Rent the perfect birthday restaurant in Manhattan

We don’t know who Charlie Bird is. A quick Google search may lead you to the Instagram profile of a Swiftie influencer, or the Wikipedia page of a late Irish journalist. The “about” page of the restaurant, however, claims that the name means New York. Perhaps it’s this mysterious dedication to the city that makes it one of the hottest restaurants in Soho.

The interior is fashioned with exposed brick dating back to 1880, and caramel booths line the walls underneath framed photos of boom boxes. To top it all off, hip-hop is always playing. Charlie Bird is available for partial and full buyouts, with seating indoors, on the patio, or in the heated pavilion. The private dining room accommodates 14 guests, ideal for an intimate celebration, in case one of your guests sings Happy Birthday really off-key.

Local ingredients range from Brooklyn-brewed beer to Long Island fluke, and the menu focuses on sharing plates. The cuisine is American with Italian influence, with a sommelier-curated wine list and handmade pasta, which can be paired with duck ragu or a glossy cacio y pepe sauce. For dessert, stick a candle in the Buttermilk Pannacotta or the Chocolate Budino. Since it’s to share, you won’t have to worry — everyone can have a bite.

Though ilili’s founder and Chef Philippe Massoud fled Lebanon as a teen in the early 80s, he’s kept the potent spices of his homeland close. Since 2007, Massoud and his team have brought Lebanese flavors and hospitality to the Flatiron District. Mezze platters are served family-style, encouraging guests and their loved ones to indulge in a communal dining experience. After all, ilili means “Tell me” in Lebanese slang. What better way to celebrate a special day than chatting over great food?

Mezza includes sumac fries, brussel sprouts with mint yogurt, tabouleh and fattouch, and falafel. For mains, you can order a whole roasted chicken, salmon, or lamb chops, among other large dishes. Top it all off with an orange blossom panna cotta, baklava, or knafe for dessert, or choose from their 30-page beverage menu, which has international wines and Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails.

Private dining options include the tented outdoor space for 10 to 20 guests, the elegant mirrored room for 40, semi-private for 95 to 150, or a full buyout for 240. For parties up to 14, you can book directly with the restaurant.

Australian café culture has taken the city (and world) by storm, and we all know they do a perfect avocado toast. For the average millennial city dweller, that could be all they need for their birthday, but Little Ruby’s offers much more. The West Village location is an airy, multi-level space with a full bar and exclusive cocktails, and can be fully bought out for 110 guests. The lower dining room can accommodate 40, and the expansive terrace offers views on the corner of 4th St. and 7th Ave.

If you want a casual, daytime meal, their brunch options include Aussie cafe classics like Vegemite toast and yogurt bowls with exotic fruits. Their dinner menu is a great option for those wanting a bite before hitting up one of the jazz clubs across the street. Despite the heritage, Little Ruby’s is well known for their pasta: try the vodka sauce pasta or classic Ragu. You can order a chocolate cake for dessert, or a sticky date pudding. The former will probably be easier to stick a candle in, but you do you.

The Little Ruby’s cocktail is the signature drink, with grapefruit, lavender, and plum liqueur. There’s an Aussie cucumber mule on draft, or you can get mega-cocktails or $85 punch bowls for a large group. Or a small one. Your special day permits you to go a little wild.

Fried chicken is a staple in Korea and the U.S. – and the two cultures merge at Coqodaq, an elevated fine dining restaurant that, yes, serves fried chicken. Upon entering, you’ll face a futuristic, portal-like world with light-up arches and curved forest-green banquettes. A handwashing station made from jade soapstone greets you at the door.

This may seem a little extra, but it’s a cultural nod – the owner also owns COTE, the famously impossible-to-get-into Michelin Star Korean steakhouse.

If you’re lucky enough to score a reservation, it’s natural to want a little bit of everything. The “Bucket List” runs at $38 per person, and includes two rounds of chicken, consommé, cold noodles, side dishes, and a tangy froyo to finish. The guest of honor can also be treated to the Golden Nugget, a $28 single chicken nugget topped with caviar.

100 types of champagne are available to pair with the meal, with the cheapest glass running just over a typical NYC cocktail at $25. Drink flavors are inspired by the Far East: the star cocktail, The Egg, is made with Grey Goose, Jasmine, and Lychee.

