major plus especially once we changed clothes to go to our second location that day for my sisters birthday. 10/10 recommend… sorry I don’t have any photos of the good food and beverages but please take my word for it. So good and worth it all around.

• office happy hour, party of 40

  Amazing bar with unique cocktails. Wait staff and bartenders are very friendly. We were a group of 40+ people. But bartenders kept the drinks coming for all of us. I highly recommend this place for office happy hour. Look at their specialty cocktail menu. There is something for everyone. Whether you like strong or fruity, you will find something apart from classic cocktails. We didn't get food. So this review is only for cocktails, staff and atmosphere.

• team dinner

  We came here a couple of weeks ago for a team dinner, and I could not recommend this place more. Everything about this venue was amazing. Management was incredibly helpful and accommodating with the planning, and the food/drinks/service were incredible. If you ever get a chance to go or are looking for a place to host a gathering, this is the place!

• birthday brunch, party of 16

  It can be tough to find restaurants in the city that will accommodate a large party for weekend brunch, but Dolly Varden came through. We placed a reservation for a party of 16 for a Saturday birthday brunch, and the manager Lindsey was very accommodating in helping us. She seated us in a lovely private area of the restaurant and repeatedly checked on us to make sure everything was ok. The food and drinks were fantastic, the prices were reasonable, the decor/atmosphere was beautiful, and all the employees we encountered—from the bartender and servers to the manager Lindsey and the man mopping the floor on our way out—were kind and friendly. Would definitely recommend this place and can’t wait to return to try their dinner menu!

• new years party, party of 10

  Horrible New Years Eve experience. A group of 10 of us reserved a table for the night. Included with the ticket was supposed to be a premium open bar which was a bait and switch and we were told they were serving well alcohol only. We asked to see the manager and were told what they had advertised was a “typo” and did nothing to make it right. We also received an email confirming their wouldn’t be any additional fees for the night, but they wanted to charge us $60 to open 3 bottles of champagne that were supposedly complimentary. Then there was a mandatory $5 coat check per jacket which I’m fine with, but they attempted to recharge us another $5 for those who stepped outside. Appetizers were also supposedly included but we got nothing for the first 1.5 hour they were supposed to be serving them and we only got them after we asked. Really disappointed.

Good to know

Stylish eatery serving elevated food & high-concept cocktails, plus seating in a train car replica.

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dolly Varden have a private dining room?

Yes. Dolly Varden offers a private dining room for groups in Midtown West. Private event spaces in Gilded Age/Jazz Age setting.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Dolly Varden?

Guests at Dolly Varden typically spend $20 to $60 per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Dolly Varden for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Dolly Varden open?

Dolly Varden is open Monday to Thursday 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Friday 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and Sunday 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Dolly Varden?

Dolly Varden is a $$ Cocktail Bar/American restaurant in Midtown West, New York City, rated 4.5 stars across 1,135 Google reviews. Google describes it as: Stylish eatery serving elevated food & high-concept cocktails, plus seating in a train car replica. It has outdoor seating and a wheelchair accessible entrance.

What do guests say about group dining at Dolly Varden?

Groups of 9 to 40 book the upstairs Peacock Room or private corners for birthdays, brunches and corporate happy hours. The upstairs Peacock Room and second floor alcoves are used for private parties; one group of 24 reported space to move around and 2 nearby restrooms. Reported group sizes range from 8 to 40 plus, including a family of 6 at a private Thanksgiving meal. Formats include platters for events, a Brunch and Bubbles option with entree plus 60 minutes of unlimited mimosas, and a la carte small plates. One group of 8 spent about $50 per person before tip; planners describe email contracts and managers handling details. Reviewers praise: managers responsive and hands-on during planning; private upstairs rooms and corners for large parties; servers keep drinks flowing for big groups; groups not rushed; reasonable prices for midtown. Watch for: loud dj and music; staff slow to lower volume; reservation and order mix-ups reported at brunch; one new year's group cited bar and fee disputes. Based on 70 Google reviews of Dolly Varden that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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