Birthday Parties in Riverside Park, Upper West Side
Did you know, that in Riverside Park there is only one place that you can have your party, and have it completely caterd. Ellington in the Park, at West 105th Street, is the one place inside the park itself set up to do it. That single fact is why so many Upper West Side birthdays, leaving parties, and Sunday gatherings end up here instead of at a rooftop across town.
The kitchen is led by Chef John Loughran, who also runs our sister restaurant The Ellington on Broadway a few blocks east. Walk in tables at Ellington in the Park are first come, first served across both levels, the shipping container bar up top and the open air seating down at park level. For a group that wants to sit together and order in advance, the party reservations page is the way to arrange it, separate from the regular walk in policy.
Occasions people book here
Birthdays are the most common reason a group reaches out, but they are not the only one. Retirement send offs, work team outings, engagement gatherings, and family reunions all book the same way, a table or a section held on the water instead of indoors. Families with kids tend to come earlier in the day, before the evening crowd settles in, and the kids menu covers chicken fingers, hot dogs, quesadilla, salmon, mini burgers, and mac and cheese, each with fries or a salad.
Mark S. put it simply in a Google review this year: “an excellent place to spend a morning or evening with your family and friends.” That is what our team hears most often from groups who come back season after season.
What sets the table.
Groups eat from the same menu as everyone else. The Park Mac, with shredded lettuce, American cheese, dill pickles, and Ellington's special sauce, is the handheld most people start with. The Lobster Roll on brioche is the one guests order when the occasion calls for it. On the taco side, the Crispy Fish with mango cucumber salsa and the Wild Mushroom taco with portobello, shiitake, crimini, red cabbage, and goat cheese both work well for a mixed table, vegetarians included. The Hudson pizza, with fig, prosciutto, caramelized onions, and arugula, is big enough to share across the table. To drink, the Riverside Margarita and the Park Mule are the two cocktails that come up most, alongside a full draft beer list.
Getting there
Ellington in the Park sits at Riverside Drive and West 105th Street. Enter the park at 103rd Street and Riverside Drive, where a staircase and a ramp lead down. The nearest subway is the 1 train at 103rd Street, with the 1, 2, and 3 all stopping at 96th Street. Street parking runs along Riverside Drive. Both levels are covered, so a passing shower or the breeze off the Hudson does not put a stop to a party already underway. The venue opens daily from 11am for the 2026 season, which runs through November.
For a party big enough to need a held section and a pre ordered menu, the party reservations page is the starting point, and Koren handles those enquiries directly by email for larger groups. Group size and pricing depend on the date and the season, so the fastest way to get a real answer is to reach out through the page or call (929) 325 1004 rather than guess from a general rule online.
Questions people ask
Do I need a park permit to hold a party at Ellington in the Park?
No. Ellington in the Park operates as a concession inside Riverside Park, so a group books directly with the venue rather than applying separately to NYC Parks for that section.
Can I bring a cake for a birthday?
Reach out through the party reservations page ahead of time so the team knows to expect it and can help with plates and space.
Is there a kids menu for family parties?
Yes. Chicken fingers, hot dog, quesadilla, salmon, mini burgers, and mac and cheese are all on it, each served with fries or a salad, for kids under ten.
What happens if it rains on the day of a party?
Hours and availability can change in heavy rain or thunderstorms. Check the venue's Instagram on the day, and the team will work with any group that already has a booking in place.
When the season ends
Ellington in the Park closes for the winter in November. When it does, The Ellington on Broadway, our sister restaurant a few blocks east at 2745 Broadway, takes over as the year round option, with the same kitchen and a room that seats up to 130 for parties that want to keep going indoors.
Book a table for a group through the party reservations page, or call (929) 325 1004 to talk through the date.