Holiday Party Venues in Port Jefferson for Groups Up to 40

Every November the same scramble starts. Somebody at work gets handed the holiday party, or the friend group decides this is the year you finally do something, and the search begins. Most of what comes up on Long Island is a catering hall built for 100 or more, with a room fee, a per-person food minimum and a deposit due before you've even set a date.

If your group is 15, or 25, or 40, that doesn't fit. That's the gap Roots Kava Bar fills in Port Jefferson.

Why Roots works for a holiday party

It's the right size. Our lounge seats about 40. A team of 20 fills the room without rattling around in it, and 40 feels like a real party.

No minimum, no deposit. There's no minimum spend, no deposit and no booking window. Tell us your date and rough headcount and we hold the space. Your guests order what they want.

It's alcohol-free. Nothing in the building has alcohol. For office parties, that takes a lot of worry off the organizer: nobody gets sloppy in front of the boss, and nobody has to figure out a ride home. For friend groups with sober friends, designated drivers or people under 21, everyone can join in without anyone feeling left out.

There's something to do. Board games and video games are on the shelf, there's a lounge with couches, and the room has a small stage. A party here doesn't just mean standing around holding a cup.

It's in the village. We're at 250 East Main Street, up the hill from the harbor and a short walk from the ferry. In December the village is lit up for the season, so a walk to the water before or after is part of the night.

What a holiday party looks like here

Every group does it a little differently, but most holiday parties at Roots follow a loose shape.

• Arrival round. Mocktails, hot lattes, matcha or herbal tea as people come in. Our menu has the full list.

• A shared round of kava. Kava is a traditional Pacific island root drink, earthy and a little peppery, served in a shell and drunk in one or two gulps. Passing a round is a good icebreaker for coworkers who don't know each other well. Not into it? Nobody has to.

• Games. Pull a few board games off the shelf, start a video game tournament, or run a white elephant swap on the couches.

• A toast. Everyone raises a mocktail or a shell.

• The long tail. People hang out, play, talk. On Fridays and Saturdays we're open until 1am.

Planning on a Friday? Your group can catch Friday Night Comedy Night and Open Mic. The open mic starts at 8pm and pro Long Island comedians go on at 9pm. Some groups even sign up a brave coworker for the open mic. Details on our comedy night page.

Planning tips from hosting a lot of these

• Lock in early. December weekends go first. If you have a date in mind, reach out now.

• Give us a headcount a few days ahead so we can set up the lounge for your group.

• Think about happy hour. It's 4pm to 7pm daily, which makes a weekday after-work party affordable for a bigger table.

• Mention a first-timer crowd. If most of your group has never tried kava, tell us. We'll start them off easy and walk them through it.

• Bring the decor, keep it simple. A few decorations go a long way in a room our size. Ask us about anything specific when you book.

• Plan the walk. The harbor is close, and in December the village is dressed up. A short walk after is a nice way to wrap the night.

If you're planning more than the party, our sober holiday party ideas post has themes and games that work in any room.

Booking

Call (934) 259-8902 or reach out through our private parties page. Tell us the date, the rough headcount and anything special you're planning, and we'll hold the space.

We also host birthdays, showers and team nights year-round. See our post on alcohol-free party venues in Port Jefferson for more.

Getting here: Roots Kava Bar is at 250 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, up the hill from the harbor and a short walk from the ferry. Open 12pm to 11pm Sunday through Thursday and 12pm to 1am Friday and Saturday, happy hour 4pm to 7pm daily. Directions on our visit page.

Holiday party FAQ

How many people can Roots host for a holiday party?

About 40. The lounge works well for groups from around 15 up to 40.

Is there a minimum spend or deposit for a holiday party at Roots?

No. There's no minimum, no deposit and no booking window.

Does Roots serve alcohol at holiday parties?

No. Roots is fully alcohol-free. We serve mocktails, coffee, matcha, herbal tea, kava and vegan snacks.

How do I book a holiday party at Roots Kava Bar?

Call (934) 259-8902 or use the private parties page on our site. Tell us your date and headcount.