Whether planning and intimate gathering or a grand celebration, several of the area's most popular restaurants offer inviting private dining spaces to accommodate a variety of needs, and with customized menus, one can enjoy the merrymaking and stay out of the kitchen.

The award-winning tapas bar Jaleo features a handsome space in the Crystal City location (2250 A Crystal Drive in Arlington, VA). The dramatic private dining room features a lofty ceiling and vibrant colors and can accommodate 35 to 70 guests along with providing ample parking. Jaleo means revelry and merry-making in Spanish and under the direction of Chef José Andrés, Jaleo will provide guests with a dazzling menu of tapas ideal for sharing and celebration. For reservations please call (703) 413-8181.  

Situated in an elegant two-story Federal townhouse, 1789 Restaurant (1226 36th St, NW) has three exceptional dinning spaces ideal for the holiday season.  The Garden Room, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows covered with lattice, sheer curtains and floral prints may be reserved for private dining for up to 18 guests.  The Middleburg Room, with its hunt country charm, is also available for a slightly larger reception for up to 56 guests and features a ceiling sheathed in barn siding from New England dating back to the 1800s.  Finally, the John Carroll Room, complete with a working fireplace and softly filtered light is a wonderful choice for a daytime luncheon for up to 60 guests.  F Scott's, the private party Art Deco club next door to 1789 Restaurant, is yet another wonderful option with spacing for up to 125 guests.  Newly appointed Executive Chef Daniel Giusti creates outstanding dishes that pair well with Pastry Chef Travis Olson’s medley of sweet endings.  Complimentary valet parking is also available.  For reservations please contact Molly Schoen, the Private Party and Reservations Manager, at (202) 965-1789.

A classic Washington destination for gathering, 701 (701 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.) provides the perfect ambience and accommodations for its guests. Executive Chef Bobby Varua will delight with his innovative Modern American dishes including a sensational bar menu for receptions. An intimate private dining room can be reserved for groups up to 12. For a larger reception, 701’s dining room can host parties of 22 to 300 people, providing guests with views of the Navy Memorial, in the sleek curved dining room. Gathering around the wine and caviar bar is another option for smaller parties. Each event is executed with 701’s stately style and party arrangements are made with restaurant manager Chelsea Yancho at (202) 393-0701.

Located just steps away from the White House, power dining hotspot The Oval Room (800 Connecticut Avenue, NW) features three private dining rooms, which combined can host 250 guests for a holiday celebration.  For sit down dinners, The Oval Room can accommodate 70 people in the main dining room, 40 people in the Green Room and 10 people in the semi-private dining area for a more intimate gathering.  The eclectic wine list provides a perfect pairing for Executive Chef Tony Conte’s exquisite Modern American cuisine. For further information or to arrange a visit please contact the restaurant manager at (202) 463-8700 or www.ovalroom.com.

 Zola (800 F Street, NW) provides three unique settings for parties this holiday season.  The private dining room, complete with a working fireplace and state-of-the-art AV entertainment options, can accommodate up to 36 guests for an elegant seated dinner.  The Ultra Room, surrounded by an elegant wall of large windows overlooking the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery can host up to 250 guests for a reception or up to 150 guests for a seated dinner, while the Verona Room is also available for a more intimate dinner or event.  Executive Chef Bryan Moscatello prepares a straightforward American fare with menu items that change seasonally.  For reservations or to view the space please call (202) 654-0999.

 The Blue Duck Tavern (24 & M Streets, NW), located within the Park Hyatt Washington provides two private dining spaces for intimate gatherings, a semi-private dining room which accommodates up to 10 guests ideal, as well as a Chef’s Table adjacent to the open kitchen, which seats 12.  Guests can sample Executive Chef Brian McBride’s fresh produce, farm-raised meats and freshly caught seafood which reflect his “raised in America” focus.  For more information or to make reservations please call (202) 419-6755.

 In D.C.’s McPherson square neighborhood, is Brasserie Beck (1101 K Street, NW), the perfect place for hosting a private party with European flair.  The French-Belgian Brasserie offers a casual modern approach to dining, providing guests with a plethora of menu suggestions, an expansive wine list with over 60 wines priced $50 and under, as well as over one hundred Belgian beers on tap with matching glassware.  Beer Specialist Bill Catron is always pleased to assist guests in choosing the ideal beer pairings to set off hearty dishes prepared by Chef de Cuisine David Ashwell.  Two private dining rooms are available, each capable of seating up to 35 guests for lunch or dinner and up to 50 guests for a cocktail reception.  The rooms can also be combined to create a larger space for up to 70 guests seated or 80 plus guests standing.  Please contact Julie Albert at (202) 609-7081 for more information.

 The intimate neighborhood restaurant Sonoma (223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE) is an ideal venue for family and friends to gather to celebrate the holidays.  The mission of this Capitol Hill neighborhood hotspot is to showcase the region’s best naturally-raised and local ingredients, paired with an expansive California and Italian influenced wine list, in a chic and cozy setting.  Wine expert Jawad Saadaoui is on hand to assist guests in creating the perfect pairings to complement Executive Chef Drew Trautmann’s outstanding entrees which change seasonally.  Sonoma is available for parties ranging from 15 to 175, with a private lounge hour complete with working fireplace and bar ideal for receptions in addition to the private dining room.  Private dinners are also available for up to 40 guests.  All inquires should be made by contacting Sonoma’s Event Manager, Rebecca Wersan, at (202) 544-8088.

