7 Unique wedding and event venues in NYC!

NYC is home to some of the most amazing event venues in the world! If you’re planning an event and are currently on the hunt for the perfect location check these out! I’m sharing 7 of my favorite spots below!

No matter what your aesthetic is, these versatile venues will give your event the perfect vibes!


  1. 620 Loft and Garden - Manhattan, NY (Midtown)

View of St. Patrick’s Cathedral from Loft 620

The rooftop garden at Loft 620

The rooftop garden at Loft 620

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The roof top garden over looks 5th Avenue and has an unrivaled view of St. Patrick’s cathedral. It’s the perfect space to hold a mixer, a cocktail hour, or even a wedding ceremony. The rooftop venue also has a fully indoors, yet airy space that can be transformed to match the event inspiration board of your dreams.

Deanna Kei sketching at a 620 Loft wedding - Photo Credit: Meg Smith Photography

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Bride and Groom sketch of Tamsen Fadal and Ira Bernstein by Deanna Kei

The rooftop garden at Loft 620



2. The Foundry - Queens, NY (Long Island City)

Bride and Groom sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Foundry is an 19th century building with a cool, industrial vibe. The brick archways create dividers, perfect for housing different entertainment vendors. The main space opens up to a larger back room and outdoor space (not pictured).


3. The River Café - Brooklyn, New York (Dumbo)

View from the River Cafe’s deck

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The River Café is set right on the water below the Brooklyn Bridge and has a gorgeous view of NYC’s skyline. The out door deck is the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the city and the window lined indoor dining space has an equally beautiful view.


4. Nobu Downtown - Manhattan, NY (Financial District)

Picturesque bar on the main level

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

The downstairs level has a beautiful dining space

live guest sketching by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The visuals and the level of design inside Nobu’s downtown multi-level dining space are breathtaking. The restaurant serves beautifully plated Japanese cuisine and is available for private events.


5. The Wythe Hotel - Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg)

 

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

 

Why you’ll love it: Entering the Wythe hotel is like stepping into a story book. The Cooper Room, pictured above, is an adorable brick lined space for more intimately sized parties and gatherings.


6. Gallow Green - Manhattan, NY (Chelsea)

An old train car sits in the open air venue

Live digital sketches by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The dim lit, wooden paneled elevator will whisk you away to Gallow Green’s hidden roof top restaurant, bar, and garden. Lush greenery frames the space overlooking the west side water. The vintage train car and dreamy lighting will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time.


7. The Loeb Boathouse - Manhattan, NY (Central Park)

live guest sketches by Deanna Kei

live guest sketch by Deanna Kei

Why you’ll love it: The Loeb Boathouse is a landmark restaurant overlooking the Central Park lake at the center of the city. The indoor event space has windowed doors that open to a beautiful lake view.


Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations at special events, private parties, and weddings. She’s available to book for your next event! *Contact deannakei@gmail.com or view her event details page to find out more!

Should you have live art at your next event?

Want to give your guests a fun little gift that compliments their personal style and makes them feel like a runway model? Having live art is a creative way to keep your guests entertained during your event, and the best part is that they can take theirs with them as a favor when the night ends!

Each sketch takes between 6-8 minutes per person and guests have fun chatting while watching each other’s drawings come to life. My sketches are done in inks and markers in full color. They can be branded with the event name and date, and are the perfect take home pieces!

Guests put so much thought into their outfits for events, so the offer to draw them in their look is usually met with excitement. I often hear things like “This is so cool! I’m going to frame this when I get home!”

Live sketching works well for private events like bridal showers and weddings, and retail events like collection launches alike! This season I’ve worked with a ton of different brands, clients, couples, and event planners. Check out some photos below!

Want to get a price quote for your event? Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, store events, birthday parties, and bridal showers I’ve sketched at during the first half of 2022!


Joy & Alex’s Wedding - The Ryland Inn - Whitehouse Station, NJ


Laura Ann and John’s Wedding - June - Westport, Conneticut


Samantha’s Bridal Shower - June - Farmingdale, NY


Lance and Berniece’s Wedding - June - Art Factory - Patterson, NJ


Cassie and Dave’s Wedding - July - Sheraton - Eatontown, NJ


Sydney & Randy’s Wedding - The Foundry - Long Island City, Queens


Jessie’s Bridal Shower - June - Trattoria Diane - Long Island, NY


Alice + Olivia - Mother’s Day Event - Madison Ave, NYC


Group M,The Upfronts - May Event - Nobu - NYC


Mavi Jeans - June Event - Gallow Green - NYC

*Digital Ipad sketches were requested for this event


4th and 41st Birthday Party - May - Time Out Rooftop - Brooklyn, NY


Jenna’s Bridal Shower - May - Quaker Ridge Golf Club - Scarsdale, NY


Shenika and Matthew’s Wedding - July - 501 Union - Brooklyn, NY


Alice + Olivia - July Event - Madison Ave, NYC


Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations at special events. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com

Live art at Boss Soho: Celebrating the Boss X Russell Athletic drop

The Boss Soho store celebrated the drop of it’s new Boss X Russell Athletic collaboration with live art on Friday, October 8th. Soho shoppers were invited to pose for a sketch and were drawn onto Boss x Russell Athletic branded papers, framed to look like baseball cards. Illustrator Deanna Kei was on site sketching Boss shoppers from 12-4pm.

An impressive Boss x Russell Athletic mannequin display styled in the new looks faced the main door, greeting customers as they entered the Soho location. Visitors were immediately drawn to the new line and took their time excitedly browsing the racks.

Below are some photos from the event!

The Boss Soho Store, Photo from the outside

The Boss Soho Store, Photo from the outside

Boss x Russell Athletic display at the front of the store

Boss x Russell Athletic display at the front of the store

Boss visitors hold sketches of themselves

Boss visitors hold sketches of themselves

A family shopping in the store posed for their sketch

A family shopping in the store posed for their sketch

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, and works with brands to create unique and engaging content featuring their products. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com