FAQs for Private Parties
Where do you recommend I park?
Brennan’s is located in the heart of the French Quarter. While we do not offer validated parking, several Pay-To-Park lots and street parking are located nearby. Uber and Lyft are also popular options for entering the French Quarter.
Do you require a deposit?
Deposits are not required at Brennan’s. In the event that you would like to move forward, we would create a contract for you to sign to secure the space. Brennan’s asks for signed contract with a credit card number on hold to reserve your event, however it is not charged until the day of your event if using the card on file for payment.
Do you offer handicapped accessibility?
Yes, Brennan’s features an elevator, which is located inside the front entrance for second floor access.
Is there an in-house Audio-Visual System & Microphone?
Yes, Brennan’s offers a wireless microphone for $100 and a screen + projector package for $250. We can hook up a smart device to our in house sound system through an auxiliary port on the device, free of charge.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Brennan’s will accommodate dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other special requests. Please inform us of your guests’ needs. Our chef will accommodate your guests’ restrictions the day of your event, by creating a special dish for them.
Do you offer customized signature cocktails?
Yes, we are happy to assist you in creating a special drink for your event, upon request.
Can I bring my own wine?
Yes, you can! Brennan’s requires a $25 corkage fee per 750mL bottle of wine and allows up to six 750 mL bottles, or the equivalent. For example, a magnum requires a $50 corkage fee and counts as 2 bottles. Please coordinate wine deliveries with your sales manager.
Can I arrive early to set up for my event?
Yes, we do allow early access for event set-up and will assist you with the set-up time for your event. Brennan’s private spaces are generally available for set up at least 1 hour prior to your event, depending on the previous events end time. Courtyard events and buyouts require additional set up time.
Can I bring additional items?
Yes, you are welcome to bring additional décor for your event. Items such as confetti, glitter, and open flame candles are not allowed. Please be sure to coordinate all details and delivery times with management for approval, and to take all personal items with you at the end of your event. Brennan’s is not liable for items left after the event.
Do you offer a rain plan for courtyard events?
Yes, Brennan’s highly recommends reserving our custom tent in case of inclement weather. Alternatively, a rain plan must be devised for your event, at least 3 business days prior to your event, if you have reserved additional space. Brennan’s custom tent is reserved through a 3rd party vendor on your behalf as a rain plan, if there is no alternative rain plan option. The tent can be cancelled within 3 business days without forfeiting a deposit, if it is not needed. The inclusive cost of the tent is $2500, which includes set up, breakdown, and tax. All pricing is subject to change.
Can I deliver/ ship additional items?
Yes, we can assist with the delivery of items several hours or days prior to your event, depending on the quantity of items, as long as these items are non-perishable. We can accept shipments prior to your event and ask that you provide shipping information, with the name and date of your event. If items will need to be shipped back to you, please arrange these details with us.
Can you recommend preferred vendors?
Brennan’s is delighted to recommend several of our favorite vendors, whom we have worked with over the years. Please contact us for more information on specific vendors. Please note that all vendors must be licensed and insured. Vendors must staff their own labor for set up; unfortunately, Brennan’s staff is not available to set up for outside vendors.
Can I schedule a tasting?
Brennan’s offers complimentary private tastings for confirmed events of 100 or more guests. If you have a small event, we are happy to schedule a private tasting with you once you’re your event is confirmed, however, it will not be complimentary and a $100 attendant fee will be applied to your bill.
Brennan’s schedules private tastings for up to 4 guests Monday-Thursday afternoons, based on availability. Please provide your sales manager with several tasting dates that work best for you in order to schedule and confirm your tasting. Your sales manager will meet with you during your tasting to discuss the details of your event.
Can I hire live entertainment?
All entertainment to perform during events scheduled at the restaurant must be pre-approved by management prior to booking. Additionally, Brennan’s Restaurant retains the right to limit the volume levels of performers and musicians booked by the host during the event. Set up and sound check must take place between hours of operation. Management must approve the sound check time. Brennan’s Restaurant requires a special event permit when live music is played in the courtyard, which we will obtain on your behalf.
Is there a noise ordinance in the French Quarter?
Yes, Brennan’s is located in the residential zone in the French Quarter, which means that we have a noise ordinance for live music of 10pm on weekends in the Courtyard. Your event doesn’t have to end at this time, however, we do have to be mindful of decibel levels after this time.
Wedding Questions
What services are included with Brennan’s weddings?
Our services include a service attendant for the bride and groom (upon request), basic tables, chairs, linens, silverware, flatware, glassware, basic votive candles (upon request), chafers, and staff.
How long can I expect my event to be?
Brennan’s events take place within 3 hours - the perfect amount of time for a cocktail period and meal!
Ceremonies + Receptions take place within 4 hours (allowing 1 hour for the ceremony period and 3 hours for the reception period). Ceremonies usually take place 15-30 minutes after guests arrive, allowing them time to be seated. You may choose to offer cocktails during thistime.If you would like to add additional time to your event, please ask for pricing.
What is the cost of a wedding at Brennan’s?
Brennan’s does not charge room fees or ceremony fees, however, our private dining rooms may require food and beverage minimums, which are determined by the selected space, date, and time of your event. The private event sales team can assist you with pricing, based on these details.
Can I have my ceremony and reception in the same space?
Of course! Smaller ceremonies often take place in front of the mantle in one of our private dining rooms, while guests are seated at the surrounding dining tables.
If you are hosting both your ceremony and reception in the courtyard, we recommend scheduling a second line around the block to allow for setting up the courtyard for your wedding reception.
Can my bridal party arrive for photos earlier than my the scheduled ev ent time?
While we are happy to accommodate photo ops prior to your event, we will schedule a space for photos closer to your event, if available, due to limited private event space.
Is it possible to rehearse our ceremony?
Brennan’s welcomes ceremony rehearsals, however, due to our limited event space, we schedule rehearsals closer to the wedding date to ensure that space will be available. If planning a rehearsal, please contact us closer to your wedding date to schedule a rehearsal time and location.
Do you have an in-house wedding planner?
Our private event sales team will assist in the booking and planning of your event. Your event details will then be handed over to our private event staff, who will be onsite for your event to assist with most of the details of the day.
Brennan's recommends that you hire a professional Wedding Day-of Coordinator or Wedding Planner to assist you with the intricate details of your event, especially if you’re hosting a ceremony and reception with us. Additional arrangements such as rehearsal and ceremony orchestration, gift logistics, entertainment, seating arrangements/ place cards, floral and custom decor are the host’s responsibility. In the event that you do hire a wedding coordinator, we will work closely with him/her to orchestrate your perfect day!
Can I bring my own cake?
We welcome you to have a third party-commercial, licensed bakery provide your wedding and groom’s cake. Due to liability reasons, Brennan’s asks that the bakery deliver your wedding cake just prior to your event and place it directly on the cake table. Please provide the name and number of your bakery and coordinate the delivery time with management. Please let management know if you plan to keep the top of your cake. If so, please don’t forget to take it at the end of the evening. Brennan’s is unable to store the top of your cake overnight
Do you charge a cake cutting fee?
Brennan’s charges a cake-cutting fee of either $2 per person or a $100 flat fee; whichever is less. Brennan’s chef will plate and serve your cake to your guests.
Can Brennan’s accommodate outside catering?
Brennan’s offers the finest in creole cuisine and service and has recently been recognized as the best New Orleans restaurant by New Orleans Magazine. If Brennan’s is unable to accommodate menu items based on traditional or cultural reasons, we will assist in accommodating these requests from licensed, 3rd party vendors.
