Best Bar Rentals for Your Private Party

The older I get, the more I am of the opinion that the best parties to throw are those in which I do not have to cook, clean, mix drinks or DJ during. In short, I want all the fun without all the muss and fuss, and that's what bar rentals are for. So, the next time you want to throw a party, check out these best bars for your private party—you just might find that the best party is the kind where you pay to play.

R15
1431 R Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 930-9090
Hours: Daily until 2 a.m.
http://paragarys.com/go/prg/locations/r15/

Not only is R15 in a great location (the R Street corridor), but also it's a cool bar with an amazing adjacent restaurant (Cafe Bernardo). R15 requires a guaranteed food and beverage minimum of $5,000 Monday through Wednesday and $10,000 Thursday through Sunday for rentals. There are a variety of menu options to choose from to meet those minimums, including buffet, passed platters, and dinner. Maximum capacity is 300 people, with access to a banquet room, space for a cocktail reception, or up to 500 if you want to buy out it and Cafe Bernardo.

Insider tip: Valet parking can be arranged for your party, and menus and cocktails can be customized to fit your needs/party theme.

The Park Ultra Lounge
1116 15th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-7222
Private parties Thurs to Sat
http://theparkdowntown.com/page.php?url=events

The Park Ultra Lounge offers several party packages, including the Diamond VIP Room & Outdoor Lounge, which boasts free admission for up to 30 people (40 if you choose the outdoor lounge), front-of-the-line VIP admission, two bottles of top shelf liquor and mixers, a dedicated VIP host and waitress, VIP sofas and tables, and a 50-inch plasma TV, all for $600 (Thursdays) and $1,000 (Fridays and Saturdays). The Platinum VIP Lounge is for up to 15 people, VIP admission, and one bottle of liquor for $300 (Thursdays) and $400 (Fridays and Saturdays). The Gold VIP Lounge covers up to 10 guests at $250 (Thursdays) and $350 (Fridays and Saturdays), and the Silver VIP Lounge covers six people at $200 (Thursdays) and $300 Fridays and Saturdays). An 18% service charge is added to all VIP packages.

Pre-Flite Lounge
513 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-7963
Hours: Sun 3 p.m. – 10 p.m., Mon - Wed 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Thurs - Fri 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
http://preflitelounge.com/

Pre-Flite Lounge is the perfect low-key place to (host a private) party on a Saturday night. At a $50 per hour (with a four hour minimum) and a 165-person maximum, Pre-Flite offers by far the best Saturday night rental rate in town. At Pre-Flite, you can bring in your own entertainment (although they have a killer jukebox), your own food or catering service, and, with a credit card on file, the bar can be open to you and yours.

Insider tip: Pre-Flite drinks are strong and inexpensive, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.

MIX Downtown
1525 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8899
Hours: Tues 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Wed - Fri 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
http://www.mixdowntown.net/

At MIX Downtown, you and a group of 12 to 16 people can enjoy indoor or outdoor reserved seating, front-of-the-line VIP admission, a bottle of top shelf liquor (up to $200), mixers, and both a dedicated VIP host and cocktailer, all for $425 (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays) or $600 (Fridays and Saturdays) plus tax and 18% service charge. For a group of 10 to 12 people, prices are $375 and $450, for eight people, $325 and $400, and for groups of six or less, $275 and $350.

Shenanigans
705 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-1268
Hours: Mon to Sat 11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
http://shenaniganssacramento.com/

At Shenanigans, you and your friends can rent a whole floor of the facility on a weekday or weekend, with prices starting at $250 weekday and $500 weekend for space only, and $1,500 weekday and $2,500 weekend minimum food and beverage. Occupancy limit is 250 people, and menus and bar offerings can be customized to suit your budget and preferences. Menu options include bar food (mozzarella sticks, onion rings, garlic fries, wings), sandwiches, hot dogs, salad and burgers.

Juliet Farmer was born and raised in Sacramento, where she resides with her husband, two cats, and rescued greyhound. She is a freelance writer who regularly writes about food, pets, health and wellness, entertainment, and more.