13 Creative Corporate Event Ideas in NYC (2024)

Have you ever been on a trip with friends or family members, and at the end of it felt like the shared memories from just that short amount of time together have permanently strengthened your bond? Corporate events can be like that too if you bring a little creativity and fun to the table. This was our thought process as we created our corporate event ideas in NYC.

That kind of team-building through shared unique experience is tragically underrated—who wouldn’t want a staff that shares that level of camaraderie? Our list of 12 creative corporate event ideas in New York City includes both one-size-fits-all general tips that can elevate any event, as well as specific activities particular to NYC, so there’s something here for everyone.

1. Book an unforgettable Peerspace venue to set the perfect scene

In case you haven’t heard, Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, making it easy to uncover and book hidden gem spaces for all of your special events. And probably not surprisingly, the diversity of rentals in New York City is second to none!

There are a ton of incredible venue rentals available through Peerspace, from this sanctuary-turned-Instagram-goldmine or this furnished rooftop garden with a view of the Empire State Building.

After all, what better way to get together than to mingle in a completely unique venue that’s so different than your everyday office setting?

2. Book a stay in a secret hotel for a once-in-a-lifetime experience

If you’ve got the budget to do an overnight activity, consider a surprise trip to a secret hotel. Secret hotels are gaining in popularity, though you wouldn’t know it unless you’re in the know. Secret hotels are similar to traditional upscale boutique hotels but provide little in the way of context, details, visuals, or even their location ahead of the guests’ arrival. We’ve got a lead on a great one: The Dutchess. We’ll just say that it’s somewhere in upstate New York.

3. Hold a storytelling event to learn more about each other

Open mic storytelling events are increasingly popular, and New York is home to the one that pretty much started it all—The Moth. Come up with a fun, quirky theme, book an event venue, and have a storytelling night (with a few drinks to loosen everyone up, maybe?) It’s a great way to learn more about each other.

Opting for more low-key events? Then you need to check out our favorite team outing ideas in NYC next!

4. Get retro and ramp up the friendly competition at a Barcade

NYC has multiple Barcade locations, which serve up classic arcade games alongside craft beers. The options for creating a little intra-company competition are endless, or just let people hang out and revel in nostalgia.

5. Bring on the food trucks with the New York Food Truck Association

Nobody gets tired of food trucks, and depending on the venue it can be pretty convenient to just have trucks pull up—no clean-up! The New York Food Truck Association facilitates these events all the time.

6. Play Olympian for the day at Chelsea Piers

Chelsea Piers has a ton of lively options for a corporate event, but our favorite options include mini Olympics, scavenger hunts, and golf happy hour. Poll your team members to see which they prefer and then have at it!

7. Live inside a theatrical thriller experience

The McKittrick Hotel is not a traditional hotel—it’s a venue. And while you can go to the bar there for cocktails and tableside sleight-of-hand magic, you’d be better off taking your crew to Sleep No More. It’s an interactive, surreal version of Macbeth that uses the hotel as its setting. If your team can get into something weird and different, they’ll love this. It’s one of the most unique corporate event ideas in all of New York City.

8. Swoon over a signature craft cocktail

If your associates like a good drink, consider booking a high-end mixologist as opposed to using a caterer’s go-to bartenders. Have them make a signature cocktail recipe with a name that’s tailored to your company. Employees will get a kick out of it, and it will give them something to make again in the future.

Make it easy on yourself by booking a stylish and thoughtful bar in NYC through Peerspace. For example, check out this farm-to-bar cocktail cafe in Lenox Hill. This beautiful space prides itself on providing you with well-crafted drinks made with the finest ingredients.

Whatever your bar situation, you can also consider contributing bar proceeds to a charitable cause. Have the company match whatever employees spend. Everyone will be motivated to live it up! Of course, always have options for non-drinkers, and keep safety the top priority.

Need professional help planning your event? We have you covered with our list of the best corporate event planners in NYC!

9. Host a private dinner party in a fresh setting

There is nothing like trying out a new restaurant with your colleagues. And when you use Peerspace, discovering fresh spaces like restaurants with hosts who go out of their way to provide you with a bespoke experience is how we roll. One great example is this urban tropical dining room and bar in Greenpoint. It’s a rustic and tropically-inspired space that offers you amazing food and beverage packages to suit your event, all at prices that won’t bust the budget.

A Peerspace user who booked their event here shared the following review: “Mike was a great host, super responsive and flexible. His space was beautiful and came with a lot of great food and drink options, I had the best time hosting my 30th birthday here!”

10. Book a futuristic donut-making robot

There’s no rule that says you can’t primarily have dessert stations at your event. Think frozen yogurt stands or hot pretzel stations where attendees pick their flavors and toppings. Think cupcakes and donuts. Everyone can agree on donuts. Just as one example, Glazed & Confused will bring a donut-dipping robot to your event, so everyone can watch their donuts get fried, glazed, and topped to order.

11. Get mindful and meditative with your own wellness workshop

If the tone you’re going for is more subdued and contemplative, bring some mindfulness practice to the group. Corporate meditation was all the rage in the 90s, and it’s seeing a stunning resurgence—and with good reason. Something like guided meditations or a group yoga session can really renew and invigorate your team. Activities of these types are among some of the most popular corporate event ideas in New York City these days.

If you need the perfect location to host such an event and some professional help to guide you, we have just the place. Check out this 2,000-square-foot loft meeting space in Williamsburg designed with corporate wellness retreats in mind. In fact, the host can help you plan your corporate meditation and wellness retreat, helping you find a professional to guide your team and some delicious catering to enjoy after your wellness sesh.

12. Set up a carnival to bring out your inner children

Relieve the glory days of childhood by recreating your favorite traveling carnival memories. Numerous businesses offer carnival ride, game, and stall rentals, like this one. There’s no employee in the world who wouldn’t like to take a shot at their boss in the dunk tank.

13. Team up to solve some puzzles at Escape The Room

Whether you’re playing a game of international espionage with The Agency, or you’re looking to break free from The Vlock Tower, Escape The Room NYC’s escape rooms in midtown Manhattan are a fun and unique way to spend an hour together. They’ve got a dedicated team of event coordinators who will be happy to assist you in booking and planning your outing.

Corporate event ideas NYC: conclusion

Whatever you do, don’t let it feel like work. There’s nothing worse than a corporate event that feels like being at work, and we’ve all been to them. Instead of promoting fun and bringing the group together, you’ve just spoiled everyone’s off time—and that’s not cool. If you’re going to do it, get creative. No matter the budget, there are corporate event ideas in New York City that are unique and offbeat, the sort of thing they’ll be talking about for years to come.

Find a unique space in New York City on Peerspace