Reservations and curved tables are designed for 4 to 6 guests, but you can book special events and large parties by contacting the venue directly.

If you or a friend has been a Manhattan vegan in the past 7 years, chances are you’ve come across Jajaja. It’s a favorite among herbivores and omnivores alike for the way it redefines a classically meat and cheese-based cuisine. There are multiple locations all over the city, with the largest being in the West Village. The interiors are beachy and floral, down to the little details: hibiscus flowers float in the water carafes.

The dishes have been carefully decare in developing the dishes – no dry bean tacos here. Taco flavors include chipotle sweet potato, jackfruit carnitas, and buffalo cauliflower. You can also order enchiladas with vegan cheese and sour cream, or a massive “chorizo” burrito smothered in salsa and guac. All dishes are made to share, making it an ideal inclusive birthday dinner setting that everyone can enjoy.

You can rent the whole venue for up to 70 guests, or 20 in the main dining room. The underground speakeasy, Bar Nena, can also be rented out, so you can sip on margaritas with up to 60 of your closest friends.

This French restaurant is perfectly elegant and chic… until the lights dim. In true French fashion, burlesque dancers perform, adorned with feather boas and fantastically over-the-top costumes. While the food is to die for (the escargot and lamb are musts), the show makes this spot special. When the curtains close, Maison Close turns into a party. Guests dance on the tabletops and waiters pass out sparklers. This French restaurant can fit 160 people for a private event, but is also a great opportunity to find your new BFF over passed shots and vintage fans.

An ode to Chinatown’s first fine dining restaurant, Chinese Tuxedo is a glamorous eatery tucked away on one of New York City’s quaintest streets. This spot used to be home to the Chinese Theatre, an infamous meeting place for the creatives of the Lower East Side. When the building was restored, important historical details were preserved, making this a picturesque step back in time. The decor may be vintage, but the menu is definitely modern. From dim sum to noodles, there is something for everyone. And don’t get us started on the cocktail menu – we recommend the Year of the Snake, made with 12-year-old single malt whiskey, pear, and honey. It’s certain to infuse your year with good intentions. Between the two floors, there are multiple options for private event spaces of up to 300 people.

If your birthday guest is a fan of Mexican street food and tequila-fueled salsa dancing, La Esquina, the Mexican restaurant and speakeasy notorious for celeb-spotting, is perfect for a special occasion. What may look like just a taco stand from the outside is actually a glamorous multi-room restaurant. Once you slip through the door and sneak through the kitchen, there is a DJ, a bar, and intimate seating to welcome you. You can choose between a pre-fixe menu and à la carte options, but try not to skip the Enchilada de Mole or the Bistec. The true star is the cocktail menu: tequila-focused with plenty of flavor options. Even their Sangria comes with a shot of tequila. Can’t decide? There is a tequila flight, or from personal experience, the bartenders are the best at guessing what you would like. Book a semi-private or private space starting at 9 people, or a full restaurant buyout.

Hidden underneath Times Square, this speakeasy is sure to make your guests blush. You need to ring the doorbell to get in, but in order to find the password, you will have to navigate the retro website and search for the secret code. Make sure to bring a valid over-21 ID and an open mind, what you will see may shock you. Back in the 80s, Midtown had a seedy underbelly - a promiscuous refuge for the good, the bad, and the ugly. The founders of the Woo Woo wanted to pay homage to this era through a speakeasy, and we are so glad they did. Neon lights, disco balls, and funky cocktails are what make this place perfect for a celebration. We’d give you some menu recommendations, but the names are a little… risqué for our family-friendly website. Still, we’d recommend them all, along with their array of bar snacks and food offerings.

Moody and memorable, Ye’s Apothecary is named after its founder: Miss Ye. Miss Ye traveled throughout Asia, bringing back inspiration and appreciation, with the idea to start this Chinatown hot spot. The menu is a fusion of traditional Szechuan cuisine and tapas - perfect for sharing with big groups. It stays true to its name with an active (albeit modern) apothecary: the bartenders have created a menu of drinkable potions (cocktails) that pair perfectly with each dish. Even the decor is an ode to Asian culture, with rooms filled with warm lighting and traditional art pieces. Private event capacities start at 9 people, and there are plenty of options for groups of all sizes.