 Situated in the bustling Bethesda Row, Redwood (7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda) offers guests a private dining room complete with working fireplace clad in slate and reclaimed redwood for hosting private events this fall.  The menu reflects the collaborative efforts of its Executive Chef Andrew Kitko and Executive Chef Drew Trautmann of sister restaurant Sonoma on Capitol Hill, and features seasonal, naturally-raised and often locally-sourced ingredients on a frequently changing menu.  Redwood can host a seated dinner for up to 30 guests or a reception for 60, and has its own outdoor patio.  For additional information or reservations please call (301) 656-5515 or visit www.redwoodbethesda.com.

 José Andrés’ Penn Quarter hot spot for authentic Mexican fare, Oyamel (401 7th Street, NW) inspires celebration with a lively atmosphere and colorful décor. Oyamel features a lovely private dining room that accommodates 50 guests for a seated dinner and 75 for a standing reception. For small social gatherings, the Butterfly Bar is available for groups of up to 20 guests. Head Chef Joe Raffa will create a unique menu for each party showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Mexican cuisine combined with the urban fare of Mexico City. Named one of Esquire magazine’s Best New Restaurants, Oyamel is also known for unique cocktails full of flavor. For more information about private dining please call (202) 628-1005 or visit www.oyamel.com.

 Located in the bustling Chinatown neighborhood, Legal Sea Foods (704 7th Street, N.W.) features a private dining room for groups of 20. With the Verizon Center situated across the street and just a short walk from the Convention Center, Legal Sea Foods is a convenient and delicious destination. Voted “Best Seafood” by Washingtonian’s readers in 2008, Legal Sea Foods offers diners a variety of fresh seasonal seafood options to enjoy while overlooking 7th Street through the private dining room’s large windows. For more information and reservations at the Washington, D.C. location please call (202) 347-0007.

 Recently opened CommonWealth (1400 Irving Street, N.W.) is Jamie Leeds and Sandy Lewis’ latest neighborhood destination restaurant featuring a British-inspired and American-bred experience, including a unique private dining space perfect for small parties. Located in the revitalized Columbia Heights, the gastropub features a handsome pub décor with eco-friendly materials, expansive windows and sliding steel doors that enclose the 20-seat private dining room situated in the middle of the restaurant. Chef Jamie Leeds prepares British modern classics made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, free-range chicken and grass-fed beef and condiments imported from the UK. To complement the cuisine, CommonWealth offers an expansive selection of imported beers from the UK and the US commonwealths. CommonWealth also features a 40 seat pub area with game tables for checkers, backgammon and chess and outdoor seating area for 35. For more information contact CommonWealth at (202) 265-1400.

 Located just north of the nation’s capital, Mrs. K’s Restaurant (9201 Colesville Road, in Silver Spring) is an ideal destination for private events especially during the holidays, when the historical property is adorned with seasonal decorations. Mrs. K’s is also recognized for its traditional American fare, created by Executive Chef Upshur, incorporating the freshest seasonal ingredients. The lovely restaurant can accommodate up to 300 guests in its antiques-appointed dining rooms and is also perfect for intimate parties of 18. Mrs. K’s features a variety of spaces for any type of gathering including the Ben Franklin Room holding the “Ben Franklin Maxim’s”, first published in Old Richard’s Almanac, adding to the rich history of the room. The Indoor Terrace has soaring windows creating flowing views of the spectacular manicured gardens. Lastly, Mrs. K’s newest addition The Wine Press features a 3,600-square-foot wine cellar, home to the most comprehensive international wine selection in Montgomery County. With its vintage brick floors, large stone bar and superb custom carpentry, the ambiance is reminiscent of a rustic European Castle. This handsome environment can seat 94 for a rehearsal dinner or seated reception or can accommodate 80 for a stand up cocktail reception and opens onto a 60-seat terrace. For more information about private events at Mrs. K’s visit www.mrsks.com or call (301) 589-3500.

 Coming soon and situated within the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel (2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW), is Michael Mina’s BOURBON STEAK which is slated to open in mid-December.  The new restaurant will feature contemporary American fare with a focus on seasonal ingredients as well as Mina's award-winning butter-poached meats and poultries and classic seafood dishes.  Keeping with the nation’s capital’s emphasis on power daytime dining, BOURBON STEAK will be one of only a few of Michael Mina’s restaurants to serve lunch.  Guests can anticipate new salad entrées accompanied by homemade, fresh from the oven bread, each specifically created to complement the salad it is paired with.  Designed by Rockwell Group of New York, the 5,400 square-foot restaurant will boast a private dining room which is available for special events and private gatherings accommodating 22 guests for a seated dinner or 35 guests for a reception.  For reservations or additional information please call (202) 944-2026 or visit www.michaelmina.net.