It can be tricky to avoid the crowds while dining around Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, especially when you’re trying to create some special, long-lasting memories with your loved ones. Private dining offers increased intimacy and a stress-free dinner party without the set-up, cooking, or cleanup.
What is private dining?
Okay, before we dive in, you may be wondering: What is private dining? While this eating experience has long been associated with celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and business meetings, people are gravitating toward intimate environments for everyday occasions as well. Private dining is an excellent option for your next family reunion, multi-family gathering, or special event where you’re expecting 15 to 30 guests. But don’t just take it from us: Restaurant industry pros say private dining rooms (also known as PDRs) across the country are booked up on the regular.
Private dining opportunities vary based on the venue, but here in Jackson Hole, our local partners have gone above and beyond to elevate your dining experience with exceptional perks. Venues like The Bistro (photograph above), Palate, The Kitchen, Gather, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Steakhouse and Glorietta's offer you and your guests your own private room (along with some other perks that we’ll mention later).
Here are some of our favorite locales for that exclusive, intimate meal experience.
Eateries
Some of our favorite options for personalized private dining experiences include the Brewery Tasting Room at Roadhouse in Town Square, Ringholz Studios, upstairs at Coelette, Glorietta's, Jackson Hole Winery, The Kitchen, and Palate—where your guests have an exclusive view from the patio overlooking the National Elk Refuge.
Read on for more information on these amazing options and the variety that private dining has to offer you and your loved ones.
Four reasons to choose private dining
Personal socialization. Booking your own private dining room is a wonderful option that allows you to gather and reconnect over a great meal and elegant ambiance; it's deliciously nurturing for our collective soul. At some restaurants an entire floor is yours, not to mention your own private bar (complete with bartender, of course), entrance, server and restroom.
Elevated experience. AKA: It’s not just your own room. Dine in your own private art gallery among one-of-a-kind paintings of local wildlife at Ringholz Dusk Gallery (pictured above) or gather hearthside amidst the Italian ambiance at Glorietta. Fair warning: you may become addicted to five-star hospitality.
Increased intimacy. Private dining is an excellent option for those craving more intimate, less overly stimulating experiences. Gone is the blaring music, chatty bystanders or drunken diners beside you. The Kitchen (pictured below) offers your very own heated tent for you and your loved ones, under cozy twinkly lights. Private dining ups the intimacy and sense of connection, not to mention the ambiance and quality of your experience.
Host a stress-free dinner party. Hosting often requires a certain amount of stress. If you’re looking for that bespoke dinner party feel and ambiance without the set-up, cooking, or clean-up, then why not leave the stress behind and invite yourself to be present with a customizable, unique evening that you, and your guests, aren’t likely to forget.
Let’s just say, there’s a reason the “experience economy” is on the rise. This is the idea that people would rather spend money on experiences than items — so give the gift of an intimate, unique experience to your guests this season and elevate your Jackson Hole memories.
Another Option: Astoria Hot Springs
Located on the banks of the Snake River, Johnny's Cabin at Astoria Hot Springs, built in the early 2000’s and recently updated, features a working fireplace, timber beams and stunning antler chandeliers. There are options for you to rent the main level of the cabin, the larger Grand Room only, or the smaller conference room. Accommodation ranges from 10 to 30 people comfortably. There are a number of caterers to choose from in Jackson. Top off this experience with a welcoming soak in one (or all!) of Astoria's five pools.