Why Birthdays in Long Island City, NY Feel More Personal at The Foundry
Planning a memorable birthday celebration means finding a location that feels special without the stiffness of typical party venues. You want somewhere your guests can relax, celebrate comfortably, and experience something different from standard restaurant private rooms. Many people in New York struggle to find spaces that balance character with flexibility for personal milestones. At The Foundry, our 19th-century building on Ninth Street in Long Island City offers distinct rooms, indoor and outdoor options, and an atmosphere that makes celebrations feel meaningful rather than generic.
Birthdays in Long Island City feel more personal at The Foundry due to its unique historic setting and flexible event spaces. The venue offers a variety of areas, including a 3,000-square-foot main space, outdoor courtyard, indoor greenhouse, and rooftop terrace with skyline views, providing a distinctive and customizable atmosphere for celebrations.
Historic Character Creates Atmosphere
Most birthday venues in New York fall into familiar categories: restaurant back rooms with minimal personality, hotel function spaces designed for conferences, or rented lofts that require you to build everything from scratch. Our approach differs. This building houses 3,000+ square feet of meticulously restored industrial space with authentic character you can't replicate. Fine varnishes were manufactured here before the Albra Metal Foundry operated from this location. The Albra logo remains visible on the corner at 9th Street and 43rd Avenue. After decades of abandonment, the Du Val family purchased and restored the property in 1980, preserving the original industrial character. We began hosting events in 2001, and we're the only foundry structure in this neighborhood still standing.
Versatile Rooms Suit Celebrations
The Foundry Main Space provides 3,000+ square feet with stunning proportions and a blend of modern and classic design that photographs naturally. The raw space adapts to your vision without imposing a predetermined style. Walk outside to the lush outdoor Courtyard, surrounded by greenery and perfect for cocktails or outdoor dining. The indoor Greenhouse creates an entirely different mood with plants and natural light. Head up to the rooftop Terrace for Manhattan skyline views that elevate any celebration. The Billiard Room and The Albra Room provide intimate spaces for smaller groups or quieter moments away from the main gathering.
Natural Backdrops for Photos
When you're celebrating a milestone birthday, quality photos matter. The Foundry operates as a photography venue for engagement shoots, product photography, and creative projects throughout the year. That experience translates to any celebration held here. The industrial elements, natural light patterns, and architectural details create backdrops that look professional without staging. We regularly accommodate film and video productions, confirming that these spaces work exceptionally well on camera. These features exist naturally in the building's structure.
Experienced Event Team
Angela Ortiz, our Venue Manager, and Lindsey Hamma, our Events Manager, work with clients from first contact through event completion. Allison Du Val, our Managing Director, supervises all operations. This team brings experience from hosting diverse events, including corporate functions, launch parties, and bar and bat mitzvahs. The flexible nature of our space means we adapt to different celebration styles. Our fully equipped industrial kitchen supports caterers working on your menu. The venue's adaptability for many uses means we understand how to make personal celebrations work smoothly.
Accessible Queens Location
Situated at 42-38 9th Street in Long Island City, our venue connects easily to Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs via multiple subway lines. The E or M trains reach 23rd and Court Square, the R train stops at Queens Plaza, the N or 7 trains serve Queensborough Plaza, and the F train stops at 21st Street/Queens Bridge. This accessibility helps when inviting friends from different parts of the city. The main entrance at 42-38 Ninth Street and a separate caterer entrance at 42-32 Ninth Street simplify logistics.
Conclusion
The Foundry stands apart for birthday celebrations by providing authentic industrial character in a restored 19th-century building, offering 3,000+ square feet of flexible space plus multiple distinct areas, including a courtyard and Manhattan skyline terrace, and delivering experienced event support through a professional team.
Ready to explore this venue for your celebration? Call (718) 786-7776 or email ao@thefoundry.info to arrange your private tour.
FAQs
What makes this venue work for personal celebrations?
Our 19th-century industrial building offers 3,000+ square feet of adaptable raw space, a lush outdoor courtyard, an indoor greenhouse, and a rooftop terrace with Manhattan skyline views, creating multiple settings for different celebration moments.
What types of events does the venue accommodate?
We host corporate events, launch parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, and serve as a photography venue for engagement shoots, product photography, and creative projects. The flexible event space adapts to various celebration types.
How do guests travel to Long Island City?
Multiple subway lines serve the area: the E or M trains stop at 23rd and Court Square, the R train at Queens Plaza, the N or 7 trains at Queensborough Plaza, and the F train at 21st Street/Queens Bridge.
Which spaces can we use during our event?
The venue includes the Main Space (3,000+ square feet), the outdoor Courtyard, the indoor Greenhouse, the rooftop Terrace with Manhattan skyline views, The Albra Room, and The Billiard Room, each offering a distinct atmosphere.