Hosting a private party at a restaurant hands off the jobs that wear hosts out: the cooking, the serving, the bar and the cleanup. What’s left for you is the part that matters, which is deciding what kind of evening you want and making sure the venue can deliver it. This guide walks through the questions worth asking before you book any restaurant, then answers each one for our own event space.
Station One Smokehouse is a Texas-style BBQ restaurant with locations in Plainfield and Yorkville. Private parties happen in Yorkville, our only location with a dedicated event space. You’ll find booking details and the inquiry process on our Yorkville events page.
Three Decisions to Make Before You Call
A venue can answer your questions much faster when a few basics are already settled.
Start with a date window. Two or three dates that would work give you far better odds than a single Saturday. Then pin down an honest headcount range, low and high. Finally, picture the kind of evening you want. A seated dinner with toasts, a come-and-go open house and a watch party with the game on all need different things from a room.
Questions to Ask Before You Book a Restaurant for a Private Party
Is there a private room, or a reserved section?
Restaurants use “private party” to mean different things. Some close off a dedicated room. Others set aside part of the dining room while regular service carries on around you. Either can work, but you should know which one you’re getting, especially if you’re planning speeches or a slideshow.
At Station One: Yorkville has a dedicated event space. Our dining rooms are first come, first served with no reservations, so private events are the exception and are booked by inquiry.
How far ahead should I book?
Good weekend dates go first everywhere, and a kitchen needs time to plan food for a group. Ask how much notice the venue wants and when the final headcount is due.
At Station One: For full-service events, send an inquiry three to four weeks ahead. Our brisket spends 14-plus hours on the smoker, and large orders go on the smoker the night before, so for a weekend party, get your inquiry in early in the week. That way we can build the cook around your headcount.
Is there a minimum spend, and what counts toward it?
Many restaurants set a food and beverage minimum for private spaces, and some add a room fee. The details vary widely. Ask whether drinks count toward the minimum, whether tax and gratuity count, and what happens if your group comes in under the number. Get the answers in writing.
At Station One: We don’t post event pricing online, since it depends on your date, group size and menu. Include those details in your inquiry and we’ll lay out the specifics for your party.
What’s on the menu, and how is it served?
Ask whether you’ll order from a set party menu or build your own, and how the food reaches your guests. Buffets keep a mingling crowd moving. A seated group may want something more structured. Either way, ask how the venue handles dietary needs.
At Station One: Private parties get custom BBQ menus from the same all-wood pit that feeds the dining room. Our catering menu is a good way to see the range, from sliced brisket and pork belly burnt ends to mac and cheese, elote corn and banana pudding. Tell us how you’d like the food served, and we’ll talk through what works for your group.
How does the bar work?
Decide how you want to handle drinks before you meet with the venue. Common setups include an open bar paid by the host, a spending cap after which guests pay their own way, drink tickets, or a cash bar. Ask which options the restaurant supports.
At Station One: There’s a full bar with cocktails, draft beer, bottles and cans, wine and a wide range of spirits. Check the bar menu for what’s pouring, and mention how you’d like to handle drinks in your inquiry.
Can I see the space first?
Photos help, but walking the room tells you where people will gather, where the food will sit and whether a toast will carry. Ask if you can stop by at a quieter time.
At Station One: Our photo gallery shows the pit, the plates and the event space set for a party. You can also come in for a meal and see the Yorkville location for yourself. No reservation is needed for a regular visit.
What about parking, access and kids?
Ask where guests will park, how easy the space is to reach for older guests, and whether children are welcome. Put the parking details in your invitation so nobody circles the lot.
At Station One: Yorkville sits at 524 E Kendall Crossing, just off Route 34, with easy parking. The patio and dining room are family-friendly.
Planning the Evening Once You’ve Booked
With the venue settled, sketch the evening in rough blocks. For a three-hour party, that might be 30 minutes of arrivals and drinks, an hour or so of food, a short stretch for toasts, and a relaxed finish with dessert.
A few habits make the night smoother. Let people eat before the speeches, because a crowd with a full plate is a patient crowd. Name one person as the venue’s contact so questions don’t bounce between three relatives or coworkers. And send your final headcount on time, since the kitchen plans the cook around it.
Parties That Fit a Restaurant Event Space
Our Yorkville event space regularly suits birthdays, showers, graduations and office parties across Kendall County. Couples also book us for relaxed wedding receptions. If your gathering lands somewhere in that range and you’d rather host than cook, a restaurant is worth a serious look.
A Little Background on the Pit
Yorkville runs the same pit program as our flagship in Plainfield’s old downtown firehouse. If you’re curious how it all started, our story covers the history.
Private Party FAQs
Does Station One take reservations?
Not for regular dining. Both locations are first come, first served. Private events in Yorkville are the exception and are booked by inquiry.
Can I host a private party at the Plainfield location?
Yorkville is our only location with a dedicated event space. The Plainfield firehouse stays first come, first served, though it does handle catering if you’re hosting somewhere else.
Do you cater off-site events?
Yes. We cater across Kendall County and the surrounding towns, from drop-off trays to full-service setups.
Ready to Hold a Date?
Send your date options, headcount and the kind of evening you have in mind through our contact page, and we’ll take it from there.